Hotel in San Juan?

[ultimate_jatt]

I'm arriving in San Juan 1 day before our Victory cruise beings. Any suggestions to where to stay. I have heard about the Sheraton across the pier but I'm under the impression there isn't much to do around there and perhaps may be better off further in town.

 

Would love to get some ideas of hotels to consider booking. Our party of 9 includes 3 kids (3yr, 18mon, 6mon) as well.

[rlkubi]

We love San Juan! I would check out the Hotel Milano. It's in a great area in Old San Juan and not far from the port. Old San Juan is not that big of an area. My friend just cruised a few weeks ago and stayed there and loved the hotel.

[3kids1dog]

We stayed at the Marriott Stellaris. It was a beautiful hotel I would highly recommend it. We took a cab down to Old San Juan for the day. All the cabs are set prices in San Juan so it is very easy to get around. We got the hotel off of priceline. If you go to the ports of call board, you will find a lot of information and basically step by step directions for using Priceline.

[cruiseonthebrain]

I have stayed at the Embassy Suites in Isle Verde and loved it. It's not that far from the port (will have to get ground transportation to get to the ship though), near the beaches, has extra room to spread out in the two room suites, and has a nifty little casino. If you are going to have time to have lunch or dinner, regardless of where you stay, I very much recommend the Parrot Club. I would always take visiting guests to the Parrot Club when I lived in PR and it was always a smashing success. Have fun!!!

[SugarStar00]

Not sure what you're looking to do while you are there, we are just off the Victory and stayed at SOFO Casablanca in OSJ. I would think there's more do to in OSJ but I can't say for sure. Lots of little shops and resturants. We took the ferry over and visited the Bacardi Distillery for an inexpensive way to get out of the heat and see some sights. You can also take a trolly tour or just walk around and visit the forts and stuff. The Sheraton is in a great location directly across from the pier, and all of OSJ is walking distance so you can dont need to take a cab unless you leave it. Look for my Victory review for more info on the hotel and osj.

[rlkubi]

FYI the Parrot Club is on the same street as Hotel Milano. We have stayed at this hotel 3 times and we have stayed in Isla Verda a couple of times. Much more to do in OSJ. If you want the beach then you would probably like Isla Verda better but for sights and just the quaintness highly recommend OSJ.

[wdnoble9999]

We stayed at the Marriott Stellaris. It was a beautiful hotel I would highly recommend it. We took a cab down to Old San Juan for the day. All the cabs are set prices in San Juan so it is very easy to get around. We got the hotel off of priceline. If you go to the ports of call board, you will find a lot of information and basically step by step directions for using Priceline.

 

2x on the Marriott Stellaris. Great pool area with a water slide and right on the beach, which should be good for the kids. Wallgreen across the street for those last minute items, restaurants within walking distance, and a reasonably priced cab ride to Old San Juan.

 

While the Sheraton in OSJ is convenient to the pier, it is more expensive and crowded around port days. I would disagree with your comment that there isn't much to do in that area as Old San Juan is a wonderful place for walking, shopping, dining, etc. If you should go that way, make sure that you make your reservation at the Old San Juan Sheraton and not the Sheraton at the convention center which is a couple of miles away. We made that mistake on the night after our cruise. Not a really big deal as the 'other' Sheraton was a nice hotel. Was just far away from anything.

[cruisinmimiof3]

I am doing this in February next year. Please let us know when you get back what you decided, and if you liked it.

 

I try to actually rent homes for large groups, and I have 9. I use a website that I found for rental homes all over the place! We have stayed in Cozumel, New Orleans, San Jose, San Francisco, and all the homes were great. With a large group, you can actually save money compared to a hotel!

 

Save trip! And post a review!:rolleyes:

[Mumsykat]

We stayed at the Sheraton OSJ and had a lovely time, it was fun waking up in the morning and seeing the ship almost literally right across the street, we were able to walk to the pier - of course it sounds like you may have your hands full on that score! And as icing on the cake, my husband won $80 on a penny slot in the casino.

