www.CostaRicaTicas.com

As I found was the best way to tell the cab drivers where your hotel is.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at this well known hotel recently, I had such a relaxing time I am compelled to write at least something to share my thoughts with others. This was my first vacation of any sort in two years due to a precarious job situation, it was more RNR than let's see how many girls I can run through in a week. I had stopped in to this hotel once on a previous trip 2 years ago, and the bar was empty and foreboding. It is now like your favorite corner bar back home, like Cheers, only with more tits. I spent three days in SJ, 3 Days in Manuel Antonio, and then 3 days back in SJ. This was my 6th trip to CR, all previous trips were spent at the Morazan. I've always stayed there due to the proximity of the HDR. I will never stay there again. It is a great value, and location, but HLH suits me much better. Also Boyd is like Ricky Ricardo, only not obnoxious and actually helpful, so not like him at all.

I can't speak for the rest of the rooms, but the Junior suite I stayed in was great. A nice steamy shower was appreciated every morning. The room was silent, a welcome change from the noise of the Morazan. The room was also completely dark, I would have to check the time when waking up to see if it was 6am or noon. I normally have trouble sleeping in hotels, I think I slept better here than I do at home. The room could maybe use a small desk or table of some sort for the laptop, although I'm not sure where it could be put.

The new restaurant is great. I like to eat local food when in town because I can get a cheeseburger anytime when I am at home, but not casado, or gallo pinto. The Tico breakfast and casado were great. I didn't get a chance to try the meatball sub, but the new cheese steak sandwich was on point for a hangover cure. I'm not a morning guy so the legs and eggs special was also skipped.

Happy hour found the bar packed on most nights, two for one on almost all drinks, raffles for free sessions, and girls dancing on the bar. Beats the shit out of Chili's.

Boyd is a terrific host. I have never been treated so well in a hotel. I felt more like I was staying with family than a business. Boyd, I wish nothing but the best for your business and your family. A truly good guy that is unfortunately harder and harder to come by these days. Thanks for the introduction to my new favorite rum, Ron Zacapa Centanario 23 year. I bought a bottle as soon as I got home. I will be back, sooner rather than later.

As always in Costa Rica I met some great people, and a few characters. I had a great time helping out a new guy, and showing him around town. My favorite had to be the American couple in town for Pearl Jam that walked in on my last night not knowing the nature of the establishment, and still felt so welcome after figuring it out they stayed until closing.

Of course there are the chicas. I'll spare any details, but I had a good time with all. The price discount when staying in the hotel, and skipping New Fantasy was a great benefit. There was always a chica there to scratch the itch of the day. I left with more that I would like to spend time with after 6 days. I think that says something about the quantity, and quality of the chicas. I only went to the HDR 3 times on the trip, only because the HLH girls had gone home for the night. One of the girls I brought back made wait while she took pictures of the room to send to her friends she was so impressed over the usual HDR rooms. "Ay papi que rico"

In Manuel Antonio I stayed at Hotel Verde Mar. An affordable hotel almost right on the beach, behind a restaurant, and close enough to the park. I have stayed there twice now. I hiked around the park, and took a mangrove tour. I enjoy breaking up the trip and getting out of SJ. I flew Sansa to Quepos in 25 minutes for a reasonable amount, and will never take the punishing drive again. Its interesting once, after that it's a waste of your precious vacation hours. That is about all anyone here probably cares to hear about it.

Good post man. I have been considering staying at HLH when I go down next, so far have heard nothing but good things about the rooms.

Have you visited any other parks on your previous trips? If so, which ones did you enjoy the most?

Verde Mar in Manuel Antonio another good chice for location alone (and value). Only problem it has is the problem they all have if they are on the main road like 85% of them are, road noise, buses, taxis, and motorcycles, CR needs to do something about regulating cycle mufflers.

I've been singing the praises of the HLH as a hotel for years. I've stayed elsewhere, but no other place treats you so well, allows you to get as good a night's sleep, or is so conveniently located.

The rooms are top notch, but as the someone pointed out, a little desk or table so you can sit at your laptop is greatly needed. And some more hangers would help.

It is a great place to recharge the batteries.

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"I'm not one those pathetic lietuenant colonels working a silly civilian job, working out two hours a day trying to reclaim a body they lost 20 years ago and four hours a night completing War College by correspondence in a sad attempt at colonel. Tyler Durden told us [i]'Self improvement is masturbation[/i].' My mid-life crisis is going to involve a new sports car, or the zoftig redhead with daddy issues in accounting, or better yet, racking up frequent flyer miles going to Pattaya."