San Juan hotels

[cranddr]

We are leaving out of San Juan on AOS, in february, for the first time, not sure of the area where the port is. can anyone suggest hotels in the area of the port for a one night stay?

[sandy toes]

Did you check the ports section? There are great reviews of various hotels in SJ. You can even walk to ship!!! (about a block) or take taxi very inexpensive)We have used the Sheraton Old SJ several times when traveling with family that wants to watch the ships sail in. Nice roof top pool. Hard Rock Cafe in easy walking distance along with many other quality dining choices. There are other hotels father out offering beach front but IMHO I am going on a cruise and will get my beach time so I want to enjoy the sights of old town.

[Virtopia]

In September, I stayed in the Doubletree Hilton in Condado. I really enjoyed the hotel and the ease to get to OSJ (75 cents on the bus.) I'd definitely stay in this hotel again. It was about $20 for me to get to the port on embarkation day.

 

 

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[TC1957]

We stayed at the Caribe Hilton in August before and after our cruise...loved the place.

[bouhunter]

You can even walk to ship!!! (about a block).

 

There are ships that dock in Old San Juan, but not the RCCL ships that are departing from there. It would be a LONG walk to Adventure or Jewel from Old San Juan.....

[britty1]

San Juan hotels are quite expensive. We are going in April and we booked best western, have not stayed there but the reviews on trip advisor are ok. I am sure you can get a better deal on some of the internet sites

[OttoCal]

Adventure docks at the Pan Am Pier, not in Old San Juan. Look on Google Maps to see- you will see a small airstrip (this is NOT the airport that you will fly in to San Juan...). Many people stay in the Condado area, for either the more upscale resorts (Marriott and La Concha are popular) or mid-range places (Doubletree, Le Consulat), and there are budget options there also. It depends on how long you will be in San Juan before your cruise and what you want to do. Another good option is to stay closer to the airport in the Isla Verde area, where the beach is nicer.

 

No matter where you stay, you will need a taxi from your hotel to the ship. This is easy, and your hotel can call the taxi for you. They will drop you off right at the pier.

 

Also, it is easy to get a taxi from the airport. The fares are regulated by the zone you are going to. Get in line for the taxi stand, and when you are next, tell the attendant what hotel you are going to, and the street name or neighborhood (in case there is a hotel with a similar name). They will give you a slip of paper to give to the taxi driver. You do pay extra about $1 per bag for your luggage.

 

Decide your budget and hotel style, then pick from the choices. Everyone likes something different. There are lots of threads about hotels on the San Juan port page. We are sailing on Adventure in a few weeks, and are staying at Doubletree, Caribe Hilton, and Le Consulat. Those options are all over the place as far as location, budget and hotel offerings. :cool:

[CntPAcruiser]

We found the Hampton Inn Isla Verde to be decent, clean, and reasonable for a one-night stay. There are restaurants in the neighborhood and a supermarket a few blocks away for picking up wine to take along. As others have mentioned, you would need to take a cab from this hotel to the port. I recommend taking a printout of your confirmation showing the agreed-upon price, as the morning of checkout, the charge was higher than we anticipated until we showed them our reservation e-mail, and then they honored that price.

[audome78]

I recommend taking a printout of your confirmation showing the agreed-upon price, as the morning of checkout, the charge was higher than we anticipated until we showed them our reservation e-mail, and then they honored that price.

 

I agree...we had the same thing happen at that Hampton Inn. Once I showed them the reservation info, they honored that price. The hotel is nice, they had a "manager's reception" when we were there in March- free wine and beer.

 

Plenty of restaurant options- and about a 4 block walk to the beach!

[Loves_Dogs]

We found the Hampton Inn Isla Verde to be decent, clean, and reasonable for a one-night stay. There are restaurants in the neighborhood and a supermarket a few blocks away for picking up wine to take along. As others have mentioned, you would need to take a cab from this hotel to the port. I recommend taking a printout of your confirmation showing the agreed-upon price, as the morning of checkout, the charge was higher than we anticipated until we showed them our reservation e-mail, and then they honored that price.

 

I 2nd the Hampton Inn Isla Verde. It is clean and comfortable. The breakfast that's included is pretty decent too. There are also several restaurants within walking distance for your dinner.

[Debde]

I 2nd the Hampton Inn Isla Verde. It is clean and comfortable. The breakfast that's included is pretty decent too. There are also several restaurants within walking distance for your dinner.

 

And I third it!!:D

Stay there every time we sail out of SJ. everything you need within walking distance. Good drinks and burgers at the pool bar.;)

[davekathy]

And I third it!!:D

Stay there every time we sail out of SJ. everything you need within walking distance. Good drinks and burgers at the pool bar.;)

 

...and I fourth it! Also the Embassy Suites is another one we like. Staying there for our March/April 2014 B2B Cruise.

