www.CostaRicaTicas.com

As stated in the subject, this is my first time posting. I feel that I have done a fairly thorough job in reading through the Newbie Section and the various other forums...basically doing all the due diligence expected of a newbie.

As my amigo and I are planning way in advance for our first trip down to CR, we wanted to get our hotel arrangements squared away first. We used this particular forum as our primary method of researching the pluses / minuses and gathering feedback on prospective hotels. I must thank each of you as contributors for providing the wealth of knowledge contained within these pages.

After using the forum to compile our list of places that seemed to fit our needs, we pretty much narrowed it down to SL or Morazan. Well, when we checked out the website to the Morazan, the rooms really didn't strike our fancy. When we checked out the SL site, the rooms choices seemed right up our alley, but the room titles on the informational pages didn't correspond to the room titles on the online reservation form, so we're guessing that the prices wouldn't necessarily match up either.

With all of that said, we turn to the seasoned veterans of this site to help answer some questions regarding the SL and we are completely open to other suggestions as well. Let me start off with our wish list:

1. Looking to spend between $100 - $200 per night total
2. Tica friendly (i.e. multiple tica friendly / minimal guest fee if any)
3. Two beds (this can be same room or adjoining room)
4. Jacuzzi
5. Some sort of living area (i.e. couch, desk, etc.)
6. Locked safe in room(s)

Can the SL meet this wish list or something close to it? If so, can anyone tell us what we should refer to the room as when calling?

We are also open to suggestions for other establishments. Basically, we feel that having a nice room(s) will only add to first trip experience. We're not necessarily looking for the bargain of the century, but at the same time we're not looking to break the bank. Oh yeah, we're pretty set on the jacuzzi thing which will probably impact some of your recommendations.

Sorry about the novel, but I wanted to introduce myself to the group, convey that we had done some good research, and provide as much info as possible to make your responses as easy as possible. We are looking forward to this trip and the possibility of hooking up with some current board members while there. There seems to be an understood brotherhood on this board, and we look forward to being active participants.

Cheers!

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Eyespitfire,
Welcome to the board. Sounds like the Penthouse at the SL is just what you're looking for. A little over $200 per night with your CRT discount, but it has everything you're looking for. You will be very pleased!

Have fun.

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

If you want a jacuzzi, your choices are more limited as you know.

The Penthouse at Sportsmens has 2 jacuzzis, a large bedroom, a separate loft-type 2nd bedroom (w/ locking door) for a wingman, huge living room with sofa, large flat screen, stereo system, wetbar, and it's about $225/night (+ 16% tax)with CRT discount. There are no guest fees or restrictions on how many you can bring up.

The Presidente has a few options, except they have a 1 guest at-a-time policy and a dress code (girls who look too slutty don't get let in). They have a Spa room, a Grand Spa room, and the Master Suite. The CRT rates are: $98, $111, $270 (+ tax) respectively. Read the descriptions here: http://www.hotel-presidente.com/accomodations.cfm

The Spa and Grand Spa are for 1 person. The Master Suite has 2 bedrooms.

I don't know anything about the Morazan.

You would be happy at SL Penthouse. It's a nice place, clean rooms, friendly staff, good food, and girls hang out in the bar. It's close to everything else (short cab ride).

There are safes in every room in pretty much all hotels, except for the budget ones.

Thanks for the quick responses.

Orange & Much Gusto: Your recommendations and description of the Penthouse suite seems right up our alley. While looking at the pictures on their website yesterday evening, I thought that there was no way that room was going for less than $500 / night. For around $250 / night, it could be worth it even if we only stayed in that room for half of our 6 night / 7 day trip.

We pretty much ruled out The Presidente due to the same rules you outlined. I could very well see a situation or two where staying there could be an issue with the type of activities we're looking into partaking.

Again, thank you. If any other board member has additional input or suggestions, we're more than happy to graciously accept.

By the way that you described what you were looking for, the Penthouse suite would seem to fit the bill perfectly for you and your wingman.

- No chica fee(s)
- Unlimited chica's allowed
- 2 seperate bedrooms
- 2 jacuzzi's
- open living area with flatscreen tv
- bar area for entertaining
- porno's on tv (channel 115 I think)
- Only $225 p/night w/CRT discount
- full kitchen for cooking with full size refrigerator
- great stereo and sound system

I like the PH suite at the SL. It's definitely seen it's share of parties up there!

Have a great time, and be sure to post pics with your trip report!

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

At $200/night - or $250 with a wingman, you might as well bed down at HZB. Imagine a sorority hazing with you as the focus of attention and all the chicas you cold want at $20/hour each.

This is a great place.

Eyespitfire,

Definately go with the Penthouse at the Sportsmens. There is no comparison. Plus, they have Golden Tee in the bar!!!

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El Gringo

I found on Craigslist under Costa Rica in vacation rentals Hugh Hefners old Penthouse at The Hotel Corabici 6 floors of fun for only $ 650 per night. It has all you asked for and more. For a little over $ 2,000,000 you can own the place. Check it out.

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Always nice to wake up and see what will happen today

I don't see how we could consider anywhere else after the glowing recommendations for the PH. I've paid twice as much as that for a room in Vegas that is probably a quarter the size and lacking near every feature and geographical perk. Even at $250 / night through CRT, this almost seems like a bargain.



Spoken like a true Texan.



CrookedCR: I also like this train of thought. Possibly for the first few days we get there. We've planned this around labor day for 8 days / 7 nights, so the possibilities are endless.

I tried to look online for some photos of the rooms at the ZB. Their site at http://www.zonablule.com (linked from CRT) doesn't seem to be up and running. Although enjoyable to view, the pics in the VIP area didn't allow me to piece together a room in my head. Maybe I was distracted! Anybody have any decent ZB room pics they could share or possibly direct me to a place on the web with decent room pics?

Again, thank you all for your valuable input.

Try http://www.hotelzonablue.com/public/department33.cfm ,.

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I didn't mention ZB because the original request mentioned a jacuzzi. I wasn't aware that ZB had a jacuzzi. If ZB has a jacuzzi in their suites, it'd probably be a good choice too, but I have never stayed there, so I can not comment on ZB accomodations.

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

They may be endless now, but they won't be for long. Labor Day is kind of a big weekend in San Jose.

The Zona Blue website is: www.hotelzonablue.com/

You might want to get with them right away if your planning a labor day trip. Most likely the SL master suite is already booked for that period. With ZB planned completion of their additional rooms coming on line shortly they may have labor day availability now but it will not last long.

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

Brain fart on my part. We're not planning this around Labor Day. We're planning it around Memorial Day which I imagine is the same situation in CR as Labor day due to the three day weekend. Either way, we're planning to arrive the Saturday before Memorial day weekend (May 17th) and leave the Saturday of Memorial day weekend (May 24th). When I said we were planning it 'around' the holiday, I basically meant we want to give ourselves an extra day of recovery once we get back into the states.

Either way, our plan is to have hotel situation figured out first and then purchase airline tickets thereafter. Both are to occur in the next day or so.

Thanks again for all the great and prompt input. We talked it over and we're going to attempt to go SL the whole stay. My wingman is about to purchase CRT VIP, and we look forward to being board participants before, during, and after this trips....and subsequent trip.