LaConcha or Marriot??

Can anybody compare? For a family of 4 with 2 teens pre cruise. Stayed at the Caribe Hilton in the past and were underwhelmed. Recommendations??

Can anybody compare? For a family of 4 with 2 teens pre cruise. Stayed at the Caribe Hilton in the past and were underwhelmed. Recommendations??

We are at the Marriott this week. Love it.:cool:

We have been to both hotels. I guess it depends on your tastes. The Marriot is a more traditional hotel. LaConcha is very modern and slick. We prefer LaConcha. LaConcha I believe has a nicer beach front...but honestly both are nice.

We're also a family of 4 with 2 teens and stayed at La Concha 12/20/13 one night precruise. Even though we made the purchase blind on Hotwire, they upgraded us to a 2 room suite with a balcony and partial ocean view. This room was far superior to any room we had at the Caribe Hilton, where we stayed twice previously. There are more restaurants around this hotel than around the Caribe Hilton. I also really liked that the front desk people asked us at check-in if we were embarking on a cruise. They told us that our cruise line, Celebrity, picks up luggage from the hotel, so that all we had to do in the morning was give the luggage to the bellhop, and we would see it at our cabins on the ship. In this way, we were able to walk right to the pier (Pan American). I did prefer the beach and pool at the Caribe Hilton.

We're also a family of 4 with 2 teens and stayed at La Concha 12/20/13 one night precruise. Even though we made the purchase blind on Hotwire, they upgraded us to a 2 room suite with a balcony and partial ocean view. This room was far superior to any room we had at the Caribe Hilton, where we stayed twice previously. There are more restaurants around this hotel than around the Caribe Hilton. I also really liked that the front desk people asked us at check-in if we were embarking on a cruise. They told us that our cruise line, Celebrity, picks up luggage from the hotel, so that all we had to do in the morning was give the luggage to the bellhop, and we would see it at our cabins on the ship. In this way, we were able to walk right to the pier (Pan American). I did prefer the beach and pool at the Caribe Hilton.

So even though you weren't staying at the hotel through a package booked with Celebrity, they still took your bags? That is awesome:) Did you have a Celebrity Shuttle booked or they just took your bags and you took a cab?

I stayed there in the past and I did not have my bags picked up, but that is really good to know:) I'm going to ask when I am there in April.

We're also a family of 4 with 2 teens and stayed at La Concha 12/20/13 one night precruise. Even though we made the purchase blind on Hotwire, they upgraded us to a 2 room suite with a balcony and partial ocean view. This room was far superior to any room we had at the Caribe Hilton, where we stayed twice previously. There are more restaurants around this hotel than around the Caribe Hilton. I also really liked that the front desk people asked us at check-in if we were embarking on a cruise. They told us that our cruise line, Celebrity, picks up luggage from the hotel, so that all we had to do in the morning was give the luggage to the bellhop, and we would see it at our cabins on the ship. In this way, we were able to walk right to the pier (Pan American). I did prefer the beach and pool at the Caribe Hilton.

Could you share how/what you bid to get La Concha on Hotwire? Or post in this thread...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=412956&page=63

That thread used to be VERY busy and I got lots of great info there (used both Priceline and Hotwire the only two times I've been to PR thanks to the help offered there).

I've stayed at the Marriott Stellaris post cruise and liked it, but would like something different for pre-cruise this time. Stayed at the Sheraton OSJ prior to my November cruise, but I only need one night and they have a 2-night minimum.

Thanks!

So even though you weren't staying at the hotel through a package booked with Celebrity, they still took your bags? That is awesome:) Did you have a Celebrity Shuttle booked or they just took your bags and you took a cab?

 

I stayed there in the past and I did not have my bags picked up, but that is really good to know:) I'm going to ask when I am there in April.

That's right. The front desk check-in receptionist just asked us whether we were embarking on a cruise and then told us to give our Celebrity-tagged luggage to the bellhop before 1100 for the Celebrity pickup. We didn't take a taxi. Because we didn't have luggage, we walked!

Could you share how/what you bid to get La Concha on Hotwire? Or post in this thread...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=412956&page=63

 

That thread used to be VERY busy and I got lots of great info there (used both Priceline and Hotwire the only two times I've been to PR thanks to the help offered there).

