www.CostaRicaTicas.com

A Review of the Sportsmen's Lodge
By Texas Rolex

Okay... let's get something out of the way: This ain't no five star hotel.

There's no hair dryer in the room. No iron for your clothes. Not even a complimentary box of Kleenex. But regardless... The Sporstmen's Lodge is the place you're gonna want to stay at.

"Yeah, Rolex... but why?" you ask. After dishing such dirt... why would I recommend this place? Please read on...

Once you stop looking at this place as a hotel and START looking at it as more of a bed and breakfast/lodge... you'll realize that this place is FANTASTIC.

Here's what's important: A friendly, intelligent staff. An owner that personally greets you. A great atmosphere. A warm "bar" environment. A general sense that everyone is welcome.

And the Sportsmen's Lodge has all of this. (By the way... you'll never find this type of atmosphere in a traditional hotel setting).

Ray, their French-Canadian daytime general manager, was excellent and several times went out of his way to make sure that things I needed (a taxi, a shuttle bus, hotel reservations for a beach trip) were not only taken care of, but followed up and confirmed.

Wanda, the evening manager, is a doll and a sweetheart... just the kind of girl you could marry. Or at least have babysit your K*ds.

Margie and Heidi-- who run the bar during the day-- are warm and friendly. Kind of like the ex-girlfriend you're still chummy with and can hang out and enjoy a drink with.

Sharon, the nighttime bar tender, is a blast. One night she taught me how to Merengue.

Bill, the owner, is a Prince of a guy with a stunning girlfriend that could send J. Lo back to the block. His vision for the Sportsmen's Lodge and general easy-going, laid back temperament sets the tone for the general ambiance of the place-- which makes it perfect for a relaxing get-away from the States.

While it may not be a "five star" hotel, the Sportsmen's Lodge definitely gets a "five Rolex" rating in regard to general experience and an over-all damn good time! And for aproximately $50 a night... you just can't go wrong with the Sportsmen's Lodge.

All the best,
Texas Rolex.

PS. Several guys I ran into during my trip switched their reservation mid-trip from other places (Amon, Presidente) to the Sportsmen's Lodge after hanging out, here.

Had a great stay during my recent visit. This is not the place for those looking to party all night long. But if you are looking for an extremely comfortable, friendly bed & breakfast type of place, this is it. The evenings at the bar was a nice place to meet some CRT members. And I loved the quiet morning breakfasts at the bar while surfing the net.

My kind of place. Highly recommended.

_________________
Jagman
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AN EXCELLENT MONGERING EXPERIENCE: Cheap, Good, or Climax - Choose any two.

Thank you gentlemen for your wonderfull reviews....

But mark my word....

Hair dryers, Irons & Kleenex coming soon to every Sportsmens Lodge room!

Bill Alexander
Sportsmens Lodge
www.sportsmenscr.com
bill@sportsmenscr.com

I haven't stayed at the Sportsmen, but am looking forward to it!!

I am a traditional Presidente loyalist, but my loyalties are being strained for a number of reasons. I still feel that the Presidente is a recommendable place, but am not so enamored with it anymore. I am only to happy to see other establishments open up that could potentially take the monger business away from the Pres. The chica fees for one are probably the biggest thing that irks me, but I am in agreement that with others who say that their seems to have been an attitude change for the worse towards gringos in the last few years.

During my December stay, I visited the Amon hotel and ate there and hung out there for a few hours just to get a feel for the place to compare it to the Presidente.

Now after hearing reviews of the Sportmans, seeing their website, their rates and rooms, no chica fees and more, I am very interested in this place. However, The BIGGEST reason why I am interested in this place is that I am most impressed with Bill in that every vibe I get from him and his place is that he is all about the PERSONALIZED SERVICE EXPERIENCE!!!

I like the idea at hanging out in a quality establishment with other like minded individuals, at a good price, and if I have a need or a concern the management will take the time to listen!! ....At times, I have felt that if you look up the definition of "Listening" in a Cost Rican dictionary you would see words that define what we refer to as "Ignoring" or "Taking for granted" type descriptions. I have found this too often in CR and the Prez seems to be tending this way also, it can get a bit annoying after a while.

I haven't met Bill yet, but based on his replies and reviews by others, Bill seems to exude being concerned with the quality of his guest stay!! Isn't that the secret to the hospitality industry??


Looking forward to the Sportsmens Lodge and might even try to get down there earlier than I originally planned just to see what it is like!!

What chica fees?

_________________

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

I need to stand corrected on chica fees. Within the last couple of months, I remembered reading about a discussion where someone had reported 15 dollar chica fees being implemented at the Pres. I went back and searched out thread for clarification and it appears Admin did conclude with Presidente that there is, in fact, no chica fee. Thanks to Pacolaco for pointing this out.

I too have switched form El Presidente to the Sportsmens . The last two times I stayed at the Presidente it was so noisey at night I couldn't sleep and us old guys need our rest. Also I feel like a prison guard ckecking in my guest at the front desk I understand the security issue but I think they could be a little more descrete about it. So last trip my amigo and I decided to check out the Sportsmens Bill the owner greeted us and showed us the place. The rooms are nice the lounge and bar are comfortable clean and the service was exellent . I have booked my next two trips with Bill and have found he and Ray very helpful and informative.

_________________
If a little's good than a lot's better and too much is just right

We all love you Bill .
So, how about a free mini bar in the rooms .

_________________
Wish I was in Costa Rica

SuperG,

Free mini-bars? Well Ill give this a lot of consideration my friend... With what my average CRT buddies drink ill be bankrupt in just s few days....I`ll will tell you what I will do, Ill buy you a drink, in fact a double the next time I see you!

You too texasrolex!!

Bill

TexRolex,
Excellent summary of an excellent establishment! Would have liked to party more with you bu you were out hunting them "dawgs"!!!!

Still here at the Lodge and enjoying every minute. HAD to go see Leonor again @ ZB. I think she said something like "good to the last drop" !!

PAX,
Sluthog

PS: Did you find your HAIRDRYER????

Rolex,
Nice to see so many of you getting on board the train for the Sportsman's Lodge. He indeed has a terrific operation as I posted lasted Dec 6 after only 3 days there. I wish I had booked longer as Bill and Ray did everything to make my stay there super enjoyable. That's why I booked again this Feb 10th - 20th before I even left. Its a great experience. 3P

_________________
CR LOS or PI Come horny, Leave Happy
Being 'over the hill' is damn sure better than being under it!
I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

Are you allowed to bring more than one chica into your room at the Sportsman? That is my main problem with the Presidente. I hope so.

Also, do they rent rooms by the hour?

_________________
ASTROGLIDE

Astro---you are such a slut !!!

Astro,
You will have to contact Bill if there is an hourly fee. I don't know if that is set up yet. I never had two in my room at once while I was there, but I saw on two separate occasions two gals and one guy go into a room(one an all nighter) while I was sippin bloody mary's in the bar. The best part of course is no chica fee. 3P

_________________
CR LOS or PI Come horny, Leave Happy
Being 'over the hill' is damn sure better than being under it!
I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

Astroglide,

How can I be a hipocrite.... Lifes too short. Breakfast for three is a little more...if you care to invite for food.

no chica fees...period! Just keep the herd quiet for my other guests.....

comprende mi amigo.

Hope to see you soon,

Bill