www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have received credible word that the hotel is in bankruptcy as of last week.

They are still open but under an organization chapter.

Guests using a credit card to book should do so AT THEIR OWN RISK!!!

FYI-The casino is independently owned and there should be no problems with credit card use.

I seem to recall, didn't they go through something like this a few years ago? I think this establishment has been having some problems and has been on the edge for some time. Let's hope they pull out of this because they have been a favored hotel for many guys around here.

Another question, how exactly does bankruptcy work in CR and how is that different from the US? In the US, creditors from BEFORE the bankruptcy declaration may be out, but there isn't much they can do about that at this point. OTOH, new creditors from AFTER the declaration are treated that not much differently from how anyone was treated before any bankruptcy. Also, since the Amon Plaza is part of the Choice/Clarion hotel chain, how does that affect their potential liability? Are you protected by the parent in terms of any refund if they have to cancel your reservation or will you have to turn to your cc company for recompense? If they wind up not providing any service, your cc company should reverse any charges if nothing else, but finding another hotel at the last minute MIGHT be a bit of a problem. If they don't cancel you out then refund is not really an issue, though the impact of their financial condition on the service and maintenance at the hotel might be. Orange's advice is undoubtedly best, maybe not in terms of avoiding them completely if that is your hotel of choice, but in terms of being very circumspect before committing your cc number.

I am not an expert on the system here but my nderstanding is as follows:

They have both type of banrupcy filing that we have in the US (reorganization and liquidation)

The Clarion name is a marketing "flag" agreement. They have no financial responsibility for liabilities of the corp. Actually it would be safe to say that they are one of the debtors.

The hotel has been in financial trouble for years, but I believe this is the first actual bankrupcy filing.

The potential risk is that if the existing owner decides to liquidate or is forced to sell by the court, he can choose not to honor advance bookings and will be in possesion of CC info.


The casino is separately perated and cc usage there should be ok. However, booking through Nixon is still a cc transaction with the hotel and therefore the above concerns apply.

BKTUNA
I am never going home

I also feel that they already changed owners few years back. i hope this hotel pulls thru, i hate to see it shut down.

I seem to recall something like that too. The website says the hotel was "inaugurated in 1993" but I'm not so sure they were always part of the Clarion chain. (could be wrong on that too, wouldn't be the first time). Whether it had different owners prior to gaining the Clarion logo or was always a Clarion is another question. My guess is, even if they were to go belly up, someone will buy the property and operate it as a hotel. The current owners may take a bath on the property but it won't go empty for long. The last question would be, if ownership or management changes, what would that mean for their chica guest policies (which aren't all that favorable now unless you book through the casino). Maybe someone will take it over that will make it MORE monger friendly however I fear, in the current socio-political climate in SJ, any change is more likely to result in LESS favorable policies not more.

he same Tico has owned the hotel since opening. The Clarion flag was added a few years ago.


BKTUNA
I am never going home

Booking through the Casino is still not an issue - so don't get into a panic about a shutdown.

Chapter 11 is a re-organization which allows them to operate to get their debts paid...

Understanding what this means does not put the Clarion in the "BOOK AT YOUR OWN RISK" mode things are status quo until we here otherwise.

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Not sure if the bankruptcy code in CR is all that similar to the U.S. code. Even if it is there are chapter 11 filing that turn into a chapter 7 proceeding where assets are liquidated and the proceeds used to pay off creditors. In that case it is rare for anyone to be made whole and many get nothing.



Again not sure of the differences in codes but in most U.S. chapter 11 filings the advice given is generally that credit card transactions are safe as the CC company will refund your money. At least that was the situation when the major airlines entered chapter 11 bankruptcy. Cash deposits are not similarly protected.

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i have to disagree with Admin here. "Booking" through the casino is still processed throught the hotels cc system not the casino. I doubt the casino is offering any protection in case of default. All Nixon is doing is passing along a reservation to the hotel.

BKTUNA
I am never going home

I used the $65 Jr. Suite CRT discount with no problem on 4th of July weekend. Is the discount still available for August? The only ice machine in the hotel is in the kitchen in the lobby. Upon checkout they tried to charge me $95 instead of $65. I explained the discount I booked thru Nixon and they lowered the price. Also they charged me for every thing in the minibar one day. But they also took that off. My total bill came to $328(4 nights) but when my CC came in it was $339. For the price I thought it was a nice hotel with a nice large room with a couch and excellent wifi. However TV was a little old and the mattress sucked. I estimate the hotel was half full.

Google 'REG E'....you are protected against all unauthorized charges ( or extra charges) by your credit card issuing bank and after your claim you will receive your money within 10 business days. Don't be ever afraid of using your credit cards anywhere in this world.

I hate when businesses pull this shit. They quote in dollars, but then charge the card in colones using a higher exchange rate. Then when your bank converts back using the normal exchange rate, the total in dollars is higher. The business pockets the extra dough.

I have confirmed with the Casino Mgt group that books the rooms for us at the Clarion. This is a re-organization and all functions of the hotel are operating as normal.

There is no downside or risk here associated with booking your hotel room.

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Re-org does sound better than bankruptcy. But i believe they had a recent re-org already a year or 2 ago. Too many re-orgs can't be a good thing either?

It is a bankrupcy reorg filing similr to the US. If they do not get a buyer a liquidation is highly likely.

BKTUNA
I am never going home