[jaspercat]

The Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and Casino / Convention Center on Convention Boulevard --- it is very close to the PanAm pier, you will see the ships in port; a great infinity pool!

[jb008]

Check your port, RCI normally uses PanAm (Pan-American Pier) for embarkation/disembarkation. There were some hotels that were marginally within walking distance, but there was no sidewalk or walking area marked to safely do so. You'll be sharing the road as a pedestrian with motor vehicles.

 

You'd be safer seeing about a shared taxi or a shuttle service from the hotel to the pier.

 

We stayed at the Embassy Suites, which included a nice breakfast with the room and had some designated beach space for guests a short walk away. I'll consider them again for our next trip to SJU.

 

The fare structure of taxis in San Juan is such that you should figure ~$20 per cab ride (give or take a few bucks) and that it will be flat rate from airport to hotel, and hotel to pier. They also use zones to calculate taxi fares from district to district, so if you plan to go in a day early, figure another $40 bucks to get from hotel to OSJ and back (there's a free visitor shuttle that ferries people around within OSJ, and you could take public transit for $0.75/pp per ride - exact change only).

[primo1]

If you want a true feel for PR, and staying only 1 night. Splurge a little and consider the El Convento. Very short cab ride to Pier. You wont regret it.

[Rewind]

I'll toss in my vote for La Concha - absolutely beautiful. Swimming in one of the two infinity pools next to the beach, the trees, the luxury; it was amazing. Book through one of the deal sites and save a lot (we got ours for less than half price).

[viper548]

We stayed two nights at the Marriott Courtyard in Isla Verde. It was a great hotel and reasonably priced. It was a $20 taxi to the ship.

[charleyroo]

I vote Caribe Hilton. feels like your vacation has started as soon as you arrive!

 

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[tiessa]

If you want a true feel for PR, and staying only 1 night. Splurge a little and consider the El Convento. Very short cab ride to Pier. You wont regret it.

 

 

Glad to hear this, primo1! We are going 2 nights before our cruise and are staying at El Convento. Everything I've heard and read about it made me want to stay there at least once! I'm really looking forward to it!

[cranddr]

Thank you everyone for all your information and suggestions. A lot of the hotels mentioned have nothing available already, so maybe I'm a little late. We did book the Best Western in Condado, reasonable rates, a bar and good reviews. Thank you again everyone!

 

 

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[MJonTravel]

I second the El Convento. Recently stayed there 2 nights pre cruise. A wonderful hotel, with excellent service, and true character.

[davekathy]

Check your port, RCI normally uses PanAm (Pan-American Pier) for embarkation/disembarkation. There were some hotels that were marginally within walking distance, but there was no sidewalk or walking area marked to safely do so. You'll be sharing the road as a pedestrian with motor vehicles.

 

You'd be safer seeing about a shared taxi or a shuttle service from the hotel to the pier.

 

We stayed at the Embassy Suites, which included a nice breakfast with the room and had some designated beach space for guests a short walk away. I'll consider them again for our next trip to SJU.

 

The fare structure of taxis in San Juan is such that you should figure ~$20 per cab ride (give or take a few bucks) and that it will be flat rate from airport to hotel, and hotel to pier. They also use zones to calculate taxi fares from district to district, so if you plan to go in a day early, figure another $40 bucks to get from hotel to OSJ and back (there's a free visitor shuttle that ferries people around within OSJ, and you could take public transit for $0.75/pp per ride - exact change only).

 

Do you know if the Public Transit has a pick up spot close to the Embassy Suites?

[sellwingri]

I'm with the Embassy Suite votes. We stayed there pre-cruise a couple of years ago and will be staying there again in March. We love free cocktails, full breakfast buffet and awesome suites.

 

I don't exactly remember the exact amount but I think cab fare to the RCCL pier is only $20

[nana by 2]

We are booked at Miramar. Short distance by cab to pier.

 

139.00 nightly very reasonable

[Cruiser052]

We just took the southern Caribbean cruise in the Jewel of the Seas - 10/26/13 - 11/2/13 and stay the night before our cruise at the Sheraton Puerto Rico - Convention Center Hotal & Casino that is extremely close to the Pam Am pier. We paid for the transfer from hotel to pier. So reasonable. This hotel was very nice and clean and friendly staff. As we did not know where to stay, not knowing Puerto Rico at all.... So we booked this through Royal Caribbean. It may have been more expensive that way, but we felt confident and comfortable and we could see our ship from the Hotel. Enjoy your stay and cruise.