Any questions on Caribe Hilton in San Juan?

I will be staying at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan for a few days in September. I told the hotel folks that I am a cruise critic member and they are anxious to answer any questions anyone out there has.

I'm sure everyone will want to know how far they are from the piers and what cabs cost... anything else? I'll be glad to ask for you.

Just bumping this up!

lgarner

Im sure they will make sure you get a nice room. :) Since they know you will tell us alllll about it. Maybe I should use the "cruise critic" angle when I email or call hotels :D

Here are a few questions.

Is there any live entertainment at the Hilton? Do they offer spa services, if so what are the prices.

I have seen the hotel website and that pool looks gorgeous! Have a great stay and wonderful cruise!

We stayed at the Caribe Hilton for 2 days post cruise. This was 2 years ago, so keep that in mind. It is a beautiful, full service hotel. Live entertainment in the evenings at the lobby bar. There is a spa and Morton's steak house on property. The hotel has several other restaurants to chose from and the buffet breakfast was wonderful, if not a little pricey. Ours was included in our nightly rate. Be sure to sign up for Hilton Honors before you book, as there are extras that you get. It is within walking distance over a small bay to the other hotels and restaurants, although it is somewhat isolated from the others. The pool area is fantastic and a small sandy beach area is in the complex. Our favorite place was sitting out by the sea wall, in a lounge chair under a palm tree. The waves crash on the sea wall and is a beautiful way to unwind, if you've had a hectic cruise. The rooms all have ocean view and are spacious and clean, minibar and safe were in the room. Have a great cruise and enjoy your stay at the Hilton.

Robin, I signed up for the Hilton Honors but I don't know of any extras. What extras did you get?

We are on the AOS on 9/19/04 and are staying at the Caribe the day before.

We will arrive about 10:30 in the morning so we have all day saturday and Sunday in San Juan since the ship does not sail until 10:00 pm Sunday.

Questions:

Taxi Cost from airport to Hotel

Taxi Cost from Hotel to Old San Juan

Taxi Cost from Hotel to Pan American Pier

I know some Hotels have observation Roofs. Does the Caribe let you fo up and watch the ship come into Old San Juan on Sunday Morning.

What is the Casino's dress code. I have seen anything goes, formal to shorts and a tee-shirt.

Thanks in advance for any info.

They used to have a fantastic seafood buffet on Friday nights. Was $50 PP very pricey but what a spread. Does anyone know if they still have that? :)

I'm a Hilton Honors member and when I won my room through Priceline I used the hotel's tollfree number to call and confirm. I gave them my Hilton Honors id#, and requested a non-smoking, king room. Upon arrival at the hotel (around 1 pm) I asked where the Hilton Honors check-in was located. It is on the 2nd floor. My room was ready and was very nice. I was informed that there would be a complimentary cocktail hour and continental breakfast which was more than satisfying (nice selection of fruit, pastry, muffins, coffee, juice) and considering I was about to board a cruise ship I wasn't looking for a huge breakfast or anything costly.

The beach is really nice there. You show your room card at a kiosk to get towels. The pools are nice too but I prefer the beach (it was March and snowing in NY so of course the beach was tempting).

Taxi Cost from airport to Hotel - 15.50 plus $1 per bag

Taxi Cost from Hotel to Old San Juan - $8 - and boy is that a short trip!!

Taxi Cost from Hotel to Pan American Pier - 12.50 plus $1 per bag

We LOVED the Caribe. We stayed in the Tower building, and our room overlooked the ocean and the front grounds. The pool areas were the nicest I have ever seen. If there is a casino - I never saw it.

"We will arrive about 10:30 in the morning so we have all day saturday and Sunday in San Juan since the ship does not sail until 10:00 pm Sunday."

We also arrived on Saturday, and spent the day walking around the streets. However, come Sunday, we were at the pier at 11 am, and boarded at noon. We had a lovely day at the pool (which was quite empty!) and exploring the ship. I would not want to wait till later to board - the lines looked horrendous outside.

I have a few questions. My husband and I are staying there pre cruise for two days. We used our Hilton Honer points to book the room. We have four friends who have since booked the cruise and are interested in coming down the day before the cruise. How likely is it that they can obtain a room through priceline in late Jan, and how much would the room be? They would need two rooms.

What is the nearest store so that we can buy some mixers and beer to take on the ship?

The Sat. that we return from the cruise our flight is late afternoon Sat. Can we come back to the hotel and spend the day? Will they store our luggage for us? Is there a place to change out of our bathing suit or maybe grab a quick shower? We had a later flight last cruise and we toured San Juan and it was so tiring, we definately don't want to do that again!

