San Juan Hotel Question

[seahawk2000]

Hey Gang,

 

I am booked on the Carnival Destiny out of San Juan on July 24. We will be arriving a day early and need a recommendation on a hotel. I travel a bit, so I have lots of hotel points with Starwood Hotels. Can anyone provide any feedback on the following Starwood Hotels? How far are they from SJU airport? How far are they from the port? How was the service and cleanliness? Are they in a good part of town? (By good - I mean safe, close to night life, and ready availability to cabs, etc)

 

Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel

Four Points by Sheraton Caguas Real Hotel & Suites

The Westin Rio Mar Beach Golf Resort & Spa

 

Also, feel free to make a recommendation on any other hotel, as it may work out better than any of these.

 

Thanks,

Seahawk

[I&MsMom]

Hi! There's tons of info. on the San Juan port of call board below, but I can help a little.

 

We're staying at the Sheraton Old San Juan prior to our cruise in May. It is 6 miles from the airport and across the street from the Carnival cruise ship terminal (the Princess terminal requires a cab ride, I believe). It is walking distance to Old San Juan and other points of interest like El Morro. There is a rooftop pool but no beach. I believe cab fare to the beach is about $10, but there is also a very economical bus ($0.25, I think) - don't know how convenient that is.

 

Also, check tripadvisor.com. Recent reviews fromm travelers.

 

HTH.

[crisp1]

The Intercontinental is also very nice. You can get more info on the pre-post cruise hotel board

here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=92

[kellyccz]

I don't know if you are interested are not - as I'm not sure what you can get the Sheraton OSJ for with your points, but you can get it on Hotwire right now for around $86 (It is the 3.5* hotel with the following amenities: Casino, restaurant, pool, fitness center, tennis nearby, business center, laundry facilities). The price may vary a few bucks depending on your date, but I posted this on the San Juan port of call board and several people cruising different dates all ran over to Hotwire and booked the hotel also - anywhere from $83 - $86. It's really a good deal and you are literally right across the street from the cruise pier - you can walk across the street with your luggage!

[jmurph]

The Westin Rio Mar is a 45 minute shuttle ride from the airport. We stayed their last year prior to our Destiny cruise and at the El Conquistador post cruise.

 

In 2003, we stayed at the Wyndham Condado. We got it on Priceline for Valentines Day for $80.00/night.

 

The Westin Rio Mar is nice, but the price is high and if you are not spending a lot of time in PR, you would have to think about the time traveling. They charge for the shuttle, but will take you right to the port. Also, if you do not have a car, you are pretty isolated. However, you would be close to BioBay and this is a not to be missed experience, if you can do it. Not many of the street signs are marked, so it might be difficult if this is your first time here, but there are signs for the Hotel along the way if you drive.

[jmurph]

I just went back and reread your original post. I would not take the time to go all the way out to Rio Mar for just one night.

 

Jean

[seahawk2000]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I have 2 more questions:

 

1. Can I make a 10:00 am flight out of San Juan when I return?

2. When do I have to go through customs? In San Juan airport or when I return home?

 

Thanks again

[kjunea]

You'll go through customs at the pier. And a 10:00 AM flight time is proabably unrealistic. You still have to have to go through security at the airport and I doubt if you can get off the ship before 9:00 AM. I would think at least a noon flight would be okay.

 

Best bet going through customs though... get a porter and hand him your declaration... they wiz you through ASAP.... never seen anyone stopped doing that.

 

June

[seahawk2000]

Thanks for the Hotwire tip. I just booked my rooms there and save 50% over the Sheraton online site.

 

Thanks again

[phlydude]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I have 2 more questions:

 

1. Can I make a 10:00 am flight out of San Juan when I return?

2. When do I have to go through customs? In San Juan airport or when I return home?

 

Thanks again

 

Just to calrify, San Juan is in Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico is a US territory - no clearing US customs required, just USDA agriculture in San Juan

[Vickilynn223]

Sorry phlydude: Just recently returned fron the 2/27 sailing aboard the Destiny & yes even though PR is a US territory you still have to go thru US customs in the terminal. Our customs declaration card was stamped by US immigration before debarking the ship. And yes, everyone, must present themselves to US immigration, which began about 6:15am on the ship. You then must have your form in your hand as you disembark the ship. This was for ALL guests.

[amapola]

You most definitely have to clear US Customs when you arrive in PR from a foreign port. You do not have to go through Customs again to leave PR or when you get to one of the 50 States.

[kellyccz]

Seahawk - Glad to help. It was too good of a deal not to pass along! Hope you have a great trip.

[phlydude]

Sorry phlydude: Just recently returned fron the 2/27 sailing aboard the Destiny & yes even though PR is a US territory you still have to go thru US customs in the terminal. Our customs declaration card was stamped by US immigration before debarking the ship. And yes, everyone, must present themselves to US immigration, which began about 6:15am on the ship. You then must have your form in your hand as you disembark the ship. This was for ALL guests.

 

To clarify - I was referring to the poster who asked about customs at the airport.

I do understand customs at the dock are required! (wow, you guys can be brutal sometimes! :p )

[Vickilynn223]

Sorry phlydude, didn't intend to come across so brutal.:o That is the one thing I dislike about message boards, or even emails for that matter, you can't hear the tone of someones voice. Many on our ship were unaware that we had to go thru customs and many more weren't aware of immigration. Since this was our first cruise out of San Juan this was all new too us also. Sorry if I came across as a jerk. :( Forgiven?

[phlydude]

No problem. I don't use smileys often but did there - It's all good!! :)