Hotel near port of San Juan

My husband and some friends are cruising in January of 2016 and were hoping to leave a day early and stay in San Juan or surrounding area the night before the cruise. Does anyone have any suggestions on where we should stay? Not looking for 5 star or anything, just something very close to the beach and clean, as well as not too far from the port. Thanks

We've stayed at Condado Hilton, Caribe Hilton, Embassy Suites. All are nice. They'll need a taxi to the port regardless of where they stay. In January there will be no "cheap" hotel prices.

My husband and some friends are cruising in January of 2016 and were hoping to leave a day early and stay in San Juan or surrounding area the night before the cruise. Does anyone have any suggestions on where we should stay? Not looking for 5 star or anything, just something very close to the beach and clean, as well as not too far from the port. Thanks

You probably want something on the Condado, but that won't be cheap. The Marriott Stellaris consistently gets good reviews.

You should also check on the San Juan forum:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=131

They may be able to point you to something reasonable that is very close to the beach. It's been my experience that hotels in San Juan are very expensive.

Did Priceline and got the Intercontinental in 2012. Rooms were dated but they were in the process of doing a multi-million dollar reno on the rooms.

The pool area and beach bar were fantastic. They made a great brick- oven pizza at the bar.

It was about a 15 minute cab ride if I remember. Not bad at all.

We've stayed at the Embassy Suites and Casino for the last 4 years. Great hotel with 2 room suites, a manager's "happy hour" from 5p to 7p and a pretty extensive buffet breakfast.

Rather than beach, I suggest seeing Old San Juan, we love beaches but you will have better beaches on your cruise and Old San Juan is great fun. Isla Verde area has better beaches but is further from the port and Old San Juan. Condado area is closer to Old San Juan and the port with better restaurants. Regardless of where you stay, you will have to take taxis to pier.

Rather than beach, I suggest seeing Old San Juan, we love beaches but you will have better beaches on your cruise and Old San Juan is great fun. Isla Verde area has better beaches but is further from the port and Old San Juan. Condado area is closer to Old San Juan and the port with better restaurants. Regardless of where you stay, you will have to take taxis to pier.

But she said they would like to stay near a beach, so why recommend staying in Old San Juan.:rolleyes:

Definitely visit Old San Juan, but if they want a beach stay near Condado or Isla Verda.

My husband and some friends are cruising in January of 2016 and were hoping to leave a day early and stay in San Juan or surrounding area the night before the cruise. Does anyone have any suggestions on where we should stay? Not looking for 5 star or anything, just something very close to the beach and clean, as well as not too far from the port. Thanks

Old San Juan with no beach -

Sheraton Old San Juan for 4stars across the road fom the port

Or clean bad comfortable

Casa Blanca

But she said they would like to stay near a beach, so why recommend staying in Old San Juan.:rolleyes:

 

Definitely visit Old San Juan, but if they want a beach stay near Condado or Isla Verda.

Sorry. It was just a suggestion because they are only in Puerto Rico for one night. You're suggestion is correct for a beach location.

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Embassy Suites near the airport (Isla Verde) is much better than the Condado area (like Marriott Stelaris). Also have a large grocery store (Pueblo) within a block that sells wine. All of the Isla Verde beach resorts are better than Condado since there is a protective reef there. Lots of choice there if you prefer fast food or chain restaurants. Around a $22 cab ride to pier. Condado area is less secure and fewer food choices - more of a condo area.

People also like the Hilton on the OSJ point - almost within walking distance of pier. We haven't stayed there but family has. Our first trip we stayed at Stellaris - nice but pricey. Last two trips were at Embassy and a Hilton adjacent which is now called the Verdanza. Neither are on the beach but are within a block.

Embassy Suites near the airport (Isla Verde) is much better than the Condado area (like Marriott Stelaris). Also have a large grocery store (Pueblo) within a block that sells wine. All of the Isla Verde beach resorts are better than Condado since there is a protective reef there. Lots of choice there if you prefer fast food or chain restaurants. Around a $22 cab ride to pier. Condado area is less secure and fewer food choices - more of a condo area.

 

People also like the Hilton on the OSJ point - almost within walking distance of pier. We haven't stayed there but family has. Our first trip we stayed at Stellaris - nice but pricey. Last two trips were at Embassy and a Hilton adjacent which is now called the Verdanza. Neither are on the beach but are within a block.

Be aware that the hilton in OSJ is NOT near the pier. RCI and Celebrity ships that leave from San Juan leave from the Pan American pier, across the harbor from the OSJ Hilton. Its about a 15 minute (and $20) cab ride to the pier from the hilton.

Steve

We've stayed at the Caribe Hilton (on the beach) and walking distance to Old San Juan (if you are a regular walker). We have also stayed at the Hampton Inn near the airport and the Doubletree. Neither of the last two are on the beach but have nice pools and we enjoyed both of them.

