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Going to SJO for 2 nights with 3 friends for the first time. I have been studying quite a bit and I think I am ready. Then again I could be the blind leading the blind, lol. My question is who has nicer rooms, Sportman's or Amistad? Which one is cleaner and better maintained? What would be better for a rookie?. I have heard good things about both. Are the HDR rooms as run down as I have heard? Don't want to pay chica fees anyway. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

You really cant go wrong with either. My advice is to stay out of the SL courtyard area, those rooms are a little..well..if you like sleep, dont stay in em. But anything in the modern wing and up is a great choice for the SL. Also a great place to meet like minded gents and of course, girls will be there.

But, I'm a Amistad guy. Once I stayed there, I've never looked back. I like it because its away from the action (no girls in the bar area) and their customer service is outstanding. Their restaurant has great food as well. But its really a personal preference.

I'm gonna say stay at the SL though, only because its your first time. It'll make things a lot easier for you and you ll be in the company of good guys. Once you get your initial trip over with, go ahead and branch out and try the Amistad.

If you want a less expensive room at SL and do not want a courtyard room, see if you can get a room in the clubhouse section. I usually book too late to get into the mansion, and I have stayed in the clubhouse section several times. The rooms are about the same price as courtyard rooms. They are smaller than mansion rooms, but clean and nice, and are away from the courtyard so it is quiet.

They have everything I need including a nice bed, a safe and a private john. The clubhouse is a nice place where you can usually have some semi-privacy at night too.

It depends too, on which one has adjacent rooms for you and the Krewe ( a minor matter perhaps...). Agree on the SL for first time down--next time you could expand your horizon to include the Castillo (same neighborhood) or the Dunn Inn (lounge/sportsbar should be rockin' by early Fall).

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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

Ditto. The rooms at the Amistad are on par with the clubhouse and Mansioni wing rooms at the SL. I always stay at the SL because I like the party atmosphere.

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

SL...one stop shopping...super convenient...fun atmosphere. LA is nice, and I stay there often...but...sometimes the train can be noisy, and there tends to be "Evil Eye Gringas" who stay there with their poor, schmuck husbands in tow...kind of a buzzkill...unless you like to have fun with those types.
CH