Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

San Juan hotels

cranddr

By cranddr,
in San Juan, PR

 Share

Recommended Posts

lcgvol

lcgvol

Posted
Posted
We are leaving out of San Juan on AOS, in february, for the first time, not sure of the area where the port is. can anyone suggest hotels in the area of the port for a one night stay?

 

I can tell you where not to stay. We arrived late at night for our Puerto Rico cruise in March and opted to just stay at the Airport Hotel since we would be there less than 12 hours. BIG mistake, had to take an escalator up to the hotel with all of our luggage. Then down a short flight of stairs to the lobby, which was tiny. My MIL fell UP the escalator and had a huge bruise on her leg for the entire trip.

Anyway, even though our room was recently updated, it still smelled musty, the hallways and elevators were old and gross, and the continental breakfast was the worst I'd ever had at a hotel. It was not worth the almost $200 we paid.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
abhb

abhb

Posted
Posted

We stayed at the Marriott Stellaris and loved it. It is right on the ocean. Lots of places to eat within a few blocks. There was a Walgreens about 2 blocks away where we bought a case of water to take on the ship.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AmyWrites

AmyWrites

Posted
Posted
Has anyone tried the Bayamon area? We have enough points to book the Hyatt Place Bayamon for free so could afford to pay a higher taxi rate to the port.

 

How long will you stay there? Bayamon is kind of an awful area... super populated, the worst traffic in PR (so much you'd be lucky to spend $60 on a taxi to San Juan), not much to do. If it's just for one night, sure, but if you want to hang out around, no.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AmyWrites

AmyWrites

Posted
Posted
What about the Dream Hotel over near the university? I heard it was clean and good reviews on Trip advisor.. We are coming too SJU 3days before a cruise and renting a car...any suggestions?

 

The university area is NOT safe. At all. Inside campus it's ok, but the Rio Piedras area, while having nice parts, is pretty much the rape/mugging capital of PR. That street in particular is drunk/party central.

 

I'd honestly stick to a boutique hotel in the San Juan/Condado/Isla Verde area.

 

A couple of nice and cheap ones off the top of my head:

- Casablanca

- Da House (some rooms are kind of loud at night, so ask before booking)

- Pop Art Hotel

- The Gallery Inn

- La Terraza Hotel

 

I've stayed in those. Nicest is Gallery Inn, but also most expensive. Best location, IMO, is Casablanca, next to SJ's best restaurants. Da Hause has the nicest staff.

 

There's another one that's really nice, in Condado, can't for the life of me remember the name.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cabarr

cabarr

Posted
Posted

Warning as many have mentioned hotels are expensive in San Juan area

Mainly because the NE has winter break then and there is a major exodus to get some SUN! Not only is it a good port it is packed with sun seekers!

 

Depending on what week you go check out Priceline Expedia Kayak or Hotelscom

Then check the hotels web site for best available price sometimes you might get a better price. Even airline websites are offering some deals.

 

Check out Trip Advisor for advice on area and safety issues....

Even some of the small inexpensive hotels which websites look appealing can be

Awful!

 

True all the large hotels are a bit more expensive but at this late date you may have little choice as the NE area gets bad weather flights/hotels book up fast.

 

In old San Juan you have Sheraton / no beach

Condado: Marriott, Radisson Renaissance, Carib Hilton, Conrad Hilton and. A couple of smaller hotels

Airport/Carolina /Isle Verde area Many hotels to choose from but a lot of local traffic and longer drive to port and Old San Juan.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AmyWrites

AmyWrites

Posted
Posted
I just booked La Terraza De San Juan. It was a little pricey being a little more than $300 for one night. Has anyone ever stayed there?

 

Yes, it's lovely. Near a lot of great restaurants/cafes too.

 

Word of warning about the Condado area expensive hotels (La Concha, etc). Don't pay for it just because of the beach. The beach is NOT private. You can stay somewhere cheaper and have the same access to the beach.

 

IMO, the best big hotel with a private beach in the area is the Caribe Hilton. GREAT beach.

 

No beaches very near old San Juan, except Escambron, which is not a wonderful beach by any means, but at least you can catch some sun and hear the waves.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Normal 1

Normal 1

Posted
Posted
Yes, it's lovely. Near a lot of great restaurants/cafes too.

 

Word of warning about the Condado area expensive hotels (La Concha, etc). Don't pay for it just because of the beach. The beach is NOT private. You can stay somewhere cheaper and have the same access to the beach.

 

IMO, the best big hotel with a private beach in the area is the Caribe Hilton. GREAT beach.

 

No beaches very near old San Juan, except Escambron, which is not a wonderful beach by any means, but at least you can catch some sun and hear the waves.

 

 

AmyWrites, you are so helpful. THANK YOU for taking the time. Would you please provide your insight on InterContinental - Isla Verda? I am booked there 2 nights pre-cruise and 1 night post-cruise. Will be myself and my 20 year old daughter. Any safety issues in that area? We plan to explore Old San Juan and get some pool/beach relaxing time in. Any restaurant recommendations in that area? We do not plan to rent a car and will rely on bus/cab to get around.

 

Thanks again for your knowledge.

 

_____

Karen

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jabberjaw070596

jabberjaw070596

Posted
Posted
I'm from San Juan, I'd be happy to advise anyone about the city.

 

I really like Casablanca hotel, but it has no elevators (although it's not a tall building by any means), and it's not right smack next to the port.

