El Canario, Which one is the best?

We have eight of us for one day pre and post cruise. We do not want to spend too much money on the hotel. Beside El Canario, any other hotels will be nice to stay and close to a nice beach?

Thank you

We have eight of us for one day pre and post cruise. We do not want to spend too much money on the hotel. Beside El Canario, any other hotels will be nice to stay and close to a nice beach?

 

Thank you

Can't speak from experience yet but I've booked the "by the Seas" for January based on the stories I found on this board. From what I've read there all reasonable hotels; clean and not TOO expencive. The "by the Seas" was just a bit better located than the others from what I understood.

I've been at both "the Inn" and "the Sea" within the past year -- we found the Inn a little run down, while the sea seems to have been renovated recently -- both are neat in their own way -- the Inn could not be at a better location on Ashford, while the Sea is truly "a couiple of steps" from the beach -- both are next to the MarriotForced to choose, I would opt for the Sea -- frankly, both are fun, unbelievably friendly and there's a closeness among the guests that's unusual -- don't get too turned off by some of the nickel & diming -- e'g. paying a daily charge for a safe in the room -- stupid, but what the hell !! you'll enjoy both, just understand that it's not a resort hotel, but a fun, carefree and casual accomodation

Bill

Thanks for you reponse. I decided to switch my booking to El Canario by the Sea from the Inn. Will post a review when I return in August. :D

Just had a great experience on the June 26 sailing of the Adventure of the Seas.

We stayed at "El Canario by the Sea" (I'll call it ECBS) on the night before the cruise and for one night on July 6 (spent a few extra days in Ponce--- a recommended respite from busy San Juan. We actually lived in Ponce in the 1960s/1970s. Interesting to see the changes in 30 years).

Taxi ride from airport was $16 + extra depending on number of bags. We had five people/taxi with one bag pp + one large duffel bag with snorkeling and beach stuff. Total came to $21.50/taxi and was written up in advance by the transportation desk next to baggage claim (I recommend you do this so the taxi driver doesn't charge at his/her discretion. They don't have meters running and left to their own ideas... well, you can imagine).

ECBS was fine for us. We arrived late at night (~11:30PM). The desk help was polite, courteous and bi-lingual. He even made a joke about saying he just sold our rooms, because he didn't think we were showing up. It took me a few seconds to realize he was really joking (travelling all day--- I had that deadpan traveller's fatigue and wasn't prepared for humor!).

The hotel has three floors, one small quirky elevator and the rooms are as advertized. Don't expect perfection here, but the rooms are clean, the beds are fine and the shower is great. This was about all we were looking for, expecting to be more pampered on the ship. We took up three rooms with our group of ten (two families of four and the grandparents). All rooms are NOT the same size. The hotel is "U-shaped" and the rear rooms (judging from the three or four rooms I was in on both visits) are the largest. So, if you want a bit more room ask for the ones in the rear (e.g. Room #300 or #200 was bigger than room #302 or #202). The maids are dear little Puerto Rican ladies. Very congenial.

The continental breakfast is excellent and refreshing. Plenty of coffee, orange juice, milk. Danish pastries, cereal, fruit (treat yourself to PR bananas- smaller but SO MUCH better tasting than the crap produce they ship to the mainland; also mangoes were great). Another island specialty is the pan de agua (water bread). It's kept in the woven basket with the lid on it- don't forget to look for it. For bread lovers, this is a real treat and a quintessential taste of Puerto Rico. The "U-shape" hotel creates a 1st floor courtyard where you will find the self-serve breakfast (I believe it was available from 7AM to 10AMish).

This hotel is one building from being right on the beach in front of the Condado area (i.e. right behind a beachfront condo bldg.). It is also right next to the Marriott. So if you want some of the offerings of a resort (casino, restaurants, etc), it's right next door. Also, the taxi stand for the Marriott is right out in front of ECBS. This is very convenient. Also, ECBS has a parking deal with Marriott. If you have a rental car, they'll give you a paper slip for the "privilege" of paying $16/day in the Marriott structure (something like $60/day without it!). This will also avoid the $25 parking ticket if you park in front of ECBS (watch for yellow curbs). Narrow, mostly one-way streets and LOTS of cars make parking in the Condado a challenge. Also, there is a small street-level lot directly across from the Marriott. They may actually charge less per day, but it is not as secure. I chose to park overnight in the structure to avoid a car prowl. During the day, if you're lucky, there may be some parking on the street ACROSS from ECBS (not on the ECBS side of street---remember... $25 ticket... saw plenty posted on windshields!).

Restaurants - we only ate out twice in the Condado and did not get very creative. The Japanese steak house ("Cherry Blossom") on Ashford in the same block as the Marriott was good. A seafood or steak entree prepared right before you is about $20-$30/pp. They also make sushi. A 15% gratuity was added to the bill. I find this practice somewhat annoying, since I like to choose my % of bill based on the level of service I get. Restaurants who choose to do this for me usually see no more of my dollars coming their way, even though I might have been inclined to tip better than 15%. They made their choice, I made mine. Our other meal was lunch at Pizza Hut, next door. Just what you'd expect. No more need be mentioned here.

There is much to see and offer in this "Condado centro" location.

Enjoy!

Hasta luego y buena suerte :rolleyes:

Hi thanks for the info on the Canario.. looking at tripadvisor some people have posted things such as bad at night? and other things.. I've been to europe and had some great little places.. I'm expecting the same.. as long as it is clean and all.. Thanks for the info on the taxi too.. we are going in January and looking to stay at the Canario.. :)

Hi thanks for the info on the Canario.. looking at tripadvisor some people have posted things such as bad at night? and other things.. I've been to europe and had some great little places.. I'm expecting the same.. as long as it is clean and all.. Thanks for the info on the taxi too.. we are going in January and looking to stay at the Canario.. :)

We stayed at El Canario By The Sea last May. We arrived around midnight and walked around the area a little bit. No problems at all. It was a Saturday night, so there were lots of people out....but I felt safe.

70sGringo - thank you so much for the write up on ECBS. We are booked there in March, 2006 and was a little concerned because of things being said about area, etc. It sounds like just the right spot for a place to lay your head and enjoy the surroundings:) We won't have to worry about parking a car, but I did a copy and paste of your review to our rollcall as others are also booked there.

KenMo - thanks for the backup:)

How disappointing! In January the El Canario by the Sea has a 2 night minimum stay :( What do you think of the Inn? or the Lagoon? Thanks

I know you were asking about the El Canario, but thought I would throw this out there. We got the Marriott San Juan Resort, January 20th, for 1 night for $113{Plus taxes and service fee on Priceline} Not sure if you would want to consider this or not.

Thanks yogi will check into it.. see you on board the SERENADE jan 21st :)

We have eight of us for one day pre and post cruise. We do not want to spend too much money on the hotel. Beside El Canario, any other hotels will be nice to stay and close to a nice beach?

 

Thank you

Just booked 2 nights from nov 3rd at Canario Lagoon. Will post my opinion as soon as I'm on the ship nov 5th.

Enjoy

Just booked 2 nights from nov 3rd at Canario Lagoon. Will post my opinion as soon as I'm on the ship nov 5th.

 

Enjoy

Please do a post. We are booked there for December 31 and January 1st...post cruise. When I called the location, they were wonderful!! They answered every question....we are non partiers on New Years eve and wanted to be sure we were in the right location. They told us we would have a balcony and when we received our confirmation they put us down for a room on the lagoon. Supposedly we are walking distance to the beach...let us know, please. We are at the Radisson pre cruise, but chose this because (which is more expensive than the $75per night Radisson ... Priceline) it did not have all of the exciting New Years events.