Embassy Suites San Juan - Hotel & Casino

[CHERRYBRANCH]

Has anyone stayed at the Embassy Suites in Isla Verde? Can you tell me if this is a well kept property? We will be boarding the Valor in May. We will be flying in on Friday to enjoy Old San Juan prior to boarding the ship on Sunday. How difficult is it to travel to Old San Juan and back to Isla Verde? Any issues with taxi's or local buses? Is this very time consuming? Should we be looking for accomodations in Old San Juan? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[14Terry]

CHERRYBRANCH, thanks for posting this. DW & I are staying here in May as well and we too are trying to get more information. Happy cruising!

[texancruzer]

Can't comment on that property but I will say taxis are plentiful and safe in San Juan. Depending on how many trips you plan on taking into the old section, you might spend just as much as staying at a hotel located right there. Depends on the season, the hotel and # of trips.

 

We have always stayed in Old San Juan since this was our focus (not the beach) and love it !!!!! We stayed at the El Convento our first trip and it was wonderful. It is pricey tho. Our second trip we stayed at the Sheraton OSJ and it was more affordable but we didn't like it as much.

 

Old San Juan is basically 7 square blocks and everything is easily walkable. We loved strolling the streets both day and night and never felt unsafe. We even went to a few salsa bars one night (I made dh take lessons before we left) and walked back to our hotel well after midnight. There are police everywhere and we stayed to the main streets. There are wonderful restaurants and parks and it is one of our favorite places to visit.

 

We also figure we will get plenty of beach time while on the cruise and prefer staying in old San Juan. But it will usually cost you. On the other hand there are smaller boutique hotels that are more reasonably priced. It really depends on your focus and budget.

[Fred&Lily]

I've stayed at the Embassy Suites and it's just fine for a pre-cruise stay. It's fun to take the bus ( No 56 or 53) into Old San Juan - only .75cents exact change each way and it goes to the terminal right at the cruise port. The beach is nicer at Isla Verde than anything to be found along Condado. It's about a one block walk to the big casino hotels like El San Juan, InterContinental and if you really want to be Thurston P Howell III and Lovie dress up in the evening and go hang out at the Ritz Carlton.

Embassy Suites is an easy walk to Walgreen's, Denny's, Chili's and they have their own section of the beach marked off with towels and loungers for guests. The El San Juan Hotel has good live dance bands and a very large casino - it's closest to Embassy Suites - five minute walk and safe anytime of night.

[CHERRYBRANCH]

Thanks for all the great information! :D:D

[Barklee]

We've stayed at this Embassy Suites several times and it's just like any E Suites in the US. It's very clean and well maintained. It is mainly a tourist clientele and Happy Hour and the morning breakfast are always crowded. The bus to Old San Juan will take an hour. I recommend a taxi for $20. We've also stayed at El San Juan, Caribe Hilton, Hotel El Convento ($$$$), and the Gallery Inn. My favorite is the El San Juan, and my wife's favorite is Hotel El Convento, but E Suites is the best buy if you're watching how much you spend.

Edited September 27, 2012 by Barklee

[CHERRYBRANCH]

We've stayed at this Embassy Suites several times and it's just like any E Suites in the US. It's very clean and well maintained. It is mainly a tourist clientele and Happy Hour and the morning breakfast are always crowded. The bus to Old San Juan will take an hour. I recommend a taxi for $20. We've also stayed at El San Juan, Caribe Hilton, Hotel El Convento ($$$$), and the Gallery Inn. My favorite is the El San Juan, and my wife's favorite is Hotel El Convento, but E Suites is the best buy if you're watching how much you spend.

 

We have actually looked at El San Juan and are trying to decide between the Embassy Suites or El San Juan. The reviews on the Caribe Hilton basically scared me off....and you are right, Hotel El Convento is beautiful however is pricey. What did you like best about El San Juan?

[14Terry]

Thanks everyone for the replies! One more question. Our flight arrives at 12 noon, check in is at 4pm. What does one do with your bags while waiting for check in.

[CHERRYBRANCH]

Our flight arrives at 1:30 also. I guess we will head over to the the hotel and maybe they will hold our bags until check in. Still trying to decide between the Embassy and El San Juan, we have even looked at the Conrad which is closer to Old San Juan. Decisions, decisions.....:)

[argentinita]

Thanks everyone for the replies! One more question. Our flight arrives at 12 noon, check in is at 4pm. What does one do with your bags while waiting for check in.

 

Our flight arrives at 1:30 also. I guess we will head over to the the hotel and maybe they will hold our bags until check in. Still trying to decide between the Embassy and El San Juan, we have even looked at the Conrad which is closer to Old San Juan. Decisions, decisions.....:)

 

The most hotels keep your bags until the room is ready. Then you can enjoy the facilities or go for a walk.

