Stay in the Condado or Old San Juan?

[weebo]

I've been reading everyone's suggestions regarding where to stay in San Juan (the night before and the night after our cruise) in December. ...But I'm no closer to making a decision.

 

Many of the hotels say they are in the Condado or in Old San Juan district and that these are great areas for walking around. Can you tell me which one you picked to be near and why?

 

We are considering the Marriott Stellaris, Doubletree Candado, or the Hampton Inn and Suites which is in neither place but close to the airport. I'm open to considering other hotels as well. BTW -My hubby wants a big chain and not the boutique-type smaller hotels.:rolleyes:

 

Honestly the more research I do the more confusing it is. Most of the better hotels won't let you reserve just one night.

[LiveToCruise99]

I believe the Marriott & Stellaris Casino Hotel is in Condado and would be a lovely spot. There is also a Sheraton in old San Juan near the old city docks (depending on your ship this could be where it's docked). Both would meet your criteria if they allow one night stays.

[snyniew]

It really depends on what time you arrive and what you want to do while there. If flying in the day before and you arrive early and want to see the forts and plazas and such then Old San Juan in more where you'd want to stay. If you are arriving later in the day you may want to stay closer to the Pan American Pier if you are planning on getting on the ship earlier in the day, if later then Old San Juan is still an option for the reason above.

 

If you want a hotel w/ a beach and pool then you'd want to look in the Condado area. Last year I just wanted to be in the sun by the pool/beach so choose the Condado Plaza Hilton. This year my nieces are coming w/ me and have never been to San Juan so will want to explore Old San Juan so I choose to stay at Chateau Cervantes which is a boutique hotel in OSJ.

 

If your husband wants a large chain hotel vs the boutique hotel you aren't going to find many options in OSJ other than Sheraton. If you choose to stay in Condado or Isle Verde you can still explore OSJ it will just involve either a taxi or bus ride to get there.

 

I'm on the same cruise as you and haven't booked the hotel yet as I haven't gotten my flights yet so not sure what time I will be arriving. That will determine where I stay.

[sail7seas]

You also could choose to stay closer to the airport in the Isla Verde section.

The Ritz Hotel, El San Juan Resort and Casino and Intercontinental, among others, are located right on the beach.

[weebo]

Thank you, everyone, for the information.

We are flying in the day before the cruise but our flight doesn't get in until 2pm. I figure it will be 3pm by the time we get to our hotel. Is this too late to start walking around Old San Juan? I imagine the forts close at 5pm...?

 

We have looked at the Intercontinental; that looks like a good hotel for the post cruise stay. We will probably just want to lay by the pool or on the beach by then.

[Luvmypups]

It really just depends on what you are looking to do. We've stayed at the Ritz a couple of times, the Intercontinental once, Marriott Stellaris 2 times, and the Condado Vanderbilt. Our preference is the Condado Vanderbilt....very nice (we actually got a better price on this than we did on the Marriott or the Ritz). The Intercontinental was our least favorite but it is still nice.

 

However, we prefer the Marriott and Vanderbilt Condado because of the area.......nice restaurants within walking distance. We usually just take a cab to Old San Juan for the day.

[pdc2013]

I've been reading everyone's suggestions regarding where to stay in San Juan (the night before and the night after our cruise) in December. ...But I'm no closer to making a decision.

 

Many of the hotels say they are in the Condado or in Old San Juan district and that these are great areas for walking around. Can you tell me which one you picked to be near and why?

 

We are considering the Marriott Stellaris, Doubletree Candado, or the Hampton Inn and Suites which is in neither place but close to the airport. I'm open to considering other hotels as well. BTW -My hubby wants a big chain and not the boutique-type smaller hotels.:rolleyes:

 

Honestly the more research I do the more confusing it is. Most of the better hotels won't let you reserve just one night.

 

if you like walking around and experiencing history Old San Juan, there is a Sheraton there. if you prefer beach i would suggest Isla Verde and there a few chain hotels there. Still some walking you can do but not the same at all.

[Mango Tango]

Thank you, everyone, for the information.

We are flying in the day before the cruise but our flight doesn't get in until 2pm. I figure it will be 3pm by the time we get to our hotel. Is this too late to start walking around Old San Juan? I imagine the forts close at 5pm...?

 

We have looked at the Intercontinental; that looks like a good hotel for the post cruise stay. We will probably just want to lay by the pool or on the beach by then.

We've stayed at the Intercontinental for a few days before a cruise. We liked the hotel and it has a beautiful pool area and nice beach.

[kansascruiser1]

Sounds like you've received several good idea's. I agree with Sheri, lovemypups. We've been to San Juan 8 times since 09. Our next trip is the end of April. We arrive 3 days prior to our cruise cause we love it so much. We are creatures of habit I'm afraid. We've always stayed at the Marriott Stellaris on Condado Beach. Since you are getting in mid-afternoon, time you get your luggage arrive to the hotel and get situated, you'll be there in time for happy hour at the Stellaris 4 to 6. 2 for 1 beers! Every year we do research to stay somewhere else but we can never pull the trigger. We've always received great service from the Stellaris, have no complaints actually. They do have a nice bar right beside the casino. On the week ends it's a happening place. The casino has been very good to me in the past. Stellaris is located on Avenida Avenue which has all types of restaurants, Walmart and CVS located 1/2 block away. We do take a cab into San Juan when we want to go walking around or eat at the Parrot Club, one of our favorites in old san juan. There is many good restaurants in OSJ. If you stay at the Marriott you should walk to La Placita. We usually go there on a Thursday and/or Friday night. It's a happening place. All the locals are getting ready for the week end, everyone is out to relax and have fun. Bands playing everywhere. People are so friendly. Santaella, Asere and Jose Enrique restaurants are located in La Placita. We've eaten at all 3 and each one is excellent. By day it's a market and at night it turns into parties, bands, bars, restaurants. So much fun. The first time we went to San Juan in 09, we flew down the day before the cruise. Each year we go back we've extended our stay by a day. We are going on Adventure of the Sea's April 30th. We will be arriving to our favorite, The Stellaris on April 26th just in time to watch the sunset and enjoy happy hour and 3 days before we get on the cruise ship. Good luck with your choice, you can't go wrong in San Juan.

[weebo]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I appreciate the help.

 

I think we've decided on staying at the Sheraton in OSJ. Its not as expensive as some of the others.

[Stinger-pr]

The casino has been very good to me in the past. Stellaris is located on Avenida Avenue which has all types of restaurants, Walmart and CVS located 1/2 block away.

 

Actually, the name of the Avenue is Ashford Avenue. CVS is in the same corner that the Marriott Stellaris sit at and across the street there's a Walgreens. There is in fact a Walmart nearby but it's about the same walk as to La Placita (about 15 minutes).