If you have ACTUALLY STAYED at a hotel in SJ SINCE Oct 1...please list here

[lonestarmikeb]

San Juan water and beach club

November 9-11

Generators when power is out

CVS and Walgreens

Ate at a bar and grill on the corner that was very good

Rooftop bar is the only thing closed.

Finding soda seems to be a little hard. Restaurant have it but didn’t see any at CVS.

Us and two other groups might be the only ones that aren’t relief workers.

 

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[OnBeachTime]

I was tired of the whole "will they cancel my reservation game" and booked a petit suite at the O:live boutique hotel in Condado. I just spoke to someone tonight who said my reservation is good and will not be cancelled. Now I can take a breath....

[murcor]

Was your flight cancelled for January 28? AC is telling me that my Feb 25 and March 11 flights are still active, but I am suspicious as they are no longer available online. They told my TA that they only cancelled flights to Dec 15.

 

 

 

You may want to re-check with Air Canada and point out the flights are not showing online etc.

 

Its happened before that people have been told flights are ok but in fact have been cancelled.

 

 

 

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[murcor]

I verified my reservation for Dec 26th at La Terraza. All is good for now

 

 

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[TexCruise371]

Thanks for the info. Were you affected by the most recent (Yesterday, 11/09) blackout in SJU?

 

 

 

We are booked at La Concha on 12/1. How did you get from the airport to the hotel? Are taxis available? Approximate price? How will you get to the ship?

 

 

 

Frank in sunny and cool SBA:cool:

 

 

 

No, we were not affected by the blackout.

 

Taxis were readily available at the airport. Taxi ride was $20 to the hotel (plus tip). We will take a taxi to the ship.

 

 

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[Northern Aurora]

......

 

We are booked at La Concha on 12/1. How did you get from the airport to the hotel? Are taxis available? Approximate price? How will you get to the ship?

 

Frank in sunny and cool SBA:cool:

 

 

We stayed at the Hotel El Convento in Old San Juan from October 28 through the 31st. We had been in frequent contact with the El Convento, and one of their concierges assured us that taxis are in abundant supply. The concierge was correct.

 

When the Celebrity Summit arrived at the port there were indeed a great line of taxis (i.e. at least half a mile long), and when we checked out of the El Convento the desk clerk just hailed a taxi on the street. During the days we were in Old San Juan we saw a number of taxis. And during our drive from the port to the hotel and then from the hotel to the airport we passed several gas stations; they were open and there were no lines for gas. So it appears that at least the gas issue has been resolved.

 

Taxi rates in San Juan are based on zones. There is also an additional charge per piece of luggage; this charge per piece of luggage did NOT include carry-ons. Our recollection that for the two of us and three pieces of actual luggage we were charged $15 from cruise port to the El Convento. We also think that the charge from the El Convento to the airport, again with our three pieces of actual luggage, was $22. My husband tipped generously, and those rates we remember were pre-tip prices.

 

Since we were unclear as to the ATM situation in San Juan we did take more cash than we normally carry.

[sbalax]

All of you "on the ground" --

 

Thanks for your detailed reports. They are very reassuring to those of us who will be traveling to San Juan soon.

 

Frank in dark and cool SBA

[stones902]

At the AC now. Full power & water. Many first responders staying here as well. Traffic is a mess with most traffic lights not being operational. Many if not most restaurants in the Condado area are open.

 

 

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[skiiergirl]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences!

 

Future "reporters"....please keep the info coming!

[skiiergirl]

Here are some posts I found on a roll call thread:

 

(some from yesterday and some from this morning)

 

La Concha has seemed to fairvery well. All the restaurants and casino are open. The staff is fabulous andthe food and drinks are excellent. We have stayed here several times and itseems like business as usual.

 

Checked into AC Hotel earlier today. Very nice hotel.Walked around Condado for a bit and had lunch at The Place. All four of usenjoyed our burgers. Relaxing now. Will probably head over to the ship around11 tomorrow.

 

 

We are at Doubletree. Other thanan out of order elevator, all is well. Also no issues at airport. Heading toship in a few hours.

 

Had dinner with cruise buddies lastnight at Yerba Buena which is basically across the street and one block awayfrom our hotel. Around 7ish a large transformer blew up nearby that sounded (noexaggeration) like a large bomb. Lights went out but the restaurant generatorkicked in after a few minutes. Restaurant staff said it’s happened a couple oftimes in the past month.

 

Talked to our cab driver on the way in and he hasn’t had power in 50 days.Obvious signs of hurricane damage around. Many traffic signals aren’tfunctioning creating traffic problems.

 

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[seven1113]

At the AC now. Full power & water. Many first responders staying here as well. Traffic is a mess with most traffic lights not being operational. Many if not most restaurants in the Condado area are open.

