San Juan Hotels

[Iowaflatlander]

My wife and I are sailing on the Seranade of the Seas 11/06/04. We are planning to spend 3 pre-cruise nights in San Juan. We do not want to write a second mortgage for 3 nights. Checking tourbooks the Tres Palmas, Hosteria del Mar, L'Habitaion Beach Guest Ho [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]use, and the El Canario looks like they are within our budget. Has anyone ever stayed here? Does anyone have recommendations for decent but economical lodging in San Juan?

[This message was edited by Iowaflatlander on 06-21-04 at 06:02 PM.]

[thereuare]

This should still be low season in San Juan. Approximately what is your budget?

I see the Radisson for ~$90/nite and i think you are likely to get Resort properties even cheaper than that thru Priceline.

-thereuare
[B]<font size="3">BetterBidding</font>[/B]
and
[B]<font size="3">PortSchedules</font>[/B]

[Iowaflatlander]

thereuare, $90 is my top ....just have ehard horror stories concerning priceline in san juan. the hotel says it is overbooked then sends you to a very seedy lodging.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by thereuare:
This should still be low season in San Juan. Approximately what is your budget?

I see the Radisson for ~$90/nite and i think you are likely to get Resort properties even cheaper than that thru Priceline.

-thereuare
_<font size="3">BetterBidding</font>_
and
_<font size="3">PortSchedules</font>_
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[thereuare]

I know the hotel that you are refering to above, but i don't think it's a 'Priceline problem' as much as it is a 'San Juan Problem'.

[I]Generally[/I] speaking hotels in San Juan are expensive and the service is lacking. I think there are so many negative/mixed reviews about hotels in San Juan because people pay more and therefore expect more... but they don't end up getting more and therefore have terrible things to say about the hotels there.

Even given the negative experience you had rad, i'd still rather go with Priceline as:
-i think it'll be cheaper than what you're paying above
-the hotel will at least be 'name brand' so there will at least be some chain of command and an upper management to speak with if things don't go right
-if i'm destined to have a lack of service (think 'island time') i'd rather have it be at a resort than at a local independently owned hotel (for the upper management point mentioned above)

If you're still opposed to Priceline i would recommend the Radisson over all of those hotels you mentioned above. Some of the reviews i've read about the hotels you mentioned are awful (granted there are a few positive ones as well), but when looking at them collectively i think that the Radisson has many more positive reviews than negative and also has the 'large chain structure' that i mention above.

-thereuare
[B]<font size="3">BetterBidding</font>[/B]
and
[B]<font size="3">PortSchedules</font>[/B]

[Iowaflatlander]

thank you for the reply thereuare!!

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by thereuare:
I know the hotel that you are refering to above, but i don't think it's a 'Priceline problem' as much as it is a 'San Juan Problem'.

_Generally_ speaking hotels in San Juan are expensive and the service is lacking. I think there are so many negative/mixed reviews about hotels in San Juan because people pay more and therefore expect more... but they don't end up getting more and therefore have terrible things to say about the hotels there.

Even given the negative experience you had rad, i'd still rather go with Priceline as:
-i think it'll be cheaper than what you're paying above
-the hotel will at least be 'name brand' so there will at least be some chain of command and an upper management to speak with if things don't go right
-if i'm destined to have a lack of service (think 'island time') i'd rather have it be at a resort than at a local independently owned hotel (for the upper management point mentioned above)

If you're still opposed to Priceline i would recommend the Radisson over all of those hotels you mentioned above. Some of the reviews i've read about the hotels you mentioned are awful (granted there are a few positive ones as well), but when looking at them collectively i think that the Radisson has many more positive reviews than negative and also has the 'large chain structure' that i mention above.

-thereuare
_<font size="3">BetterBidding</font>_
and
_<font size="3">PortSchedules</font>_
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[texasag]

Don't stay there - they cater to people who live in Puerto Rico and come to San Juan for vacation and the local groups who want to have meetings there. We stayed there pre and post and hated it. Loud music from the casino you can hear in your room until 2 a.m. Complained when we checked out and they did deduct off the bill but it wasn't worth it. I whole heartedly recommend the Ritz it is fantastic.

[everyotheryear]

I stayed at the el canario, it was bad to say the least. Good luck with what ever you decide. But if you could avoid this place I would.