 

I've stayed at the Marriott Stellaris post cruise and liked it, but would like something different for pre-cruise this time. Stayed at the Sheraton OSJ prior to my November cruise, but I only need one night and they have a 2-night minimum.

 

Thanks!

Actually, I already did. See post #2420. I forgot to put in there that this was rated as a 4 star hotel. By the way, I am guessing that the resort fee was included in the extra fees we paid to Hotwire, because we were not charged an additional resort fee upon arrival. Price was $126 plus $45.25 taxes and fees.

Could you share how/what you bid to get La Concha on Hotwire? Or post in this thread...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=412956&page=63

 

That thread used to be VERY busy and I got lots of great info there (used both Priceline and Hotwire the only two times I've been to PR thanks to the help offered there).

 

I've stayed at the Marriott Stellaris post cruise and liked it, but would like something different for pre-cruise this time. Stayed at the Sheraton OSJ prior to my November cruise, but I only need one night and they have a 2-night minimum.

 

Thanks!

You can book Sheraton Old San Juan now on their website for the one night of 10/31. Its $199 plus tax for about $240 prepaid, no refunds. I looked at it just the other day for the night and saw it plus others were talking about it on the FB page. I'm waiting to book my airfare with Jet Blue and then hoping to book it on Orbitz and add the hotel to it for about $145.

Actually, I already did. See post #2420. I forgot to put in there that this was rated as a 4 star hotel. By the way, I am guessing that the resort fee was included in the extra fees we paid to Hotwire, because we were not charged an additional resort fee upon arrival. Price was $126 plus $45.25 taxes and fees.

Thanks. Yes, I was just re-reading the thread. Right now, I'm seeing a Priceline Express deal for a 4* Condado area with amenities that look similar to the listing under the "regular" hotels (free internet, pools, restaurant, biz center, casino, fitness). Only $122. Really tempted to book it. I mean, a 4* for that price should be good at any of the hotels.

You can book Sheraton Old San Juan now on their website for the one night of 10/31. Its $199 plus tax for about $240 prepaid, no refunds. I looked at it just the other day for the night and saw it plus others were talking about it on the FB page. I'm waiting to book my airfare with Jet Blue and then hoping to book it on Orbitz and add the hotel to it for about $145.

That's more than I want to pay, especially for a non-refundable room, but must talk to cruise buddy. Just depends on whether she'd rather be in OSJ or at a beach resort.

I booked the 4* thru Hotwire this morning and did get La Concha for $119 plus taxes for a total of about $164. :D

I'll email them and give them my Marriott # (I know I won't earn points) but want to request two beds. Maybe they'll be kind and upgrade us but I'm pretty pleased with getting this hotel at that price! It really looks nice.

Thanks. Yes, I was just re-reading the thread. Right now, I'm seeing a Priceline Express deal for a 4* Condado area with amenities that look similar to the listing under the "regular" hotels (free internet, pools, restaurant, biz center, casino, fitness). Only $122. Really tempted to book it. I mean, a 4* for that price should be good at any of the hotels.

 

 

 

 

That's more than I want to pay, especially for a non-refundable room, but must talk to cruise buddy. Just depends on whether she'd rather be in OSJ or at a beach resort.

Thats why I haven't booked yet since its non refundable. Its gone right now from Orbitz so I'm looking at CasaBlanca, Hotel Milano and Plaza de Armas which are cheaper and still in Old San Juan. At this point, I'm not sure what area I'll be staying at. It all depends on my flight in.

Would love to stay at La Concha however their website price is too high. I think I will try Hotwire this time and let the chips fall where they may:D

We've stayed at LaConcha Resort one day pre and one day post cruise this past March. What can I say,,we love this resort! We stayed in the suite tower which happens to be the newer part of the hotel. When booking, be sure to request this part of the hotel. The rooms are clean and modern, and the beds are very comfortable. Rebecca at the pool bar makes a mean Bloody Mary, Johnathan will take great care of your luggage, and I can't forget my favorite of all, Felix. You'll know who he is once you exit your car and he runs up to give you a high five, welcoming you to the hotel.