www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hotel Amon Plaza
Avenida 11 y Calle 3 Bis.
Barrio Amon
San Jose, Costa Rica
Ph: (506) 257-8686
Fax: (506) 257-0284
www.hotelamonplaza.com
Toll free reservation: USA (1-800-575-1253)

After hearing about Hotel Amon Plaza offering CRT discount I decided to check it out. I must say that I really enjoyed staying at this hotel. Although it is not centrally located near the “gringo gulch” such as the Presidente, Holiday Inn and the Morazan, it is still very convenient to get to and from the gulch. For those of you who likes to visit Zona Blue..it is one block down from there. It takes a little over 5 minutes to walk to the Delrey hotel from the Amon Plaza hotel. I am not an expert on hotels so I would not try to rate the hotel as a 3-star or 5-star hotel but I would say that this hotel is an American style hotel that is similar to a very good Holiday Inn in the US.

Ok..let’s get to the important part…the room. I’d stayed in a standard room that has a very comfortable king size bed, satellite TV, US style A/C unit that doesn’t make a lot of noise when it’s running, a working desk, two guest sofa chairs, laptop wireless connection, carpeted floor and the room is very spacious. Another big plus for me is the spacious bathroom that has a shower and bathtub. The vanity counter has lots of room to put all your personal hygiene stuff, in addition to an automatic coffee maker and a telephone (yes, there is a phone in the bathroom). Since it is not located on a major traffic street there was hardly any traffic noise at all. The room walls seemed to be thicker so I didn’t hear what my neighbors were doing in their rooms. The room also has a small safe (free of charge) for your valuables but it is not big enough for your laptop computer.

Other amenities: A nice casino with lots of table games and slot machines; a very nice open air restaurant that serves fairly delicious meals; a spa that has a small gym, Jacuzzi, regular massages and sauna, business center, currency exchange and many others that are too many to mention. The hotel also has two computers downstairs near the gift shop that you can use for Internet access... free of charge. The hotel does not have a swimming pool in case some you maybe wondering.

Check-in procedure: Make sure you make your reservation through the Casino with Nixon to get the CRT discount rate. Once you arrived at the hotel go to the reception desk and ask for Nixon and tell them you booked at casino rate. I told the reception desk this and I thought they were going to get a hold of one of the casino manager to verify the rate, but they just ask for my name then looked through the reservation list and, sure enough, they have my reservation with the special rate. The reception will take your credit card information but you are not paying for the room during this time.

The next day I got a message on the answering machine from Nixon welcoming me to the hotel and ask me to stop by the casino to pay for the room charge. I stopped by the casino and made my payment using credit card at the cashier booth. I was told that this would be the procedure for paying for the room for CRT discount members and that you can pay the other hotel charges i.e. room services, telephone calls at the reception desk. Also I was told that if you are a gambler and you played at their casino often enough…whether you win or loose…the casino will “comp” your room fee. So technically, if you make some money at the casino you can also get to stay for free. Cooool.

I would highly recommend this hotel to all of our CRT brothers out there. If you don’t mind walking or taking a short 400 colones taxi ride to the gringo gulch. Oh…I almost forgot about the female guest policy. I was told by the receptionist to bring your lady guest to the front desk and leave her ID there. She can pick up her ID on her way out and there is no guest fee.

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Live today as it was your last day, for tomorrow may never come.

A few of us had dinner here last night, nice open air cafe-bar with an entertaining waiter and live musica (tico with guitar) to serenade your date. Dinner was reasonable (especially for Pacoloco as Showerhead and Latinoheat treated for me cumpleanos, Gracias amigos!) and my broiled sea bass w/ seafood sauce was very good. We also got to view some fireworks from the party downtown. As Showerhead told us, this is a great place to take a date for a peaceful dinner just a few minutos from the chaos of the gulch.

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Is there a limit on chicas in the room at one time?

Snook...The Amon Plaza is a CR definition of 5 star hotel. I wouldnt push the multiple chica part here as it could cause both the casino and future CRT users more scrutiny in the future. For mutiple girl action, I would take it to the Sportsmens Lodge. Room service, porno channel...and no chica limits. Have fun...

