www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hey all,
Some of you might have been aware of this, over the past several weeks I've been visiting CR, but not the gulch, except overnight on my way in/out.

I've been picking and choosing different hotels to stay at in this time, as it has been more about where to spend the night in SJO, not mongering there...

So, I'm going to put together a few reviews of hotels for y'all...


Over a year ago I made a statement, that so far has held true, and it went something to the effect of: I'm not going to come to SJO to monger and not stay at ZB...

I have now stayed at over a dozen hotels in SJO over the past 12 months, that are not ZB, while not mongering, and I have just come across the first hotel that has the POTENTIAL of changing my mind... When I say potential, I still have to factor in the $20 sessions at ZB, and then I gotta say, that ZB wins, but I can consider that if ZB is full, I might still come to CR and monger anyway, if I can stay at Freebird...

Freebird, in my opinion puts the rest of the hotels I've stayed at in SJO to shame. With the exception of the SL penthouse, and the spa suites at Presidente, Freebird is the nicest hotel room I've stayed at in CR.

I am currently spending my second night at Freebird, due to unforseen circumstances I have had to not travel today, and spend a second night. I chose the suite #2 option. Dennis showed me the other suite, which is just as nice, only with a bigger bed, as well as the queen rooms, which are gorgeous!

When you combine everything that is on offer at Freebird, and factor in it's price, you'd be daft if you stayed anywhere else.

The rooms all have plasma tv's with SKY TV, NICE refrigerators, and at least the suites both had microwaves. The queen rooms have a common area with microwaves and a washer and a dryer - no more treking out to a laudromat, or having to deal with someone else doing my laundry!

Wireless in the rooms was with a FULL signal, I usually can't even get that at home!

The bed is extremely comfortable, and the shower is awesome.

There is no AC in most rooms, but you don't need it - I'm ALWAYS hot, and I never felt uncomfortable here. There are ceiling fans that make the place feel frigid in fact.

Both suites have comfortable couches, and a bar with running faucet, and bar stools.

There are no keys to loose, as everything is digitally locked, so, as long as you don't forget passcodes, you're set.

There's an in-room safe as well..

The rooms are INCREDIBLY quiet, and you can barely hear the street noise outside, which for SJ is amazing.

As far as brining chicas back, well, you can see the relatively sane policy on their website.

The location is fantastic, with tons of dining options, as well as 2 pharmacies within a 2min walk, the HDR is 3 blocks away, and Idem is less than 4. (Paco/LH/MG, that means pucho's is only 3 blocks away for you)

My only complaint is about parking, which I have for most places in SJ. There's a couple of parking garages around, and there's street parking. I've been parking on the street during the day, and moving my car to one of the lots overnight, where they've been charging me 5400 colones from 6pm to 9am.

As long as Dennis has space, I will not be looking for anywhere else to stay in SJ, when not mongering. I've found a home.

Their website is:
https://www.hotelfreebird.com/


qbf

Sounds like another good hotel choice.

HINT

For guys trying to book for super bowl weekend jump on the Freebird. Since they just opened most likely will have space available for that weekend for at least a few days.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Thanks for the great review, I think I'll stay there soon. I'd been considering giving them a try ever since they became a CRT sponsor. I've had some time free up at the last second lately only to find ZB and SL already booked.

Were the in-room safes large enough for your laptop?

Thanks.....good info. Sounds like a viable option.

QBF,
Thanks for the heads up, I'm looking into booking them for my Dec trip.

Question: is there a 3 night minimum stay? Their website says so.

Parking was $10 for the overnight? I'm leaving the car on the street.

Thanks.

QBF...


Nice review, I'll recommend it on your experience

One thing,

I don't understand what you mean by not mongering and what it has to do with where one sleeps at night

When I'm mongering in SJ, I'll be staying at ZB, I just can't pass up $20 sessions...

If not, it'll be freebird.

Not mine, but considering you need a passcode to get into the hotel, plus one to get into the room, I'm assuming only the maid and the owner have access other than me, so, I'm assuming my laptop is safe...

But I've made assumptions like that before, and rarely been wrong...

Their "standard" rooms do not have individual baths. It's a community bath arrangement. That one thing keeps me from considering the hotel.

Berk.....

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FRUITCAKE... and you thought it was something you eat! Not on CRT!

I saw that too. If you're on the second or third floor, you have to walk down to the first floor to use one of the 2 bathrooms/showers. 2 bathrooms for 5 rooms. Better bring a bathrobe. This arrangement seems perfect for ecotourists, they are all about sharing and common areas to talk about waterfalls and shit. I'm just a selfish gringo. I don't think the chicas would appreciate standing in line for the shower too much either. I imagine a DR Colombiana with huge fake boobs waiting in line behind a 30-ish gringo with dreadlocks and a beard.

The suites look and sound very good though.

Here are some of their policies:
-Check out 11:30am (1pm checkout is $15 extra)
-No guest fees, but extra person $10/day
-No breakfast (why the extra person fee?)
-No parking deal

i have visited,nice modern rooms,narrow alleyway entrance,not really a hotel more like apts.....nice owner,knows what is important for guy's enjoying the ladys of san jose....

The suites look nice enough, but the shared baths for the other rooms is a non-starter for me. No way I'd stay at a place without private bath.

Dennis is taking that off their website...

even I wouldn't leave my car on the street... You might get back and only find a chasis....

I agree, I could never share a bathroom...

But the suites were gorgeous...

It's a nice option. But I would be hard pressed to stay without a private bath unless the price is significantly lower than one elsewhere with. But they sure look nice.