www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I got a tour of the Mona Lisa today. They are opening January 31. It is going to be a very beautiful hotel/casino. The rooms are all being redone with new drywall, the works. They totally understand the demographics they will be working with. If they do everything I heard about today, its definitely going to shake things up with the other venues. Once you walk into this place you will never want to go back to the Delrey. Someone or a couple of places are going to get hurt when this place opens. The pie is only so big. I have been living here about three years and watched the changes. This place has huge potential.

Hope they have greased the correct skids.
Regards, 911 Driver

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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

And a great host in Guy Grand!! There has not been a good customer friendly Manager in Barrio Amon since the disappeareance of Boyd. Of course Bill the owner of the Sportsman's Lodge is a great guy as well!!

Talked to Guy & the new owner of the Mona Lisa @ the SL last week. They've got some good ideas for gettin the place goin again & if anyone can make it happen I believe it's them!

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

I'm kind of perplexed. I've stayed a Amon over the years and I'm guessing my average stay cost me around $90 a night back then. I used to get the CRT discount through Nelson or whatever his name was but the regular rate as I recall was probably closer to $125. Clarion Amon was Broke for years and seems like they constantly had difficulty surviving financially. I'm curious as to how Mona Lisa will fare with prices apparently a lot lower than what Clarion used to charge. Is there something significantly different in their business model that will give it a better chance of financial survival compared to Amon Plaza?

How full was it when the rooms were $125 and was anyone eating in the restaurant,drinking in the bar,or playing in the casino. If they can keep it full with gringos losing at the tables and buying working girls drinks and buying 3 meals a day.....sounds like the DR without the chicas fees.

I dont know how any of these small hotels like Dunn Inn, Castillo, HLH. make it. With a limited number of rooms there is no room for error. During off season they must bleed. The bar and restaurant can be a great source of revenue if shrinkage is not too great.

I think they are planning/hoping for a higher occupancy rate than in the past. I stayed during fourth of July week(2009) and while other hotels were full, I don't recall seeing anyone on the second floor but me. My impression was a very nice facility but poorly managed. I will never have to stay at the MORAZON again if this hotel stays open. Almost no one was in the casino

"How full was it when the rooms were $125 and was anyone eating in the restaurant,drinking in the bar,or playing in the casino. If they can keep it full with gringos losing at the tables and buying working girls drinks and buying 3 meals a day.....sounds like the DR without the chicas fees."

"I dont know how any of these small hotels like Dunn Inn, Castillo, HLH. make it. With a limited number of rooms there is no room for error. During off season they must bleed. The bar and restaurant can be a great source of revenue if shrinkage is not too great."

"I think they are planning/hoping for a higher occupancy rate than in the past. I stayed during fourth of July week(2009) and while other hotels were full, I don't recall seeing anyone on the second floor but me. My impression was a very nice facility but poorly managed. I will never have to stay at the MORAZON again if this hotel stays open. Almost no one was in the casino"

Mike, the idea is to do a long term steady business and keep everyone happy.

Estabanh, With a more diverse model, there are also more moving pieces. Hopefully, we can keep it as simple as possible.

Hank, our goal is to stay engaged with the CRT community and be a part of it. I think if we managed to keep this community happy, or as many people as can be kept happy, we'll be off to a good start.

Alright Guy!! You go Boi!!!

Could someone post the exact location of this hotel. I think I know where its located but just want to make sure since I cant find it on the map.

Thanks

Avenida 11 Calle 3, right on the corner, right on the price! Go Guy go!

almost directly across from the Dunn Inn

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Is this hotel walking distance to delrey?

When I exit main entrance of delrey...i make a left, keep walking down that hill until I get to that main strip on the right hand side where McDonalds, Pizza Hut, subway is...

I am guessing that the hotel is before I reach all the way down to McDonalds...

Am I right?

If not, please explain where I go after i exit main entrance of delrey.

Thank you