www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have been to CR numerous times. some planned weeks in advance some days in Advance, this time it was days in advance, I have book a room at SL on a Friday afternoon for Monday arrival inside 72 hours. I was fortunate they have 2 room available for me and my wing man. 1 Junior and 1 standard for 3 days. Unfortunately our flight plans have change, we will be arriving Tuesday instead of Monday, so I called manfred to change the reservation to Tuesday to my surprised he told me he will have to charge me for 2 bedrooms for ( Monday ) that we wont be there. I explain to him, we are still staying there the whole 3 days but arriving on Tuesday instead of Monday. He was adamant about the 72 Hours cancellation policy. which I inform him when I book the room it was already within the 72 hours. why charge me $ 267 for Monday? Called 4-5 times to plead my case to him that it was withing 72 hours. and not charge me for 4 days total. To cut it short, I canceled my whole Reservation with SL. and yes my credit card was charge $ 267 on a Sunday before our trip.

sounds like cutting off your nose
a conversation with bill could have likely cleared it up imo

I agree with LaDiablo. Manfred was just following procedures, and he probably does not have the authority to over-ride policy. I'm sure if you talked to Bill personally, or sent a PM to True Sportsman, he could've taken care of it for you. He's always been a straight shooter, and he has gone out of his way to welcome CRT'ers.

Lemon Drop Kidd (what does that mean anyways?),
I wouldn't write off SL for good. It's a great place to hang out, shoot the sh*t with the brothers, grab a bite to eat or just grab a chica and go. Like LaDiablo said... don't cut off your nose to spite your face.

Buena Suerte,
MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

My question is; did you change your flights or did the airline change them?
But if you did infact make the booking within the 72hour zone, and then had to make some changes ( I mean you still ended up staying there ), and they charged you the fee then thats shit for business practice.

Its the Sportsman Lodge, not friggin Priceline.

I would say this is the wrong way to go about this. Like others mentioned a talk with Bill in this situation would have left you more satisfied. Again, Manfred was only doing his job. Not only that, he's one of the more stellar employees there.

I understand your frustration but blasting SL isn't going to cut it. It's completely your loss..

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"...

As much as I like Bill and SL, I have had some muy tico moments with the reservation staff. I agree that a talk with Bill would have a least have resulted in an explaination or your satisfaction.

Hey Lemon Drop. I think you are wrong on this one. SL is a comparatively small hotel with pretty steady demand for their limted number of rooms. If they reserve the room for you, it means that later, they may have to turn another guest away because of it. I agree, that you should have spoken with or emailed Bill on this one. He knows where his bread is buttered and probably would give you credit if he suffered no loss. Reservations serve 2 purposes and are designed to protect the guest and the house. Rethink it partner.

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My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

LDK, how long after you made your initial reservation did you call to make the change?

LDK,

How long after you made your initial reservation did you call to make the change?

Have you stayed at SL before, do you know Bill, the owner?

I've made changes to reservations at a couple other hotels, one I even arrived the next day of my reservation and they didn't charge me. I understand policy but at the point of repeated calls from LDK I have to wonder why the notion of accommodation and customer service didn't find its way into the situation. This is why I'm curious to know how soon after the initial reservation was the change requested.

Another thing that comes to mind, if the room ends up being rented by a walk-in, someone extends their stay, whatever they shouldn't be charged because technically the business wouldn't be out any money.

I can understand LDK's frustration for sure but wonder if keeping the reservation then trying to work it out in person wouldn't have been better... I can see both sides depending on the circumstances.

I thing that all sponsor hotels have the same complaint once and a while
But I also think that they are aware of travel delays It once took me two days to arrive and my hotel did not charge me for that
If you changed the itenerary that is different
Talk it through with the owner try and work it out
BTW I do not stay at said hotel sure do like to hang around there

I'm gonna have to side with Lemon Drop K*D here. You can't justify SL's response with the "they're a small hotel with limited rooms" argument. While true that the reservation is to protect the hotel as well as the client, good customer service should out-rank the reservation policy in this case.

Maybe Lemon Drop K*D doesn't know this guy Bill...how is he supposed to know who to ask for? After 4-5 calls, it should have been escalated to the proper person.

The "pecking order" is, Manfred the Reception Clerk, Carlos the Manager and Bill, the Owner.

Sportsman's runs with a very high occupancy rate. Bill turns down more business than he is able to accept. I don't know what Bill's cancellation policy is. I do know that he will bend over backward to accommodate his clientele.

Why not contact Bill Alexander and discuss it with him. After all, it is his business you are discussing.

_________________
"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

'Nuff said !!!

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Don't think so. I don't know Bill

With the choices of Hotel at Barrio Amon, I'm willing to try others. I love SL for the peace and quite at night. But with the La Amistad, Dunns Inn and Castillo which I can stay for lesser per night rate and would not give me some bullshit like this. I rather stay there! That's great that you guys know the Owner I don't. this had happen to me at the Castillo few months back that I have to change my reservation, and it was handle differently, so don't tell me cause its a small Hotel..blah blah blah Castillo is much smaller, if you still love it that's great more power to you. I'm posting my experience.

LEMON DROP K*D
A Race Horse Name... a Movie " Lemon Drop K*D ", play by Bob Hope

Alright then be good...

Cujo

_________________
"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"...