Pre-Cruise San Juan?

[cruisergrandma]

We just booked the Victory sailing June 24th out of San Juan. Having a problem finding pre-cruise hotels. Can anyone suggest a hotel? I have checked a couple and they are booked. Are there any that offer airport and/or cruist port shuttles?

[maxamuus]

Did you check the Sheraton Old San Juan? Just across the street from the peir.

[MLE Litella]

We stayed at the Sheraton, right acros from the port. Got a good deal through that William Shatner site.

[cruisergrandma]

The Sheraton is booked as is Embassy Suites, Intercontinental and El San Juan. Any others?

[cocoonwoman]

There are no hotels that provide shuttle service. However, the taxi are readily available and they hace preposted rates. As for finding a hotel, try on Hotels.com to see all the different hotels in San Juan.

[cruisergrandma]

Are there any areas we should avoid?

[maxamuus]

Looks like the Sheraton is available but the are only accepting 2 night min. stay. Im guessing your only looking for a 1 night stay?

[cruisergrandma]

Yes, just the one night.

[welldone60]

Here is a link to taxi info. http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/getting-around-by-taxi/

 

The rates might be a little higher as this was last updated in July 2011.

 

We stayed for 3 days pre-cruise at the Howard Johnson Plaza de Armas. It's located in downtown Old San Juan. It's in a great location with-in walking distance to almost everything in OSJ. It was clean and the staff was great.

Now...this is NOT a resort hotel. The building is old, the only rooms that have a window are the ones at the front of the buildings, the elevator is very old, very slow, and we only used it to send our luggage up and down. But to see OSJ it's a great hotel. We paid about $125 per night for one of the rooms with a balcony 2 years ago.

[maxamuus]

Yes, just the one night.

 

Well i worked for a hotel and people had ways around our minimum stays. They would book a 2 night REFUNDABLE rate then call the hotel direct and try to cancel the night you dont want. The hotel usually will do it and you can get what you want. If they wont then you could just cancel it.

 

I dont know if that is considering "cheating" but people did it.

[erby2283]

We stayed post cruise at the Doubletree by Hilton! Very modern and quiet!

 

Booked it through hotwire and only paid like $135 for the room.

 

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/SJUDTDT-DoubleTree-by-Hilton-Hotel-San-Juan-/index.do

 

They do have availability for June 23rd!

[pythia]

Last fall, we stayed one night pre-cruise at the Hotel Milano and one post-cruise at the Courtyard Isla Verde.

 

The Milano is, well, quaint. It has this peculiar zen style (our room had a framed Rudyard Kipling poem on the wall and one of the hallways had a "travelers lending library"). It's not a resort, no pool, and amenities are minimal - the elevator is SLOW but steady:rolleyes: - don't expect 5 star if you're just looking for a place to sleep for a night. However, it is 2 blocks from the pier, right on Fortaleza in the middle of the Old City near shops and restaurants and has a nice rooftop patio with a view of El Morro where they serve continental breakfast (extra, but inexpensive). DH & I loved it!

 

Isla Verde is minutes from the airport and near the beach. Most of the hotels in the area are modern, resort-style (some with casinos).

 

Taxis from the airport are plentiful and any hotel would be happy to call one for you so a shuttle is not really needed.

[CorbinCatFan]

We've stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Condado the last time we travelled to San Juan. Condado is a nice upscale area. As I recall, it was about a $20 taxi to the hotel and the next day about $15 to the port. Of course, you can use the taxi information to get a better cost. There is a taxi stand at the hotel.

 

From the trips we've made to San Juan, I would say that you should not have trouble in Old San Juan, Condado, or Isla Verde.

[CincyLucy]

Didn't stay for a cruise but the courtyard isla verde is beautiful as is the Marriott stellaris. The courtyard is cheaper, five minutes to the airport, and has a beautiful bech but the stellaris was pure luxury!

[funcruisingmom]

We stayed at the Hampton Inn on Isla Verde.

[luvtotravel2011]

I recommend the Courtayrd Isla Verde, I didn't stay pre-cruise but I did meet people who stayed pre & post cruise. Its a nice hotel with a great relaxing beach. Only a 5 minute cab ride to the airport and like 15 minutes to Old San Juan (close to the cruise ships). I hope this helps!

[luvtotravel2011]

I recommend the Courtayrd Isla Verde, I didn't stay pre-cruise but I did meet people who stayed pre & post cruise. Its a nice hotel with a great relaxing beach. Only a 5 minute cab ride to the airport and like 15 minutes to Old San Juan (close to the cruise ships). I hope this helps!

[luvtotravel2011]

I recommend the Courtayrd Isla Verde, I didn't stay pre-cruise but I did meet people who stayed pre & post cruise. Its a nice hotel with a great relaxing beach. Only a 5 minute cab ride to the airport and like 15 minutes to Old San Juan (close to the cruise ships). I hope this helps!