www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Yeah, pretty much - but I recommend everyone try it once - personally, I don't like it for many reasons, some I've previously posted about - overall, I don't think you get a lot of value for your money - but thats my opinion - others will disagree, which is fine (even though they are wrong sorry, sorry

What constitutes a "delux room" at the HDR? what, a toilet vs a whole in the floor, or a piss pot? A bed w/ a box spring vs a rope frame? Running water??

Seriously, the place is OK but their definition of "delux" and yours might be different - far better place s to stay (HLH and Sportsmans - on the budget side, Morazon, one block away) - get a room higher vs lower b/c of noise




Since I don't believe the front desk clerk at the HDR is a daily reader or a member of CRT, you need to contact them to know for sure - you are going to a lot of trouble for a fairly marginal place - why don't you see if HLH or Sportsmans have rooms (still, I stand by my statement that its worth it for a night or 2 once)

Actually i do plan to stay at the two hotels you mentioned, its just that i was thinking of staying at DR the very first night of the trip just to get acclimatized.

I don't like the place (surprise ) but don't disagree that its good for a night or two - once.

I dislike even more moving from place to place but if I had a week or so - and the places had rooms - one time - if it was my 1st or 2nd trip and I had not previously experienced HDR, HLH, & Sportsmans - I might just do a couple of nights at each place - PITA but for a 1st or 2nd trip, it would give you a perspective - if you (or someone else) did it - I doubt the HDR would win your repeat business.

Scuba, someone mentioned it earlier, but a "deluxe" room at the HDR is just like the regular rooms, just a little larger, no added amenities or anything. I stayed at the DR for my first few CR trips starting in 2005 (looking back now I should have gone with the Prez ) and I think I was in a "deluxe" room everytime, one time even on the 6th floor, never saw anything truly "deluxe"about them.

Tom, I loved the Presidente....until they changed their policies - and were not up front about it

I think the HDR is a bad value and crummy rooms - perhaps not for the "promotional" pricing, but also feel it marks you as a rube staying there - although many disagree, and certainly not everyone who stays there is a newbi (but its interesting to note how many who previously stayed there have migrated to other hotels, most notably Sportsmans and HLH) and its one of those things that could be debated ad nauseum.

(Personally, I think guys need to get out of the DR and KL and develop their own list of contacts, but again - thats another topic and thread )

Dependa on the type of atmosphere you are looking for. My very first visit I stayed in the hdr and it was perfect for a newbie. A 24 hour non-stop party in a crazy crazy place. It blew my mind. Watch out for the clock watchers there, as some hope to quickly knock off a client to return to the blue marlin and scout the next. And the upgrades will cost you over time. Much more relaxed at SL and no Chica fees

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no mas leche

Well said ; exactly to what I was referring in my previous post