Hotel on the beach???

[Joannel1958]

We are looking for a precruise hotel. We would like to stay on the beach. Any one have any suggestions for a reasonable hotel on the beach for a September 2014 stay? Thanks for all your help!

[sadie8]

The Caribe Hilton has their own beach. The Condado section has oceanfront hotels such as Marriott and La Concha. Also the Isla Verde area has oceanfront resorts, the Intercontinental and El San Juan are on a great stretch of beach. We've had good luck saving a little bit of money by booking through Priceline and Hotwire.

[pghsteelerfan]

For our cruise this past May, we flew in a day before our cruise and a hotel on the beach is what we wanted. We were going to try to stay closer to Old San Juan (closer to the cruise terminal) but the prices there were more than we wanted to pay since all we needed was a clean room and a beach to enjoy the afternoon. We looked into Isla Verde (right near the airport) and found there was a Courtyard by Marriott - Isla Verde beach, which was within our price range, so booked it. We were really impressed because it's a nice hotel (resort really, including a casino which we did not take advantage of). There are hotel restaurants, including a buffet, where we ate. The beach is beautiful and we spent the whole afternoon there. They have service (food/drinks) that come out to the loungers. There are flags attached to the loungers so that if you'd like a menu, just put the flag up and someone will be out. Checkout wasn't until noon so there was no rush to leave. The taxi ride from the hotel to the cruise ship terminal was only 20 minutes. I'll attach some pictures.

 

View of the Courtyard from the beach

 

View of Isla Verde Beach from our balcony (we were on the 8th floor)

 

View out the windows by the elevators of the beach and Courtyard's pool area (we did not use the pool, but it looked very nice)

 

Isla Verde beach in front of the Courtyard

[Joannel1958]

Thank you.

[monicajay]

We stayed there once for 3 nights and were pleased too.

[Luke gs Daddy]

We stayed there once for 3 nights and were pleased too.

 

Are there stores along the road close by the hotel to get supplies before you head to the port?

 

Beer, wine, water soda and liquor things such like?

[pghsteelerfan]

Are there stores along the road close by the hotel to get supplies before you head to the port?

 

Beer, wine, water soda and liquor things such like?

 

I can't remember anything near the Courtyard, but we didn't leave the property until we took the cab to the ship. I noticed you'll be on Valor like we were. It did not take long for us to get on the ship (I think we were on the ship in a half hour after our taxi dropped us off) and once the rooms were ready (1:30PM), we got back off and walked to the fort. There is a CVS right near the pier and I've seen reviews where many others have gotten off Valor and gone over to CVS for supplies. I know you can bring one bottle of wine per person but they won't allow beer or liquor...however, San Juan is has the best smuggling options. We didn't try it, but if you do a search there are several explanations on how to get it on. There are duty free shops right after checking in and boarding Valor. One of them is all liquor and they offer free samples.

[PORT ROYAL]

Are there stores along the road close by the hotel to get supplies before you head to the port?

 

Beer, wine, water soda and liquor things such like?

 

Do not forget to pack your Rum Runners!

[Luke gs Daddy]

I can't remember anything near the Courtyard, but we didn't leave the property until we took the cab to the ship. I noticed you'll be on Valor like we were. It did not take long for us to get on the ship (I think we were on the ship in a half hour after our taxi dropped us off) and once the rooms were ready (1:30PM), we got back off and walked to the fort. There is a CVS right near the pier and I've seen reviews where many others have gotten off Valor and gone over to CVS for supplies. I know you can bring one bottle of wine per person but they won't allow beer or liquor...however, San Juan is has the best smuggling options. We didn't try it, but if you do a search there are several explanations on how to get it on. There are duty free shops right after checking in and boarding Valor. One of them is all liquor and they offer free samples.

 

Do not forget to pack your Rum Runners!

 

 

This will be our 2nd cruise out of San Juan and the last time we stayed in the Conado(sp) area and we were able to stock up.

The CVS is an option however, I would like to have all I want before I get there so I have better choices on beverages.

I do have my RR and I have been lucky packing a case of beer and it getting on. Also, there is the duty free shop after check in before that I was lucky last time the purchases made it on no problem.

