Courtyard by Marriot San Juan Miramar

[Canuck38]

My family (DH, 5yo, 7yo, myself and my mom and dad-mid 60's) are going to be in San Juan for 2 nights before a cruise in Feb. I know many people that have stayed at the Caribe Hilton but the lowest price I have seen is about $260 CA/night taxes in. That is for a room of 4. I have also seen the above hotel at $200 CA/night for a room of 4 and it looks very nice. Only problem is that I have no idea how close it is to the pier, good for families, etc. Has anyone stayed there? Any comments would be great. Also, nearby grocery stores, etc. Thanks.

[graf103]

I too would like hear the answer to your question. DH & I are interested in AOS in March.

[Geocat]

I booked the San Juan Mirimar on Priceline for 1 night post cruise. We paid around $90 per night. I too would be interested in what others think of the Courtyard Mirimar...

[toonjie]

I'm just covering this on the following thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1103348 or search my posts on the San Juan board, also see my AOS review link in my sig for tons of pics of many hotels. The Marriott Courtyard is a nice hotel, on the beach and backing to the airport, but you'll do better bidding on a hotel on Priceline. Your 2 resources are http://www.betterbidding.com and the sticky on bidding for hotels at the top of the San Juan board. Top Priceline resort, IMHO is the Marriott Stellaris Resort & Casino, that is what is typically referred to as the Marriott, so don't confuse it with the Courtyard Marriott.

[perlgirlnj]

FYI, the Marriott Courtyard Miramar is NOT on the beach or near the airport; that's a different Marriott Courtyard.

 

We stayed in the Marriott Courtyard Miramar the night before our cruise two years ago. The rooms and the hotel were perfectly fine. However, it was not clear that there were any decent (non-fast food) restaurants within walking distance. There might have been, but we weren't aware of them. It was late when we got in, so we ate dinner at the hotel which was nice although pricey. Our second problem was that the breakfast was woefully understaffed and it took us FOREVER to get served. It was total chaos--and not cheap either.

 

Though I wouldn't say "don't stay there", we have stayed elsewhere for our next two cruises out of Puerto Rico. Partly because we could stay at the Embassy Suites and take only one room for our family of 5, which is a big savings, and partly because breakfast is included and much easier instead of having to chase a server around the room to get served.

 

One important thing to add: our cruise was a Christmas cruise so EVERYTHING was very full and busy. It may be very different even one week off. I'm sure it would be.

 

Our cruise left from the Pan American pier and we needed to take a taxi, which was easy to do. I didn't look for grocery stores so I can't help with that.

[toonjie]

FYI, the Marriott Courtyard Miramar is NOT on the beach or near the airport; that's a different Marriott Courtyard.

 

We stayed in the Marriott Courtyard Miramar the night before our cruise two years ago. The rooms and the hotel were perfectly fine. However, it was not clear that there were any decent (non-fast food) restaurants within walking distance. There might have been, but we weren't aware of them. It was late when we got in, so we ate dinner at the hotel which was nice although pricey. Our second problem was that the breakfast was woefully understaffed and it took us FOREVER to get served. It was total chaos--and not cheap either.

 

Though I wouldn't say "don't stay there", we have stayed elsewhere for our next two cruises out of Puerto Rico. Partly because we could stay at the Embassy Suites and take only one room for our family of 5, which is a big savings, and partly because breakfast is included and much easier instead of having to chase a server around the room to get served.

 

One important thing to add: our cruise was a Christmas cruise so EVERYTHING was very full and busy. It may be very different even one week off. I'm sure it would be.

 

Our cruise left from the Pan American pier and we needed to take a taxi, which was easy to do. I didn't look for grocery stores so I can't help with that.

 

 

Oh, thanks for catching that, I saw Courtyard and was thinking Courtyard Marriott-Isla Verde, that is the normal one that many cruisers stay in and is on the beach and very nice for a Courtyard Marriott. Miramar, Yuck-stay away- there I said it! :) If you want a Courtyard, then choose Isla Verde. Best bet is to go Priceline for a resort, all are better than the Courtyard Isla Verde.

