www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I stayed at El Castillo 2 nights. I had Room 12 - a deluxe room on the third floor in the main house.

It was a nice spacious room. The TV was kinda crappy because of bad reception and a broken remote, but I didn't really care.

The wifi worked very well, the cleaning crew was great and the front desk staff was extremely attentive - even calling over to the SL where they knew I had moved to let me know I had left a battery charger there (it was actually from the person before me).

Would I stay there again? Definitely. It was a nice change of pace - out of the way, more laid back - from the SL. Good value, although kind of annoying that they charge 15% to pay by credit card.

Also, had some problems with the bed moving across the floor... although it was good for a laugh.

About that credit card surcharge--annoying, yes, but CC transaction charges have gone up quite a bit lately (or so my local 7-11 assures me) and use of makes it an "on the record" transaction, CR taxwise. Just sayin'...

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I think I was your neighbor for a day or two.

I hope all of the screaming and hollering coming from my room # 11 every few hours did not disturb you.

I get kind of excited when the girls rub my feet in the shower!

Speaking of beds. Try # 20 next time. Its like a ride at an amusement park. When you finally finish the bed is aginst da bathroom door.

fifthy

I was wondering why some girl kept screaming "Es todo?" I was assuming she was talking about the money, but, who knows?

That's a nice room. Worth the extra climb up the stairs. I believe that it is the only Deluxe room not in the new wing. Lots of charm and character in the old house.

Yes, the cable company has had to move their lines underground and ever since the signal has been crap. Darren continues to work the issue.

I agree, great staff. None better anywhere else in SJ. And in our circle of hotels there are some all-time greats. I owe it having a gringo manager on site. Think about it... All of the best hotels that we stay at in SJ have gringo managers on site.

Castillo is my prefered hotel in SJ. I'm not playing the chicas much anymore because I have a steady girl. But even she likes the Castillo and always feels comfortable there even though it is in the gulch.

Pay w CC? Not me, I'm too cheap. I like the way that Darren stacks up the discounts, CRT discount, cash discount, weekly discount. Any more discounts and they would paying me to stay there!

That's not a "problem"! That's how I judge a session! I've had to drag the bed back across the room many times! It really amazed my gf one night. I swear that if the door hadn't been closed and locked we would have ended up in the hallway! That was a good one!

Glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. I really enjoy the place too.

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

When staying at the Castillo, payment in cash is the way to go. It allows management more opportunity to offer some great discounted room rates.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

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If you let the devil ride, he's gonna want to drive

This one right here kills it for me.. NO...

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"THE TRUTH IS' EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HURT YOU. YOU JUST GOTTA FIND THE ONE WORTH SUFFERING FOR"
Robert Nesta Marley

Not to mention the transaction fees your card charges.
Cash is the only way to go if there is a discount.

I agree with everything western said. Knowing I stay there I always get cash. Then the discounts do add up. CRT #1 then cash # 2. And then 50 offering to help, closes the deal for me. I am older.

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Take a walk on the wild side.

Is this place located just down the hill from the SL if you're headed to the HLH, taking a left off that street? Also do the rooms have AC?

Ok, thank you SR, I know this hotel which you speak of. Is there another hotel if you continue walking down the hill, near the top and take a left onto that street? I think it may have a yellow exterior?

Could you be referring to the the Hotel Don Carlos, just about 30 yards from the Castillo, slightly downhill and across the street? If so, it's a nice place, though not chica friendly.

Take a look at the CRT map.

But yes. Take a right out of SL. Turn right at the corner and Castillo is about 100 yards on the right. Next door is Las Palmas resturant and next door to Las Palmas is the Hemmingway. Diagonal from Hemmingway is Hotel Don Carlos. Don Carlos is a lovely hotel but it IS NOT chica friendly. They used to have decent food a cheap prices but the last time I ate there they had raised the prices and the quality and quantity was less.

The Deluxe rooms at Castillo have AC. Most of the Deluxe rooms are in the newer wing at the rear of the hotel. The rooms in the newer wing have enough windows and catch enough of a breeze that I have never used the AC, just the ceiling fan. Room 12 on the 3rd floor can get a bit warm being on the top floor of the old house so AC might be needed in the afternoon.

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

Bringing this up to ask another Castillo question: What are the current bottom-line rates for the standard and deluxe rooms after the cash discount, weekly discount and CRT discount? I checked out their web site, but I take it that it's outdated. The CRT discount is supposed to be 25%, but that's off of what? The cash price or the rack price?

I will be able to make another CR trip soon, but I gotta go cheaper than I normally do, even a quuen room at the Amistad is too much. My target is under $50, I'll probably be happy with the standard rooms at the Castillo, but all those discounts make the deluxe rooms appear to be very doable, unless I got the figures wrong.