Honeymoon Hotel Advice HELP!

Hello,

First let me say thanks to many of you who frequent this San Juan board. It has been very helpful for me while planning our honeymoon. We are going to be in San Juan from July 4th-8th before boarding the AOS from the 8th-15th.

My quandary is as follows....

I told my fiance that I am going to book the last part of our adventure without any input from her and just do what I think will be the most fun. So the pressure is on!

Some things that would be a real plus for us are:

1) Very near/On the Ocean

2) A hotel with the possibility of booking an Ocean View balcony room

3) On or near Old San Juan (within reasonable walking distance)

* I got a pretty good deal on Hilton Caribe from a Visa Promo and have it on reserve at 150 a night (basically) but am not sure I want to keep this hotel

* I would consider all options including over spending on a hotel, I mean it is our honeymoon!

One more thing:

We currently do not have a balcony roon booked on the AOS but still have an option to upgrade to this. I believe it will cost me between 400-500 total to do this. Is it worth it?

I really appreciate any and all feedback

Well we stayed at El Convento in old San Juan (not near a beach) and really if you stay near a beach you are not within walking distance of Old San Juan.....kind of one or the other. But the taxi cost is minimal..... either way. We loved the El Convento and it is perfect for a honeymoon. www.elconvento.com It is San Juans only 5 star and more expensive but they have a pre/post cruise special on their website. Right in the heart of old town and we walked all over old San Juan - it is very romantic. We had a harbor view - very nice.

That said.... have you thought about a smaller Bed & Breakfast type hotel ? Check this out.... www.numero1guesthouse.com We had dinner there one night..... neat little place right on the beach.

Also - if you can afford the balcony - DO IT. Then every night before you go to bed....leave the room service ticket on your door..... they will call you about 5 minutes before they deliver your breakfast (we used this as our wake-up call) and you can have coffee, etc. on your balcony and check out the new island you are at every morning.... it was awesome.

Anyone have any opinion on either of these:

Wyndham El San Juan Hotel and Casino

InterContinental

Questions Being:

1) Location in relation to Old San Juan

2) Are the Hotels on the Ocean View

3) Which one is nicer? +'s and -'s of each.

Thanks for any and all responses to this post or my OP.

We are on AOS 5/6 and staying in SJ 1 night pre & 1 night post. Pre was a priceline $160 Marriott Stellaris, Post was a break the bank $300 at el convento so we can enjoy Old SJ. Honey insisted on a balcony (I'm usually happy with oceanview), but it was a "deal" and we can have breakfasts outside. I'd recommend the balcony. will let you know when we get back. I hope El convento is worth the money.

.... I hope El convento is worth the money.

Just remember that the El Convento was built in the 1600's as a Carmelite Convent and nuns didnt require large rooms :D but they are appointed nicely and the entire hotel is rich in history and charm. The elevator is

s-l-o-w though (just an advance warning). The San Juan cathedral is right across the street and the Gate to the City is right down the road. El Morro is a 5 minute stroll...... We walked all over the entire 15 square blocks that make up Old San Juan.....we loved it. We never felt unsafe - even at night. We stayed away from small unlit streets and used caution just as we would anywhere else.....

If you are interested in hearing and watching some salsa music and dancing...... head to the nearby Rumba Club.... not fancy !!! but where the locals go to dance and we had alot of fun just watching....they invented it so they really know how to do it ;) They had a 6 piece band and there was no cover but drinks a little high but very strong.... I made dh take lessons (for our 25th anniversary) prior to this trip but once we saw the locals - well we just enjoyed watching them :o

Also- do not have breakfast at the hotel !!! Ask the concierge for directions to La Bombonera and walk over - one block down and a few over. ***** gosh - order a ham & cheese mallorca and a cup of their wonderful coffee.... you will not regret it.

I cannot wait to go back and explore more..... old San Juan AND the rest of Puerto Rico. The people were very friendly and we felt very comfortable there.

