Hotels in San Juan Puerto Rico

[craignaaron]

Cruising out of San Juan October 15 on the Carnival Dream. Any recommendations on where to stay for a couple nights prior while in San Juan. Want something that is close to the beach/tourist spots but also want to be close to some gay friendly establishments.

 

Also, is there a gay district in San Juan?

[AFuncruiser]

Cruising out of San Juan October 15 on the Carnival Dream. Any recommendations on where to stay for a couple nights prior while in San Juan. Want something that is close to the beach/tourist spots but also want to be close to some gay friendly establishments.

 

Also, is there a gay district in San Juan?

 

Atlantic Beach Hotel one Vendig Street, Condado, Condado, PR 00907 San Juan, Puerto Rico

On the gay beach just uo the street from the Marriott.

Dennis

[Steven_&_Daniel]

We have stayed at the Condado Plaza and the Caribe Hilton and loved both. The Caribe Hilton has an amazing private beach.

[Lipz]

We're also sailing out of San Juan, but in April. We were leaning towards Isle Verde, but it seems like the Condado area is more gay friendly from what I've found so far. Information seems very limited. Great question!

[GuysInCT]

My preference is definitely Isle Verde. We've stayed at the Caribe Hilton, didn't like it - too remote, too kid-friendly/popular. We've stayed at the La Concha, great hotel, trendy vibe, but the beach isn't good there - waves WAY too strong, often not swim-able. And we've stayed in Isla Verde (half dozen times at least). Feels more like a 'resort' over there, expansive pools at most hotels, wonderful beach, very suitable to long walks, quieter. Everywhere is gay-friendly. If you want to be in close proximity to Atlantic Beacon Hotel, then go with Condado. But to us, its not worth it, we would much prefer to stay in Isla Verde, and maybe stop in for a drink at Atlantic Beacon hotel before/after dinner (this place is very mixed nowadays, anyway, and often not worth the time). If you want real gay nightlife, you need to go to Santurce anyway.

[Lipz]

My preference is definitely Isle Verde. We've stayed at the Caribe Hilton, didn't like it - too remote, too kid-friendly/popular. We've stayed at the La Concha, great hotel, trendy vibe, but the beach isn't good there - waves WAY too strong, often not swim-able. And we've stayed in Isla Verde (half dozen times at least). Feels more like a 'resort' over there, expansive pools at most hotels, wonderful beach, very suitable to long walks, quieter. Everywhere is gay-friendly. If you want to be in close proximity to Atlantic Beacon Hotel, then go with Condado. But to us, its not worth it, we would much prefer to stay in Isla Verde, and maybe stop in for a drink at Atlantic Beacon hotel before/after dinner (this place is very mixed nowadays, anyway, and often not worth the time). If you want real gay nightlife, you need to go to Santurce anyway.

 

 

What do you recommend we check out as far as lodging goes in Isle Verde. We are only there for two days before sailing and would really like to site see mostly by walking or public transportation. We've ported in Old San Juan twice so we've seen the forts, walked the the old city and have eaten at some restaurants over there in the past. Any Isle Verde must see, must do, or must taste, places we should check out?

[GuysInCT]

We've stayed at the Intercontinental and loved it. The Ritz is really nice, but above our budget and not really our style. We used to stay at the Crown Plaza till it got destroyed in a hurricane. There's not much to do in Isle Verde except enjoy yourself, the pools, the beach, and the casinos. There is one restaurant there we really like, a Cuban place (Metropol) - nothing fancy, but good Cuban food.

 

There is a good bus system which we've used. You can easily (and cheaply) get to Condado and OSJ using the bus. Sometimes we'll take the bus in, then a taxi back, just to mix it up.

 

There are also wonderful places around the island to see. We've gotten a rental car, just for one day (pick it up in the morning, do our touring, then return the car at night = no hotel parking charges). El Yunque is a good destination, not too far, very interesting and beautiful. On the way back you can stop at Luquillo Beach, postcard-lie beach, nice refreshments. Going the other way, Arecibo is also a great day trip (especially if you're a bit geeky like me).

 

On our last trip, we drove south to Ponce for the day, and visited this house:

http://museocastilloserralles.com/

Beautiful place, and really interesting history.

[Lipz]

We've stayed at the Intercontinental and loved it. The Ritz is really nice, but above our budget and not really our style. We used to stay at the Crown Plaza till it got destroyed in a hurricane. There's not much to do in Isle Verde except enjoy yourself, the pools, the beach, and the casinos. There is one restaurant there we really like, a Cuban place (Metropol) - nothing fancy, but good Cuban food.

 

There is a good bus system which we've used. You can easily (and cheaply) get to Condado and OSJ using the bus. Sometimes we'll take the bus in, then a taxi back, just to mix it up.