This is from AMIN1..just in case some of you guys missed this announcement.


Paradiso Casino & Amon Plaza Hotel! New Casino, VIP & Board Discounts!
https://costaricaticas.com/news.php?id=128

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Live today as it was your last day, for tomorrow may never come.

Amon Plaza Hotel & Paradiso Casino Full Review:

Living here in CR I rarely get an opportunity to spend a night outside the confines of my home, AND AWAY FROM MY WIFE….but having some friends in town it did allot me the opportunity to get out of Escazu and head downtown and spend an evening with them at the Clarion Amon Plaza Hotel & Paradiso Casino.

First off I want to thank the CRT admin’s for making the discount possible through the Casino. I was able to acquire several rooms booking through Nixon via their email and received a timely response back within 24 hours. All the parties checked in prior to the casino being open so they were able to check in at the front desk with an old familiar face Alvaro who used to be the front desk at the Presidente. We later settled up with the Casino for payment on the rooms and we only had to leave credit cards for essentials and extra charges. We were given two breakfast coupons for the following day along with two complimentary tickets for glasses of wine. Not a bad way to start.

OK Clarion Amon Plaza. I would call it a business class hotel with rooms similar to what you would find at an upscale Holiday Inn. Or Marriot etc. The rooms are older but in good shape. Rugs are a bit worn and mattresses are on the soft side, but there was ample space, a full bathroom with tub, free wireless internet accesses a full mini bar (WITH US PRICES), a good compliment of towels and extra bathroom type toiletries. Couldn’t make an outdoor call from the main phone in the room as all the buttons stuck, but there was a phone in the bano that worked. I’m sure they would have replaced had I asked.

Lobby is quite nice with large sitting areas a Concierge desk and they have on the lower level a Jacuzzi area for two which is covered bout outdoors, a sauna, a small exercise room with some stationary bikes and nautilus equipment. Though there is not much room and taking the sun in SJO isn’t the normal thing if you have a nice day there are some lounge chairs out there as well.

The restaurant is quite nice with indoor and outdoor type seating with a full bar and the outer veranda overlooks the Street. No beggars or street people around these days which was a nice change of pace for my guests who usually stay at the Presidente but they were full this weekend. Casino was plush with a full allotment of table games, all the CR favorites along with a full size craps table and standard Vegas blackjack where they deal from a shoe and give the dealers two cards at the same time with full Vegas rules. Drinks in the casino were plentiful and the staff of ladies was truly beyond compare. I think they found every Hottie dealer in CR and brought her into the Paradiso. The waitresses were gorgeous as well, now only if I could ditch my bitch of a wife.

Breakfast at the hotel was excellent. Egg Station, fresh coffee, a juice machine, a variety of accompaniments for your eggs, rice & beans, potatoes, meats, some cold cuts, fresh fruits, & cheeses a variety of cereals and also a hot tray of pancakes with maple syrup as well. Real good and complimentary with our stay. Had some drinks in the bar area of the restaurant at night and I would say prices were slightly higher than average for CR, but drinks in the Casino were free & Plentiful Hotel staff was quite good attentive and good along with the waiters and waitresses in the restaurant who were right on top of us with coffee, etc in the AM. The housekeeping was on the money when asking for extra towels in the AM bringing them in less than 2 minutes.

My guests normally stay at the Presidente, and they gave this place big thumbs up though it has its small drawbacks if you are looking for the convenience of the quick walk from to or around the gulch to the Del Rey etc. At night a cab is quick an easy but if you make multiple trips to and from your room etc, then it might be more inconvenient. My guests had to sign in ladies who they were accompanied with. No fees I was told

All and all a really nice experience at this Hotel, restaurant and Casino that if not for the CRT discount I would never have chosen to put my friends up here as their pricing prior to the discounts are more in line with Hiltons in the states rather than a quaint business hotel in Barrio Amon. Nice Place and Nice experience. Although it’s not mandatory to gamble, if you are a gambler, staying there or not stop in and see the 3 owners of the Paradiso. You will find no nicer individuals then these anywhere who made our Casino time enjoyable (Win or Lose) and gave me every reason to bring my gaming action to them.

