www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Planning my first trip to SJO later this month and I'd appreciate some input from those in the know about the hotels I am considering.

First some background... family members will want to know where I am staying and can be expected to Google wherever that is, which pretty much rules out SL, HLH and of course HDR! I would like to be conveniently located to the "amenities" but don't need or want to be at the center of the activities. I expect to be visiting a variety of MPs, clubs and bars so no chica fee would be a plus. This touches on budget, which is somewhat tight, so every extra $ spent on a room is $ less for other fun - that said, I'm not really into sharing with cucarachas and I'd like an in-room shower. Wi-fi would be nice, but it's not a deal-breaker.

So there you have it - which of the following CRT sponsors is likely to be my best bet? Pluses and minuses for each?
Amistad
Hemingway
Castillo
Dunn Inn
Inca Real
Vesuvio

Thanks!

ive always stayed at the dunn inn cheap rooms that are nice no chica fees wifi and if ur family googles it they will be none the wiser hope that helps

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You do costa rica your way and I'll do it my way

You left the best one out, Sportsmen's Lodge, after all what else is there.
Really, I will not stay anywhere else. Search "SL" and then all the others.
Regards, 911 Driver
Reread your post, sorry, Go with La Amistad, still close to everything.

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The happy hour is a device either for getting rid of social obligations hurriedly en masse or for making overtures toward more serious social relationships, as in the etiquette of whoring.- Brooks Atkinson

I have not stayed in all of them, but the ones I have stayed in or toured, I will provide some brief comments

Amistad- Nice place and reasonably priced. Once a staid, eco-tourist hotel that was purchased a few years ago by an American (Matt) who did a great job of giving the place a facelift. Matt is also a superb host. Clientele includes a mix of regular tourists as well as mongers. Rooms are clean and comfortable, have TV, phone, AC & private baths. Great breakfast. It is close to a railroad track, and the whisle disturbs some guests. The hotel has a small bar. (Not sure if the restaurant is still in operation). It is in close proximity to Sportsmens the Barrio Amon MPs New Fantasy and Little Havana. Hotel Del Rey and Key Largo are less than a 10-minute walk. Highly recommended... good value for the money. WIFI.

Castillo- Castillo was my "home-away-away" from home for years when I stayed in the gulch. Nice place and very reasonably priced (discounts for cash payments). The manager is a great guy named Darren... and he is backed up by an equally great staff. Clientele is a mix of regular travelers & mongers (mostly mongers). Castillo is a converted villa and is comprised of the "old" and "new" sections. The old section has "character" while the new annex section reminds me of a Motel 6. The rooms in the old section are dated, but clean and well-maintained. The new section rooms are modern and uniform is design. The new rooms have AC, kitchenettes & refrigerators while the old section rooms do not. All rooms have safe, TV, phone & private baths. Simple breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, gallo pinto & fruits. Castillo is closer to the Barrio Amon MPs than Amistad, and equally close to Sportsmens, HDR & KL. WIFI.

Hemingway- No comment other than it is next door to Hotel Castillo

Dunn Inn- No comment

Inca Real- I toured it 5 years ago, but never stayed there. The hotel appeared to be a mostly tico tourist hotel that tolerated gringo mongers (no guest fees for CRT members). The rooms were fresh and clean. At the time, they were newly renovated. Each room has TV, phone & private bath. No AC. The rates seemed in line with the other hotels in that class. Full breakfast served in the breakfast room/cafe located in the subterranean level of the building. The owners and staff seemed friendly and eager to show me around. This hotel is located further from SL, HDR & KL than the other hotels (located near the old Clarion Hotel on Calle 3). Less than a 10 minute walk to the Amon MP, but much closer to the Calle 6 MPs.

Vesuvio- No comment, located between SL and Amistad.

I am a huge fan of the Castillo. When I went in March the old rooms now also had a mini fridge in them. I prefer to stay in the older part of it because it has such a home like feel. Staff is awesome and rooms prices are great. With CRT discount, 7 day or more discount, and cash discount the price for a standard room can get to under 40 a night. No chica fee and occasionally a girl or two in the lobby available. Also noticed almost all working girls know where it is and have no issues coming back there with you. They keep their ID at the desk while she is in your room. Google does not seem to turn up any crazy monger info about it when you search. In my opinion it would be at the top of the list you posted.

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Not banned yet...

Glad to hear Darren finally put fridges in the old rooms. The old section of Castillo is my favorite as well... expecially the two haunted rooms on the third floor. It's been 3 years since I was at the Castillo (and the gulch for that matter). It will be interesting to see the changes when I finally return.

Amistad has the loud train, I would recommend Dunn Inn. 100% monger friendly but still a nice place for food, drink, sports and open to the outside Good location. 2 blocks from Havana. The only reason I am not a Havana fan is that the place is TOO monger friendly. No windows in the bar area. No tables to eat. Eat at the bar. Each to his own so do your homework.

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I am NOT a Cien Boy!!

Haunted rooms on the 3rd floor? Haha guess I scared them away when I was there, spent a week in room 11 and nothing out of the ordinary for me.

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Not banned yet...

La Amistad, all the good things have been mentioned, but much better breakfast than Castillo. Eggs done the way you want, usually pancakes or waffles, a little extra (but worth it) for bacon, sausage or home fries. There is a Guest fee of 3,500 colones (doesn't happen at Castillo), and true, the beds are nicer in La Amistad, but comparing price to price, there's more room in a Castillo room and better ventilation. I was back at Castillo last weekend, the bar is still open but the restaurant has closed, although a crazy Gringo is trying out some breakfast and lunch items, chances are he'll give up. I would be surprised if you can get the price to $40US for just a few days, but try and see. Great staff at Castillo, but Matt runs a nice ship as well. Girls don't mind either place.

When did La Amistad invoke a guest fee? Does it apply to CRT VIPs as well?

the fee is charged only if your tln has breakfast!

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"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

love the amistad and have never stayed at castillo. dunn inn is ok but if you are looking to be as stealthy as you say i would check tripadvisor
the reviews have complaints of hookers streaming in and out, sex tourists etc.
depending on how thorough people checking up on you are...

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

No Sportsman----Dunn Inn is a real good Second. Whitecats post is accurate. Don't forget the Dunn Inn massage girl, she is great. Have fun no matter where you stay.

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There's a prettier girl every day...

Great information - thanks to all!

Happily it sounds like this is a no lose situation - each place seems to have its fans so it sounds like there really isn't a "bad" choice, they're just different.

All things considered I think I will go with the Castillo as long as they have something suitable and smoke-free available - is Darren still the guy to contact there?

Yes, contact Darren...