Che-Tica, recovery ranch

• I went to the Rosenstock Ctr. for palstic surgery witn Dr. Cohen. After 1 month I feel pretty well, somewhat numb still from the facelift, eyelids and Corrugator nerve clip, to get rid of my permanent frown. It sll went well, the after surgery care was good too,but with no or little post-op. instructions, only because I asked.
  The recovery ranch:Che-Tica was a true disappointment. Not at all like their website. The beautiful building is only for the owners. The Kitchen & dining area was all one. Mosquito infested & smelling of fried food. The food was not so great either. Salads & fruit is practically all I ate, which I didn't mind, it made me loose a few lbs.No A.C., windows with cracks made easy entrance for insects. The bathrooms were not functioning well. Leaks under the vanities making them smell musty & the toilet was not flushing weel at the 1st. cottage. I had to request to move to another cottage within the ranch, since the toilet was never fixed. Some towels also smelled musty. The rooms were not well cleaned, if at all? Roaches & bugs in the bathroom at night was not pleasant. It is not a quiet place at all, as they advertise in their website. Trucks going down hill 24/7, making sounds of a train passing by. I had to sleep with ear plugs.
  The staff was friendly & only one girl, passing for "nurse" took care of your needs as nicely as she could for the first few days. Ice packs were only ice cubes in a baggy, which leaked as the ice melted. If the Owners Lorena and Ruben took less care of the looks of their Ranch, with construction of new Cottages and a bit more attention to the patients staying there, I'm sure the good word would spread fast. This self serving attitude is not going to help them much longer. More people should write about their experinces, maybe that will make them change. I also plan to send them this critique.
  By the way, I pre-paid, so even if I wanted to leave sooner I would get no "REFUND" Best not to prepay!

  12 Jun 2008, 05:03 Edie of Mass.

Replies

• Che Teca Ranch my review

  I too thought Che-Teca Recovery Ranch was disgusting. I told my Dr immediately. I could barely stay 24 hours. Full nursing staff is a lie! They have a young girl in a uniform who is NOT a nurse bringing you ice in baggies, water etc. These so called nurses do NOT speak English! When I arrived, my husband called the ranch and was greeted by the mother of Lorena. She hung up on his Int'l call twice! Why?? She does NOT speak English so she just hung up even after he said my name!!! This is clearly NOT set up for Americans! My husband was distraught thinking something happened to me as I was alone. This is unexcusable! The place was like camping in my grandmother's attic! No kidding! MUSTY, dingy, old and the furniture you are supposed to be recovering on is so old and hard and stinky that it was pathetic! Yes, the only nice part of the whole place was the "castle" that Lorena lives in! Then, they insist on you getting your prescriptions filled at their neighborhood pharmacy, what a joke! I tried to have the driver stop in San Jose after leaving the hospital, he insisted that we use their pharmacy (gee, a kick back do ya think?) He said they deliver, etc...ok, get this...double the prices, and then you pay a delivery fee!! my meds were at least 3 times the price of any normal pharmacy! Then if that wasn't bad enough, the pharmacy did not have my pain meds until the next day, so there I am after surgery, with no help what so ever! Don't plan on relaxing in this place! Loud does not begin to describe the noise. Basically, you are in a musty, moldy, stinky tacky cottage in their frint yard. They come and go all around you noise, dogs and all as if you were not there. You live with thier daily activities....building construction etc. Hang it up Lorena, this is the biggest scam in all of Costa Rica! Try La Sabana apart-otel for a beautiful, clean, half the price of this dump, wonderful stay! This place was so nasty, I left and went to the airport sick over how bad it was. I had NO recovery, only a huge bill....she adds on so much stuff it is a shame! Please people, if you agree, back us up so that more ladies do not go there and get bad service and most importnatly NO recovery! We only have each other's opinions to rely on. I don't care how sweet people think Lorena is, bottom line is that this place is nasty and she has been told umpteen times, this is not news to her!

  Yolanda Carmona 24 Jul 2008, 06:10 - Report

• CheTica Ranch the BEST place to recover

  Yolanda...who are you? Lorena and I went through all of CheTica records during the past 6 months and we didn't see your name in the guest's list, neither Sandra Rice, who are you people trying to do so much hurt?
  Chetica Ranch JULY 2008.
  It's so strange to read these not very positive reviews of the ranch, it doesn't make any sense, just finished a 14 days stay and had so many fantastic experiences and so all the 12 people staying in the different cottages, two girls working on all of us, showering us, changing bandages, pads with the nicest smiles and willing to help, the cook and her helper will do anything we ask them and so healthy, there were some people that considered hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza the best american food, they had to learn to eat healthy and ended up, loving the Chetica meals, the cleaning crew very attentive to each detail, every day I had my cottage sparkling clean, the drivers, always having fun, the rides back and from the clinic were very special stopping at markets or pharmacies, enjoying the camaderie, Lorena is a true angel, so caring, most of us needed some spiritual help with the postop. conditions we were in and she was there each time to boost our souls. Food? bad? I definitely think the gossiping about their food is totally non-sense and perhaps, made up to make them look bad, but the truth is that we never had such a great set of meals, hardly repeating in over two weeks, too much salt? no way, they are so careful about using organic vegetables, fresh fruits and juices EVERY DAY,I should say gourmet meals. Sunday barbeque, the greatest.
  Beds with no mattresses?? I had a semi-orthopedic mattress that was a pleasure sleeping in and so, everyone of the cottages, I've seen it visiting the friends I made while there. Definitely think the person who wrote all these negative feed back, it must have been somebody from the competition, yes, it happened before and/or an ugly american, and we have many of those in our country that don't know how to appreciate foreign hospitality. If any of those bad reporters wish to contact me to convince me otherwise,please do so to: Jessie at: [email removed]
  I get so mad when I read these lies and non-sense stories, poor sanitary conditions?? everyday, I had my cottage clean and disinfected, my sheets changed every other day, unless the person bleeds and then is changed immediately. I've asked the owners and showed them the letter by somebody called Sandra Rice and they don't have any records on her, she said that the T.V. was small? Chetica has all 20 inches flat screen t.v. with dvd included and stereo sytems in all the cottages, what are you talking about, are you for real Sandra or are you using a fictituos name from another recovery place like Las cumbres, who is telling everybody that they are the only recovery place in Costa Rica?? Penny pinchers?? I witness a patient who needed to stay an extra 10 days for her severe medical condition and they didn't charge her an extra penny, they did the same thing a week before for a gentleman who didn't have any more money and needed to stay for a couple of extra days with a knee replacement, they get out of their way to please each and every wish we, as patients have and they do it so graciously.
  Why do you think they have been in business for over 10 years? just read their referrals page and do yourself a favor, disregard lies or unfair competition. Please contact me if you need names and referrals of the people who
  have stayed with me during this time. Or better yet, contact them with your doubts and fears and let them assure you what to expect.
  I won't stay ANYWHERE else but Chetica Ranch.Jessie Hunter California
  24 July 2008, 11:40:47 pm

