www.CostaRicaTicas.com

They can't make it plainer then that. I guess the days of subtle hints are being replaced with outright declarations.

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

Shame. I guess they dont want us in the News Cafe either? Have to find a new port of call.

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"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" - Maybe Shakespeare was a CRT member?

You can go right across central and eat with just as good of a view

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"With foxes, we must play the fox." ~ Thomas Fuller

Patio restaurant not only has the same view it also has a lot more tables right at the rail then the news cafe.

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

This is my third stay here at the Presidente. I agree that this time is a bit different from the last. The welcome at check-in is less warm. There seems to be less "single travelers" here than last time. Perhaps it is because I'm here a week after the big Labor Day holiday?

Brought a girl back this afternoon, she was dressed properly. Nice frosty, but efficient service from the ID-check desk. Previously I've had "congratulatory" type glances/gestures from the staff (winks, inappropriate sexual gestures, etc...).

And, there seems to be a lot more eco-tourists here this time around. The analysis seems to be correct, the Presidente is moving away from our type of crowd and towards the eco-tourists.

Look at the website, it has links for "sustainable tourism," environmental "carbon-free," and outreach programs. Are there links like that on the HDR website?

Daniels new, very unattractive wife has been pushing him to eco and family business only.

Is it time to remove the Presidente from the list of chica-friendly hotels?

Ah, how the times have changed... I made a comment about the Presidente a couple of years ago and thought I was going to get lynched... haha That's what happens when ya build up icons, whether they are hotels, brothels or chicas....

YO Thirdworld and other members:

Even though I have mostly supported the President....I have brought up issues also. Personally, I cannot remember chastising other member's problems with the hotel. Mostly because everyone has their personal issues.

We do have to remember that other than the Sportsman, the Presidente is one of very few hotels that has gone through the last six years remodeling and making structural, restaurant, bar, room and added staff changes to improve a lodger's stay.

Unfortunately for us, during all that time they were slowly becoming more of an eco-tourist and businessman's hotel.

I suppose the handwriting on the wall was when they formulated the dress code and put in the mini bars....which are a dismal failure in my opinion. Another was their failure to keep Hartley, the manager who made the cafe what it is....or better yet, was. And then not finding a suitable replacement.

Hell, I even miss the old lobby with one clerk at about a 7 or 8 foot desk where the bar is now. Three nights for less than a cien. But damn....they sure were friendly and treated me like part of the family.

You see, most old farts like myself relish a friendly, mom / pop and secure place to stay. Especially when they know your name even after several months absence. Up until this year I had most always hated leaving that hotel on my way to the airport. Sort of like leaving an old friend.

When I checked out this time I felt sad.... but not because I was leaving an old friend. I felt as though a friend had passed away and I would never see them again. Walking down the back alley way to the calle for my taxi, I turned around. No one was waving a friendly goodbye this time but if the bricks on the wall could speak....they would probably be saying, "good riddance."

As the taxi sped away I reflected on the hotel I once loved and the special staff no longer there. Sort of like losing my home away from home.

Adios mi amigo viejo

Circus, I agree 100% with your sentiment. Although I have only stayed here three times, the past two times I've been here, I've felt like family.

The first time, the staff were chatty, and everyone made eye contact, said hello, and addressed me either by name or at least in a way where they acknowledged that they recognized me as a hotel guest.

Upon my return many many months later, I was greeted with a smile and a "hello mr super_tilt" immediately as the taxi pulled into the driveway.

This stay, 100% different. Almost like I was an anonymous person staying at a giant USA chain hotel.

YO S_Tilt:

Too bad you were not able to enjoy the previous years. I certainly know where you are coming from.