OSU MOM Posted October 22, 2006 #1 Share Posted October 22, 2006 I am trying to decide what hotel to stay in a couple days before our cruise out of San Juan. Please give me recomendations--both of where to stay and where not to stay. We would like to be on the beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckrobyn Posted October 22, 2006 #2 Share Posted October 22, 2006 I am trying to decide what hotel to stay in a couple days before our cruise out of San Juan. Please give me recomendations--both of where to stay and where not to stay. We would like to be on the beach. We did a 4 night pre-cruise stay in January at the Marriott Courtyard Isle Verde. It is right on the beach, and a very nice property that is reasonably priced compared to other hotels in the area. The food is good and they have a really nice pool area as well. We would stay there again in February when we do our B2B this February, but they are sold out the night before the cruise :( We are booked at the new Marriott Courtyard Miramar instead - this hotel is not on the beach.... Good luck with your decision..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diamond girl 000 Posted October 22, 2006 #3 Share Posted October 22, 2006 We really liked the Hilton Caribe. Beachfront, good restaurants, nice rooms. We frequently stay at Hilton properties and think that this is one of their nicer places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbird1 Posted October 22, 2006 #4 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Do yourself a favor and stay in one of the nicer hotels like the ones mentioned. I would not recommend the Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western (think that is it) across the street. Pay a little more money and you will be happy. I might add that hotels in San Juan are expensive for what you get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSU MOM Posted October 22, 2006 Author #5 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Thanks for the info. Can you tell me if booking through RCI is better than booking the hotel myself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherry7 Posted October 22, 2006 #6 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Also, check out the hotel reviews on tripadvisor.com. I agree with the above poster, SJ hotels are very expensive for what you get. Last year, for our pre-night stay there, I ended up doing Priceline to avoid paying $250-$300 for a one night stay. Oh, and you asked about booking through RCI and through the hotel themselves. Personally, I would just book it myself...it's usually less expensive, and you have more control over the reservation if you do it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunlover5 Posted October 22, 2006 #7 Share Posted October 22, 2006 If you are familiar with Priceline people are bidding and getting the Caribe Hilton at great prices. We are going 3 days prior to our cruise the end of Feb. and we got the 3 nights for 75.00 a night. SOme have gotten it for 65.00 or 70.00. Just remember you can't cancel or change it!! Good Luck! Also we had a backup reservation in case we didn't get a deal on priceline. It was for the Hampton Inn and Suites. They really got great reviews on tripadvisor, but it is not on the beach. Seems everyone was happy with this place, very close to the airport but most said the noise was not a factor in the rooms, only at the pool. Might want to check this out. A lot of restaurants near by it too! Good Luck!! (We're from Ohio too!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsb Posted October 22, 2006 #8 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Got 2 different nights for $85/night. Cancelled the Coral Princess and Best Western at $100/night. Radisson gets good reviews on tripadvisor. Good location and large rooms. The Coral, El Consulado are nice places, but their rooms are much smaller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser21 Posted October 22, 2006 #9 Share Posted October 22, 2006 When you bid with Priceline, do they guaranty a room for four. There is four in our family precruise SJU and are not sure if I should book with Priceline because of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted October 22, 2006 #10 Share Posted October 22, 2006 The Hilton Caribe is one of the hotels recommended by RCI. You'll find the recommendations in the back of the brochures.. However, I would highly recommend the Condado Plaza Hotel. It's ocean-front with crashing waves. And, you can see the cruise pier from it. Go OSU!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemylab Posted October 22, 2006 #11 Share Posted October 22, 2006 El Convento is highly recommended by many on this board - we are planning to stay there pre-cruise next November. It is not on a beach but it is in the heart of Old San Juan. They do offer guests a pass to the Isla Verde Beach Resort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggieq Posted October 22, 2006 #12 Share Posted October 22, 2006 We have stayed for a week at the El San Juan. This was back in 2002 when it was in much better shape. From the reviews I've read it has gone down hill. In 2005 we stayed at the caribe hilton....not worth the money. Rusty, dirty room....not impressed. This resort though has the potential to be a super resort if they would put the money into it. In 2006 we stayed at the intercontinental. We liked this one alot. I know it is expensive. We didn't go thru priceline though so not sure if this is a hotel you can get thru them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texancruzer Posted October 22, 2006 #13 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Unfortunately in San Juan the old addage of "you get what you pay for" rings very true..... and you pay dearly.... That said....we stayed at El Convento last November (arrived on Thanksgiving so paid "holiday rate") and paid alot for our 2 nights..... but I wanted to stay in old San Juan at this hotel.... it was our 25th anniversary trip (3 days/2 nites in San Juan and the cruise) so we did. There are other smaller "boutique" hotels that are overlooked..... with prices that are reasonable (at least for San Juan). One is the Numero Uno Guesthouse in Isla Verde on the beach. Used to be a large private residence and is now a small hotel. check out www.numero1guesthouse.com I will consider staying there if and when we get back to Puerto Rico. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AspiringCindy Posted October 22, 2006 #14 Share Posted October 22, 2006 I like the Wyndham Condado Plaza Hotel! Having stayed at MANY of San Juan's Hotels...my vote is based on Price, location, beach, pool and choices of eateries!! I thought the Caribe Hilton is a bit stuffy...both Radisson's are too basic, the Marriott is just average and The Intercontinental's location is not preferred(by me:rolleyes: )! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajbrath8077 Posted October 23, 2006 #15 Share Posted October 23, 2006 I too am looking for pre and post cruise hotels in San Juan. Cruise critics 'San Juan' message board really helped me make a decision (el convento - only hotel to have no bad reviews). Check it out!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSU MOM Posted October 23, 2006 Author #16 Share Posted October 23, 2006 I too am looking for pre and post cruise hotels in San Juan. Cruise critics 'San Juan' message board really helped me make a decision (el convento - only hotel to have no bad reviews).Check it out!!!! So I saw your wedding countdown---are you going on a cruise for your honeymoon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam84 Posted October 24, 2006 #17 Share Posted October 24, 2006 We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Isla Verde in June. It was absolutely wonderful. I travel quite extensively and have stayed at many 4 and 5 star hotels and this one is right up there. I was concerned and read some mixed reviews before going, but all my fears were unfounded. The staff was the finest I have ever encountered. It was our 25th anniversary and son's HS graduation. They made it very special. They had wine, cheese fruit and a cake upon arrival. The room was a bit small, but decorated lovely. We had a very nice view of the ocean and the pool. I have pictures at the attached link if you are interested. http://good-times.webshots.com/album/551917130ywthcE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindajeff Posted October 24, 2006 #18 Share Posted October 24, 2006 ... I would not recommend the Holiday Inn Express ... Even for one night? Don't want (and don't want to pay for) a resort experience. Just looking for a clean/safe place to sleep pre-cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsb Posted October 24, 2006 #19 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Even for one night? Don't want (and don't want to pay for) a resort experience. Just looking for a clean/safe place to sleep pre-cruise. You will be fine. Close to Ashford Ave with all the restaurants. I agree--why spend an arm and a leg just to sleep 8 hrs.??;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Booper Posted October 24, 2006 #20 Share Posted October 24, 2006 In 2005 we stayed at the caribe hilton....not worth the money. Rusty, dirty room....not impressed. This resort though has the potential to be a super resort if they would put the money into it. Which section of the Caribe did you stay in, the "new tower" which is now the older part or the main building which was heavily renovated several years ago? We stayed in the main building one year followed by the tower the next year and were disappointed in the tower, they have let it go downhill. And this was a couple of years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike & Sue Posted October 24, 2006 #21 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Even for one night? Don't want (and don't want to pay for) a resort experience. Just looking for a clean/safe place to sleep pre-cruise. We stayed one night pre cruise at the Hampton Inn, Isle Verde, about same price range as Holiday Inn. The Hampton is right on top of the airport but the rooms are very sound proof, outside the hotel is another thing. The Hampton is also next to a Cock Fighting arena. Nevertheless, we felt very safe and comfortable there. On return we stayed two nights at the Intercontinental, which is across the street on the ocean side and down a few blocks. The pool complex there is fantastic, rooms ok, very strange little balconys with low railings,sort of scary if you are high up. Very little airport noise there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajbrath8077 Posted October 25, 2006 #22 Share Posted October 25, 2006 So I saw your wedding countdown---are you going on a cruise for your honeymoon? The wedding and the honeymoon are rolled into one. The wedding will be at the port on the ship in San Juan and then we're off!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cesarrcabrera Posted October 25, 2006 #23 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Hotel prices here in San Juan are indeed quite high (in fact, that is why I usually travel to the US or cruise for vacations)... However, many people are able to get the Caribe Hilton using Priceline... and it has been renovated quite a bit recently, and it is a very nice hotel... To say more, it has the only legally private beach in Puerto Rico (all other beaches are public property), so they can deny use of it to non-guests... Their pool is also very nice, and very close to the beach... If you want to save some cash, you can then consider the Coral Princess, which gets very nice reviews here... On the other end, if you do't mind the cash and being a bit far from the cruise terminal, then the Courtyard Marriott and the Ritz Carlton (both in Isla Verde) are a good choice (I prefer the Ritz)... And if you do go to the Ritz, then have dinner at their restaurant Prime 787. I've cruised a bit, and I've eaten in many steakhouses (I try to visit the top steakhouses anywhere I travel to); but this is just amazing... great taste and atmosphere... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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