  Jessie 25 Jul 2008, 04:44 - Report

• CheTica Ranch

  Sorry , but I have to totally disagree with the first two reports from Yolanda and Edi, better yet, who is paying you to write such non-sense stories about Chetica Ranch? Perhaps some hotels from the competition? I have never found a more caring couple, Lorena and Reuben and a better group of people getting out of their way to help others. I have sent over 15 friends to them and not even one had a discouraging word against them, by the contrary, some of them even sent their parents to recover at the ranch from medical procedures. PLEASE PEOPLE, DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT THESE TWO FAKES ARE TRYING TO DO TO ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO RECOVER IN COSTA RICA.

  Debra California 29 Aug 2008, 04:43 - Report

• CheTica Ranch

  I was shocked to find an entirely negative review of the comfortable place in which I am now recovering. I chose CheTica because it was all inclusive with nursing care but am more impressed each day that I am here by the delicious home cooked meals, the pleasant staff, the delightful hosts and the scenic atmosphere even in the rainy season. The cottages are new, charming, clean and bright with beautiful tile floors and bathrooms. This recovery centre is much better than I anticipated and I will definitely be recommending it to anyone coming to Costa Rica for surgery. The price is very reasonable and the hosts are conscious enough to offer special rates during this critical economic time.

  Sara from Canada 01 Dec 2008, 05:49 - Report

• CheTica Ranch

  I stayed at the ranch in spring 2007 and am returning to CR for more surgery, spring 2009. After researching all the medical recovery places, I would not stay anywhere else but Che Tica.
  The service was great, the food good, all in all one great place to recover. The price is the same no matter what room you stay in and each room has a coffee pot and refrigerator.
  
  Each room has a different theme. That's better than any "basic" room, the charm is beneficial to your overall well being. The owners are very caring and personable.
  
  One of the women who was there when i stayed, had been smart enough to do a stay at all the recovery places before having her surgery, and she stated Che Tica was the best. It may not be as close to San Jose as other facilities, but there's no need to pay extra for air conditioning as San Jose can be very humid and uncomfortable. Who needs that during your recovery!
  
  No matter what facility you chose for your recovery, your health is top priority. CheTica provides top notch recovery and I wouldn't be returning there if I wasn't satisfied the first time

  Judy from Texas 15 Dec 2008, 01:30 - Report

• CheTica Ranch

  I have just returned from a 5 day stay at CheTica Ranch and it was a wonderful experience. The people were so caring and could not do enough to make my stay comfortable. All the staff were amazing they really went out of there way to make sure I had a great stay. The food was amazing the cottage I stayed in was lovely and I would definitely stay there again. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone.

  Diane Minnesota 12 Jan 2009, 09:41 - Report

• CheTica Ranch

  Rather than reiterate the contents of the many favorable reviews here, I will simply say that I could not have been happier with all aspects of the experience -- the friendly staff, the food (inc. Reuben's Sun. night Argentinian BBQ and Lorena's Tres Leches cake), the medical care, and the accommodations. I will happily chat by email or phone with anyone about CheTica. Email me at [email removed] and we'll take it from there.

  Debby in North Carolina 16 Mar 2009, 08:41 - Report

• CheTica simply the BEST!!!

  I just came from CheTica with a 17 day stay. I had extensive surgery at The Rosenstock-Lieberman clinic and had the best experience at CheTica!
  I don't know where those first two reviewers were from but they are so wrong(BOGUS). As an emergency room Nurse for over 30 years I am always watching for infection control. Frances the nurse that did our dressing changes was totally professional, wore gloves, knowledgeable with the drains and dressing and did everything to make us comfortable. She is a great asset. My linens were changed everyday. Our room was thoroughly cleaned every day ( i dropped several pieces of small paper to test) I highly recommend Che Tica to any and everyone. If it can meet my standards and they are high. The food was absolutely divine. Different yes but oh so good. Their avocado dressing scrumptious. Gosh darn I could go one forever. Email me if you have an questions I'll be more than glad to answer [email removed]

  Dona Mitchell RN from Georgia 29 Jun 2009, 02:11 - Report