[ibcnusoon]

Be sure to check that the hotels in Old San Juan (particularly Hotel Milano) have elevators! Some/Most small hotels do not and i can't imagine lugging 3 kids and suitcases up stairs!

 

For the price and the kids ages, I would suggest the Embassy Suites. You'll have a nice pool area upon arrival, a Managers Cocktail Reception from 5-7pm and a free hot breakfast in the morning, all included in your nightly fee.

 

Be sure to check the fine print on ALL hotels. Alot of them charge surcharges (sometimes $25 or more) on top of various taxes.

[ultimate_jatt]

FYI the Parrot Club is on the same street as Hotel Milano. We have stayed at this hotel 3 times and we have stayed in Isla Verda a couple of times. Much more to do in OSJ. If you want the beach then you would probably like Isla Verda better but for sights and just the quaintness highly recommend OSJ.

 

Will look into getting a meal at Parrot Club.

 

2x on the Marriott Stellaris. Great pool area with a water slide and right on the beach, which should be good for the kids. Wallgreen across the street for those last minute items, restaurants within walking distance, and a reasonably priced cab ride to Old San Juan.

 

While the Sheraton in OSJ is convenient to the pier, it is more expensive and crowded around port days. I would disagree with your comment that there isn't much to do in that area as Old San Juan is a wonderful place for walking, shopping, dining, etc. If you should go that way, make sure that you make your reservation at the Old San Juan Sheraton and not the Sheraton at the convention center which is a couple of miles away. We made that mistake on the night after our cruise. Not a really big deal as the 'other' Sheraton was a nice hotel. Was just far away from anything.

Thanks. I think I was looking at the Sheraton Convention Center reviews and mixed it up with OSJ. Looks like there is plenty to do around Sheraton OSJ.

 

I am doing this in February next year. Please let us know when you get back what you decided, and if you liked it.

 

I try to actually rent homes for large groups, and I have 9. I use a website that I found for rental homes all over the place! We have stayed in Cozumel, New Orleans, San Jose, San Francisco, and all the homes were great. With a large group, you can actually save money compared to a hotel!

 

Save trip! And post a review!:rolleyes:

Will do.

 

Thanks for all the info. Likely booking the Sheraton OSJ but have about 45 days to find something better or cheaper.

[ibcnusoon]

Just remember, the Sheraton OSJ has been requiring a 2-night minimum on weekends. You may be able to book 1 night pre-cruise about a month or so prior to your cruise, if there is still availability.

[mom2two2]

We stayed one night before and one night after our cruise last winter in San Juan and it worked out perfectly.

For the night before the cruise we stayed out closer to the airport at the Hampton Inn and Suites. It was PERFECT as we had a very long travel day, were exhausted and were waiting on lost luggage. The pool area was just what we needed with a great BBQ and swim up bar. It is more "out of the way" but that is ok, we were too tired to do any looking around that day anyhow. We booked right through the hotel's website.

For our stay after the cruise we stayed at the Sheraton OSJ and it is a great hotel with a wonderful location if you are wanting to see the sights. You can cross the street and hop on a free trolley that will take you around to shops and restaurants. It is easy to get out to El Morro from there as well.

We also were travelling with children (they were 11 and 8 at the time) and both hotels worked well for our family.

The only thing I would caution is to do some research and try to nail the Sheraton through Hotwire or something like that as it is very expensive otherwise.

[ultimate_jatt]

Just remember, the Sheraton OSJ has been requiring a 2-night minimum on weekends. You may be able to book 1 night pre-cruise about a month or so prior to your cruise, if there is still availability.

 

I've reserved 3 rooms there as of today. I did confirm I will get it for one night (2-night minimum waived). I had to book directly with the hotel as my usual hotel websites don't show any rooms available. Hopefully the price will come down over the next few weeks.

[BenjiRodney]

We have done Sheraton OSJ and Verdanza which is close to the airport and beach. This year both pre and post we are doing SOFO Casablanca, wanted something smaller more with a local flavor.