 

 

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Hello, Thank you for posting this. we are scheduled for nov 28 at the AC Marriott. Be well and stay safe.

Carolyn

[angelsdeb]

We are currently at the Airport hotel. Room is small but clean. Wifi good, full power and water. Check your reservations as we almost got bumped but in the end they honored our reservation. Taxi to Old San Juan $22.

[richies14]

Just back from the Celebrity Summit and it was wonderful. We flew into San Juan last Friday and it was easy. All of our hotels had cancelled with the exception of the Acacia Boutique Hotel. The bed was comfy and they had a generator. However, no elevator and 3 flights up, difficult for anyone with a disability. Their pool was at their sister hotel a block up, the size of a large whirlpool. It was eerie at night not seeing street lights and only hearing generators. Came home yesterday and the city seemed a bit better; not as many wires hanging. Our shuttle driver was extremely grateful for the help from the USA and all of our prayers. He thought God had given them a second chance and with hard work they will over come. Please go and tip heavily. Chris

[lauraodonnell86]

FYI: I called Embassy Suites San Juan to confirm our booking for January 13th and they said we should have gotten a cancellation email and that they wouldn't be housing people (other than government) until at least March. We never got the cancellation email so I just cancelled the booking myself.

[yipee96]

Received the following message from Choice Hotels regarding our (former) reservation at the Comfort Inn. We have stayed there many years sailing from San Juan. A month ago they were taking reservations for our dates - Nov. 17. Last week, I called the hotel as I had a change in flight times and the hotel confirmed the Nov. 17 date as valid and good for accommodation. My air was changed to leave a day earlier to arrive in San Juan on Nov.17.

 

If Choice Hotels had been upfront, I would have changed my arrival date to Nov. 18 for the cruise. The offer by Choice Hotel to accommodate at another of their properties in the area rings hollow, it is in the same situation as this property. As well, this message rings hollow as guest have stayed at this property since Maria.

We were able to book the Oceana Hostal Playero located about 5 blocks south of the former Radisson Ambassador for Nov. 17.

Between this and United forcing an overnight in Newark, this would have been a good cruise to cancel or re-schedule.

 

 

 

Dear ken_ll,

 

Greetings! I’m Taylor with the Choice Cares Desk at Choice Hotels. I have some news regarding the following reservation for the Comfort Inn at Clemenceau St. #6 in San Juan, PR.

 

Guest Name: ken_ll

Date of Arrival: November 17, 2017

Confirmation #: 01234567

 

Unfortunately, this hotel is closed due to the damage from hurricane Maria and will not be able to accommodate guests. Because this correspondence does not ensure cancellation of this reservation, please call the Choice Cares Desk at (888) 228-5160 or go online to www.choicehotels.com to cancel the reservation. If possible, we’ll work with you on this reservation, and if you’d like, we can help you find an alternative Choice Hotels property in the area.

 

We also suggest that you hang onto this notice for reference should any billing issues come up.

 

I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We hope to welcome you to a Choice Hotels property in the near future!

 

Kind Regards,

 

Taylor

Choice Cares Desk

Choice Hotels International

 

 

I just received this exact same email (except from Barbara) for our Dec 29 reservation. It seemed odd to me that they were telling me it was canceled, but that it was not officially canceled... Did you go to your Choice account and finish canceling? Is this a legit email notice?

 

Thanks!

[SoCalCruzzing]

Holliday Inn express and intercontinental sent out similar email to me on my reservations for February. It appears all the hotels have exactly the same statement as they are hosting FEMA workers for longer than originally anticipated

 

 

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[nanface]

Has anybody heard about the status of the Caribe Hilton?

 

 

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[Runcrazy]

Caribe Hilton now closes to end of March 2018

[nanface]

Caribe Hilton now closes to end of March 2018

 

Wow. Thanks for the update on the Caribe. Love that place.

[skiiergirl]

Received the following message from Choice Hotels regarding our (former) reservation at the Comfort Inn. We have stayed there many years sailing from San Juan. A month ago they were taking reservations for our dates - Nov. 17. Last week, I called the hotel as I had a change in flight times and the hotel confirmed the Nov. 17 date as valid and good for accommodation. My air was changed to leave a day earlier to arrive in San Juan on Nov.17.

 

If Choice Hotels had been upfront, I would have changed my arrival date to Nov. 18 for the cruise. The offer by Choice Hotel to accommodate at another of their properties in the area rings hollow, it is in the same situation as this property. As well, this message rings hollow as guest have stayed at this property since Maria.

We were able to book the Oceana Hostal Playero located about 5 blocks south of the former Radisson Ambassador for Nov. 17.

Between this and United forcing an overnight in Newark, this would have been a good cruise to cancel or re-schedule.

