www.CostaRicaTicas.com

And so I had booked two nights beginning today. This would have been my first time ever staying there. I decided it was time to just give HDR a try and was looking forward to it. I was scheduled to fly back to LAX and make a connection to Aeromexico but ran into weather issues and could not make the connection. Aeromexico wanted an arm and a leg to rebook me for tonight's flight so I canceled my trip altogether.

I sent HDR an email with proof my flight had canceled. But it was only proof that I couldn't get to LAX, not even evidence that my flight from LAX to SJO was canceled(which technically was not). I called them today and they said they received my email- less than 24 hours before my schedule check-in and they had already canceled my reservation without penalty. Their stated policy is free cancellation if at least 48 hours notice. I consider that a very favorable decision on their part. Because of that I am going to make it a point to stay with them on future trips just because I believe that's how business should be done. They could have dinged me for the price of both nights.

FWIW, HDR was only $65 a night taxes included.

TF,
Lucky for you this is the high season and they can fill the room no problem. I wonder if they would be so understanding in August.

No telling really. I have to say I enjoyed my couple nights in HDR. It was actually really fun to be there and would stay again. On balance it was no more expensive than the other gulch hotels, way more convenient if a girl or two per day from HDR is your thing, and my room was average to above average compared to the other hotels I've been known to frequent.

I get teased because I always stay at HDR, but the prices are cheap, you're in the belly of the beast with the most chicas available at any time, the rooms are always clean, I always score extra towels from the maids, the staff is excellent, (One time I complained because the a/c unit on the floor above mine was dripping onto my unit and the noise was annoying, they went to the room above me and repaired it), I NEVER have to worry about staff stealing from my room or safe like Mona Lisa, incredible !!! there's never an issue with the bill like I have heard at other places and every cabbie in the whole country knows the place and how to get there, no excuses like they have with obscure small hotels.

I understand why some people like SL, Scores, La Amistad, quieter, more personal treatment, low key, nicer neighborhoods (La Amistad and SL), etc., etc. But if you love being smack dab in the middle of the action, it's not only the best choice...it's the ONLY choice...

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

After my first (and last) stay at HDR, I migrated to nearby Hotel Morazán, and stayed there a number of times. It was a less expensive alternative to the Del Rey, even though it was not quite in the center of the "the belly of the beast." When Sportsmens opened its doors, I gave it a shot. At the time, a standard room at SL was a little less than one at HDR. I felt very comfortable at SL when it just had a dozen rooms. I remained a loyal customer of SL for about 2 years before moving on to Hotel Castillo.

Right, I just wasn't disappointed in the least. I thought the rooms were going to be more "run down" and mine had plenty of floor space.
Why no bath mat or wash clothes- chicas steal those or something?
I expected a surprise on my bill but even with chica fees it was only $146 for two nights. I think I took 2-3 girls up. I like that the bill was printed with an identity other than Hotel Del Rey.
Haha, oh man, one cabby was supposed to be taking us back to HDR from Paseo Colon after dark and started heading South towards Desamp and we kept saying "Hotel DEL REY" yet he acted like he just could not understand us. A friend was speaking to the man in Spanish but he all but refused to change directions because he thought we were going to a hotel he knew of with a similar name.... felt like we were being hijacked for a few minutes. Really odd. When we got back to HDR my friend said the guy was just not very bright and the driver's Spanish was infantile- just not a bright bulb I guess.
I have to say it is much easier just to take a girl up the elevator than all that goes with taking a taxi then giving her a little cab fair to get back to HDR. If mine or her time is worth anything when all is said and done the HDR chica fee is a nit.

I wasn't really interested in negotiating price but I could see using the simple "up and down" as a benefit to any girl on a slow night, as opposed to having to go with me to a different hotel with cab ride, time spent, safety. At least I could use that for an agreement to more time or a more relaxed experience. Just thinking out loud.