Check out http://www.condadoplaza.com for another option. Romantic views of ocean, lots of restaurant choices in area, only a few miles from OSJ.

Hello,

 

First let me say thanks to many of you who frequent this San Juan board. It has been very helpful for me while planning our honeymoon. We are going to be in San Juan from July 4th-8th before boarding the AOS from the 8th-15th.

 

My quandary is as follows....

 

I told my fiance that I am going to book the last part of our adventure without any input from her and just do what I think will be the most fun. So the pressure is on!

 

Some things that would be a real plus for us are:

 

 

 

 

 

1) Very near/On the Ocean

2) A hotel with the possibility of booking an Ocean View balcony room

3) On or near Old San Juan (within reasonable walking distance)

 

* I got a pretty good deal on Hilton Caribe from a Visa Promo and have it on reserve at 150 a night (basically) but am not sure I want to keep this hotel

* I would consider all options including over spending on a hotel, I mean it is our honeymoon!

 

 

One more thing:

 

We currently do not have a balcony roon booked on the AOS but still have an option to upgrade to this. I believe it will cost me between 400-500 total to do this. Is it worth it?

 

 

I really appreciate any and all feedback

Try the Condado Plaza or San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

not walking distance from Old san juan but not to far as the Intercontinental or el san juan hotel and casino ( not a wyndham any more) represented now by Luxury Resorts & hotels ( same as the condado plaza)

carmen

If I was on my honeymoon for the number of days you are talking, I would consider a couple of other options. Old San Juan can be done in a day. You can do this the night before you board the ship and spend the Sunday there if you want. There are no beaches in walking distance from there. I think the Condado Plaza is a bad choice for a honeymoon. So is the Caribe Hilton (unless you are planning to stay in your room the whole time anyway, which is fine - it is your honeymoon after all :) ). I also wouldn't be thrilled with Isla Verde Beach (which I recommend for day trippers) for a 4 day visit. My vote would be to spend a day in Old San Juan, but go east young man ;) for the other 3 days for your honeymoon. I don't like any of the ideas posted above based on your circumstances (but then again, only you can decide what it is you are looking for).

BTW - I'm also assuming you are somewhat young (meaning you are not in your 40's or 50's going into a third marriage).

2 thoughts come to mind. Both have advantages and disadvantages that greatly depend on what you want:

El Conquistador Resort. This place is on the east side. Shuttles can take you to the hotel from the airport. They have their own private island for a beach. Awesome. Big resort and nice with a lot of things to do. Big vistas. There is even a funicular built into the mountain to take you to the marina to take the free boat to the island. This one is more glitzsy with amenities. The rooms are average.

The other option equally good is a Starwood Resort called Martineau Bay. It is on the island of Vieques (6 miles of the east coast of PR). You can fly there (not expensive) or take a boat ($2 per person). Very romantic, exotic, and exclusive. Big on the spa amenities there of which a bit is included in the stay. Secondly, the island has some incredible, unspoiled beaches not to be missed. Rent scooters and have the island to yourself. It is what we all envision Key West really should be (but wasn't when you visited it) ;) . So exclusive I spent an afternoon alone on the beach with my wife and Richard Gere 2 years ago. The rooms at this resort are very great with beautiful views.

The more I think about it, you'd be a stud if you went the Vieques route.

If you are interested, let me know and I'll help you find the contact information or answer any other questions you might have.

Final thought - for $400 for a balcony on your honeymoon, I'd do it. It adds to the romance of being able to be "outside" privately with your wife (having a drink, or eating breakfast from room service, etc.) without having to go up on deck. I'm cheap and typically don't spring extra money for frills like this, but I'd do this on my honeymoon. It would be good value.

Anyone have any opinion on either of these:

 

Wyndham El San Juan Hotel and Casino

InterContinental

 

Questions Being:

 

1) Location in relation to Old San Juan

2) Are the Hotels on the Ocean View

3) Which one is nicer? +'s and -'s of each.

