www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm a new member and although this is my first post I hope I can add some info that may be helpful to future travelers to CR. And for what it's worth, I'm not a shill and have nothing to do with this place.

What I have to offer is a review of my recent stay at The Secret Mansion, which is located right in the middle of the action in San Jose. Their website suggest this exclusive location is only available for the rich and famous, and in fact, some of the rich and famous have no doubt enjoyed the benefits of this place.

But I learned that an average guy like me can partake of some upscale luxury and overwhelming hospitality at a reasonable nightly rate, considering the amenities.

There are 6 suites available and I was quoted $250 per night for the presidential suite, $150 per night for the master suites. All six rooms are equally luxurious, with the presidential suite being a bit larger and equipped with a big jacuzzi. The $150 rooms are a definite bargain.

The owner, Jason, couldn't have been more helpful. He was my personal concierge for my stay and was able to arrange everything I needed. He only rents to one group at a time so it is a very private experience. Being the slow season, I actually had the entire place to myself but I would love to go back with a few good friends and spend some time there. The party potential would be limitless.

It may be a bit more expensive than some other SJ options but when you consider the luxurious amenities, 24 hr security, exclusive privacy and tremendous hospitality, well, if you can afford it it's certainly worth it. At least it was in my case.

wow this sounds like the best thing since sliced bread was invented

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My best friend was the clock on the wall, and he turned out not to be much of a friend in the end

Here is the thing and I could be wrong: I don't think that CR has the market to cater to that type of niche traveler as the marginal benefit gained is not a whole lot. Say you are the well heeled monger; they you get the VIP suite at any of the local downtown hotels and bring all the women you can hanndle back to the suite. You can do the same at the Mansion, but what is the added benefit of staying there? That it appears more exclusive to the hooker? That probably just means more money. I have seen a similar place operate or at least saw the women from the place in the DR, all a bunch of very hot looking Russian hookers that were definitely one of the draws of the place. Any Slavic hotties at the Secret Mansion?

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“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

I believe the market is there it's just that you don't see that type of guy in the DR or SL that often talking about his former "Playboy and Penthouse girl friends and how much gold he has stashed back in Georgia.

Not every monger wants or needs to "show off" his "girl friend" of the night at the local joints nor do they need the fraternity type atmosphere.

As the economy may be slow there are still plenty of guys at the top willing to spend their money quietly at a nicer establishment

I don't disagree with you, or Tim, for that matter, Livin' - good points all

Look, nothing "works" for everyone, and its nice to have options - $150/night pays for almost 3 nights for me at the Morazon and in 15 years of traveling and well over 30 trips, I don't need the perceived "luxury" of the Secret Mansion (or the Hotel M when guys were posting/gushing about it some time back) or the assistance of a concierge - but thats me, and I'm always glad for options.

Thanks also to 3rdEye for posting firsthand about a place many have wondered about

I've only been to CR a couple times so I have limited experience but having stayed at the DR and The Presidente previously, I knew I could find some better accommodations, maybe not the Four Seasons but something at least a few notches up on the skeeve-o-meter. And while it may matter to some guys, I could care less what a hooker thinks of my hotel, I'd rally in a refrigerator box if I had to and could care less what the girl thought. I was looking for a little luxury for me, not for anyone else.

When I discovered the Mansion on another site I immediately did a search here and everything I found suggested it took thousands to stay there. I decided to reach out to them anyway and was pleasantly surprised to see it was not reserved exclusively for the 7 figure crowd. That's why I felt an obligation to post a review. I know the vast majority of my brothers here may be looking for a less expensive option but I'm thinking there may be more guys like me out there that can justify the extra cake for the ultimate in SJ accommodations.

If I just looked at the website and what little was posted here I would have written it off as way out of my league. And I'm not sure why the Mansion website doesn't have the address listed (corner of Ave 9 y Calle 3) or why the day rates aren't advertised. That's a bit of a mystery which makes this info potentially more valuable.

