www.CostaRicaTicas.com

From TripAdvisor's Hotel Presidente reviews. Scroll down to the review from "david k" dated July 5, 2012. I'll quote the relevant passages here, highlighting mine:

From "david k":



From the response by Katherine Carter, the general manager:



There you have it, no question about it, the loss of what used to be one of the prime SJO monger hotels. That makes at least three monger-friendly places lost so far: the Clarion Amon Plaza, Hotel M and the Presidente

Yes, and I really enjoyed my stays at Presidente, too. For the longest time, Hotel Presidente was CRT headquarters. It's where I went to pick up my official CRT keychain and a free News Cafe ballcap. The only thing in life that is certain is change... and San Jose, CR, is no different.

I guess this explains why they were offering a 74.00 (including tax) rate for the Halloween weekend. I almost bit but I remembered board reviews here that said they were becoming increasingly "unfriendly" toward guests regardless of their attire.

Sounds like they are doing great with their new business plan of only families and biz people at rates of app $65 plus taxes.

I never did

Tom, this was settled months ago - I loved the place; stayed there many times, but never again - I respect a business' right to change their policies; what pissed me off royally (and may others too) was for months the Prez was not honest about their policy - I guess they are now; better late than never

Used to be my favorite place.......

_________________
I am NOT a Cien Boy!!

I loved the Presidente because of the News Cafe--I stayed there on at least 7 trips to CR--no more news cafe and now I stay at the Holiday Inn--1 experience I will never do again is the Gran Hotel Costa Rica--what a dump--I had no hot water-no air conditioner--no water pressure and the phucking phone was broke and this was the presidential suite--I have a local girlfriend and cannot stay at the fun spots , but can visit occasionally when she is at home.

Try Sleep Inn, chica fee of $30 but not crazy $80, very new, very quiet. Gran Hotel is a mistake many of us have made before it became unfriendly. Gran Dump de CR.

Scuba, I guess it was, but I remember seeing a guy or two chime in saying that they still stayed at the Prez and brought in chicas. Seemed suspicious, but left enough of a doubt on whether the Prez was totally no-chicas. Then I decided to browse TA and saw the Prez's GM flat-out say "no visitors allowed" so decided to make that widely known.

I had a great time there once with a favorita in the Grand Spa Suite #801, the one with the jacuzzi on the balcony.

I hear ya, Tom - I stayed there 15+ times over the years and really loved the place.

And I do know what you are refering to - some guys had posted about bringing girls in, but frankly, I call BS - the policy has been in place for 1.5+ years (although they have only been honest about it since the start of this year )



Yes, its a nice hotel, and a great location (and not just b/c of the pink building next door ) - but.......

The guest fee is now more ($35 + 13.??% tax)
2 guests/day really gets expensive - for what it is

I like going "dumpy" (like the Morazon) - especially in a place where I'm not judged or taxed for the hobby - just my dos colonies, applicable to me; others welcome to agree or disagree, and stay wherever they wish

Never inderstood the fascination with the presidente. What's the BFD? And yes i have styed there. As well as bunch of other places in sj. Decent hotel, but if they don't want my business thats ok. They can F themselves and i will go somehere else. Is it about getting rejected and wanting to pursue ???? Kind of an odd charecteristic for the monger bunch where the whole idea is about moving on and on and on

I (and likely many others) don't disagree

Many of us remember many pleasant stays there, liked the location, the breakfast buffet, bar employees, et al - so we were sorry to see the change in policy The problem was for months there was a ton of confusion, caused by the Presidente itself, whereby they did not own up to the policy change.
Not to get philosophical, or too deeply into the Costa Rican mind set, but they will do almost anything to avoid giving a negative answer......so I somewhat get it, but not realizing that a guy is well w/in his rights to be royally pissed at not getting a straight, honest answer is inexcusable - they had no problems turning girls away for sometimes BS reasons for years - so as a business they can do what they please; I just don't excuse them for lying about it for months.

Also agree w/ you that I am reluctant to give my business and hard earned $$ to somone who does not value me or my patronage