Two thumbs up from me on everything about this Place.

"Vegas blackjack where they deal from a shoe and give the dealers two cards at the same time"

I hope Gamlingman sees this!

Just a short note to add to this topic. I stayed at the Amon Plaza in September and I generally agree with everything Dino and the CRT Gourmet has said about this hotel & casino---but with one caveat.

Initially I had trouble converting my meager ($75) blackjack winnings to cash, until I insisted by calling over Nixon and complaining. They wanted to give me a "coupon credit" and ask me to continue playing. I refused and after a bit of discussion, Nixon aplogized and paid up.

Other than that minor flap, it was and is a fine alternative to the El Presidente. The CRT discount is a big factor here, compared to their usual prices, and I will probably return. Make sure you book the reservation through Nixon or Graham in the casino in advance in order to get the CRT discount.

Great write-up on the Hotel Amon Plaza and casino guys. It sounds like a nice alternative to El Presidente especially if you like to do a little gambling. The compt rooms are a nice benefit if you like to gamble and don’t mind spending 3 hours in the casino per day.

I do have one question though. I hear that the ladies working in the casino as cocktail waitresses and the like are top quality. I am curious if a greater amount of them speak more English than the average Tica and if the casino / hotel has a policy they can not fraternize with the hotel guest? Are they likely to be available for upstairs entertainment or not? Are they making too much money at their cocktail jobs to not be open to the possibilities? Much like the bartenders at the BM.

Again you all are providing GREAT information all away around. I am reading and learning looking forward to my first trip to paradise.

Thanks again Guys.

Apparition

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Interested newbie lurking and learning

Apparation:
As a degenerate gambler the Amon is my new second home, as They do have a crap game when we get one going and they have Vegas style blackjack with Vegas rules..

About your question, I will add that they dealers and female cocktail waitresses are as "HOT" as they come... I do not see under any way shape or form them going upstairs with you as I'm sure not only is it prohibited by the Hotel, IMHO the vibe was not there.

Now flirting catching a # and a future date outside the establishment again IMHO is very doable if you have the time & the effort as it will not be a slam dunk.

PS they work till ungodly hours so it will be serious work & effort is it worth it?

PSS: No they speak no more english than anyone else.

Now I think I'll be there tomorrow...

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"Success isn't having $$ it is knowing how to Spend It"

Say hello to juanita for me !!!!!!!! Ha ha

Cali

I had another very nice stay here at the Amon Plaza Hotel & Casino. I want to say Thank you to Nixon for giving me for what it appears to be a Jr. suite (according to Gman) for the price of a regular room at $50/per night plus taxes. My room was 218-A on the second floor that has 2 double beds, TV and refrigerator cabinets, 2 guest chairs and a table, a separate working table and chair, a huge closet with in-room safe, and lastly, a large bathroom with a bathtub. I especially like this room because it has two very large glass windows and one small one that allows sun light to brighten up the room thus the it does not have that stuffy and gloomy feeling to it. And...the A/C works great and runs very quiet you can barely hear while sleeping. Everyone from Nixon, Grahm, Mitch, the front desk staff and the maid were all friendly. I also enjoyed the 3 or 4 blocks to and from the Delrey and Presidente hotels as the daily exercise.

Although the hotel is monger friendly at the moment, most of the guests staying here are primary business and tourist clients. So if you bringing in a lady guest who looks and dresses like a "crack addicted prostitute" you probably will get a "what the heck is that" look. Me and my #2 favorite Colombiana ran into a drunk, unattractive middle-aged gringa coming out of the elevator and I got this "Great, he must just got done with having great sex and I'm going up to my room alone tonight" look on her face (ahhhh, priceless).

It's too bad that they've increased their rates. I'm not sure if I would want to pay more, although it is worth it, but if I continue to make it to CR 6 or 7 times a year it's going to add up and get expensive. I also gamble a little and there goes more money donated to the casino. Luckily on this trip I made $300.00 back from roulette table at the Delrey Casino so loosing at the Amon Plaza wasn't too bad.

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Live today as it was your last day, for tomorrow may never come.