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Unexpected airline change -- what to do, where to stay?


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Posted

Hi all...

Thanks to an unexpected change in our flight from San Juan back home -- we are going to be staying an extra day post-cruise. Here's where I could use some help!

 

We are flying in early on Friday before our cruise and staying at El Convento. Yes, I know its expensive, but we just love how convenient it is to OSJ.

 

However we now have an extra day post cruise and are thinking we'd love to go see the rainforest. Should we stay in OSJ again? Or is there someplace that would be more convenient to getting in and out of town to go the rainforest? Also -- next question: How do we get to the rainforest??? We really would rather NOT rent a car, as neither of us is really all that great at navigating.

 

Thanks for the help.

Ann

Posted (edited)

If you like El Convento, and you want to do the rainforest thing for that extra day, take a look at renting a car and staying out near Fajardo at either the St. Regis Bahia Beach or El Conquistador. Lately, it seems that Hilton is dumping low rates at El Conquistador (it is a Waldorf-Astoria hotel, so part of Hilton), where Starwood (St. Regis is a *wood brand) keeps their rates pretty static. From either property, it would be easy to get to El Yunque and back to the airport. If you want to be driven to the properties, it can be arranged through the appropriate concierge. And, the concierges are able to book a tour if you desire…

 

People don't utilize Concierge services enough. Usually, they have an email contact nowadays where you can discuss options and set up transportation/activities/dining pre-arrival. And, it's a service of the hotels and using the Concierge does not cost extra. Just an advertisement for some of my friends who are Concierges;)

Edited by slidergirl
Posted

El San Juan Resort and Casino, Intercontinental and The Ritz hotels are near the airport on the beach. They would be convenient for going to the airport for your flight home.

Posted

There are some good hotels over in the Fajardo area (by El Yunque) or just stay in the Condado area by San Juan and find an excursion from a concierge or vendor, usually they can arrange to come pick you up at whatever hotel. Really driving there is not very hard just get the GPS unit when you rent the car and it will take you right there. Good luck :D

Posted

Thanks for everyone's advice.

I ended up doing the Priceline thing and got the Marriott for our 5/31 stay.

 

I'm going to try the suggestion of checking with the concierge in advance of our stay, to see if we can arrange a trip to El Yunque when we arrive at the hotel that morning.

 

I too believe people don't utilize the concierge enough. I usually drop in and speak to them for dining recommendations and the such. They sometimes have little "freebies" they'll give you. The concierge at the hotel we stayed at in FLL gave us some coupons for free appetizers at nearby restaurants, and set us up with a ride to the port the next morning in a private Suburban. It was so nice to walk around everyone lining up for cabs and hop into our big SUV!

 

Ann

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