www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hey Guys: God has smiled upon me and given me a 2-3 day business trip to visit a business located in the business park (forum? ) in Santa Ana.

The guy I will be traveling with is cool, knows the deal, but is probably not interested in seeing the downtown scene if you catch my drift. So I thought that we would stay in Escazu or Sanata Ana, do our business, hit some nice resturants in both places and hole up in a comfortable 4 -5 star business hotel in Escazu or Santa Ana and then when the business was done, I would relocated downtown and have my fun for a few days.

So my question is what exactly are my option in Escazu and Santa Ana.I know there is a nice Intercontential next to the mall (multi centro) but I would like to know what my options are otherwise. Not to dissuade anyone from posting, but I am not interested in the usual Corobici or Palacio unless there is no other choice, but something in that area of the city that we will be working in. Budget is 4-5 stars. Thanks.

Not that it is 4-5 star in the U.S. but there is a Marriott Courtyard I believe right next to some very high end restaurants in Escazu. That new hotel is conjoined with the shopping plaza that has the new Hooters and Outback I believe. Just do the web search and you should pull it up. The area is called Plaza Itzcazu or something like that.

If you stay there don't even bother with the Hooters (absolute worst one I've ever been to). Maybe it has changed since then (last Oct.). After getting disgusted with shitty service in Hooters walked downstairs into a very nice open air Tico bar (Tex-Mex) I think. Even thought I saw one of my MP chicas in their plus made friend with a Tica who I think was on her off night (no sexo but got digits and was fun to talk in Spanish).

I stayed in that marriott last november. Good value, clean and friendly. I highly recommend it. The plaza next door had several good restaurant choices and some happening bars. It is chica friendly.

Agree with Jester about the Courtyard by Marriott located on the Prospero Fernando autopista makes it an easy drive to the Forum or to San Jose. Plaza Itskatzu, next door, has a wide variety of restaurants from U.S. chains like Outback & Hooters to Cuban, Peruvian, Brazilian, Spanish, Mexican, Italian, Japanese & and a nice coffee shop type for breakfast or snacks. All on the pricey side but good. Just a kilometer from Multi Plaza and almost directly across from Hospital CIMA. The new branch of the Jazz Cafe is also just down the street.

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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

I recommend Hotel Alta. It is on the Old road to Santa Ana (which is the same road as the home of the US ambassador)
I have not stayed there in a while, but it was about $80. An unbeleivable view of the valley. Very chica friendy. Has an excellent restaurant called La Luz. Small hotel. balcony, swimming pool, quiet.

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I agree with Elmedicobueno, Hotel Alta is pretty good. I've never stayed there, but I have eaten in the restaurant several times and the restaurant is easily 4 stars, so I would guess the hotel has to be quite nice as well.

One word of advice. Stay far away from the Melia Cariari. I don't know if they're chica friendly (probalby not), but the beds absolutely suck. They're harder than sleeping on a board. I couldn't sleep.

They do have great service though, and will assign you your own butler, etc.. and have a great pool, but if you plan to get rest (or have some comfortable sexo) go somewhere else.

Hotel Alta is a 4 star hotel with a great restaurant but I would not recommend it because of it's location. It is on the old road from Escazu to Santa Ana with no restaurants, bars, shopping in close proximity. Granted that is only a short cab ride away but I would much rather be in a hotel where all that is right next door.

Just a personal choice YMMV.

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

Guys thanks for the advice. I am leaning towards the Courtyard as it will be a business hotel with the standard business type services as any Marriot.

One final question for you knowledgable few: there is an Intercontential in Iscazu as well. I have eaten brunch there and the hotel looks nice, I am not sure what the corporate rate is but my company will probably pay. I am not concerned with the chica policy as I will be moving down to either FB, or the SL after the business end of things conclude. Do any of you guys know of any other reason the IC next to the mall would n't be a good option as well?

IC would work well as it is also just off the pista so easy access to the Forum or San Jose. Just across the street from the Multi Plaza mall which is as modern as any U.S. mall. Like most malls it has a food court with many fast food type restaurants. Scattered through the mall are some more upscale restaurants but they pale compared to the ones next to the Marriott.

Either would work but I would stay at the Marriott if given the choice of the two.

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

Sounds good. Thanks ID!