www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I seem to be getting differing opinions on the Presidente where I have always stayed numerous trips and am unsure if I should book them. I am not worried about the rates, the News Cafe; simply ' can you or can you not return with a lady.'

I know this topic has been hit several times but perhaps an update would help. I have read ' no more girls allowed in' on the net and heard from others you can still take them in. I went right to the source and asked the hotel outright, their reply is below. From the reply it seems ' yes', you can bring one in but at the same time reading between the lines it seems they have an out as they can simply say ' sorry, she doesn't meet our standards.' I wanted to share the below in case anyone else was pondering the issue.

In order to better serve you, it is important that we direct your attention to some of our policies regarding outside visitors (non-guests) and our “Hotel guest-staff code of ethics and conduct”, as I feel that depending on your needs, we may not be your best option for accommodations.

We have highly observed policies regarding noise, outside visitors, dress code and other issues that may affect other Hotel guests, a situation that we very much wish to avoid.

These policies include:

Absolute prohibition for minors to enter the Guestroom areas without their parents (prove may be requested), regardless of their gender. By Costa Rican law, a minor is a person under the age of 18.

Only one outside visitor (non-guest) per guestroom is allowed at a time, regardless of age, gender, religion, race or profession. Every visitor must have a valid, official picture ID and must be registered in our database every time they enter the Guestroom area. We reserve the right of admission and service and maintain historic records and databases of individuals and patrons who have behaved in a way that have made them non-welcomed in our premises.

Soliciting of any kind is prohibited in Hotel, Casino and Restaurant areas.

We request that all visitors and guests, regardless of age, gender, religion, race or profession, be dressed tastefully and appropriately. We understand that this is a subjective issue, and hence must inform our guests that the final decision will be made by our On-duty Manager. As a rule of thumb we request that our guests and visitors wear shoes, shirts and bottoms at all time while in public areas, avoid miniskirts or short shorts, clothing with racist or otherwise insulting motives and overly revealing tops. The use of coats is permitted in order to cover more inappropriate or revealing garments, but must be used at all time while entering, exiting or staying in the Hotel public areas.

I replied with:

Thank you, I assume that if you return in the evening with one female guest she is allowed to visit as long as she is an adult, dressed appropriately, in good standing with the hotel and registers with the front desk upon arrival? I would like to stay there again if that is in fact the policy, I just wanted to make sure that guests were not prohibited.

And they replied with:

You are very welocme.

You are correct.

At your service,

Directo
Central
Fax
Email :(506) 2010-0110
506) 2010-0000
506) 2221-1205
:sales3@hotel-presidente.com

Anyone have any more information or know if what they wrote is smoke and mirrors to just get a booking or if they truly do allow one guest? My guess ( uneducated as I am not seasoned down there in years) is they do allow one guest but want to discourage groups of partying mongers from staying there.

Thanks in advance to all, I posted in roll calls if any of you guys are around the end of October.

Kosher

Some months back there was a TON of threads and posts made on this very subject.

I posted quite a bit, and while I'd love you to read my thoughtful, well written posts , and to be serious, the threads will give you a perspective on what's happening with that hotel, I can sum up a ton of posts in a few paragraphs:

The policies of the Presidente have been changing over the last few years as it applies to guests - first they instituted a "dress code" and it gradually went down hill from there. Earlier this year, you could take a girl to your room assuming she had not previously been a guest - but the next time she was denied admission.

Bottom line - the Presidente is no longer an option, period - you will not be able to bring guests to your room, period - if this is your intent, do not stay there - period.
There have been "stories" as to why the policy is in place - from an older woman taking over, to a friend of an owner being robbed by a working girl - you know - I could care less, as girls were NEVER a factor at the place - you really did not see them hanging out in the lobby, nor at the bar or at the News Cafe.

The truly pathethic part is that it seems the recession in the USA is really affecting Costa Rica, and at this time to change policies is ill advised, but the Presidente would not be the first nor the last organization to do stupid things.

The fact that you can't get a simple answer to your simple question tells you a lot - while the hotel is obtuse, I'm not - DON'T STAY THERE.

PS If you want more info, search "Hotel Presidente" and be prepared for a lot of reading; I summed up what the deal is for you - truly, I've stayed w/ them many times over the past 15 years, and between the change of policy, the pricing, and not being able to get straight answer, I'll never stay there again, and many others feel the same way.

Thank you Scuba, although I don't have the expertise you have down there I came to the same conclusion you advise, not to stay. It's that refusal to give direct answers, skirt the issue.

I know there are a lot of threads and I will read them, but wanted a ' recent update' in case things changed.

I will stay at Amistad instead or Dunn Inn based on the overall feedback on those places. Both seem to have quiet room options and allow the guests.

Thanks to all who help others

I think they gave you a very clear answer if you read one line in their answer to you.



