windycitymoxie

OMG! Words can not describe how this place looked from the outside. I had a few red flags before arriving that the Trapp Inn was not for me. Someone from the inn confirmed via email that a shuttle would be there to meet us, no shuttle. First bad sign. When I questioned the CR version of a skycap as to where I would meet the shuttle, I was told by 2 different people that the hotel didn't have one. Ok, no big deal. It was super busy (obviously many flights arrive late) so it was very possible that I missed them. The skycap told me that the ride to the hotel was only about $5. We load up and off we go. The taxi driver (who was a God send, but I will get to that part) didn't know where the hotel was and when we arrived, he didn't seem comfortable driving down the long, dark, pot hole filled, tree lined road leading to the main gate and attempted to let us out on the main road. When I told him that I wasn't comfortable, without hesitation, he drove us up to the gate, blew his horn and flashed lights. Out comes this massive figure, wearing what appeared to be a bullet proof vest with the word SECURITY in big yellow lettering. They begin an exchange that I didn't fully understand. All I can remember thinking is "this is where it all ends." We're gonna end up on some Dateline episode featuring American tourist disappearing without a trace. I told our cabby that there was no way in HELL that I was staying there, he asked my price range and offered to take me to other places in the area and wait while I checked them out. We drove by a few, but the only CR style hotel that I actually went in to was the Mango- it was decent, clean, and functional (no air or internet)and the guy at the desk was really nice, but I was exhausted and still recovering from the Trapp Inn experience so I chickened out and asked for a nicer place. We ended up at the Hampton / Holiday Inn express property, (staying at the Holiday Inn) where I'm embarrassed to say that after getting settled, we ate at the Denny's across the way and my son sat for hours on facebook ... so much for an authentic CR experience.

I would definitely stay there again and recommend it to others.

it's near the airport
it really does have a shuttle
all the major car rental offices are on the property
free internet
free international calls
casino on property
great buffet breakfast served
clean
comfortable
safe - no sleeping in shifts!

tully

Did you ever enter the Trapp Inn grounds? I've heard it's quite nice. A security guard is a common thing in CR. If you need a place on your return, I would look into others in the area that are about half the price and with twice the charm.

windycitymoxie

Tully,

To be fair, I never entered the grounds, but they failed to pick us up as promised and based on what I saw, it might have been a blessing. The area didn't seem safe and it just didn't feel right and I was too exhausted not to be comfortable after such a long flight. I'm aware that security is common. They had it at the Holiday Inn and at the hotel in La Fortuna.

I will be returning to CR so if you have other suggestions, I'm open.

volcanogirl

That's a bummer; it always gets consistently good reviews on tripadvisor. I like having a security guard though; most of the places we've stayed have had them. Hope the rest of your trip went great.

Shooie

There are many wonderful hotels in Costa Rica at the end of a "long, dark, pot hole filled, tree lined road" with a guard at the end of it. The hotel probably didn't have a "shuttle", but a driver who was waiting for you in the crowd at the airport.

cgenster

Our hotel in Costa Rica was definitely at the end of a long pot-hole filled road. We were driving and when we came up on it, my dh couldn't believe it was there. We honestly thought we were hopelessly lost. Ours had a guard also. Luckily we were doing this in the daytime not night.

If you are still in CR, I would try going by in the daytime and give it a second look.

MichelleY

Our favorite place in CR was down a potholed, rocky road. It had a high fence and razor wire. DH was apprehensive, but we ended up loving the place and feeling very safe that night

daleb85

I really do not understand. You never actually entered the grounds of the hotel. You say you may have missed the shuttle driver. You were concerned because the hotel had a security guard but the taxi driver that did not know the way to a hotel a mile from the airport was your hero. What did I miss?

volcanogirl

windy, usually the drivers all stand together right outside the door at the airport and hold signs with people's names on them. Did you see the people waiting there?

fabala24

I'm staying there in May. All the reviews I've seen have been positive for this hotel, and I'm glad to hear they have a security guard. To me that shows they value safety, which is always good! I think, if you liked the Holiday Inn, maybe you were just looking for an Americanized place.

cmerrell

Sounds like your trip got off to a bit of a shaky start, windy. You mention planning to return to CR at some point, so I'm assuming things got better after that first night.

windycitymoxie

Daleb85, I don't know what you missed, but I am single woman traveling with a teenager, arriving well after midnight in a foreign country to a place that appeared to be on the wrong side of town, just didn't sit well with me, so I would much rather insult the inn keeper than risk our well being. It wasn't worth saving the $50 bucks.As for the driver, what I failed to mention in my earlier post that I paced back and forth for over 30 minutes reading signs and looking for vans before finally deciding to cab it. Everything that I have read on this hotel was great too, so imagine my suprise/disappointment. That aside, it all worked out. We had a wonderful, albeit short stay in CR.

rivet

Windycity...too bad you did not get out of the taxi! Trapp Inn is a treasure inside those gates.

