San Juan Hotel Confusion

[poffles]

OMG I am finding selecting a hotel in San Juan so confusing and the prices are unbelievable. Throw in the fact that many of the ones that look good do not allow one night bookings on the Saturday night. I have searched for hours ... days ... and I'm just as uncertain as I was before all my research. We cruise in November so I debate if maybe if I wait options will be better along with price. Round round I go.

 

We are looking for both pre and post cruise (carnival) which adds even more headache. Pre-cruise we figure it best to be close to the cruiseship since we will likely arrive late and won't really do anything but check in and settle in for the night. Post-cruise we're thinking more about location to be able to walk to shops or beach nearby since we will have the full day evening to enjoy.

 

It is so daunting. We so wanted the Sheraton OSJ pre-cruise but no go ... :(

 

How do the rest of you do this?!!!

[rainforestgirl]

We so wanted the Sheraton OSJ pre-cruise but no go ... :(

 

Call them and ask. They do a lot of one nights.

[excalwop]

OMG I am finding selecting a hotel in San Juan so confusing and the prices are unbelievable. Throw in the fact that many of the ones that look good do not allow one night bookings on the Saturday night. I have searched for hours ... days ... and I'm just as uncertain as I was before all my research. We cruise in November so I debate if maybe if I wait options will be better along with price. Round round I go.

 

We are looking for both pre and post cruise (carnival) which adds even more headache. Pre-cruise we figure it best to be close to the cruiseship since we will likely arrive late and won't really do anything but check in and settle in for the night. Post-cruise we're thinking more about location to be able to walk to shops or beach nearby since we will have the full day evening to enjoy.

 

It is so daunting. We so wanted the Sheraton OSJ pre-cruise but no go ... :(

 

How do the rest of you do this?!!!

 

What are you looking for?? have you tried priceline, hotwire or hotel .com Use the bids section for a one nighter. this Jan will be our 4th per cruise layover for one night and had no problem in getting a hotel. Might not get the hotel you want but for all the times I got a hotel in PR . We had enjoyed them all.

Paul

225 days to go

[poffles]

What are you looking for?? have you tried priceline, hotwire or hotel .com Use the bids section for a one nighter. this Jan will be our 4th per cruise layover for one night and had no problem in getting a hotel. Might not get the hotel you want but for all the times I got a hotel in PR . We had enjoyed them all.

Paul

225 days to go

 

Part of the problem is thinking I know what I'm looking for then read stuff and think different. I am not one to random book and take a chance on what I get so priceline and hotwire are intimidating ... yes I know many use them but it's just me. I did searches there and find that anything that does not require blind bidding is no different than going to the hotel website.

 

I might try calling the Sheraton and see if they will do a one nighter. We need two rooms for my group but maybe a phone call will make a difference.

 

I tend to over think and over research things ... a major fault.

[Krapf]

In April we stayed in ESJ Towers--on the beach--next to a casino and within walking distance to restaurants. Two free drinks at night and free buffet breakfast. Would stay there again.

[poffles]

Okay, I finally booked Sheraton Puerto Rico. They have a govenment rate (Canada included) which made it not too bad so went with that. Was $145 before tax. Better than many others I was looking at and for late arrival precruise stay it will more than suffice.

 

We decided against the post cruise night, flight leaves at 3:45pm day the cruise docks so we should be good.

 

Thanks all for your thoughts. Very relieved to have this settled.

[Host Faith]

Good choice! Maybe you can take a stroll to a nearby restaurant and have a nice dinner that night. San Juan is pretty a night. Lots of recommendations on this board. Enjoy your cruise!

[poffles]

To clarify, this is not the Sheraton "Old San Juan", it's the Puerto Rico in the convention area so not too much to walk to but that's okay as we don't land there untly 9:30 pm that day so by the time we get there it will be pretty late.

[sail7seas]

Sorry to hear you decided against the one day stay post cruise. To travel to San Juan and leave without experiencing a little of at least Old San Juan seems such a shame. It's such a great place to visit. So alive with such great food, sights, shopping, and really nice people.

 

Oh well, maybe there'll be a chance at another time.

 

[poffles]

Sorry to hear you decided against the one day stay post cruise. To travel to San Juan and leave without experiencing a little of at least Old San Juan seems such a shame. It's such a great place to visit. So alive with such great food, sights, shopping, and really nice people.

 

Oh well, maybe there'll be a chance at another time.

 

 

If it is really that wonderful, it'll be a reason to return for sure :D

[cherylroslyn]

If it is really that wonderful, it'll be a reason to return for sure :D

It is....that's why I just booked two nights pre-cruise next April. This April 2011 I did one night pre-cruise and I didn't get to experience enough....it is a truly great place to visit.

[texancruzer]

Yep, its that good.

 

Be sure and have breakfast at La Bombonera..... I recommend the Mallorcas very highly !!!!

 

If there on a weekend night.......head to one of the salsa clubs in OSJ..... try to find one the locals go to....... we had a blast watching them !!!!

 

For a very romantic and yummy evening, try El Picoteo at the El Convento for tapas. It is in the courtyard and one of our favorites.

 

Stroll. Just stroll the streets. Something new around every corner. If there on a Sunday, head to El Morro with kite in hand !!!!! There are always lots of locals with kids in tow flying kites on the hill.

 

We love Old San Juan...... and we always stay in Old San Juan....

[frito58]

I had to get creative when I booked the Sheraton OSJ on Hotwire I couldnt get it to come up unless I put 3 people then it would pop up not sure why. But we got it for our cruise in Oct. :):)

 

You are right Old San Juan is cool to just stroll around it so old and quaint we are doing 2 days pre cruise to see even more this year.