I found that to be a very thinly disguised way of saying if you plan to bring a prostitute to the hotel as your guest this is not the place for you.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Now this comes from a relative tyro to the scene but El Presidente made sense back when it and the HDR were essentially the only mid-scale games in town, and El Prez was more user-friendly. Any more, I don't understand the attraction of either one, especially with all the options now available.

_________________
"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

Dude, simply put, they are not a good option compared to the SL, Castillo, DI, Amistad, HLH Hotel M etc. The fact that you get to sign in a hooker where many others have had trouble might just be a fluke.

_________________
“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

True, Tim

And has been posted ad nauseum, Rob, the question is not can you get someone in that has not been there before - you well might be able to - but the question is, can you get her in a 2nd time - experience says no. The policy has changed.



ID, I'll admit to a strange viceral reaction to the Presidente situation - and you are 100% correct in your post .

However, and not to get into a "Clinton what is is" debate, their policy(s) as regards guests - especially to a new visitor - is not all that clear; in fact, there is a defacto ban if a girl has ever been there before, and they seem to maintain records that would make a Gestapo officer proud - maybe one does not need a "Greengo Post Decoder Ring" but if they would just state their policy (As many other hotels have done in SJ in no uncertain terms) instead of the BS and the dancing around, it would be better.

They don't want working girls, dressed like Mother Theresa or not - and if there is "one" who had not been there before and gets in - she is not getting in a 2nd time - yes, its the policy that pissses me off, sure - but the obtuse nature of their responses do too

I never could get a firm answer to this question starting about last October. Since I have been staying at SL and love it. However, on my trips since last October I have gone by the Presidente, walk in the lobby, watched who is coming and going plus have talked to several locals and the answer appears "no girls". When I was there in August, there were actually american families with 4 yr. old type K*ds in the lobby. Something I NEVER saw when I use to stay there.
Just sayin

Stay where you are comfortable, don't let other influence you. Different places for different people. It also depends on the type of gilrs you are bringing home. I live here and have an apartment, but if I was using a hotel it would be the Presidente. For me it works because its a really nice hotel and very clean. I am not bringing big numbers of girls back and really like girls that look like ladies and know how to dress accordingly. A lot of my friends like various different hotels for other reasons. Make it work for you.

Bariomarca you miss the point, my friend - it does not matter how they "look" or "act" - they don't want 'em and they are not going to let them in - at least not a 2nd time - you can't "make it work" b/c they (the hotel management) will not let you - its not an option if you want to bring guests, regardless of how they dress and look - that ship has sailed - period - guess you did not see all the stuff written on this topic a little while back - the policy at the Prez has changed - trust me. And at the risk of saying it a 10th time (or in my case a 100th time ), they will not level w/ you.

I was going to let your post pass, but I don't want someone reading it and thinking that what you wrote is Presidente policy - believe me, its not.

I'm really not trying to be a jerk, but what you wrote is just not the case anymore at this place (when was the last time you went there - these changes are fairly recent) - either they turn guests around at the door (if they have previously been there) or they go on their list in the hotels system, and they can't get in again. I know sometimes untrue stuff is (innocently, mostly ) posted, but take this to the bank.

A big

+1!

The President has moved on and it is time for mongers to accept that and move on too.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Why thank you ID

Some just don't get it

I believe I can say something about the Presidente with some degree of experience. I first stayed there in 1992 and spent many enjoyable times there during my visits before I moved here. Obviously after moving here I no longer stayed there but have kept up to date on the happenings and changes that have since occurred.

The changes have been gradual but their intent is unmistakable. They were in the early days of CRT a very active sponsor. I still have the cap and key chain they use to give out to CRT VIP members. They donated free stays as raffle prizes at CRT events. They offered CRT discounts. They were genuinely glad to have CRT members as guests and their reservations staff went out of their way to assist CRT guys with getting rooms. When you stayed there you truly felt they wanted you there and they valued your patronage. Gradually those things disappeared as did their public sponsorship and later on even that was withdrawn. Then came the infamous dress code which was a nebulous code not well defined but rather up to the manager on duty. Now they for all practical purposes ban young attractive female "guests" routinely.

If you enjoy the Presidente by all means continue to patronize them but be a bit more realistic and concede that they have changed and they send a very clear message they really do not want monger business and will only accept it grudgingly. As a long time patron you might not have any problems but that is an exception. I seriously doubt that any monger, who has no history with them, would be able to honestly say they felt truly wanted and valued as a guest.

I have said previously in this thread the Presidente has moved on and it is time for mongers to do the same. I hold no animosity against the Presidente. They have adopted a business model that they feel is in their best interest. All businesses are free to do that. You might disagree with their decision but that does not mean the decision was wrong.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I simply don't get this fascination with the presidente? I have stayed there (9 months ago), dunn inn, castillo, and others. When i go to the gulch for mongering, i don't stay at the presidente. Not when there are so many good choices. And certainly not when there are so many uncertainties around company and hoops to jump. For what????

What he said......