Sorry for all the question, but you offered! LOL Thanks

Since you want your friends to be at the same hotel as you, i would suggest using Hotwire as you will likely be able to target this property by matching up the Hotwire amenities to those which are known for the Hilton (be sure to match them exactly). Availability would depend upon your actual dates.

There is a store across the street from the Hilton where you can buy mixers, liquor, soda, etc. If you leave on a Sunday you may want to buy your goods the nite before as i don't think they open until 11am or 12pm (assuming you like to get to the ship early).

You may be able to 'sneak in' and use the pool, but technically, once you check out you're no longer entitled to use any of the hotel's facilities. If you don't want to bend the rules, maybe a discussion (and $20 tip) with the hotel's concierge might get you 'permission'.

Thank You! I'l;l check out hot wire and maybe send an e mail to feel them out about hanging out there on Sat. If we can't, does anyone else know where we could spend the day?

I hadn't followed this thread for a few weeks since I have been busy seeing doctors (I was just diagnosed with breast cancer) and it looks like you guys have asked and answered all the questions.

I just found out yesterday that the doctor will let me take my trip to San Juan with DH. Things are moving too slowly for me but it looks like we wont be able to do surgery for about two weeks. Good side is I get to go to SJ!We are really looking forward to the long weekend at the Caribe. It looks like we might have hurricane Francis leftover rain all weekend but I don't care - we plan to shop, relax and eat!! A much needed break for both of us.

I have a strong faith in God and would greatly appreciate prayers from anyone out there who feels likewise. Thanks in advance.

Lisa

Gosh lgarner - I am so sorry!! Please have a great time on your cruise - and I will certainly include you in my prayers!!!

Lisa - will light candle for you along with a family member of mine also.

Well, we are back from the Caribe Hilton and had a great time. Room was just okay. Big enough but the bathroom smelled bad and had yucky looking brown stuff on the wall beside the toilet. (sorry I know that was gross) I complained several times but the stain never went away. The cleaning lady always spayed an air freshener but it didn't really help. Other than the gross part above - the hotel was nice. I am glad we didn't pay full price ($75 on priceline.com) but the lobby was pretty, the private beach was nice and the pools were beautiful. We had a relaxing time and tried to forget about my pending surgery and cancer treatment. We returned to a scare from the doctors - they thought the cancer was in my liver. Got back on Monday night (labor day) and spent Tuesday at the hospital for twelve hours undergoing every test they could think of!! Went back Wednesday to receive excellent news - the only place I have cancer is in the right breast - everywhere else is clean!! Thank God! Now I have surgery scheduled for the 21st of this month for lymph nodes (they remove a few and test them) then the main surgery on the 28th to be followed with chemo. I am so thankful that we had a nice escape to San Juan before the yucky part starts and also so thankful that its only in the breast and has not moved!! Thanks for offers of prayer. All are greatly appreciated. We serve an awesome God and I know he listens to all prayers.

Igarner.....not only do we serve and awesome God...but we serve a God that heals. I'm going to pray that our God will reverse that diagnosis and that the doctors will be amazed. Noticed that you live in VA. Call the "700 Club" for prayer before you go into pre-op surgery. I know this is not a cruise topic, but I had to let you know that I stand in for you in prayer. May God bless you and cast all your thoughts and burdens on HIM. Pray works!!!!!

Many Blessings, ;)

GK

Twilightnites, what state are you in? I have a map at home with a pin marking everyone who is praying for me. Happysinglemom, I will add a pin for cheseapeake and CarolAmc, I have Long Island twice already but I'll gladly add a pin and have a third person in LI praying!!

I have a bilateral mastectomy scheduled for Tuesday the 28th of this month. All prayers greatly appreciated.

God Bless all of you.

Lisa

My husband just traveled to Puerto Rico on business and stayed at the Caribe Hilton. I was glad since there is 6 of us staying there before our cruise. He said the hotel was very nice, especially the people. There is still a new section and an old section, we requested the new section of course. For Hilton Honer members the open bar at night is a great deal, something like from 6-11PM., including some appetizers.

For Hilton Honer members the open bar at night is a great deal, something like from 6-11PM., including some appetizers.

It's not exactly open bar and for 5 hours.

It's more like Embassy Suites' "Manager's Reception" from 5pm-7pm, with a spread of some appetizers (cheese plate, a hot dish, cookies, etc) and wine and soft drinks. It is great, but it's not an all-nite event and don't expect mixed drinks or hard liquor.

When my husband was there last week, they had mixed drinks and beer and wine for a few hours, then they had cordials until 11.

Well that sounds like a welcomed improvement (not that they needed one)... thanks for the update.