Originally Posted by
lamphs
LTP
·
Booked least expensive non pre-pay room available, about 3 weeks out. Checked price a couple of times and found it only increased.
· Arrived early, about 90 minutes, and room was not ready yet. (I had chatted the prior day asking for early check-in and they replied that it was unlikely.)
· Given a suite – a real suite. I think only three room types anyway – king, queen X 2, and the suite. It looked like only 1 suite per floor per the emergency exit plan.
· I’ve never been upgraded to a suite at a CY (LTP), even at properties where my group frequented for weeks at a time.
· Standard check-in spiel, but including a welcome drink and a $10 F&B credit. If I wasn’t hungry, I’d taken the points.
· Had lunch – food was tasty and plentiful. (This property has a real restaurant, decent menu, and reasonable prices.)
· The suite was huge. Frankly, it would have been a perfect long-term work/stay situation if it had a cooktop. There was a 1/3 size refrigerator, i.e. larger than a mini-fridge.
· There was the local version of a Nespresso machine, but it seemed to be malfunctioning. There was complementary coffee in the lobby.
· I had a welcome gift of sliced fresh fruit and a cookie; something else I’ve never received ay a CY.
· Breakfast buffet appeared to be extensive and included an egg station all though I did not partake.
· A shuttle ran every 30 minutes to the airport.
· There is a Walmart next door, as well as several restaurants across the street. I did buy a few provisions at the Walmart, but did not check out the restaurants. Note that the town of Alajuela, a short ride away, has local restaurants.
· Traffic is horrible in the area. If you want to explore San Jose or its outer environs, stay in San Jose. I took an Uber to Escazu and it took almost an hour at 7 PM.
· Re: Uber. The airport shuttle was not mentioned at check-in. I asked about Uber to the airport. She mentioned that Uber was illegal at the airport and she’d be happy to reserve a taxi. It wasn’t until I saw the shuttle outside that and realized that there was a shuttle. Not sure why she didn't mention that. (And partially my error - I could have sworn I had read that the property did not have a shuttle.)
· The pool had comfortable loungers, plenty of towels, toys for the kiddos.
· The gym was well equipped, had a filtered water dispenser, and fresh fruit.
Just a bit of an update as I had a one night paid stay, LTP, last week.
I was a bit early, but there was a suite ready for me. I declined the suite as those are huge, extra cleaning by staff, and I was going out for dinner. Agent found a regular king room on the 6th floor, but I think it was a 'superior' room. Nothing special about the room - clean, comfortable.
The agent seemed to be brand new and didn't do a great job of explaining my benefits, but at the end, everything was clear. In addition to a free beer, I received the equivalent of $10 F&B credit.
The 'elite' floor is the 5th floor. I knew it existed in 2019, but during my 2024 visit, it did not exist as such. Now the pre-Covid benefits have returned. Staff puts out beers, soft drinks, light snacks, and desserts at 5 PM. In 2019, when the place is emptied, that's it. I only found about about its existence because the elevator stopped at the 5th floor and I noticed the setup. I stopped at the front desk on my way out for dinner and asked about it. The agent was surprised that I was not told about it and programmed my keycard to allow access via elevator. When I returned from dinner, there were still a few cold beers remaining.
Airport shuttle is still reliable - every 30 minutes - no reservation required.
I used the F&B credit toward the cold breakfast buffet - $17. The hot breakfast buffet is $25. Seems tremendously overpriced, but given that I had a 4 hour flight with no food, the cold breakfast was the best way to use the F&B credit.
I walked to Alajuela - about 25 minutes to the historic area. Uphill on the way. Just watch out for vehicles - pedestrians do not necessarily have the right of way. I ate at La Calle - a 'street food' joint. Great burgers. But there are plenty of other restaurants to chose from and all better quality and price than the tourist trap restaurants across from the hotel.
All in all, a good stay.