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Pre-Cruise stay at El San Juan Hotel & Casino - Good idea?

dshebert

By dshebert,
in San Juan, PR

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gnparend

gnparend

Posted
Posted
Anyone stay at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino before? Can you tell me about your stay and possibly show me pictures? Thanks for your help:)

 

Dale

Several years ago we stayed there and IMO it was not worth the $$$ we paid. It's in Isla Verda and you will find nice hotels in Cabdado area much closer to Old San Juan and the port. Other than the Casino & Beach not much in the area, walking outside the complex was very urban and not much to see. Have stayed on return visit in Candado with many nice hotels. Again my opinion but your $$$ may be better spent in Candado.

 

That being said it may have been upgraded but it was an old very much wood deco which reminded me of the 1950's latin era. In the middle of the lobby was a very dark large wooden round bar. Rooms were on the same level as average hilton or hyatt

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sailawayjack

sailawayjack

Posted
Posted
Anyone stay at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino before? Can you tell me about your stay and possibly show me pictures? Thanks for your help:)

 

Dale

I have stayed in the El San Juan and I must say that it is one of the most impressive hotels that I have ever stayed in. The bar in the center is great, there are approx 7-8 restaurants, a great pool area and beach, casino, and the local come there to dance on friday and sat. nights. If you have the time, and money, go for it. GREAT :cool:

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RocktheBoat2006

RocktheBoat2006

Posted
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Anyone stay at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino before? Can you tell me about your stay and possibly show me pictures? Thanks for your help:)

 

Dale

 

Definitely give it a shot. We stayed there last Fall after a cruise and got upgraded to a private ocean front villa with private pool, an $850/nt room for the cost of the regular room of $189. It was on a Sunday so not crowded. One of the most impressive lobbies I've ever seen. Go there and ask for an upgrade, you'll likely get it.

 

Rockin'

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polodad

polodad

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We stayed at the Marriott Stellaris in San Juan precruise in April & are doing it again next April. For $150 on Priceline including all fees I think it's an incredible value. Gorgeous pool, beach, balcony oceanview room & the hotel Tuscany restaurant was really good.

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polodad

polodad

Posted
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Polodad,

 

I've never used Priceline to book a hotel. Did you bid on the Marriott Stellaris or did you request that specific hotel? I'm kind of nervous about bidding on a hotel since you don't know where you may end up. Thanks!

 

Queen: If you go to the San Juan Forum, 1st thread is Priceline help. You can also visit "better bidding board" for priceline help. On Price line you can select your level of hotel, such as Resort & location in San Juan, such as Condado.

To my knowledge the only 2 resort level hotels in Condado listed in Priceline are the Marriott Stellaris & the Caribe Hilton. In my mind, if you're bidding at $110-$125, so the total cost including taxes & resort fees is $140-155

you've gotten a pretty darn good deal.

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glgolfer

glgolfer

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We stayed at the El San Juan a few years ago. It is a beautiful hotel with only one drawback. It's was on the flight path to the airport and planes were flying very low over the hotel all night.

Don't know if that's still true, but you might want to be prepared if it is.

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Nanatravel

Nanatravel

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We too have stayed there when it was under the Wyndham banner and absolutely thought it was the worlds most beautiful hotel. The gorgeous and active lobby bars, the music and dancing, the grounds with several pools and the beach front area are perfect. It does come at a price, but the room was ample also and the food in the Chinese restaurant and Mexican restaurants was very good. I really didn't mind paying a little more for this experience. To me it represented Puerto Rico.

 

Bon Voyage

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  • 3 weeks later...
Trixsea

Trixsea

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Just back from the El San Juan. The renovations are almost complete and the stay was wonderful. The lobby area is still being renovated, but this did not distract from the beauty. The hotel was clean and the service excellent. There were many options for food, but the conceirge was also able to make several good recommendations for dining off sight. The pool area is still as beautiful as ever, and the beach was spotless. Can't wait to go back!!

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  • 2 months later...
mgeb2000

mgeb2000

Posted
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I have to agree with other posters that have said that it's a very nice hotel. It is on a flight path, so you do see the planes flying overhead while you are on the beach. I don't recall hearing them at night, so maybe there is a cut-off time, I don't know.

 

Because the hotel is located on Isla Verde, it is several miles from Condado and Old San Juan. I recommend that you take a cab if you plan on going to those places. There are public buses to Condado and Old San Juan that go right by the hotel, but if you decide to use them, you should check the route since some buses go right through a low-income housing project called Lloren Torres on the way to Condado and Old San Juan. (A friend of mine unknowingly got on one of them several years ago.)

 

If you have time, I recommend that you visit Luquillo beach and the rain forrest at El Yunque.

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