 

Thanks for any and all responses to this post or my OP.

El San Juan used to be considered the premier hotel. Dark woods, etc. It's ok. Need to take a taxi to OSJ for ~$15 each way. Intercontinental is in the same location. There are plenty of places to eat in the area. It is at Isla Verde Beach, which is decent. It is in the middle of the busy tourist strip (for me that is a negative). There is a little nightlife on the weekends there. It all depends on what you want for your honeymoon. Some like to go the romantic angle, some like to go active. I'm not sure what appeals to you (other than OSJ and seeing the ocean).

Last week I stayed at the Condado Plaza Hotel and enjoyed my stay. Balcony rooms are available with a view of the ocean. The hotel is very nice with several nice pools. You cannot walk to old San Juan but it is 10 minutes away by bus for 75 cents per person or by cab.

If I was on my honeymoon for the number of days you are talking, I would consider a couple of other options. Old San Juan can be done in a day. You can do this the night before you board the ship and spend the Sunday there if you want. There are no beaches in walking distance from there. I think the Condado Plaza is a bad choice for a honeymoon. So is the Caribe Hilton (unless you are planning to stay in your room the whole time anyway, which is fine - it is your honeymoon after all :) ). I also wouldn't be thrilled with Isla Verde Beach (which I recommend for day trippers) for a 4 day visit. My vote would be to spend a day in Old San Juan, but go east young man ;) for the other 3 days for your honeymoon. I don't like any of the ideas posted above based on your circumstances (but then again, only you can decide what it is you are looking for).

 

BTW - I'm also assuming you are somewhat young (meaning you are not in your 40's or 50's going into a third marriage).

 

2 thoughts come to mind. Both have advantages and disadvantages that greatly depend on what you want:

 

El Conquistador Resort. This place is on the east side. Shuttles can take you to the hotel from the airport. They have their own private island for a beach. Awesome. Big resort and nice with a lot of things to do. Big vistas. There is even a funicular built into the mountain to take you to the marina to take the free boat to the island. This one is more glitzsy with amenities. The rooms are average.

 

The other option equally good is a Starwood Resort called Martineau Bay. It is on the island of Vieques (6 miles of the east coast of PR). You can fly there (not expensive) or take a boat ($2 per person). Very romantic, exotic, and exclusive. Big on the spa amenities there of which a bit is included in the stay. Secondly, the island has some incredible, unspoiled beaches not to be missed. Rent scooters and have the island to yourself. It is what we all envision Key West really should be (but wasn't when you visited it) ;) . So exclusive I spent an afternoon alone on the beach with my wife and Richard Gere 2 years ago. The rooms at this resort are very great with beautiful views.

 

The more I think about it, you'd be a stud if you went the Vieques route.

 

If you are interested, let me know and I'll help you find the contact information or answer any other questions you might have.

 

 

Final thought - for $400 for a balcony on your honeymoon, I'd do it. It adds to the romance of being able to be "outside" privately with your wife (having a drink, or eating breakfast from room service, etc.) without having to go up on deck. I'm cheap and typically don't spring extra money for frills like this, but I'd do this on my honeymoon. It would be good value.

Big Sky Country-

Thanks for the reply and I have been looking into the options you gave. I think Martineau Bay Resort might be a really good option. I would like to take you up on your offer to answer any questions I might have about this route. Is there an e-mail address I can use? Thanks for all the help.

ooh - you have a few days?! you should totally stay on vieques or culebra. that's what i would do. and just spend a day pre or post cruise in osj. i got to go to culebra last may - amazing! fun snorkeling too.

Big Sky Country-

 

Thanks for the reply and I have been looking into the options you gave. I think Martineau Bay Resort might be a really good option. I would like to take you up on your offer to answer any questions I might have about this route. Is there an e-mail address I can use? Thanks for all the help.

Sure.

TLTS AT CARIBE DOT NET