www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hey all.
Question on making reservations. I'm getting the idea that it's important to make reservations pretty well ahead of time, like a couple of months, for hotels near the Del Rey.

Do they allow you to make a deposit, so it's definitely held?

I'm a little nervous about relying on their reservation system, to hold something for you, that you're really going to depend on, on the day you fly in.

Do you make hotel reservations in the US?

Because it works the same in CR. You book, they take a credit card number to hold the room and give you a confirmation number.

Just as in the US, it is 'possible but not probable' that the hotel will suddenly lose your reservation, but highly unlikely. Besides, you have that printed out email from the hotel with the reservation number, right?*

I have booked online (email in some cases) with Hotel La Amistad, Hotel Castillo, The Sportsmen's Lodge, and the Hotel Taormina (all chica friendly) and never had an issue. Other hotels in CR I've booked (Hilton Garden Inn La Sabana, Resort Martino, Hampton Inn and the - vomit, spit! - Sleep Inn) have also not had issues**.

My personal recommendations are based on where I've stayed. I've never stayed at the Hotel Del Rey or the Hotel Morazan.

I like (in order):

1. Hotel La Amistad for a multi-day stay (I am in SJ for a day many times) due to the all-inclusive.
1. The Hotel Castillo (yes, a split decision with the Castillo poised to take number 1 when the restaurant and bar open).
2. The 4th floor rooms at the Hotel Taormina.
3. The Sportsman's Lodge - which is a great place but I can never seem to book except once.

Personally I prefer the bar / restaurant environment at Hotel La Amistad. It has a fraternal vibe that I really enjoy.

*I quit doing that years ago. I never needed it.
** The first three are fine with a second adult in the room if she is registered, the Sleep Inn should be burnt to the ground.

_________________
Any opinion or observation in the post above is purely presented for entertainment purposes and does not promote "sexual tourism" or "human trafficking". The laws of Costa Rica apply to all activities in Costa Rica. No warranty is expressed or implied. Void where prohibited by law. Your experience, observations or perspective may be different.

In exile in pu*sy prison

t

In my experience Cocal is the most difficult. They cannot be counted on to answer emails and sometimes what they tell you on the phone they don’t follow through. I never trust they have made the reservation until I have a confirmation number. I’ve stayed there many times and never had a problem, but I keep bugging them until I have an emailed confirmation number. For my upcoming trip I had to contact them three times.

SL and Amistad are as professional as any American hotel in getting reservations right either online or over the phone.

Thanks Mucho for all youir help. Very thorough. La Amistad sounds like a place to check out.

MM3:
>> *I quit doing that years ago. I never needed it.

I know right? Every time I make the effort to print it out and be organized and prepared (or screenshot your email client with your phone).. you walk up to a hotel/motel counter, and they never need it.

Why is the sleep inn so bad?

Make a resevation. If by off chance it dosen't work out...

freestyle, freestyle.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

_________________
This post is provided purely for entertainment purposes and free of charge on the part of the author. No tourist or travel promotion is expressed or implied. The author of this post was not provided compensation (monetary or otherwise) for this potentially entertaining contribution.

1. $35 chica fee
2. Filling out a form that includes your passport number and full name (with a rude, smirking staff).
3. Overpriced compared to far friendlier, nicer venues (compare a 4th floor 'premium' room at Taormina to the same cost - not class - room at the Sleep Inn and add in the different chica policies and staff attitude). This is just one room-to-room comparison.
4. Room maintenance. The Sleep Inn has not been refreshed in years (cigarette burns on furnishings).
5. Room service is awful.

And their business practices suck. But that's a long list.

_________________
Any opinion or observation in the post above is purely presented for entertainment purposes and does not promote "sexual tourism" or "human trafficking". The laws of Costa Rica apply to all activities in Costa Rica. No warranty is expressed or implied. Void where prohibited by law. Your experience, observations or perspective may be different.

In exile in pu*sy prison

[/quote]1. $35 chica fee
2. Filling out a form that includes your passport number and full name (with a rude, smirking staff).
3. Overpriced compared to far friendlier, nicer venues (compare a 4th floor 'premium' room at Taormina to the same cost - not class - room at the Sleep Inn and add in the different chica policies and staff attitude). This is just one room-to-room comparison.
4. Room maintenance. The Sleep Inn has not been refreshed in years (cigarette burns on furnishings).
5. Room service is awful.

And their business practices suck. But that's a long list.[/quote]

When you put it that way it does sound kind of bad.