[perlgirlnj]

Oh, thanks for catching that, I saw Courtyard and was thinking Courtyard Marriott-Isla Verde, that is the normal one that many cruisers stay in and is on the beach and very nice for a Courtyard Marriott. Miramar, Yuck-stay away- there I said it! :) If you want a Courtyard, then choose Isla Verde. Best bet is to go Priceline for a resort, all are better than the Courtyard Isla Verde.

 

Do you mean "all are better than Courtyard Miramar"? It seems like that's what you are saying/meant to say.

[ken_ll]

My family (DH, 5yo, 7yo, myself and my mom and dad-mid 60's) are going to be in San Juan for 2 nights before a cruise in Feb. I know many people that have stayed at the Caribe Hilton but the lowest price I have seen is about $260 CA/night taxes in. That is for a room of 4. I have also seen the above hotel at $200 CA/night for a room of 4 and it looks very nice. Only problem is that I have no idea how close it is to the pier, good for families, etc. Has anyone stayed there? Any comments would be great. Also, nearby grocery stores, etc. Thanks.

We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriot San Juan Miramar for 2 nights pre-cruise and 1 night post-cruise in March, 2009. It is located in a commercial/residential area. A small supermarket is across the street and a block away. The rooms were clean, no check-in until 3 p.m. There is a breakfast restaurant off the the hotel lobby independently run - ok for food/price. Also a second restaurant for dinner - expensive. There are a couple of reasonable restaurants east of the hotel on the street as well as if you walk (about 8 - 9 blocks) to the Condado area (e.g. Ashford Ave.), oodles of retaurants. There are no issues of walking afer dark, use the same precautions you would do at home. We would stay at the Marriot San Juan Miramar again, no issues, except elevator - see below. At the time, we got the hotel for $64 each of two nights and $52 for 1 night on priceline. As posted earlier, with a very few exceptions, you will need a taxi from any hotel.

 

Elevator issue - There is one passenger elevator, it works well with normal guest flow until cruise morning. On cruise morning, we like others with luggage had to use the service elevator to get to the lobby. Seems all want to leave just before check-out.

 

Having said this, on our January cruise and with the 2 girls this time, we will stay at the Radisson Ambassador on Ashford in a suite which is a bedroom with living/dining room with pull out sofa. The girls will have the sofa and slightly more privacy for all.

 

I was going to suggest hotwire to you, but a 3.0/3.5* and above is much greater than $200 Can. Keep your Marriot San Juan Miramar as a quick look at February suggests some hotels have availability issues.

[toonjie]

Do you mean "all are better than Courtyard Miramar"? It seems like that's what you are saying/meant to say.

 

No, I was saying all the resorts are better than the Isla Verde. The Isla Verde is much better than the Miramar and the resorts are a step up from that. If you don't want to use Priceline, then I would say the Radisson Ambassador and the Embassy Suites are both nicer than the Courtyard Miramar, but I would do Courtyard Isla Verde over those. The only complaint you hear about the Isla Verde is the noise from the airport, but most aren't bothered by it.

[Canuck38]

Thank-you Toonjie for your info on Priceline. We just tried it and got 2 rooms at the Caribe Hilton in Feb. for $95/night each. I am now kicking myself that I didn't bid lower and try it. It advised that I had to contact the hotel to request 2 double beds in one of the rooms (4 people) which I have done but other than that...easy. Thanks again. Only 1 1/2 months until we leave on AOS. Getting excited.

[servalgirl]

I stayed at the Marriot in Miramar. Its not the best looking neighborhood (saw people rooting through trash) yet there are several very nice restuarants down the street. I however ate at the hotels and found it to be somewhat pricey but very good with excellent service. Its a very nice hotel save for the pool which was a sad concrete thing that was unappealing. Bus to OSJ for 25 cents picks up just down the street. Id stay there again