San Jose - Hotel Recommendations

[Member #4258]

Does anyone know if the Crowne Plaza is chica friendly?
Thanks,
Hoser

[Straddler]

You'll be happy with your stay.

Dennis the owner is a great guy, all the rooms have nice new furniture and beds. One has to compromise by having the shared bathroom on the main floor and no breakfast (both of which were fine with me as I've never liked paying for what other places offer as breakfast anyways).

Clean, safe and inexpensive.

[Dabawl]

The people that stay at Hotel Freebird. What did you think of the place, and would you stay there again? I'm thinking of staying there, but there's not that much info on this hotel.

Thanks

[MelowDownEasy]

I have been to CR on 2 occasions. Each time better due to the great reports listed here. The first time I was there, I stayed at a futuristic looking hotel that was about a mile from HDR. It had full access to a 24 Hour type fitness club. I can't remember the name of that hotel but believe it was Barcelo- Palicio or something like that. The picture of the Barcelo on expedia doesn't look like the same hotel. Second time I booked the Clarion but when I arrived it was closed due to some health inspection violations so were rebooked to the Holiday Inn. Both hotels were nice in their own way but not chica friendly. Where is there a nice place, close to HDR, preferably with a fitness center that is chica friendly? Also what does HLH stand for? I'm a little out sync with the abbreviations.

Thanks

www.hotellittlehavana.com The old "Zona Blue"

[Jerr Ttt]

I have been to CR on 2 occasions. Each time better due to the great reports listed here. The first time I was there, I stayed at a futuristic looking hotel that was about a mile from HDR. It had full access to a 24 Hour type fitness club. I can't remember the name of that hotel but believe it was Barcelo- Palicio or something like that. The picture of the Barcelo on expedia doesn't look like the same hotel. Second time I booked the Clarion but when I arrived it was closed due to some health inspection violations so were rebooked to the Holiday Inn. Both hotels were nice in their own way but not chica friendly. Where is there a nice place, close to HDR, preferably with a fitness center that is chica friendly? Also what does HLH stand for? I'm a little out sync with the abbreviations.

Thanks

[Woodman]

Will be in San Jose week after next for two nights. Can someone tell me if the Intercontinental or Courtyard by Marriott both GF?

Woodman

[Superman06]

I hope Jackson allows a link to another website that gives a lot info on HDR:

http://*******.com/cmuoxw

Good find. They also have a bunch of other good articles about Costa Rica on that web site.

[Gglee]

I hope Jackson allows a link to another website that gives a lot info on HDR:

http://*******.com/cmuoxw

[Superman06]

You get what you paid for. But I think Mr. night-watch person had learned a lesson b/c the next night I only had to knock on the door 5 times and the door was opened!

That really sucks. Getting in and out was the single thing I really disliked about stayiing there. One night I couldn't get in and walked back to the Nashville Bar and had them call DI and wake Max up. That worked but it was more trouble than it should have been.

[AlLostInSpace13]

I tried hotel Diana. The hotel description is exactly as you've described. At $35/night, it's a bargain. The Nashville bar is a good meeting place too. One night after leaving the bar and walked the 30' back to the hotel I saw this petite chica. It was late so her price was $40. I proceeded to press the doorbell. Little did I know that the outside doorbell does not cause a bell to chime, but it flickers a light inside. Well, Mr. night-watch person was a sound sleeper and after knocking on the door, then progressed to banging on it then progressed onto kicking/shaking it. After about an hour, someone eventually opened the freaking door. By that time, the chica had already left.
You get what you paid for. But I think Mr. night-watch person had learned a lesson b/c the next night I only had to knock on the door 5 times and the door was opened!

I just got back from my second trip to San Jose and stayed at the Hotel Diana. Whenever possible, I like to stay at reasonable and cheap lodgings. Diana Inn fit the bill for this trip. Rooms there are $35 a night (including tax) or $31.50 per night if staying a week. The hotel has six rooms, is very secure and clean and located at the corner of Parque Morazon. They do however have a $10 chica fee but that seems to be stanard in many Gringo Gultch hotels. DI is very convienent to all your favorite gultch activities. They also have a shared kitchen with microwave and refrigerator, plus laundry service and a decent wifi connection. Mario the owner and Max the night manager are good English speakers.