By the way, breakfast was included but companionship was not. That was very easily ordered up and delivered and it was very, very good but it was on top of the room charge and economically consistent with what I found in Jaco this past weekend.

They also have a very cool little basement (street level) bar and will soon be serving meals (Italian Cuisine) in the main level, all this open to the public. So if you're in the area you can have a drink and/or some food and I'm certain the staff would be happy to give you a tour.

I just have the feeling - although I could be wrong - that the companionship provided was well north of $100 per........

PS No hotel in SJ provides companionship a la an inclusive type resort (although you get a discount at Hotel Little Havana if you are a guest) - so we can absolve them of that

Confirmed Scuba.

Dos Cien for 2-3 hrs. Amazing quality and again, if affordable, highly recommended.

Thank you - for the report and the honesty - hey, its not my cup of tea/guarro but glad its an option for those who may wish to stay there - thanks for posting

A few trips to Fantasy (one block east) where the girls are $50 ea or 2 for $75 helps bring down the average cost.

That was one way to justify the overall trip costs in my warped little mind anyway.

And to clarify, you can import any girl you want from any of the other local talent pools, so the cost of the company is not necessarily tied to the Big House.

But man, it was just a really nice scene having total luxury and total privacy and not having to go anywhere to find everything I needed for a great evening.

If ya got it splurge 3rd Eye. Life is too short for bargains and discounts all the time!

3rd Eye Thanks for posting this.

I gotta tell you I find this thread refreshing that a guy can actually say he spent a few bucks more to find a place a level above of some of the old fav’s and that he enjoyed himself and no one has found the need to beat him up over it. Finnally!

More amazing is no one has found the need to comment negatively about the DOS Cien!!!! The cardinal sin, it seems on this site to pay the dreaded cien, much less now he has doubled it. Man I could tell stories of nights that have cost a $1,000 and wished I had stayed at home and other nights about chipping in $20 for beer and pizza and thought I got $1,000 of value out of it. You just never know what it is worth until it is over.

Personally I am always on the search of a new place and appreciate the intel on this place. Having seen the website and the other comments on here, I had also written it off, perhaps for other reasons but still the same it was off my radar.

Thanks again 3E and others for keeping the peace.

Goingsouthsoon, I don't have the money to play like I want right now, but I'm not a hater. I know I will be able to play again in style soon. The haters hate because they know they will never be able to play big OR, they are obsessed with bargains and getting the cheapest. Let me tell you. I live at ground zero now, am in the SL most days, and a lot of our "experts" with their "novias" exagerate about the bargain basement chicas. Not saying there aren't some smoking chicas here, there are. Just that the everyday ragamuffins, at bargain prices, just don't cut the mustard.

I hear ya South. I was almost expecting a good thrashing and am happily surprised things have been kept cool.

I have been an active "Sportsman" for many years, in many different regions, through many different cultures and without good intel the whole process is really so much more difficult. When I first found the Secret Mansion website I was intrigued and when I found so little information here (or anywhere online, for that matter) I was even more curious. So after such a good experience there I figured I had to get a review posted, regardless of the potential strife it may cause with some of the more frequent contributors of the site.

I get it, if the rich guys drive up the price what are us common Joe's gonna do? It's a threat, whether real or inaccurately perceived, so I understand why the anti-Cien mentality is so prevalent. I mean, no one wants to pay more than they have too.

But I work my balls off for 49-50 weeks a year and during the 2-3 weeks I have off I have no problem splurging a little. In the grand scheme of things, it's really no difference. If I dropped an extra grand on a trip last year I've long since forgotten about the cash but the quality of the memory lasts forever.

Or at least until I start drooling and eating through a straw!

3rd Eye ..... Thanks for the honesty and post because what works for you may not work for me, but as long as we all leave happy, what is the difference?

I like a nice hotel like HLH and the girls there, but the bargains, negotiation, local tico bars and MP's and everything else that makes CR a fun place to visit for most, but your way is OK too!

I must have missed the memo about there is a one way only mandatory formula to doing Costa Rica according to some and I appreciate the information of another optional way of vacationing in CR.