 

There are also wonderful places around the island to see. We've gotten a rental car, just for one day (pick it up in the morning, do our touring, then return the car at night = no hotel parking charges). El Yunque is a good destination, not too far, very interesting and beautiful. On the way back you can stop at Luquillo Beach, postcard-lie beach, nice refreshments. Going the other way, Arecibo is also a great day trip (especially if you're a bit geeky like me).

 

On our last trip, we drove south to Ponce for the day, and visited this house:

http://museocastilloserralles.com/

Beautiful place, and really interesting history.

 

 

The IC is on my radar for sure, we stayed in the one in downtown Miami and it was so nice. I figured it would be even better in San Juan. We're from NYC and walk a lot so it would be cool to be in an area that we can walk to the beach, restaurants and light shopping. We really just want to relax since our sailing is so port intensive and we will be visiting 5 ports out of 7 days. We may just stay in Isle Verde this whole two days and save Condado for a another visit. I know we will not cruise from there again, but I can see another port day there in our future.

 

Thanks for all the info, it's so helpful!

[InPR]

I used to live in PR (hence the name) and I can tell you, if you want proximity to what little gay life there is to be found, then Condado is your area. It's a nice area, too. I'd eschew the "gay" hotel (Atlantic Beach Hotel was once a dive catering solely to gay clientele, but I believe it got renovated a couple years ago and now is more mixed clientele) for the trendy Concha or the Hilton (which will include both swimming on the beach and a neat little sheltered cove with showers to rinse of the sand, a rare find in PR). There is a gay spot on the beach by the Atlantic Beach Hotel, but you'll find better eye candy down the road at Ocean Park. Isla Verde has all the familiar chain hotels, a good beach, and will feel very touristy.

Edited April 13, 2015 by InPR

[Rotterdam]

I used to live in PR (hence the name) and I can tell you, if you want proximity to what little gay life there is to be found, then Condado is your area. It's a nice area, too. I'd eschew the "gay" hotel (Atlantic Beach Hotel was once a dive catering solely to gay clientele, but I believe it got renovated a couple years ago and now is more mixed clientele) for the trendy Concha or the Hilton (which will include both swimming on the beach and a neat little sheltered cove with showers to rinse of the sand, a rare find in PR). There is a gay spot on the beach by the Atlantic Beach Hotel, but you'll find better eye candy down the road at Ocean Park. Isla Verde has all the familiar chain hotels, a good beach, and will feel very touristy.

 

Years ago(1984 or so) during a scandalous love affair I stayed at 2 small hotels & rented 1 apartment on the beach in the Ocean Park area.....the small hotels were both gay & nice & casual w/ small bars & restaurants. do you know if there are still such establishments in that area. From what I understand the area was drug ridden & many establishments closed down....really a shame.

 

We could walk or taxi to Atlantic Beach(it was too much for us w/ the constant music & dancing queens 24/7) if we wanted to but mostly stayed in Ocean Park. I would love to find lil hotels like that.. thanks.

 

PS - the men were delicious!!!!

[Bostonjetset]

We've stayed at the Intercontinental and loved it. The Ritz is really nice, but above our budget and not really our style. We used to stay at the Crown Plaza till it got destroyed in a hurricane. There's not much to do in Isle Verde except enjoy yourself, the pools, the beach, and the casinos. There is one restaurant there we really like, a Cuban place (Metropol) - nothing fancy, but good Cuban food.

 

There is a good bus system which we've used. You can easily (and cheaply) get to Condado and OSJ using the bus. Sometimes we'll take the bus in, then a taxi back, just to mix it up.

 

There are also wonderful places around the island to see. We've gotten a rental car, just for one day (pick it up in the morning, do our touring, then return the car at night = no hotel parking charges). El Yunque is a good destination, not too far, very interesting and beautiful. On the way back you can stop at Luquillo Beach, postcard-lie beach, nice refreshments. Going the other way, Arecibo is also a great day trip (especially if you're a bit geeky like me).

 

On our last trip, we drove south to Ponce for the day, and visited this house:

http://museocastilloserralles.com/

Beautiful place, and really interesting history.

 

I'll second this poster's thoughts on Metropol! We stayed at the Ritz and ended up crossing the street twice that week to eat there. The food was good and the service was so friendly.

 

To the OP, as for hotels, the Ritz really was fabulous if you want to feel pampered. Service at all of their properties is some of the best of any chain hotel. The Intercontinental is also a great brand; still upscale but not as conservative. You can't go wrong with either!

[mortonmc]

Atlantic Beach Hotel one Vendig Street, Condado, Condado, PR 00907 San Juan, Puerto Rico

On the gay beach just uo the street from the Marriott.

Dennis

 

Just back from the Carnival Liberty and our second trip to San Juan. The Atlantic Beach Hotel has always been a favorite to visit during the day, but we have never stayed there. Plenty of "family" there and on the beach.