www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Yes, there are problems, as can happen with any heavily-booked and used facility.

Bill and his people do an amazing job of keeping things clean and running right, but sometimes even the best management can't anticipate every possible breakdown, problem or system failure.

What is important to me as a hotel guest is how they handle such problems. In my case, I feel I was adequately compensated for both the malfunctioning lock and the condom found on the bathroom floor. Less satisfactory was the manner in which the stench issue was dealt with. The only option offered to me was a change of rooms...which might have been fine, had they not had only old section rooms to offer. Thanks, but I expect a certain level of luxury, and the courtyard rooms ain't it.

They were surprisingly undisturbed by the fact that the room could be popped open without even breaking out a lockpick or strip of celluloid. For the first time I really considered the lack of good locks. No night chain. No deadbolt. And calling the knob locks flimsy is an understatement. I felt very violated and very insecure. The reaction was a concerned tone of voice and a shrug, although maintenance quickly repaired the lock once the problem was discovered.

Again, SL is not perfect, but they do a damn fine job. My minor problems there will not affect my hotel choice in the future; I like the SL for everything that's good, and will continue to give Bill, Carlos and the rest of the crew my feedback and suggestions in hopes that the offered suggestions will be helpful to both the SL and to me.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Gentlemen,

I first want to thank my customer/friend El Ciego for his comments on this board regarding Sportsmens Lodge. El Ciego has been a customer/friend for more than three years and I respect him for countless reasons.

Do I feel that the title and content of his most recent thread regarding SL is entitled Sportsmens Lodge: “Dead Fish and broken Locks” is fair and factual as written…. No, not in my opinion. I feel that our response to El Ciego`s customer comments/complaints to our staff during his last stay were responded to in a quick and reasonable timeframe.

I respect this CRT forum as it provides a medium for comments, reports, views and opinions and often facts regarding Costa Rica and the services herein. This forum has been more than fair to Sportsmens Lodge for a long period of time. However for me to adequately respond to the thread in its entirety, I would have to breach a customer privacy issue “that will never be breached as long as I own and operate Sportsmens Lodge”. Staff or me can never refer to who passes through customers doors, registered in their name invited as observed by staff, customer hearsay or security, on this board or any other instance. Customer privacy along with basic human decency and courtesy issues will always be honored at Sportsmens Lodge. I will leave it to the members of this forum to take from this thread from what ever their experience and judgment prevails. We have made mistakes since we opened Oct. 22nd 2004 as many establishments do, however I pledge that we will continue to strive to be better everyday we are in business.

Sincerely,

Bill
Sportsmens Lodge

" Staff or me can never refer to who passes through customers doors, registered in their name invited as observed by staff, customer hearsay or security, on this board or any other instance. "

Bill, are you saying that some of the chicas that passed thru El C's door are guilty of questionable hygiene practices??

I have no doubt about the problems that ElC has stated in El Rey.

There must be others who enjoy the El Rey as much as I. I just booked a trip for January, and ask about the El Rey, and it is already booked. As I said before, I always travel with incense.

For those traveling from LAX, United operated by Lacsa is having some good rates. I just paid $469.00 round trip, non-stop. It has very good times, leaving LAX at 1:25 AM arriving SJO 9:00 AM. Departing SJO 7:15 PM and arriving LAX 11:30 PM. It was $447.00 earlier in the week. They have costs listed as low as $337.00 (with one stop) for various times within the next few months.

I look forward to my next trip to CR, and staying at the SL.

Health & happiness to all....

Steve - Santas Bro

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

It's not only LAX. I booked last night for $389 from JFK for Thanksgiving Day on www.United.com They are partners with Taca/Lacsa, so it's the same Taca flight that is selling for $100 more on www.Taca.com

Figure I'd mention in this post that I saw the (new) new wing and its amazing to say the least. Everything from the rooms, bathrooms, attention to detail on the fixtures etc.. There's a 2 bedroom suite that is just rediculous. Man, the parties that could happen in there.

I really liked the "Lion" room. Also the new bar area and seating are outstanding. Can't wait for it to all open up, the SL will definately continue to be the place I stay. If you guys get a chance to take a peek at the newest wing, do so. You'll see what I mean...


Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

I find the place to be dirty. I also find bar service to be horrible. I once sat at a relatively empty bar, 5-6 customers, and waited like 15 minutes before she waited on me. And when I politely asked for her attention was told to wait a minute with a hand gesture. I just left and was starving so I ate and drank and partied elsewhere.