Del Ray seems a good spot to stay for a Gulch veteran, but if you're a newcomer to the scene, and get that first overwhelming experience walking through Del Ray, it is probably better to not to have to actually stay in the environment. My go-to spots to stay are Scores (or what Scores used to be) and more recently Hotel Amistad (where I am now). Don't mind a little walk or short cab ride, just make sure you're not letting these cabbies screw you by charging way more than they should for super-short rides.

I'll disagree with you on this one, I remember bringing many new first timers down here and the mind blowing experience of being in the belly of the beast is such a trip, plus being able to take them up to your room immediately, 24/7 is great and super simple. Plus if they get lost, just ask how to get back to HDR, everyone knows.

Newbies may get thrown off balance trying to pull a girl from HDR then fighting street thugs and tricky cabbies at night trying to get to another small obscure hotel. I actually think a newbie should stay at HDR their FIRST VISIT, then as they become more familiar with the scene and how things work here, if they prefer the smaller places, have at it, they then know how to navigate around. In fact, a newbie staying at a hotel other than Scores, Zona or SL may find themselves bored with no chicas around and they have to be constantly visiting these sites.

We tend to listen to the inane blatherings on this site of the HDR adversaries but thousands of newbie visitors come to HDR, score great chicas, have a fabulous time and continue to return over and over and know nothing of CRT or the other hotel options, nor do they care. I know, I talk to them all the time....

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

As always, Netgems is right. The owners of this CRT own other hotels. Fact is, Del Rey is a great place for newbies.
I was rather impressed with the size of the room and how nice and clean everything was in my stay. Room 516. Had a great view of the mountains facing the west.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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"If you dont think women are explosive,....drop one."

EXCUSE ME ???

TicaFan.... where are the pics?

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

Netgems is of course totally correct! It has been stressed numerous times over the history of CRT that Newbies should always start out first at the HDR "Belly of the Beast" experience then over time, while meeting CRT members in SJO, migrating to the Barrio Amon properties, once comfortable and knowledgable in most aspects of the scene.

I never post pics, always tell the girls I won't and it gets me p o r n. Besides, why tempt you guys to move your game from MDE to SJO?

Want a little burn cream for that, PR?

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Gee, thanks, appreciate the kudos..EVEN I don't declare myself right ALL the time, just MOST of the time.

_________________
Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

OK,

If I didn't love HDR, here would be my choices in order of desirability:

SL.:

Small smattering of chicas compared with HDR but most of the time there's good finds, usually small but good options later afternoon and evening, also great quiet rooms in a safe quiet neighborhood with NF and numerous good tico restaurants nearby. Great dependable bar food, best atmosphere for get togethers with friends. Negative : Newbies, don't let them trick you with upfront rooms, they're loud, forget sleeping and everyone sees your movements, you'll hear street noise at night.

Scores or Zona :

Quick access to this usually well stocked with numerous proven performers group, nice rooms, I understand their bar food is ok to good. Access to great cigars. Negative : Neighborhood thuggish and long walk to get to main activity areas.

La Amistad ;

I have no idea why guys come here and INTENTIONALLY choose hotels with no chicas immediately available , but nonetheless they do , for this group of oddballs and eccentrics , this is the choice. Great safe neighborhood like SL, very nice rooms, superb food, classy atmosphere and great massage girl.

Mona Lisa : I haven't seen the inside of this place but its in a dog neighborhood, no chicas and hearing stories on CRT from more than a few members of all kinds of problems ranging from bathrooms not working to theft's, even from the safes, followed up with dubious bs excuses from the staff crosses it off my consideration list.

Morazon. Depressing dump, when I'm on vaca I spend a little more not to be in a thug haven, and evening walks between the HDR and Morazon, although 1 measly block can get you thug hassle, and, you know, it's just plain low class. Nonetheless, for those frugal members who are often seen picking up 1/2 cigarettes from the street, it is rightfully so the cheapest option...

Presidente :

The most beautiful rooms, fabulous beds and giant great showers, a full apt suite is also available, if you want elegance, this is THE PLACE. They used to lie to you and tell you if hos didn't dress like hos they would allow them in but they didn't. Now they just don't let any in, they want to be a family hotel and mongers need not apply.

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...