[PrincessE]

It is....that's why I just booked two nights pre-cruise next April. This April 2011 I did one night pre-cruise and I didn't get to experience enough....it is a truly great place to visit.

 

We're booked two nights pre-cruise next April too. And one night post-cruise. Have you made your hotel reservations yet? We booked the El Convento for post-cruise. I REALLY want to stay at the El Convento pre-cruise, but I'm not sure I can justify the money! :confused: :rolleyes:

[PrincessE]

Yep, its that good.

 

Be sure and have breakfast at La Bombonera..... I recommend the Mallorcas very highly !!!!

 

If there on a weekend night.......head to one of the salsa clubs in OSJ..... try to find one the locals go to....... we had a blast watching them !!!!

 

For a very romantic and yummy evening, try El Picoteo at the El Convento for tapas. It is in the courtyard and one of our favorites.

 

Stroll. Just stroll the streets. Something new around every corner. If there on a Sunday, head to El Morro with kite in hand !!!!! There are always lots of locals with kids in tow flying kites on the hill.

 

We love Old San Juan...... and we always stay in Old San Juan....

 

If I could pick your brain - where do you stay in Old San Juan?

[VicKen]

I am feeling the frustration/confusion as well. There doesn't seem to be that many accomodations in OSJ that are not very expensive or slammed on tripadvisor. I am bad about research as well and admit I still don't know what to do. We want to stay 3 night before cruise, spend one day in OSJ and the next day rent a car for rainforest and biobay so I am trying to decide if we should stay in OSJ or try Cordado area and taxi into OSJ - any help would be appreciated. The more I read the more confused I get.

 

Vickie

[Shekim]

I am feeling the frustration/confusion as well. There doesn't seem to be that many accomodations in OSJ that are not very expensive or slammed on tripadvisor. I am bad about research as well and admit I still don't know what to do. We want to stay 3 night before cruise, spend one day in OSJ and the next day rent a car for rainforest and biobay so I am trying to decide if we should stay in OSJ or try Cordado area and taxi into OSJ - any help would be appreciated. The more I read the more confused I get.

 

Vickie

Don't overthink it. We booked 2 nights precruise; got the Marriott Stellaris (Condado area) on Priceline; we won our first bid at $110/ni. So for 2 days, fees and tax included, we got it for $254 (zone 8, resort). Through that reservation there was info on a rental car. I reserved through hertz for $38 after fees and tax. We will pick it up at the airport on Friday and drop it off at the hotel Saturday. We plan to do a biobay tour. That's why I reserved the car. But if at the last minute I decide against the car then it's no problem.

 

I tend to overthink things as well; now we've cruised enough that I research, make notes, reserve, then sit back and enjoy cruise critic!

[PrincessE]

I am feeling the frustration/confusion as well. There doesn't seem to be that many accomodations in OSJ that are not very expensive or slammed on tripadvisor. I am bad about research as well and admit I still don't know what to do. We want to stay 3 night before cruise, spend one day in OSJ and the next day rent a car for rainforest and biobay so I am trying to decide if we should stay in OSJ or try Cordado area and taxi into OSJ - any help would be appreciated. The more I read the more confused I get.

 

Vickie

 

I over-think things as well. I think I secretly enjoy it. ARG! :)

 

I'd stay in the Condado and taxi into OSJ if it were me. DH and I stayed in the Condado area on our last trip and took a taxi into OSJ. It worked out great. This time we want to stay in OSJ, but we're not looking to rent a car either.

 

Here's to "letting go" and enjoying our vacation planning! ;)

[cheaptravel]

I over-think things as well. I think I secretly enjoy it. ARG! :)

 

I'd stay in the Condado and taxi into OSJ if it were me. DH and I stayed in the Condado area on our last trip and took a taxi into OSJ. It worked out great. This time we want to stay in OSJ, but we're not looking to rent a car either.

 

Here's to "letting go" and enjoying our vacation planning! ;)

 

I am the champ of over-thinking and it's driving me nuts. Can't decide between getting a Condado resort via Priceline or staying in OSJ since that's where we'll spend more time anyway. There is a bus system that runs past most of the hotels from the airport all the way to OSJ, of course it takes a while with all those stops - but it's only a couple bucks if you want to save some change and have the extra bit of time.

[PrincessE]

I am the champ of over-thinking and it's driving me nuts. Can't decide between getting a Condado resort via Priceline or staying in OSJ since that's where we'll spend more time anyway. There is a bus system that runs past most of the hotels from the airport all the way to OSJ, of course it takes a while with all those stops - but it's only a couple bucks if you want to save some change and have the extra bit of time.

 

I've stayed in San Juan twice before - this will be my third time. The first time we stayed with a cruise line property right across from the ship in OSJ. Loved it.

 

The second time I bid on a Priceline hotel and ended up in the Condado at the Radisson and we hated it. We hated that hotel and the area (just personal preference - a lot of people love the area). This time even though I knew Priceline might be able to give me better rates we didn't want to chance ending up in the Condado again or horror, at the Radisson, so we booked directly with the hotel in OSJ.

 

We plan on spending the majority of our time in OSJ so it makes sense for us to stay in OSJ. We didn't take the bus from the Condado to OSJ the last time - we used taxis. We found them to be very inexpensive and much faster than the bus.

 

The older I get the more tired I'm getting of "over-thinking" things. I'm 40 now and I think I am exhausted by my lifetime of over-thinking. I don't think I'll ever be footloose and carefree, but I'm working on letting go a bit more! :)