www.CostaRicaTicas.com

After another stay at Hotel Castillo, I'm still thoroughly pleased with the place. They treat long term and repeat customers particularly well. There is a lot to do in Amon, with NF 100M away and ZB, the Sportsman's Lodge and Amon Plaza near by. There are also numerous restaurants within a few blocks. It is only about 3 or 4 blocks from the gulch and mas X menos, so it is easy to visit BM or Faro's or KL, etc. Coming back from the gulch at night requires a cab, but it is less than a dollar, and well worth the cost for avoiding Parque Morazan and Parque de Espania at night. The air is much cleaner than I would have believed possible in the middle of a large Latin American city. There are no bus fumes at all, since the prevailing winds come over the zoo and Rio Torres valley. The restaurant and bar are a big help too. Send Darren an email and see what he can do for you, if you've outgrown the DR 24 hour noise fest.

http://www.hotelcastillo.biz/

Veelee

Are they chica friendly and if so, any fee?

I stayed at Castillo last January. They are chica friendly (I even did a three-way there), but you have to be respectful of the other guests (keep the noise down). The building is an old Barrio Amon mansion converted to a hotel. The in room "safes" are less than safe, but the size of the building is small enough to be quite manageable (security-wise).

I reccommend Castillo as an attractive alternative to the regular monger joints.

By the way, no chica fee.

The only things stolen from there that I've heard of were by girls left in rooms unsupervised. The maids are great. They seem trustworthy and helpful. One there fixed my pants and didn't even charge me. They do laundry for a reasonable price too. Tip them, they deserve it!

Most, though not all, of the regular customers seem to be mongers. Yes it is chica friendly. Go ahead and mention CRT to Darren. He knows about it.

What's the price?

I'm staying at the puritan Radisson, but thought about getting a room elswhere for tomorrow night.

_________________
SlickWings


Seems like I spend half my life drinking, gambling, and mongering. The other half... I waste.

That depends on several things, how long you stay, which room, how you pay and how busy they are. For example, the price for room 3 for the entire month of October will be much lower per day than room 16 for one night in the high season. Send Darren an email and see what he can do for you. Over all, I'd say it is the best deal for lodging I've found in SJ area. It is much more convenient than staying in Pavas or Sabana Sur, and the price for the room is a better deal than anything I've seen in the gulch.

As I mentioned before, they take care of regular and/or long term customers.

I stayed for about 7 nights at the Hotel Caltillo in early November, 2004.

It was very comfortable, owned and managed by Americans, no Chica fees - none, has adjoining restaurant, patio lounge, nice large rooms, and is reasonably priced - $ 40-50.00 per day. Reasonably good complimentary breakfast too.

Located only 5 blocks from the Del Rey & Key Largo.
website= www.hotelcastillo.biz

You will be very comfortable there. Steve

I'm planning on bringing my digital camera and laptop, will they be safe in most hotel rooms?

Should I check them into the front desk? Can I do this?

I've heard that rooms have safes, is the safe big enough for a laptop?

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Also, should I leave my money as US dollars or change it? Should I bring cash or travelers checks or a little cash and my ATM and CC? Of course, I'll bring ATM/CC... just don't know about the cash part really.

Thanks.

The in room safe is big enough for a camera, but the laptop doesn't fit, unless it is something like an OQO. I've never had a problem there, but I do back up work and keep a copy in the safe. Staff are great, so they are not a problem. As I posted before, the only thefts I know about there have involved, "ladies," left unaccompanied in rooms.

Are the rooms on the first and second floor? If so, which are the best rooms. I need to make reservations for 3/30-4/5. I narrowed my choices down to SL, Armon, La Gran Via, and Hotel Castillo. The SL is booked, so my next choice is Hotel Castillo. CRT discount?