Can you tell me how far Pandora store (264 Fortaleza St) would be from the port area (Carnival)??

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AmyWrites

AmyWrites

Posted
Posted
AmyWrites, you are so helpful. THANK YOU for taking the time. Would you please provide your insight on InterContinental - Isla Verda? I am booked there 2 nights pre-cruise and 1 night post-cruise. Will be myself and my 20 year old daughter. Any safety issues in that area? We plan to explore Old San Juan and get some pool/beach relaxing time in. Any restaurant recommendations in that area? We do not plan to rent a car and will rely on bus/cab to get around.

 

Thanks again for your knowledge.

 

_____

Karen

 

 

Looooooove the pool in that hotel. Isla Verde is safe enough, worst thing might be drunks, but honestly, it's not too bad, IMO Condado can be iffier. There's not so many great restaurants there as in the Condado area, so I'd get a taxi (or walk, it's not that far) to Condado, there's many more choices there. In Isla Verde it's mostly chains, Denny's and stuff like that.

 

Buses in PR are notoriously slow, late, just generally not something to depend on.

 

The Pandora store might be a 20-25 min walk, if you go relatively quickly. Only thing is San Juan is hilly and often (except on this time of year) HOT... I'd get a cab/trolley if the weather's in "boil people alive" mode that day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sippican

sippican

Posted
Posted
Glad to hear this, primo1! We are going 2 nights before our cruise and are staying at El Convento. Everything I've heard and read about it made me want to stay there at least once! I'm really looking forward to it!

 

Loved El Convento! Anyone who doesn't stay there should at least pop into the courtyard for a cocktail or tapas to soak up the atmosphere. Was worth the one-time cost, but just can't justify a repeat. After staying in the heart of the old city, we don't consider staying anywhere else.

There are other great hotels, inn or B&Bs in OSJ that are just as charming for alot less (minus some of the top-tier amenities).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Normal 1

Normal 1

Posted
Posted
Looooooove the pool in that hotel. Isla Verde is safe enough, worst thing might be drunks, but honestly, it's not too bad, IMO Condado can be iffier. There's not so many great restaurants there as in the Condado area, so I'd get a taxi (or walk, it's not that far) to Condado, there's many more choices there. In Isla Verde it's mostly chains, Denny's and stuff like that.

 

Buses in PR are notoriously slow, late, just generally not something to depend on.

 

The Pandora store might be a 20-25 min walk, if you go relatively quickly. Only thing is San Juan is hilly and often (except on this time of year) HOT... I'd get a cab/trolley if the weather's in "boil people alive" mode that day.

 

 

Thank You!! Really looking forward to our adventure!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BalconybumfromLou

BalconybumfromLou

Posted
Posted
Hi

Reading the messages - a little concerned

Is the Miramar hotel safe for a 1 night stay prior to cruise ?/

We have been to PR twice ( 2 weeks each time) but never stayed in this part of the island.

Thanks

 

robin

 

I am booked there also for March 1. I read all the reviews on it and didn't see anything about it being in a bad area. A lot of people stay there pre cruise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Snorkel Dawg

Snorkel Dawg

Posted
Posted
We are booked at Miramar. Short distance by cab to pier.

 

139.00 nightly very reasonable

 

 

 

 

We stayed there this past April for just a little less than you. Great inexpensive hotel. .75 rides to OSJ on bus, bus stop steps from hotel. We paid $124

 

My advice>>> do yourself a huge favor and skip the connected Bistro and exit hotel to right and 2 blocks away is a locals eatery. Nothing fancy just great service and local food & coffee. Across street is small grocery with beer wine & liquor

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Snorkel Dawg

Snorkel Dawg

Posted
Posted
I am booked there also for March 1. I read all the reviews on it and didn't see anything about it being in a bad area. A lot of people stay there pre cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed one night and had no problems walking at day or night. There are some abandoned buildings in the area. It is by no means a touristy area.

That being said I never felt unsafe there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BalconybumfromLou

BalconybumfromLou

Posted
Posted
We stayed one night and had no problems walking at day or night. There are some abandoned buildings in the area. It is by no means a touristy area.

That being said I never felt unsafe there.

 

Thank you so much for the information. We are 2 older ladies and worry about safety. Just don't stand between us and the cruise ship!!:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dmom & dad

Dmom & dad

Posted
Posted

this is our third time to cruise out of san juan. we normally don't stay after our cruise but fly out that day. we have stayed at the Caribe Hilton and the Sheraton hotel and casino by the convention center. pre cruise we are flying in late and staying at the Sheraton hotel and casino again.

 

last time we booked through royal and had the transfer. It didn't leave till like 1 or 2 I don't remember but I knew from cc we could get on sooner than that so I asked if we could leave our luggage which had to be down early and go in a taxi. and would our luggage make it to the ship if we didn't take the transfer. yes you can do this! there is a line at the cruise port for guests without luggage!

 

Dh and I left our room at 10:45 and were ON THE SHIP at 11:15 I can honestly say I had the first ding on that cruise as I got on the ship first.

 

maybe that's silly but I thought it was pretty awesome!

 

so we plan on doing this again.....however....we would love to see more of san juan after our cruise. I know the two hotels we have stayed at aren't close to anything really (walking distance)

 

what is a good nice hotel to stay at in walking distance of things to see and do in san juan? all the reviews ive read are mixed I know I can count on my fellow CCers!! we aren't interested in the beach or swimming but seeing what san juan has to offer and what its about. and local food!! im dying to try mufongo!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...