Imagine that.

Thanks for the replies.

[girlscruise2011]

This will be our 2nd cruise out of San Juan and the last time we stayed in the Conado(sp) area and we were able to stock up.

The CVS is an option however, I would like to have all I want before I get there so I have better choices on beverages.

I do have my RR and I have been lucky packing a case of beer and it getting on. Also, there is the duty free shop after check in before that I was lucky last time the purchases made it on no problem.

Imagine that.

Thanks for the replies.

 

Beer? Really? Wouldn't that suitcase be heavy :confused:;)

 

DH and I are Bud Light drinkers so I'm very interested in your statement

[Luke gs Daddy]

Beer? Really? Wouldn't that suitcase be heavy :confused:;)

 

DH and I are Bud Light drinkers so I'm very interested in your statement

 

We usually take a type of tote bin with us packed with our snorkel gear and a few extra things packed in it along with a case of beer and hope for the best.

Out of 10 plus cruises I have never been to the naughty room to retrieve my piece of luggage.

One time in Miami 2 years ago I just walked on with it in my hands and no one said a thing, I could not believe it.

When I take my water and soda on I just use an extra rolling suit case no issues there as far as weight and we do not usually board until 1 pm so our cabins are ready when we board.

 

I figured beer is not that much so risk vs. reward is worth it to me and besides I like the excitement it brings to me.

DW thinks I am a little loco!

[girlscruise2011]

We usually take a type of tote bin with us packed with our snorkel gear and a few extra things packed in it along with a case of beer and hope for the best.

Out of 10 plus cruises I have never been to the naughty room to retrieve my piece of luggage.

One time in Miami 2 years ago I just walked on with it in my hands and no one said a thing, I could not believe it.

When I take my water and soda on I just use an extra rolling suit case no issues there as far as weight and we do not usually board until 1 pm so our cabins are ready when we board.

 

I figured beer is not that much so risk vs. reward is worth it to me and besides I like the excitement it brings to me.

DW thinks I am a little loco!

 

In Miami back in October 2011 for my girlscruise, they shook every bottle of water I had in my carry on so I find it hard to believe too that they let you on with a case of beer. You are my hero :D

 

Last May a friend sailing with us didn't drink all his precruise beer so he packed it in his checked luggage and it was there when his luggage came.

My problem? I don't like canned beer. I usually drink bottles or the aluminum bottles the ship has.

 

Who knows. Maybe if I find some aluminum bottles in San Juan, I'll give it a try. Worse case, they take them and at least I have a story to tell on the boards ;)

[pghsteelerfan]

Luke gs Daddy, you wouldn't happened to have been on Carnival Miracle for a western Caribbean cruise in 2006 would you? First day at sea we met three couples from OH, and each of the guys smuggled a case of beer in their main suitcase and the gals had rum & tequila and they got it all on the ship. Might have been before Carnival really started checking.

[luvtotravel2011]

I have stayed at the Courtyard Isla Verde and they definitely have the best beach. It is the same beach as the Ritz Carlton (right next door) for a much more reasonable price!

 

Have fun! :)

[DragonOfTheSeas]

I also had a good experience at the Courtyard Marriott. It is right on the water and a lovely hotel. There is a Walgreen's about a 5 block walk in a small shopping center on the water. They had lots of wine, water and sodas right inside the door. They certainly knew there customers. :p

 

 

Also, there was a Hampton Inn and an Embassy Suites across the street from the water. I thought we might try them next time. [i like hotels with breakfast included] Also, they were less than a block from Walgreen's

 

We really liked Isla Verde. I had promised DH a couple of quiet beach days. [we had been to SJU 3 times before] Our traveling companions took a tour arranged through the hotel. They really liked it. It included all of the usual sites in Old SJU and a tour of the Bacardi factory. So, you do not need to miss out on touring just because you stay on the beach.

 

PS --there was a Hampton Inn and an Embassy Suites across the street from the water. I thought we might try them next time. [i like hotels with breakfast included] Also, they were less than a block from Walgreen's.