Our group of 4 stayed at the Trapp Inn last year and LOVED it!

The inn itself is located 5-7 minutes from SJO, very convenient for those late night arrivals. Our taxi driver was not familiar with the Inn, so my recommendation might be to map it out for your driver, just in case.

We have found that the best way is to arrange a taxi at the window just before exiting the airport. The fare will cost 5 bucks to Trapp Inn. We don't bother arranging transportation in advance anymore b/c we have had a similar experience as Windycity. On our first trip to CR we arrived at SJO very late after 14 hours of travel with no pickup for us, no message from our hotel, which was Orchideas that time....mom and daughter traveling alone. Very alarming.

This trip our arrival at Trapp Inn was in the afternoon and we were thrilled to see the banana yellow exterior of the building. After we were shown to our rooms, which were extremely large and breezy, with 2 queen size beds, we had a beer by the pool, which is surrounded by large plants .

There are some interesting sitting areas in the inn and it feels old worldly. On previous trips we have stayed at Orchideas Inn but the bedding at Trapp is so much better, as is the pool. Also it is very close to the car rentals....we use Tricolor and they came to pick us up in their van the next morning.

We ate dinner at the restaurant on the property and it was one of our favorite meals, sea bass and veggies. All the tables had various brightly colored tablecothes, candles and minilites. Very memorable! Same restaurant next day for a very ample breakfast, included in the room price

Hands down, the Trapp Inn is a property not to be missed if you are looking for a Tico experience with some of the comforts of home. Karen , the owner lived in the US and is helpful in calling for cabs and providing a gentle introduction to Costa Rica. Her family inn is a great place to spend your first and last nights while traveling, though Tripadvisor reports include many patrons who have chosen to cut short their itinerary and return to Trapp Inn early to spend a few extra days. It is just that nice .

Pat_Hewitt

I have to chime in too.

I don't know what happened with the driver the hotel arranged. But since I don't know of any flights that normally get in "after midnight", I can only assume that your flight was very late. This sounds like a miscommunication due to a delayed flight. That could happen anywhere. You really aren't being fair.

Everything else just sounds like normal Costa Rica to me. Sometimes there are bad roads, inadequate street lights, etc. But a security guard is a good thing. It means that the owners are paying attention to security. But I guess if you have never been to Central America, it is all a surprise.

I can tell you that the Trapps are my neighbors in Monteverde, and a lovely family. Karin runs the hotel in Alajuela, and handles reservations for both that hotel and the one in Monteverde. She is a terrific gal. Very sweet, and very competent. She was raised in Monteverde, and lived in Connecticut for many years. I have sent many, many customers to their Monteverde property. It is one of my personal favorites, and I have recommended it many times.

I hate to scold you here. But why are you trashing a hotel you did not go to? It really isn't fair to the owners.

Here is something else to think about. There really are not any skycaps at the airport. There ARE lots of guys hustling at the airport. They will haul luggage for a tip. But they make their living selling transportation or hotels. All you have to do is look a little confused, and they will approach you.

Was the taxi an orange cab, or a red one? The only authorized cabs at the airport are orange, and the driver will be wearing a tie. This company has a contract. It was late at night. My bet is that this guy was not an official airport cab, and you were passed to him by an unofficial "skycap".

Many of the airport hotels commission taxis to bring their guests. I have had taxis try to scoop my own clients for airport hotels. I once was taking a taxi to pick up a rental car, and the driver tried to convince me to go elsewhere. He told me he could get me a better rate. It was laughably obvious what was going on.

It seems very strange to me that this airport taxi driver did not know where a well established airport hotel was located, and was "uncomfortable" driving down a driveway that is normal for Costa Rica. Then he wanted to just leave you on the side of the road outside? Oh yeah, this guy was a "Godsend".

If he was really your hero, he would have taken you to the hotel you had paid for. He would have stayed and made sure all was well, before taking you to the Mango.

My guess is that he knew this obviously stressed and tired gringa wasn't going to get out on a dark street on the side of the road. So you were ripe to be taken to a hotel that pays him a commission. Judging from what you posted, that sounds like a HELL of a lot more likely story. (By the way. The helpful skycap was part of all of it too.)

The good news is that you did not do something like this in a less friendly country. Then you really would have ended up on "Dateline"!

Hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer more advice.

Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
(Travel professional)

jilly12

PLEASE do not avoid this hotel based on this review. I have visited CR several times. and have stayed at the Costa RIca Marriot until I found the Trapp Family Inn. Yes, coming from the US, the road/area of the Trapp looks scary. Looks are deceptive though. The entire property is gated and has a security guard all night. I stayed there twice with very small children and never once felt unsafe or uncomfortable. We will return again and again. I would also like to say that I think it is very unkind to post such a scathing review of a property that you didn't even enter.