[tampeños]

Our flight arrives at 1:30 also. I guess we will head over to the the hotel and maybe they will hold our bags until check in. Still trying to decide between the Embassy and El San Juan, we have even looked at the Conrad which is closer to Old San Juan. Decisions, decisions.....:)

 

Another option for Old San Juan that you may wish to consider is the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino. It is definitely not as expensive as El Convento, but just as convenient (if not more) for walking/touring the Old City.

[Fred&Lily]

The Hotel Doorman will check your bags in their lockup room until you need them. Over at Courtyard Marriott Isla Verde they give you a pager so you can sit out by the pool until your room is ready. But if your plane gets in at noon you won't get to the hotel until 1 p.m. or so and Embassy Suites usually has a room ready by 1 or 2pm. Believe it or not there is huge hotel capacity in San Juan. Even in January peak season some hotels are only at 65% (I ask around about fill rates when there). If you have time to kill before check-in just take the public bus to OSJ and ride it right back up Ashton and Isla Verde Blvds.

[14Terry]

Thanks everyone! Happy cruising! :D

[Hawaii697]

Can anyone tell me if they had to stay at the Embassy Suites for a minimum of 2 nights? :confused:

 

I called the Embassy and a few other hotels only to be told we had to stay a minimum of two nights. Our group would love to do a pre-cruise stay next August at the Embassy, but only want one nights stay. At this time the only hotel that seems affordable for one night is the Hampton Inn.

[14Terry]

Our reservation is for one night only, pre-cruise. No one ever said anything to us about a 2 night minimum. I suggest giving them another call and ask to speak with the manager.

[Daycare Provider]

Has anyone stayed at the Embassy Suites in Isla Verde? Can you tell me if this is a well kept property? We will be boarding the Valor in May. We will be flying in on Friday to enjoy Old San Juan prior to boarding the ship on Sunday. How difficult is it to travel to Old San Juan and back to Isla Verde? Any issues with taxi's or local buses? Is this very time consuming? Should we be looking for accomodations in Old San Juan? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

I will be staying here in march...I'll post a review then. I did see some great pictures and reviews on Tripadvisor

 

Angela

[Daycare Provider]

No two night stay minimum...we are doing 2 pre cruise nights and 1 post cruise night...

 

Angela

[Daycare Provider]

I've stayed at the Embassy Suites and it's just fine for a pre-cruise stay. It's fun to take the bus ( No 56 or 53) into Old San Juan - only .75cents exact change each way and it goes to the terminal right at the cruise port. The beach is nicer at Isla Verde than anything to be found along Condado. It's about a one block walk to the big casino hotels like El San Juan, InterContinental and if you really want to be Thurston P Howell III and Lovie dress up in the evening and go hang out at the Ritz Carlton.

Embassy Suites is an easy walk to Walgreen's, Denny's, Chili's and they have their own section of the beach marked off with towels and loungers for guests. The El San Juan Hotel has good live dance bands and a very large casino - it's closest to Embassy Suites - five minute walk and safe anytime of night.

 

How long did the bus ride take to the cruise ship terminal for Royal Caribbeans ships? Is it worth the bus ride or should we take a taxi?

 

Angela

[CHERRYBRANCH]

We too are staying for 2 nights pre-cruise in April. It sounds from what everyone else has posted that there will be a lot right in that area to do. We fly in early afternoon on Friday and as it is such an early flight from home to SanJuan we will just stay around Isle Verde Friday. We are looking into the Segway tour in Old San Juan for Saturday. Any one know what time you can board the Valor on Sunday?

[MsTee]

Last April, I stayed at the Hotel Verdanza which is across the street from the Embassy Suites. I did visit the casino at the Embassy (and won on my second pull at the slot machine)! Although I cannot comment on the rooms, the lobby area was nice and clean. The hotel is in a very convenient location. You can walk two blocks to the beach. There is a grocery store in walking distance and many restaurants. Also, the bus to Old San Juan is one block away. The ride is about an hour.

[Nole0202]

Can anyone tell me if they had to stay at the Embassy Suites for a minimum of 2 nights? :confused:

 

I called the Embassy and a few other hotels only to be told we had to stay a minimum of two nights. Our group would love to do a pre-cruise stay next August at the Embassy, but only want one nights stay. At this time the only hotel that seems affordable for one night is the Hampton Inn.

 

 

Hi

 

Join the Hilton Honors program.

We booked the Embassy Suites for Friday night only thru HH.

[Daycare Provider]

We are doing two pre nights and one post night of our cruise...no two night minimum was required.

[CHERRYBRANCH]

We too booked through Hilton Honors and we are staying two nights pre cruise. I know that I will be ready to go home by the time we get off of the ship. I will be having "Grandbaby" withdrawal for sure by then!

[SunFunCruiser]

How much was a cab ride to the port?

[jmecme]

Can't remember the exact cost of taxi, we stayed post cruise, but all taxis are regulated. When you land in San Juan taxi stand gives you a paper with charges to and from the main areas on the island. And then there is a charge for each bag put in the taxi. I think our cost from Port to Embassy Suites was around $20 for the 2 of us with our bags. Not sure if rates have gone up, we were there in October last year.