We've stayed at the Caribe Hilton (on the beach) and walking distance to Old San Juan .

Just to clarify, "almost walking distance" from the Caribe to OSJ is two miles.

Regarding another post, yes Isla Verda area may have more dining options than Condado, but I don't think the Condado area is "less secure".

We've stayed at the Embassy Suites and Casino for the last 4 years. Great hotel with 2 room suites, a manager's "happy hour" from 5p to 7p and a pretty extensive buffet breakfast.

Another vote for Embassy Suites. And there is a large grocery store within 5 minutes of the front door. I believe it's called Pueblo.

And Embassy is 2 blocks away from the beach.

We have stayed at the Doubletree in the Condado area. We really liked the hotel and staff, we have it booked in January for our cruise in February for 4 nights. There is a large grocery store across the street and it is about 4-5 blocks to walk to the beach and restaurants. We have always felt safe and secure and we have walked from the restaurants to the hotel in the evening.

I stayed at the Embassy which was lovely. I also stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Isla Verde right on the beach. I felt like I got more for my money at the Embassy, the room was nicer and more spacious, free breakfast and has a happy hour. Beautiful hotel. I heard the beach was close but it rained the day I stayed there so I do not know how far it was. The room was a one bedroom suite, had two TV'S. But the Courtyard's location can't be beat, so it has the edge. Nice hammocks by the hotel on the beach and there were more restaurants on site. The location was more beautiful, price more expensive. Both places were great, nice pool areas and I'd stay at both again. But if the price was similar, I'd do Courtyard Marriott in Isla because it's beachfront, even though Embassy was much nicer. Both close to the airport. The port was about a 15 minute taxi ride. Not very far, not very expensive.

It's good to see what people are suggesting. I will be cruising on RCI from San Juan in May of 2015. I am looking for a nice, secure place to stay where there is a restaurant near by or on site. We are coming in the day before but mostly want to relax. The Caribe looks wonderful online, but a bit pricey. I haven't had a chance to check out too much just yet. The area of Old San Juan has caught my interest.

DH and I will be on Adventure in May 2015. We're seriously looking at Sheraton Old San Juan for a couple of days prior to our sailing. We'll just taxi it over to the Pan Am terminal on our cruise date.

The best port in the Caribbean hands down is San Juan with so much to enjoy. Many many beaches and great restaurants, the Old San Juan, the Yunque rainforest etc. etc. If you have to spend the money to fly to San Juan for a cruise anyway, spend a few days exploring San Juan and the Island. You can find better priced, smaller hotels near the Condado and Isla Verde areas on Trivago. Quality Inn, Acacia, Wind Chimes Inn, Ambassador Plaza, El Canario are all lower priced hotels near the Condado beaches. If you want to stay in the Old San Juan, Stay in El Convento instead of the Sheraton. Have fun!!:cool:

We flew in the night before as part of an RC package and were put up at the Sheraton Casino near the Convention Centre. It was a busy hotel but located very close to the pier. 10 minute transfer time at the most. In the morning we had a lovely swim in the infinity pool before heading to the ship. Not a lot to do there but very very convenient if you only need a place to sleep the night before the cruise. We spoke to some folk who said Old San Juan was very noisy and they didn't get any sleep but that was only what they said. Breakfast was a buffet or a la carte. :)

My favorite two stays in San Juan were both at the Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, right on the beach. I used Priceline both times and coincidentally ended up with the same hotel. I paid around $115/night the first time and about $140/night the second time.

We stayed at the Embassy suites in Jan. It was very pricey for a 24 hour stay but it was a great hotel with free cocktail party, breakfast and casino. There is restaurant in hotel but we walked to a local restaurant in strip mall. Also 5min walk to beach.

San Juan Marriott is always our choice.

The best port in the Caribbean hands down is San Juan with so much to enjoy. Many many beaches and great restaurants, the Old San Juan, the Yunque rainforest etc. etc. If you have to spend the money to fly to San Juan for a cruise anyway, spend a few days exploring San Juan and the Island. You can find better priced, smaller hotels near the Condado and Isla Verde areas on Trivago. Quality Inn, Acacia, Wind Chimes Inn, Ambassador Plaza, El Canario are all lower priced hotels near the Condado beaches. If you want to stay in the Old San Juan, Stay in El Convento instead of the Sheraton. Have fun!!:cool:

Stayed at El C pre-cruise for a couple of nights. But friends had advised that El C does no longer do 1 night, that is why I suggested Sheraton. Does El C now take bookings for one night? If so I suggest that all cruisers book. The cheese and wine gathering is wonderful. A step back in time elegance.

Another matter. Where is the best liquor store for a great selection of top end rums, as we are calling there in November this year? Many thanks.