Isla Verde or Dorado Area

[shonandsuzie]

We are cruising out of San Juan in September and have 2 nights pre-cruise in SAn Juan. We are planning to stay at an Embassy Suites hotel. They have one in Isla Verde near the beach and they have one in the Dorado area. We don't know the pro's and con's of these areas. I have read lots of reviews about the Isle Verde area but haven't heard much of Dorado. Can you help us with any details???

[SouthernCaribbean]

We are cruising out of San Juan in September and have 2 nights pre-cruise in SAn Juan. We are planning to stay at an Embassy Suites hotel. They have one in Isla Verde near the beach and they have one in the Dorado area. We don't know the pro's and con's of these areas. I have read lots of reviews about the Isle Verde area but haven't heard much of Dorado. Can you help us with any details???

 

Dorado is about 25 miles from San Juan, so you would really need to get a rental if you plan to stay out that way. I stayed at the Hyatt before it closed a few years ago and had a great time at the resort.

[Big Sky Country]

We are cruising out of San Juan in September and have 2 nights pre-cruise in SAn Juan. We are planning to stay at an Embassy Suites hotel. They have one in Isla Verde near the beach and they have one in the Dorado area. We don't know the pro's and con's of these areas. I have read lots of reviews about the Isle Verde area but haven't heard much of Dorado. Can you help us with any details???

 

Both of the hotels are basically the same buildings. Embassy has a cookie cutter approach to these things. Isla Verde is very close to the airport. You'll hear the planes. It is only a couple of blocks from the beach.

 

Dorado is much quieter. The beach is man made (rock jetti and groomed sand). There is a golf course at the entrance. Infinity pools. It is a 25 minute drive out of the city (could be an issue unless you rent a car). Dorado is a local, wealthy community. It is the main choice for expats from the mainland US. Fewer restaurants, but plenty for a short stay. Nice coastal ambience. Nightlife is quiet.

 

The choice depends on what you are looking for. If you have more specific questions, I can help you. I was just there last week for 2 days for business meetings and been there frequently.

[shonandsuzie]

Thanks for the replies. It's so helpful to have people to talk to and get advice from. More than anything, while in San Juan, we want to lay by the beach and relax alot but also enjoy some of the nightlife, local restaraunts and maybe a casino or 2. We've been to Old San Juan on a previous cruise so this time we did want to see different things.

Since we're looking for this pre-cruise stay to be a way to wind down before our cruise, I don't think we'd want to bother with renting a car so maybe Isla Verde is the better option anyway. On the website it looked like the Dorado Embassy Suites was right on the beach but we couldn't tell what type of beach/water it was. I don't think I'd like a man made one?

[Big Sky Country]

Thanks for the replies. It's so helpful to have people to talk to and get advice from. More than anything, while in San Juan, we want to lay by the beach and relax alot but also enjoy some of the nightlife, local restaraunts and maybe a casino or 2. We've been to Old San Juan on a previous cruise so this time we did want to see different things.

Since we're looking for this pre-cruise stay to be a way to wind down before our cruise, I don't think we'd want to bother with renting a car so maybe Isla Verde is the better option anyway. On the website it looked like the Dorado Embassy Suites was right on the beach but we couldn't tell what type of beach/water it was. I don't think I'd like a man made one?

 

Based on your explanation, I'd look at Isla Verde. Those beaches are pretty nice. Everything is more accessible. Dorado is too far out to access nightlife without a rental car. When I say man-made, please don't interpret that as made with concrete and boardwalk. It is not. The beach is fine. It is just that they created a breakwater and combed the sands.

[kmsu2000]

I just came back from San Juan on May-23-07. I Spent 3 nights in San Juan after 7 days Carnival Southern Caribbean Cruise.

 

While in San Juan, I did checked out serveral beaches include Ocean park, Condado, Isla Verde and Luquillo. Isla Verde is the best one in San Juan area. The water is clear and blue but no white sands. Actually none of the beaches I visited have white sands. Please check out the pictures in my web site if you want to see the beach. The first 3 from L to R are Isla Verde and the rest are Luquillo beaches http://www.geocities.com/kmsu2000/caribbean/pr.html

 

I saw Embassy Suite in Isla Verde, it is right next to the freeway. I did not see the other side of the hotel, but it hard to believe the other side of the hotel is on the beach. I know for sure Mariott CourtYard and Ritz Carlton ara right on the beach. I rented my two beach chairs at Ritz Carlton for $10 http://www.geocities.com/kmsu2000/caribbean/prbeach02.jpg (The white building is Ritz and Mariott is the brown one).

 

You don't need a car if you stay in Isla Verde. Bus A4 will take you to Carnival Ship Terminal. B40 will take you to the airport. The bus station is one block from Ritz Hotel. Even Isla Verde is very close to the airport, but the noise is not that bad at all.