 

 

 

Dear ken_ll,

 

Greetings! I’m Taylor with the Choice Cares Desk at Choice Hotels. I have some news regarding the following reservation for the Comfort Inn at Clemenceau St. #6 in San Juan, PR.

 

Guest Name: ken_ll

Date of Arrival: November 17, 2017

Confirmation #: 01234567

 

Unfortunately, this hotel is closed due to the damage from hurricane Maria and will not be able to accommodate guests. Because this correspondence does not ensure cancellation of this reservation, please call the Choice Cares Desk at (888) 228-5160 or go online to www.choicehotels.com to cancel the reservation. If possible, we’ll work with you on this reservation, and if you’d like, we can help you find an alternative Choice Hotels property in the area.

 

We also suggest that you hang onto this notice for reference should any billing issues come up.

 

I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We hope to welcome you to a Choice Hotels property in the near future!

 

Kind Regards,

 

Taylor

Choice Cares Desk

Choice Hotels International

 

I just received this exact same email (except from Barbara) for our Dec 29 reservation. It seemed odd to me that they were telling me it was canceled, but that it was not officially canceled... Did you go to your Choice account and finish canceling? Is this a legit email notice?

 

Thanks!

 

Had the same email. I called and told the rep it was odd that I was supposed to call to cancel since they were the ones canceling. He said it is because each hotel is independently owned and since I had booked online i had to give them permission to cancel. I Said that was hilarious since it didn't sound like I had an option!

[JEDMELK]

We had several reservations pre cruise for our mid Dec Summit sailing. The only notification we received was a call from the Embassy Suites telling us our reservation was cancelled. The next day, I received an email telling me I had to go to my Hilton account to cancel. Decided to wait a few days just because, and after about 4-5 days when I went on to my account, the reservation was cancelled by them. My mind tells me that they wanted me to go online and cancel so that they can ultimately say they never cancelled our reservation. Sorry, but I am very skeptical about this stuff and do NOT trust any of these hotels.

All in, we ended up with 6 different reservations and we called each hotel directly and not one of them could tell us anything more than "you should be ok then". Sorry, not good enough for me. Ended up cancelling all, made a reservation for 2 nights in Ft Lauderdale (don't want to fly from NYC to San Juan on cruise day in December- too much can happen) Changed our flights with no change or cancellation fees and we are set to arrive San Juan at 10:30 AM.

 

As a side note, most of the hotels we had reservations at have been cancelling out to late December and into January. Others appear to be showing availability for double what my reservation called for and more so I believe they would find a way to give my room to someone paying double. The bottom line is that I believe we made the best choice for our situation.

 

To those that have decided to wait until they reach San Juan to find out, I truly hope I was wrong, just not willing to take that chance.

[ken_ll]

I just received this exact same email (except from Barbara) for our Dec 29 reservation. It seemed odd to me that they were telling me it was canceled, but that it was not officially canceled... Did you go to your Choice account and finish canceling? Is this a legit email notice?

 

Thanks!

I have not canceled as yet, I sent Choice Hotels a pointed response with their cute tactic to cancel. Effectively, your reservation is cancelled, but you have to formalize the cancellation. No egg on their face as you are the one cancelling. I will cancel as we have alternative accommodation.

 

While I feel it is important that accommodation go to those in San Juan there for the rebuilding efforts, I feel that in this scenario Choice Hotels (and possibly other chains) should have been more reactive earlier to their customers. I have a refundable reservation. The letter was silent for those with non-refundable reservations who should cancel and should expect a full refund.

[RobinCruiser]

We tried to do this. We are flying American from LAX through MIA to San Juan on 11/16. I tried to convince AA to let us have a 24 hour layover in MIA. They said this would require canceling our reservation and reticketing it. Cost: $1650.00 per person. But, they were willing to waive the $200 change fee. That’s so kind of them.

 

This is what I attempted to do today too for our flight January 12 from Vancouver, Canada to Miami via Dallas. Same thing, they will waive the change fee but the difference in fare is almost $800.00 per person just to stop in MIA. Crazy.

[Runcrazy]

Were your original flights cancelled? I would think k airline is obliged to rebook your flights at no charge. That is what happened to me and Delta rebooked my flights - no charge. And I changed routes to get to San Juan. Instead of Toronto to New York to San Juan going Toronto to Atlanta to San Juan

[dirtgirl]

This is what I attempted to do today too for our flight January 12 from Vancouver, Canada to Miami via Dallas. Same thing, they will waive the change fee but the difference in fare is almost $800.00 per person just to stop in MIA. Crazy.

 

Hi - we are in the same boat, so to speak. Are you on the Summit Jan 13? I am also flying to SJU on the 12th from Vancouver. I empathize! :(