[Caribbean Here We Come]

We'll be staying at the Hotel Regency in San Juan for 2 nights before our cruise. I think it's $89 a night, through hotels.com
Free breakfast plus it's on the water, right next to another hotel (one of the Windhams). I read that we are allowed to use the pool at the Windham, which has a swim up bar. I can't think of a better way to start my vacation!!

[kaapt]

You can check out reviews galore and get prices from a variety of sites at the same time if you go to tripadvisor.com:)

[JUST ADD WATER]

Hello! We have went to San Jaun to board a cruise at least once a year for the last 5 years. Each time we have bid with Priceline and have had good experiences. We have stayed at the Wyndaham Old Suan Juan and at the Condado Plaza Hotel (also a Wyndaham hotel). We prefer the Condado since there is a beach, pool, and shopping. Many restaurants you can walk to from the hotel. Also places to buy your "beverages" before you board the ship.

Try going to "BiddingforTravel.com" to see what people are getting on Priceline and for how much. We have paid between $80-$110 for the Condado depending on the time of year. Have seen people bid the same star level and area (Condado area) and get the Caribe Hilton instaed. It is accross from the Condado and folks we have talked to liked it also.

Hope this helps! Once we paid full price for the Hampton Inn closer to the airport and it was a mess. They had no power the whole day and still charged us $90 to stay there. I'll stick to Priceline at that rate!

[sns]

Can anyone give me their experience staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort? I booked this for one night 11/27.

[mringenoldus]

Try At Windcimes. It's a boutique hotel. Wonderful Condado location and reasonable prices. We loved it!

[NoVa Mimi]

We booked the Intercontinental on their web site for our stay last month. You can get a room for $128 (pool view) per night. Less than that for street view, and a bit more for ocean view. It was fantastic!!!! No complaints at all. They do not honor these prices at the 1-800 number, only on the web site. We plan on staying there again next July for our cruise.

[everyotheryear]

sns,
We stayed there before it was a Marriott. We really enjoyed it. It has a nice pool with swim up bar. It is also at the end of the row of hotels and has a park like area beside it. It is right on the beach. Hope this helps.

[JH1002]

... We are planning to spend 3 pre-cruise nights in San Juan. ... Tres Palmas, Hosteria del Mar, L'Habitaion Beach Guest Ho and the El Canario looks like they are within our budget. Has anyone ever stayed here"...

Hello-
I have stayed at Tres Palmas many times, Hosteria Del Mar and El Canario. I would agree that a safe choice for San Juan Lodging is priceline. You will probably get a "packaged" name product. However, if you were interested in a different experience I would not hesitate to stay at any of the above inns. Just know these are small hotels and/or Inns. The rooms are BASIC but clean. There are no major amenities. But they are located in quiet neighborhoods. Hosteria Del Mar is right on the beach, you literally step out the door of the tiny restaurant and you are on sand. Tres Palmas has the most amazing staff willing to do whatever it takes to make your stay special, and a cute tiny little pool, all enclosed in a courtyard. El Canario is the oldest bed and breakfast in San Juan.
I enjoy the big hotels, with all the goodies BUT I also enjoy the tiny hotels where I feel "at home". I think it is a matter of what type of experience you want and what your expectations are. No matter what your choice enjoy San Juan, it is a beautiful city!

[Missybud]

Has anyone had Happy Hour at the Blue Dolphin Bar at the Empress Beach Hotel? Is it scenic, fun, and not over the top pricewise? Any info on Sonny's Restaurant, same location, would also be appreciated.

Missy

[zuggie]

We've stayed at the El Canario Lagoon. About $95., I believe. Basic, clean, good location, nothing special. Was OK for one night. We've also stayed at the Raddison with a $75. PriceLine bid. Much better than the El Canario. Had a two room suite for that with a balcony! Also have stayed at the Hilton Caribe, with a website pre-pay deal of $125. Very nice - that was the best. On our upcoming trip in January, We trying the Hyatt Dorado that we got with a Priceline bid.

A previous poster said they had a bad experience with a San Juan Hotel with a PriceLine bid. May I ask which hotel that was? Thanks.

[Greene]

We will be staying at the San Juan Marriott in under two weeks. Can anyone tell us if they provide transportation from the airport - or do you have to just take a taxi - and if so, how much can we expect to shell out for the cab?