IntelDesign wrote:
...I looked at SL but they seem to be all booked up, so what are my options? I...
SpecialK, unfortunately the SL is already out of contention.
IntelDesign wrote:
I....To clarify, I am not looking for the bargain basement necessarily, I would like to go to the $100 neighborhood at the top end. If I can find better for less, so be it.

....So a little upscale is good, but not so much that it impacts my other parallel (Chica) budget.
As to distance, I would always prefer closer to the fun, but since i haven't been there, I can't really say how far is far. If that makes any sense.
I have been reading about the HLH and wondered if that might be a good option? ...
I stand "clarified" on budget, though I don't think I was that far off. The Amistad PENTHOUSE is probably a budget buster for this particular guy at well over $100/nt AFTER taxes. OTOH, the STANDARD rooms at the MorazAn, are probably economizing a bit too much. Personally, I wouldn't go so far as to call them a shit hole, but they're hardly anything fancy and I have no idea what type of pit he lives in his "unnamed country". However there are all sorts of rooms at all of these places. I've already said that the STANDARD rooms at the Amistad might fit his bill. I mentioned the $43/nt room I got at the Castillo this past trip, but what I didn't say was that I usually go for the DELUXE rooms when I stay there for $20 more (before discounts), Between those 2 places, I'd still give the edge to the Castillo, not because of the rooms or the rates but because of its location which is about 3 blocks closer to everything else (except the SL) and because it has an active (though not exactly lively) bar of its own to hang out with and meet fellow CRTers.
And as for the MorazAn, the reason I was recommending that was not so much because of its bargain price as it was for its location right next door "Ground Zero". I think even a newbie could safely and quickly walk to/from the HDR venues at any time of the night or day. And, if the standard rooms at the MorazAn aren't good enough for you, they have Penthouse Suites too that some guys swear by. I'm not sure of the rates but I believe they cost less than $100.
And finally the new ID brings up the HLH. It certainly has the fun atmosphere downstairs that he was looking for (at least during the MP's open hours). And then there is the discounted rates for the chicas ($20/hr), which IMHO is that hotel's biggest selling point. However, with rates starting at $125 (less 10% discount plus 16.7% tax), this place hardly meets the $100 top end mark. If you deduct the $30 you save on a chica session then it brings the effective rate back down into his range, but that assumes several things. Would he otherwise be sessioning EVERY day at the LH/ZB? And is the $55/hr (plus the large propinas those girls have come to expect due to the grandiose tipping habits of many of their CRT patrons) really worth it. One can get chicas from anywhere for that much or less to come back to your room, without restricting oneself to the selection at the LH. And one can find chicas that are at least as good as the current crop of LH chicas at other MP's for as little as half as much.
IF you plan to session EVERY day with AT LEAST 1 OR MORE LH chica AND you don't mind practically all if not all of your sessions (assuming you have at best only 2-3 sessions per day in you) being essentially restricted to their selection of chicas (in order to "make it pay") then the HLH could be a great place to stay. Obviously YMMV, but I just don't see it for someone who has stated he prefers to keep his lodging cost reasonable (under $100/nt) and would rather save his money for a wide selection of chicas.
That's my dos colones. Others should feel free to disagree.