www.CostaRicaTicas.com

What up fellows. I'm anxiously waiting to roll down to SJO in about two weeks for some well deserved rest and relaxation, and plan on staying at the Mona Lisa. However, due to some of the threads that I've read about ongoing issues regarding thefts out the room safes, I wanted to know if there's anyone out there reading this that has stayed there in the last month or so. If yes, what was your experience or vibe while staying there? Is there still a huge concern about some unscrupulous hotel staff having sticky finger or has Guy and the rest of management got the issue under control?

Thanks,
Dewon642

Was there for a week in December plus I have spent a week there every month since they took over from the Clarion. In all of my trips I can assure you I have never had a problem or met anyone who has had a hint of problems with thefts. I'm not saying it did not happen I just can not provide any first hand knowledge with a lot of trips and I will be there again at the end of the month. In a different post I likened this topic to the spotting of Elvis, many claim to have seen him but proof is scarce.

He told you his experience and I'll tell you mine. I do have first-hand experience of someone breaking into the safes....it was in MY room. I'm not telling you not to stay there, I'm just telling you about my experience. To answer your question.....yes, I would be concerned about using the room safes. They can't steal everyone's money out of every safe, but it sure would ruin your trip if they get you.

I stayed there 12 days in November with no problems but I keep my money in a small gun lock safe inside the hotel room safe. I `m going to be staying there 4 weeks in February and will also using a milockie hotel safe lock as well. You can always put your main money in the casino safe and keep some small day to day money in your room safe. I really like the place and as long as they keep the room rates where they are now , I will keep staying there.

I was with a new CRT member who stayed at Mona Lisa for 12 days in December without any problems. He had a basic room (#421) that was sufficient for his needs and you would be hard pressed to beat a price of $40 per night.

Wit

The rate is now $39.99 but going to $69.99 (less 10% CRT discount) on 1/28 onwards.

For CRT, it's 62.99 + tax, so about $70-71.

My experience--similar to Yatzie. I liked the hotel, was on my 3rd time staying there. 1st night went out-checked and counted $ in the morning $300 missing. Checked out that morning--never again. I had read "Scubabum's report about losing $500 to theft (think it was him). I figured the guy probably made a mistake or it was an isolated incident. I was warned--so Fu.. me. Don't think I saw Elvis--but am still pissed off about the place. If you stay there I hope things go well--just be careful. I would also be wary of the room safes.

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There's a prettier girl every day...

I never keep more than 100 in the hotel safe. I will withdraw as needed.

But yes, seeing a big sign at reception that states "We are not responsible for the contents of your room safe. Use at own risk" makes me a bit worried.

An ATM card and a couple of backups is the way to go. I never keep more than the current day's cash around.

The Schwab Bank ATM card has NO FEES to have the accounts or for the use of the card. I have 1 that I use often, and 2 others for backups.

Rac--I think that's good advice, but it's too bad you can't trust a room safe. Been going to CR since 1997 and stayed in several different gulch hotels in that time--- never had a problem or even worried about my $$ till -----Mona Lisa----

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There's a prettier girl every day...

+1

I know of another situation where a maid was fired by a popular gulch hotel for a theft that was recorded on a surveillance camera about 1 - 2 years ago. It was kept quiet, and was never reported on CRT. I do not believe that there was a repeat incident at that property since then.

What really surprises me about the loud ML chatter about this on CRT is that Guy Grand hasn't posted anything to calm his public. It would be in ML's interest to have somebody respond here.

So theft does happen. Fortunately, it is rare. We live in an imperfect world. I'll take my chances coming to the gulch for all of the sweetness I get out of it. I'm addicted to sweets - - - and they all live in CR.

I left out part of the details on my Mona Lisa incident ( didn't want to bore everyone ). After checking in I went up to my room--couldn't get the digital safe to work, so I called the front desk and they sent a maintenance man up. He couldn't get it to work either so he pulls out a key-locks the safe and gives me the key and says just use this for your stay. I believe Guy came on CRT after the $500 incident (I think scubabum) and said only the manager on duty would have access to safes (like if you could not open your safe--forgot # etc). So why does a maintenance man have keys to the safes?? I don't know,,maybe it's nothing!

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There's a prettier girl every day...

When I got to my room, I set up my digital safe with my 4-digit number. Over the next 2-3 hours that I was in my room, I probably open it 3 or 4 times to put other items in as I was unpacking my shit. When I was ready to leave my room, I took all my money with me and only left my passport and a few other items in there...cologne, watch etc. I was gone for around 3 or 4 hours, and when I returned, I went to open my safe and my number code would not work...tried again, nothing...tried again and again...still nothing. I call the manager and he comes up and pulls out a key and let's me in. I ask him what happened and he says he has no idea. Well, the only way that number gets changed is if it is reset with that key he had. Somebody came in and opened that safe as soon as I walked out the door, which caused my code to be changed. All my shit would have been gone if I hadn't taken it with me. I was like everybody else on here, I read the bad reviews and thought it wouldn't happen to me....that others got drunk and a girl took their shit. I like the place and it's a great price, but for me.....never again.

Just a thought, maybe the person or persons responsible targets a guy on their first day or night because most guys have a big wad of cash when arriving. They think the guy goes out and drinks too much (many of us -- especially first night) and doesn't miss a few hundred. Again--just speculation...Yatzie--you were pretty lucky you didn't leave your $$$ in the safe

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There's a prettier girl every day...