Plus the lack of room security has been discussed here before and enough to make me not want to stay. I mean c'mon, room security should be priority #1. I remember an earlier post when someone's stuff was stolen and no signs of forced entry. It seems to many people either have keys or door handles are too easily compromised. And no, I am not inferring a maid did it. I find most maids in CR to be honest, hardworking, proud and trustworthy.

PURA VIDA!

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Livin' & Lovin' in Key Largo....oh....And the one in The Keys, too!

All this concerns me, I'm thinking about booking a room there, I hear more positives than negatives though. Does the SL have room safes like the DR does?

Regarding the slow bar service:

During previous visits, the bar was always attended in the morning/breakfast hours by two empleadas, a bartender and a waitress. To my dismay and frequent inconvenience this trip, the bar was staffed during the mornings only by poor Shirley. My final breakfast at the SL, I came down at 8:30 in the morning, only to find the bar completely unstaffed. I know Shirley had an issue that made her tardy, and it's really no big deal.

That being said, I've never waited longer than 5 minutes to be served during any other time. Of course, contrary to my customary M.O., I tipped somewhat more generously this trip.

Not to beat a dead horse, but after reading his response no fewer than a dozen times, I still can't figure out what True Sportsman's reply to this topic means. Anyone else confused? It sounds like maybe he knows that someone entered my room but won't divulge the person's identity? Or maybe he's saying that he won't comment on the occasional bad behaviors I myself have exhibited in his hotel?

I'll have to ask him about it the next time I stay there.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

I think he is trying to tell you that the condom you found on the floor was really yours and you must have blacked out and don't remember the fugly you were with and he is trying to save you from yourself.

Regarding your behavior, when you are bad you are at your very best

I always believed the Security at the Sportsmans was about the safest.

I have a good friend that walks with a cane and cannot run. We tried all the hotels together back in 2006 and the Sportsmans was where he felt the safest. Plus the convenience of "everything" being within 30 feet of his room.

That's where I left it after reading True Sportmen's "eloquently ambiguous" reply.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Can you tell me a bit more about the El Rey (in particular the layout)? I will be staying there for 4 nights during my Veteran's Day weekend. I was a bit nervous about it's proximity to the bar and the noise that might inhibit me to take my afternoon naps. Not too worried about sleeping at night as the SL is really quiet after the bar closes. I don't want to hijack this thread so feel free to PM me if you prefer.

Thanks for highlighting the door lock situation as I will be sure to check it out upon arrival and seek repair, as needed.

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OK, I Admit It....I have an Asian Obsession. But I also have a Latina Obsession, too! Perhaps I just have a Pu**y Obsession? -----------------------------------------------------
Next Trip: SJO - April or May??????


Someone PLEASE STOP Me.................LOL

I believe that True Sportsman was simply pointing out that there were many people in and out of El C's room. He is, after all, a social and popular fellow. His room was very convenient and I can recall several times when El C, myself and several other guys and chcas used the room to catch up on current affairs, etc, all con ropa as I recall.

TS's point was that it would be a tremendous invasion of privacy to try to research the possible scenarios. Rightfully, in my opinion, he is respecting El Ciego's option to have as many guests in his room as he likes and he is respecting the privacy of his guests who frequented El C's room.

As for the door lock, someone had evidently banged into the door frame portion of the latch, bending it back so that the latch in the door wouldn't drop into the slot deeply enough to securely catch. I bent tge latch back out with a $100c coin, leaving it stuck behind the latch to ensure that it didn't get pushed in again. I believe the SL staff made more permanent repairs shortly thereafter.

I know El C meant to point out a few minor issues he had with his room. Note that none of this will deter him from booking with Sportsman's Lodge because the overall experience is unmatched in Costa Rica. Personally, I think these issues would have been better handled privately but that is just my opinion.

As for sex of the bar staff effecting the level of service: the problem is cultural, not sexual. Costa Ricans are just not as concerned with with lightning fast service as their US counterparts. Never have been, never will be. If you want a little better service, get to know the bar staff by name and get their attention. You are just not going to find wait staff sitting on your elbow waiting to grab your empty glass and refill it in Costa Rica. It is not their culture. Pura Vida.

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"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

At least you guys didn't rearrange the furniture in EC's room again.