There are a few negatives. DI is a bit long in the tooth and is in need of some renovations. The shower is so so but works well enough. The walls are thin and don't muffle the sounds of fellow mongers activities. Security is excellent but can be a pain in the ass sometimes. You always have to ring to get in and ask to exit the building. But given crime in the neighborhood I guess it's what works best for their small operation. The street their on can get very noisy with traffic. Best to use foam ear plugs to deafen the sound when going to sleep.

The Nashville South bar is across the street from DI. It's a small Gringo/Tico neighborhood bar and a good place to hang out and meet fellow mongers and locals not to mention the occassional tranny stopping in for a drink. Some of the same girls you see at New York Bar hang out there also.

All in all a great place for the budget minded monger to reside at for a weeks stay.

[Albert Punter]

Recently I stayed at Barcelo Palma Real for USD 47 per night, including buffet breakfast and wifi connection in the room.
Not bad for a more than decent hotel.
Just book thru their website, I believe this promotion is temporary.

I don't know about girl frendliness as I didn't hunt in San José.
However, one night I was woke-up by some loud moaning of a couple making sex next door.
As I am a naïve guy, I thought they were a legit couple.
Well, they obviously weren't and after the deed they started to fight and girl asked for help loud: "Auxilio". From their words I understood the girl wanted to leave after the pop while the guy wanted her to stay more time (always same shit).
I was about to go out of my room, when hotel staff came: "What is going on with this lady ?"
Girl was escorted downstairs crying.

[Dodger Bulldog]

"The next year we will have new room rates so if you are a CRTicas member you will pay $99.00+tax for the room but the girl will cost $45.00 per hour, now, if you want to pay only $25.00 for the girl you can take one of the suites and then pay $25.00 per girl. The regular session for a girl is $55.00. The rate for the suite is $195.00+tax one person and $250.00+tax for two people. The session with the girls is $25.00 per girl if you rent the suite."

One would need to do five chicas a day just to break even, and six to come out ahead.

Any of you guys doing SIX chicas a day, EVERY day of your trip?

I certainly tip my hat to you if you do!

And, would you be limited to doing their chicas? Do they let you bring others in from the outside?

I thought this place was run by gringos, but I see it uses a crazy Latino pricing structure...

DB

[Capeed]

#1-yes, they check at the side elevator and take there ID.

#2-yes, there is a $10 fee per chica.

#3 yes, you can take a couple chicas at a time.

#4-you can order food, I have always paid when delivered.

#5- you want to be on at least the 4th floor.

Good luck and happy hunting

[Nixonbd]

I know there's been a lot of mention about the Hotel Del Rey, specifically about price. But I also hear its a convenience that everything is there at your fingertip, as it were It is more than I'm accostomed to paying, but I wanted to try it at least once.

That said, what is the quality of the rooms, service, etc. I'm booked in there next month. A few specific questions to those who have stayed there:

1. Do chicas have to be cleared at the front desk before going up to a room?
2. What do they charge, per chica?
3. Can you take up more than one chica?
4. Can you charge meals & drinks consumed inside the hotel to your room?
5. What rooms/floor are best for minimal noise?

Thanks for your responses in advance.

[Nickster53]

I am going to CR for my first trip next week and planning on staying at HLH. I just got confirmation from Eduardo on the new 2009 rates. Here is what he quoted me:

"The next year we will have new room rates so if you are a CRTicas member you will pay $99.00+tax for the room but the girl will cost $45.00 per hour, now, if you want to pay only $25.00 for the girl you can take one of the suites and then pay $25.00 per girl. The regular session for a girl is $55.00. The rate for the suite is $195.00+tax one person and $250.00+tax for two people. The session with the girls is $25.00 per girl if you rent the suite."

I am going to opt for the $99 rate and see how it goes. If anyone is going to be in town on the 9th to the 12th, send me a PM.

N