Puerto Rico Questions

[lexingtonave]

I'm booked on the Jewel on 2/1. We will be flying into Puerto Rico the day before, but our flight lands at 7:00pm. Any suggestions for an inexpensive hotel not too far from the port? Since we won't be using the pool or beach, I don't want to pay big bucks and a resort fee, just to sleep somewhere.

Also, our flight home is at 6:30pm. Is there somewhere we can store luggage until we go to the airport? Do any hotels offer day passes? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[Clarea]

I'm booked on the Jewel on 2/1. We will be flying into Puerto Rico the day before, but our flight lands at 7:00pm. Any suggestions for an inexpensive hotel not too far from the port? Since we won't be using the pool or beach, I don't want to pay big bucks and a resort fee, just to sleep somewhere.

Also, our flight home is at 6:30pm. Is there somewhere we can store luggage until we go to the airport? Do any hotels offer day passes? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Tough to find inexpensive hotels in San Juan. I looked at the Holiday Inn Express once and it was around $150. We usually stay at the Marriott Courtyard in Miramar, but that can run $200. If you have Marriott points, you can get it for 25,000.

 

Regarding storing your bags, there is a restaurant that allows that. I believe it's called Barrachina's.

Edited December 6, 2013 by clarea

[Pennstateman]

I'm booked on the Jewel on 2/1. We will be flying into Puerto Rico the day before, but our flight lands at 7:00pm. Any suggestions for an inexpensive hotel not too far from the port? Since we won't be using the pool or beach, I don't want to pay big bucks and a resort fee, just to sleep somewhere.

Also, our flight home is at 6:30pm. Is there somewhere we can store luggage until we go to the airport? Do any hotels offer day passes? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

I go to San Juan several times a year on business and always stay at the Courtyard Isla Verde. Convenient to the airport and the pier, and if you ask they should remove the resort fee

[critcatny]

We stayed at Hotel Milano only a few blocks from the port when we cruised from PR 2 years ago. We were happy with it. There are cheap rooms which have tiny high up windows or superior rooms with big windows. We paid the extra for the room with the big windows. Room was nice and clean....only thing was we were overlooking the street and it was a Sat night I believe and it got quite loud from the bars below. We were so tired, once we fell asleep, we slept through it. Price was good and location was great. We walked to the ship (maybe like 6 blocks). Just a suggestion.

[NorbertsNiece]

The hotel nearest the port from where you embark is the Sheraton Convention hotel. It is still a taxi ride from the port. Pics of the hotel and location are in the B2B blog in my sig below.

 

The Hotel Milano mentioned above is in Old San Juan. I don't see how you could possibly walk to the Pan Am Pier (where RCCL embark from) from there. Happy to be corrected.

Edited December 6, 2013 by NorbertsNiece

[OttoCal]

Inexpensive hotels in San Juan can be tricky. We have seen some stinkers.

 

For a decent budget hotel, look at Le Consulat. You would take a taxi (easy) from the airport, and a taxi to the cruise (again easy), but would be in the convenient Condado neighborhood, and 1 block away from a Walgreens- stock up on water, soda, sunscreen, whatever else you forgot. 3 blocks from beach, for a morning walk. Lots of restaurants for dinner that night you arrive. Near casinos if that interests you.

 

Not fancy. But it has a small pool. Check reviews on trip advisor.

[suep]

We'll be cruising along with you on the Jewel on 2/1. There will be 8 in our group and I snagged several rooms at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Isla Verde, as we're arriving around 6:00 PM on Friday evening.

As far as places to store luggage on your return day, check out Barrachina's in Old San Juan.

There is also a roll call for our cruise -- check that out as well!

Sue

[coordinator23]

We would feel that the trip was incomplete if we did not go to Barrachina's to store our luggage, shop and have lunch. There food is great. You can catch a cab less that a block away to go to the airport afterwards. We are planning to go there after our upcoming cruise on the Adventure. Check out their web site.

[lakelorain]

The hotels in Isla Verde(near the airport) are generally less expensive than the other areas. We stayed at the Verdanza Hotel. $149 total. 1 block from the beach. Great restaurants in hotel and in surrounding area.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Isla Verde, too. I would suggest any of the Isla Verde hotels for the arrival night. A good place to eat there is the Metropol restaurant. Very good Puerto Rican food and other items. [even my DH enjoyed it] Here is a link to the restaurant. That way you can get a flavor of the city even with a late arrival.

 

http://metropolrestaurant.com/

 

Isla Verde hotels are very near the airport--so, convenient for your arrival. You can walk from most of them to Walgreen's for wine and water. [across from the Metropol Restaurant] :)

[dudaze11]

If you are not picky, use priceline to get a hotel. I think we have done this all three times we sailed out of San Juan and have not had a bad experience. We just don't go below three stars when bidding. If you are not familiar with booking that way, there are entire websites dedicated to recent winning bids and other bidding strategies. You should be able to snag a deal in the middle of February.

[bilyclub]

The Caribe Hilton can be had for under $100 on Priceline....

[Pennstateman]

The Caribe Hilton can be had for under $100 on Priceline....

 

Best beach in sj IMHO

[bilyclub]

Best beach in sj IMHO

 

 

Agreed, just nothing close by. It's a long walk across the bridge to Condado.

[Familygoboston]

I concur with the others, for a quick overnight, especially with a late flight- go for the cheapest you can get in the Isla verde/Miramar area. Most there don't charge resort fees. If you go to Condado, you'll likely have to pay a big resort fee and prices are already high. There are many cheap " boutique"type of hotels in OSJ, but many are small and you risk getting in late and not having a staff person at the desk. One that assured me they have 24/7 desk attendance is Hotel Plaza de Armas. We stayed there a few weeks ago, service was very good, but the building is old and rough in places. Ill have some photos in my Jewel review next week when I get " back" to SJ!:D

[jcl410]

We cruised out of San Juan in Oct. With 2 weeks to go my wife decided to invite her 26yo son.

 

I booked him in a 2 star hotel in Condoado via Hotwire. He got the Sandy Beach Hotel, which was just off the beach. He reported it was basic but clean. There are lots of restaurants nearby, and it's a quick cab ride to the port.

 

Aloha,

 

John

[Hoopster95]

I'm booked on the Jewel on 2/1. We will be flying into Puerto Rico the day before, but our flight lands at 7:00pm. Any suggestions for an inexpensive hotel not too far from the port? Since we won't be using the pool or beach, I don't want to pay big bucks and a resort fee, just to sleep somewhere.

 

Hotel Plaza De Armas (Howard Johnson) I feel should be #1 on your list. Inexpensive basic hotel absolutely perfectly positioned 2-3 blocks or 5-10 walk from everything you want to see on Old Town.

 

Stayed there twice, the last time flew in around 10:30pm. Was able to walk around in the evening with a lot of night life out and about until about 12:30am. Got up early in the morning, was able to tour both forts until about noon (hotel kept luggage) and then took taxi to the pier.

 

Staying here gives you the best opportunity to actually walk Old Town (the Forts, the Wall, pier, etc) on the evening you arrive and that morning without wasting any time at all.

[dmdicato]

Try the Best Western Condado. We stayed there pre-cruise in September and my daughter & son-in-law stayed there pre-cruise in October. Rate is $107 per night, plus tax.