[kmsu2000]

I just came back from San Juan on May-23-07. I Spent 3 nights in San Juan after 7 days Carnival Southern Caribbean Cruise.

 

While in San Juan, I did checked out serveral beaches include Ocean park, Condado, Isla Verde and Luquillo. Isla Verde is the best one in San Juan area. The water is clear and blue but no white sands. Actually none of the beaches I visited have white sands. Please check out the pictures in my web site if you want to see the beach. The first 3 from L to R are Isla Verde and the rest are Luquillo beaches http://www.geocities.com/kmsu2000/caribbean/pr.html

 

I saw Embassy Suite in Isla Verde, it is right next to the freeway. I did not see the other side of the hotel, but it hard to believe the other side of the hotel is on the beach. I know for sure Mariott CourtYard and Ritz Carlton ara right on the beach. I rented my two beach chairs at Ritz Carlton for $10 http://www.geocities.com/kmsu2000/caribbean/prbeach02.jpg (The white building is Ritz and Mariott is the brown one).

 

You don't need a car if you stay in Isla Verde. Bus A4 will take you to Carnival Ship Terminal. B40 will take you to the airport. The bus station is one block from Ritz Hotel. Even Isla Verde is very close to the airport, but the noise is not that bad at all.

[polodad]

We were in San Juan 3 weeks ago and stayed at the Marriott Stellaris for 1 night precruise. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. It has recently been remodeled. The pool is to die for, the rooms are gorgeous and it is beachfront. The Tuscany restaurant was quite good for Italian food and there is a casino in the building. Good deals available for it on Priceline. Busy time so I needed to bid $125 which with fees/tax came to $155. But still a deal I think.

[shonandsuzie]

Thank you. The picture of the beach looks exactly like what we are looking for! I know that the Embassy Suites is not on the beach. It says 2 blocks away. Did it look like too far of a walk to you? Were there other hotels really close to the Embassy Suites or just highways? We like some of the hotels right on the beach but the prices have been just too high for us. Thanks again for your help.

[shonandsuzie]

We were in San Juan 3 weeks ago and stayed at the Marriott Stellaris for 1 night precruise. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. It has recently been remodeled. The pool is to die for, the rooms are gorgeous and it is beachfront. The Tuscany restaurant was quite good for Italian food and there is a casino in the building. Good deals available for it on Priceline. Busy time so I needed to bid $125 which with fees/tax came to $155. But still a deal I think.

Yes. We saw the pictures of the Marriott Sellaris. That was our other choice because it looks so beautiful and CCs have had really good things to say. We have been to chicken to do Priceline but $155 that you got would be the right price for us. Someone on our role call was going to try to get it through Priceline and we are waiting to see the results and then maybe we'll take the leap! In the past we have had such good experiences at Embassy Suites that when we go to a new area that we're not sure of we usually choose them.

[kmsu2000]

I think Embassy suite is little too far from the beach. I would say 10 minutes walk. I think it is more a Airport hotel than and resort. Lots beach side condo available for rent. Go to google search and you will find all price range start from $89 and up

 

I stop shopping at priceline, instead I am now using Hotwire, it gave you more info about the hotel such as beach front, free shuttle, room type and stars rating etc. You get very good idea what you will get except the hotel's name. I got $105 for Sheraton in old San Juan and $69 for Sheraton Gateway in Chicago airport (two room suite). I also found some 3.5 stars beach front hotel in Isla verde for $135, but I prefer old San Juan with easy access to the ship terminal.

[Big Sky Country]

I think Embassy suite is little too far from the beach. I would say 10 minutes walk. I think it is more a Airport hotel than and resort. Lots beach side condo available for rent. Go to google search and you will find all price range start from $89 and up

 

I stop shopping at priceline, instead I am now using Hotwire, it gave you more info about the hotel such as beach front, free shuttle, room type and stars rating etc. You get very good idea what you will get except the hotel's name. I got $105 for Sheraton in old San Juan and $69 for Sheraton Gateway in Chicago airport (two room suite). I also found some 3.5 stars beach front hotel in Isla verde for $135, but I prefer old San Juan with easy access to the ship terminal.

 

No offense, but you are not giving accurate information, so you are probably confusing the OP. The Embassy is 2 blocks away and not a 10 minute walk. Not a far walk. If you are looking for cheaper accomodations, the walk is neglible. As long as the OP is not elderly or have any significant health issues, the walk is a breeze.

 

Embassy does cater more to the business crowd, but I would not call it an airport hotel. It is noteworthy that its proximity to the airport can be a noise distraction, but I would certainly not characterize it as an airport hotel.

[Big Sky Country]

Thank you. The picture of the beach looks exactly like what we are looking for! I know that the Embassy Suites is not on the beach. It says 2 blocks away. Did it look like too far of a walk to you? Were there other hotels really close to the Embassy Suites or just highways? We like some of the hotels right on the beach but the prices have been just too high for us. Thanks again for your help.

