Which Marriott in San Juan?

[SOMBRERO6]

I have some Marriott gift cards to use and would like to use them for a pre cruise stay. We are sailing on the Carnival Valor. We want to see Old San Juan but some of the family wants to be on the Beach. Any suggestions on how to do both? Which Marriott would be closest to the cruiseport and which would be better for a beach day?.....or....which would be best to see Old San Juan? Having never been there, and me, being a newbie to this area, I will look forward to any suggestions!

[Tomato53]

I'd suggest either the Marriott Resort/Stellaris Casino or the Renaissance La Concha. They both have nice pool areas and beaches. They are in the Condado area, not far from the airport with easy access to Old San Juan. There are restaurants within walking distance.

[Cruisin KLS]

We have stayed at the Marriott Stellaris twice and love it! Right on the beach and the pool area is great. Have not stayed at La Concha, which is right down the street, but it is lovely in pictures as well. Lots of restaurants close in the Condado area.

 

Taxis are aplenty to go to OSJ.

 

-Kristi

[dal_diva]

I have some Marriott gift cards to use and would like to use them for a pre cruise stay. We are sailing on the Carnival Valor. We want to see Old San Juan but some of the family wants to be on the Beach. Any suggestions on how to do both? Which Marriott would be closest to the cruiseport and which would be better for a beach day?.....or....which would be best to see Old San Juan? Having never been there, and me, being a newbie to this area, I will look forward to any suggestions!

 

The Marriott Stellaris is a great place to stay but, we've also stayed at the Courtyard San Juan Miramar which was also nice. This hotel is closer to the Royal Caribbean dock.

 

d

[khm1]

Marriott Stellaris! It is a great hotel with a great beach and pool. It is clean and convenient to lots of attractions. It is a short taxi ride for the airport. It only takes a few minutes to ride to Old San Juan. There is a Starbucks and a Walgreens right across the street and many good restaurants nearby. You can't go wrong with this hotel, IMHO. Check it out on Tripadvisor dot com.

[SOMBRERO6]

I have been researching these places and they all sound nice. I came across the Courtyard Isla Verde.....Does anyone have any info on this place? Sounds too good to be true! And you know that old saying.........

[mysparky]

We've stayed at La Concha and Stellaris and have enjoyed both very much. It's about a 5 min walk between the two properties (which are on the same street), so there really is no significant difference in terms of location between the 2 properties.

 

In terms of location, both are about a 12-15 min drive from the airport. Old San Juan is about another 12 mins farther (in other words, the hotels kind of sit between the airport and Old San Juan).

 

We prefer La Concha because you can get a room with 2 queen beds vs 2 doubles at Stellaris. The beach at both locations is great.

 

Can't help you out with the Courtyard. I've been tempted to stay there because the price is usually better than the other Marriott properties, but I've avoided it due to proximity to the airport. There are many reviews citing the noise from the airport. If I was just flying in for the night and not planning on relaxing on the beach, I'd probably go with Courtyard. However, we usually try to get in a day or two early and hang on the beach (followed by dinner & evening in Old San Juan).

[SOMBRERO6]

Nice of all of you to give me some great info!

[Kutty1101]

I have been researching these places and they all sound nice. I came across the Courtyard Isla Verde.....Does anyone have any info on this place? Sounds too good to be true! And you know that old saying.........

 

 

I am also curious about the Courtyard Isla Verde.....anyone?

[SOMBRERO6]

So you are from Minnesota? I have family in Alexandria and Brandon. What area are you from?.........I think I have narrowed our pre-cruise hotel down to the Hampton Inn or Courtyard Marriott, both in Isla Verde. I was trying to use our gift cards but the Hampton has better reviews right now. I know that this could change!

[Kutty1101]

So you are from Minnesota? I have family in Alexandria and Brandon. What area are you from?.........I think I have narrowed our pre-cruise hotel down to the Hampton Inn or Courtyard Marriott, both in Isla Verde. I was trying to use our gift cards but the Hampton has better reviews right now. I know that this could change!

 

We are from MN. Edina....but I grew up in St. Cloud, so I know Alex very well. I should check out reviews for the Hampton!

[greenscooter]

For those wondering, this is a very nice hotel very close to the airport and for cruise ship passengers. The beach, pool, and balcony views are very nice!!! We took the public bus to Old San Juan. A couple of blocks away is several nice restaurants and a store to buy last minute items. Personally, I felt more like I was on vacation at this hotel that any of the previous hotels we stayed at in Condado/Ashford area (La Concha, Le Consultant, HIE, and Coral Princess).

[LuckyZ]

I have been researching these places and they all sound nice. I came across the Courtyard Isla Verde.....Does anyone have any info on this place? Sounds too good to be true! And you know that old saying.........

