On RCCL & 1st time to San Juan. Where to stay?

Ok Folks, I am sorry to bore you with a different version of the same question, but here I go:

We will be going on Adventure of the Seas in Late Feb '05 and we have never been to San Juan before. We plan to get in a day before our cruise and need a hotel for one night. I need some good recommendations on hotels that are convenient to the airport and cruise terminal ( because I have no idea where either one is). I also understand that PR is not cheap on hotels, but I am looking for a decent value for the money. Not a dump, but not an overpriced property either.

Is it possible to be close to the airport, cruise terminal, and local attractions all at the same time?

Thanks in adavnce!

Chas

We stayed at the Wyndham Condado Plaza. It was very nice. It was a $10 cab ride from the airport, and I think $5 to the Pan American Pier

My husband and I are staying at the Intercontinental Resort & Casino. It is a beautiful hotel right on the beach with a breathtaking pool in the back. We're paying 114.00 for the night (after our cruise). Every room has a balcony as well and it is just a few miles from the airport. Check it our on yahoo travel!:D

Best deals in PR for hotels seem to come through Priceline. If you pick resort or 3* you should save over the web or published hotel rates.

Our group of 4 couples are booked at the Comfort Inn in San Juan 02/14/2005.

Decided it was not worth spending a lot of money on hotel when we don't get in until almost 10:00 p.m. and will catch our cruise the next afternoon.

Do be a little careful - maybe go up one notch - for some reason, although rooms are pricy in San Juan they are a little more run-down, also. Many are kind of dated and a little musty. We got the InterContinental for this Oct. for 120.00/night on their own web-site. Right after we booked it went down to 109.00/per nite. That is an exceptional value for San Juan. I would certainly not go below a 3 star.

Priceline is the way to go. Got the Wyndham Condado for $95...Use PRICELINE!

We booked a room for $83.00 on Hotwire for 10/31 at the Embassy Suites--a 3.5 star property. Embassy's best net rate for the same night was $161.00. Many cc'ers have indicated that it is a fine hotel.

You can normally determine what property Hotwire is providing by checking out http://www.betterbidding.com. I have no connection to this web site, other than think it is wonderful.

Of course, the dates you are seeking could be higher or lower.

If you do use Hotwire or Priceline to secure a room, I would encourage you to post your results on http://www.betterbidding.com so that as a travel community, we all benefit for future needs.

To be on the safe side, I always reserve a hotel (that has a 48 hour no penalty cancellation policy) so that I am never stuck without somewhere to stay. Thereafter, I do my Hotwire search around 30 days or less before arrival to secure the best rate.

Good luck!

We stayed at The Intercontinental in July and it was very nice. The price when we went was $128 for pool view room. Not sure what it will be during the time of year you are going, but it's worth looking into. We plan on staying there again next July, as we were so pleased.

We've stayed at the Intercontinental two years in a row pre-cruise, but the best price we could get was $220 per night. How did you guys manage to get it for $120 or less?

We enjoy the hotel and would love to stay there again....just don't want to pay so much for a room this year.

Denise, we booked it directly through their web site. It was several months before our July cruise (though I cannot remember which month I made the reservation) and it was cheaper there at their site than any where else.We plan on staying there again this year, or at The Ritz, but summer prices have not come out yet. I have noticed that rooms are much less expensive in San Juan in the summer months

Thanks Nova. We've been cruising in April for the last few years....maybe that has something to do with the price. I check the hotel's site for a rate a couple times a week for a pre-cruise night in April, but the best that comes up for 2005 is $253. I really enjoy the pool and beach and service at the hotel, but don't want to pay that much if I don't have to....rather save the money to spend on the cruise!