 

The Embassy is on the south side of the Isla Verde strip. So you have to cross the road (4 lane with lots of lights) and go 2 blocks to the beach. It is not far. There are some other hotels there and some residences between the main road (it is not a highway) and the shore.

[shonandsuzie]

All of your comments are very helpful. In Miami we stayed at one and it was very seperate from the other hotels and we didn't like that set up. It was basically on the highway. As long as we are right in a main hotel and restaraunt area we don't mind a 2 block walk to the beach.

Just wondering, what else is nearby?

[feistytigger]

junk stores. drug store. casinos. dance clubs. bars. a fun gelato place (piu bello). a good cuban restaurant (metropol). neat place for a light meal (bfast too!) and dessert (sweet ann cakes). i liked isla verde. doing it again soon!

[shonandsuzie]

Fiestytigger, Sounds like a exciting area. Thanks for the info. We may go ahead and do the Priceline....still on the fence. It's always hard to go from a sure thing to a maybe.:rolleyes:

[Leo Jay]

I just came back from San Juan on May-23-07. I Spent 3 nights in San Juan after 7 days Carnival Southern Caribbean Cruise.

 

While in San Juan, I did checked out serveral beaches include Ocean park, Condado, Isla Verde and Luquillo. Isla Verde is the best one in San Juan area. The water is clear and blue but no white sands. Actually none of the beaches I visited have white sands. Please check out the pictures in my web site if you want to see the beach. The first 3 from L to R are Isla Verde and the rest are Luquillo beaches http://www.geocities.com/kmsu2000/caribbean/pr.html

 

I saw Embassy Suite in Isla Verde, it is right next to the freeway. I did not see the other side of the hotel, but it hard to believe the other side of the hotel is on the beach. I know for sure Mariott CourtYard and Ritz Carlton ara right on the beach. I rented my two beach chairs at Ritz Carlton for $10 http://www.geocities.com/kmsu2000/caribbean/prbeach02.jpg (The white building is Ritz and Mariott is the brown one).

 

You don't need a car if you stay in Isla Verde. Bus A4 will take you to Carnival Ship Terminal. B40 will take you to the airport. The bus station is one block from Ritz Hotel. Even Isla Verde is very close to the airport, but the noise is not that bad at all.

 

 

Thanks for the great pictures! I hear very little on these boards about beaches in San Juan, compared to the other ports.

 

Do you remember what time of day you took those Isla Verde pictures? I'm surprised the beach wasn't more crowded, with all those hotels right there, especially in May. We'll be there in early September, so I don't expect it will be too crowded then either.

 

Any snorkeling there?

[orquidia]

Thanks for the great pictures! I hear very little on these boards about beaches in San Juan, compared to the other ports.

 

Do you remember what time of day you took those Isla Verde pictures? I'm surprised the beach wasn't more crowded, with all those hotels right there, especially in May. We'll be there in early September, so I don't expect it will be too crowded then either.

 

Any snorkeling there?

 

the best beaches of Puerto Rico are outside the san juan area (Luquillo,Vieques,Culebra, Dorado...)

[kmsu2000]

The pictures was taking in the afternoon between 2:30pm to 4:30pm on Monday Afternoon. No snorkeling in Isla Verde.

[Leo Jay]

the best beaches of Puerto Rico are outside the san juan area (Luquillo,Vieques,Culebra, Dorado...)

 

My sense is that those are too great a distance for a single 3pm to midnight day in port. Right?

[Leo Jay]

The pictures was taking in the afternoon between 2:30pm to 4:30pm on Monday Afternoon. No snorkeling in Isla Verde.

 

No snorkeling allowed? Or just not many fish?

[Big Sky Country]

You are right. Those other beaches are too far away for a 3pm arrival. The beaches in San Juan are not typically as good for cruisers as other destinations, so they are not usually highlighted as much. They are not bad, but they are not the marquis of the Caribbean.

 

Snorkeling is allowed. Isla Verde Beach is pretty sandy and on the Atlantic, so snorkeling is not very good or practical. You have to travel farther from the city to find a decent snorkeling area.

[orquidia]

You are right. Those other beaches are too far away for a 3pm arrival. The beaches in San Juan are not typically as good for cruisers as other destinations, so they are not usually highlighted as much. They are not bad, but they are not the marquis of the Caribbean.

 

Snorkeling is allowed. Isla Verde Beach is pretty sandy and on the Atlantic, so snorkeling is not very good or practical. You have to travel farther from the city to find a decent snorkeling area.

 

I agree with your post. For snorkling you need to travel to the eastern coast, you don't have time with a 3pm arrival.

[Leo Jay]

Well, since snorkeling's out, perhaps with GF's help, I can try for the umpteenth time in fort-(ahem)-twenty-something years to finally learn how to swim! :D

 

Thanks again for the info.