 

Just got back from the Victory and stayed Sunday/Monday at Courtyard Marriott Isla Verde.

 

I have to say this was an excellent choice. Nice hotel and it's literally on the ocean. Their website does not do it enough justice.

Had a nice meal on Sunday night at Sirena restaurant outside near the beach. Great atmosphere.

 

But there's not much around it except other hotels so if you want activities or shopping near the hotel, this is not the location for you.

 

I highly recommend this one.

[luvtotravel2011]

I have stayed in the Curtyard Isla Verde several times and of all the Marriotts in PR it has the best beach by far. It is the last hotel in the Isla Verde strip, after the Ritz Carlton, which is why the beach is less crouded and more private. Also, the Courtyard Isla Verde is very close to the airport and only a 15 minute cab ride to Old San Juan. I stay there every time and recommend it in a blink of an eye!

 

Good Luck!

[aggiemom11]

Thanks for all the raves about Marriot Courtyard Isle Verde. We will be there April 12-14. Are there any good restaurants in the area that you would suggest?? Is there anywhere to buy wine before we head to the cruise ship?

[KrAzYGaL]

Hi we stayed courtyard isla verde 2 days pre cruise in January 2011. Walking towards the ritz carlton there is a drug store/market and also a place to buy some wines and liquors. ..If I remember right there was a place to buy wine also in the cruise terminal. There are restaurants at the hotel, but not a lot in the immediate area. Really loved the hotel, and I believe all rooms had some sort of ocean view and balcony. Sometimes they played live music in the lobby at night, and it could get a little loud in the lobby if that bothers you. I would definitely go back for the price, great being on the beach!!

[LuckyZ]

There are restaurants in the hotel, in other nearby hotels, and a Chile's down the street across the road

[treasure4two]

The Marriott Stellaris is a great place to stay but, we've also stayed at the Courtyard San Juan Miramar which was also nice. This hotel is closer to the Royal Caribbean dock.

 

d

I just put a question on this site asking about the Courtyard San Juan Miramar, as we are using our Marriott points. Do you know how far it is from Barrachinas in Old San Juan, as we have dinner reservations there.

We are going out on Carnival Victory-are their docks close? Thank you.

[SuchAVirgo]

We had some marriot gift cards also and stayed at La Concha. On the marriot website it gives you an option to make reservations at the Ritz however they do not accept the marriot gift cards.

[CRIUSERBOOZER!]

Hi Somber06 / All.

 

Thought the same thing about the Courtyard in Isla Verde being to good to be true for the price. I then read people were "winning it for ~$100 for Jan 2013 on Priceline which made it even sound better. After weeks of trying from $80-100 on Priceline I gave up and actually booked the Hampton Inn (Isla Verde) on Hotels.com who price matched another site for $130 w/taxes for 4 people pre-cruise.

 

A couple days ago I decided to try Priceline again for a post-cruise hotel. I bid $101 and got the Courtyard in Isla Verde 1st try :D. After seeing I won the hotel I had wanted, I booked an additional night there as well.

 

Booking hotels can be a hassel, but doing your homework & being persistant / patient can payoff. I am happy with both my hotels, and the prices I paid. Plus now I can compare the 2.

 

Good luck to all, and enjoy your cruises! :):):)

[avonmiller]

we are staying there in july..it looks nice an had pretty good reviews...anyway its only for 1 nite..

[jasminelee]

Need some advice form all the experts out there, please.

We will be arriving back to SJ on Dec 16 (Sun) and will probably carry our own luggage off, so we can disembark early.

We have a flight out the next afternoon (Mon) around 4:30. Would we be better off staying closer to the airport or in OSJ area, which is closer to the port?

thanks in advance

[daliflor]

I just put a question on this site asking about the Courtyard San Juan Miramar, as we are using our Marriott points. Do you know how far it is from Barrachinas in Old San Juan, as we have dinner reservations there.

 

We are going out on Carnival Victory-are their docks close? Thank you.

 

From the Miramar Mariott Hotel (number 4 on the map below), you need a taxi ($15.00 USD) or the local bus (catch it right outside the hotel, down the street/ main avenue) to Old San Juan:

 

 

[jasminelee]

Need some advice form all the experts out there, please.

We will be arriving back to SJ on Dec 16 (Sun) and will probably carry our own luggage off, so we can disembark early.

We have a flight out the next afternoon (Mon) around 4:30. Would we be better off staying closer to the airport or in OSJ area, which is closer to the port?

thanks in advance

[mrs. z]

We will be staying here next week. Are there any interesting restaurants around the hotel? Don't mind hotel food but would prefer some puerto rican food while we are there. Thanks.