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

[SoCalCruzzing]

El Canario By The Lagoon just cancelled our reservations tonight and said they are not taking bookings before June

 

 

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[abracer]

We booked the Sandy Beach Hotel for our arrival day of Dec 29, and the Embassy Suites by Hilton for the two days after our cruise.

Sandy Beach says we're ok, see you then in a phone call.

Embassy Suites didn't sound as reassuring and asked that we call back in Dec. anyone have any intel on both these properties?

 

 

We were just cancelled by Embassy for January 13 2018

[abracer]

We just received a cancellation notice from Embassy Suites for January 13-14. We were able to book at the Marriott.

[skiiergirl]

Not a hotel report...but...yesterday in OSJ...Marshall's is open (and accepting credit card), coach store open, the local pharmacy (with souvenir items also) open

(And accepting credit card), the Supermax by Marshall's open, Flip Flop shop open but cash only, Punta De Vista was open with great lunch and drinks. Some of the shops on Fortaleza are still closed but many shops are open.

[stepf717]

Try the boutique hotels in old San Juan they don't have all the bells and whistles that resorts do but very quaint. Currently staying at the Casablanca Hotel in Old San Juan has been a great experience.

 

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[fornowonceayear]

Just checked into Best Western Plus for our night stay before we board the ship tomorrow. Our current view [ATTACH]412294[/ATTACH]

 

 

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That view doesn't look very nice. But overall how do you find the Best Western?

[Borrillje]

Try the boutique hotels in old San Juan they don't have all the bells and whistles that resorts do but very quaint. Currently staying at the Casablanca Hotel in Old San Juan has been a great experience.

 

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Hi! We have a reservation for Casablanca for this coming Friday and Saturday. Our reservations says the room is discounted because there is no air conditioning. Do you have AC? Are there rooms that don't, to your knowledge? I've tried to call the hotel directly several times over the past few days and I continually get a busy signal. If we can't reach them to confirm AC I may switch to our "back up" reservation at the Water and Beach Club. Would prefer not to though. I love the Casablanca. Any input would be really appreciated!

TIA!

Jeanne

[jmbklj]

We spent the night of 11/24 before our cruise at the Sheraton Resort & Casino by the convention center. It was expensive but everything worked well, especially the AC, since I like to sleep in a cool room! Everything was in good working order. The pool was fabulous; the casino was full swing, with live entertainment. This is the hotel that our cruise line (Windstar) was using to book their guests pre and post cruise. Also as a Starwood rewards gold member, we received an upgraded room (not a suite) but it had a large balcony on a high floor with a lovely view. Food was pricey there.

 

If your cruise line offers pre and post hotel bookings, that may be your best bet because the hotel would think twice about cancelling such a reservation.....versus cancelling a reservation made by one individual booking 1 room on their own. It should help you to have the backing and booking clout of a cruise line hotel arrangement.

 

Good luck!

[Cruisin KLS]

Hi! We have a reservation for Casablanca for this coming Friday and Saturday. Our reservations says the room is discounted because there is no air conditioning. Do you have AC? Are there rooms that don't, to your knowledge? I've tried to call the hotel directly several times over the past few days and I continually get a busy signal. If we can't reach them to confirm AC I may switch to our "back up" reservation at the Water and Beach Club. Would prefer not to though. I love the Casablanca. Any input would be really appreciated!

TIA!

Jeanne

We are arriving in Puerto Rico on Wednesday and staying at Hotel Casablanca through Sunday. Just confirmed with them again tonight through Facebook. They are running on regular power and AC is working. Looking forward to our stay!

-Kristi

 

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[Sweetln]

Hi! I have a 10:55 flight booked the day we return in Jan, 21st. If you also leave same day as returning to port, can you report/describe taxi status leaving port and conditions at airport. We will do self assist debark to make it speedier, barring any actual delay in returning. Thank you so much! Enjoy your cruise!!

 

Looks like you got a couple updates already, but I will post my experience with disembarkation at the Pan Am Port yesterday (Sunday, Dec 3).

 

The NCL Dawn offered easy walk off (carry your own luggage off the boat) & it started promptly at 6:30AM. Disembarkation by color groups went smoothly until around 9:45AM..an announcement was made that there were "slight delays" in the terminal & current disembarkation was put on hold for at least 15-20 minutes. Our estimated debark time based on our luggage color RED was 10:15. We were off the boat & bags in hand by around 10:45AM. Line for customs was extensive & a delay seemed to be caused by incomplete customs declarations forms..many guests were reaching the customs officials without a completed form (blame the language barrier for some part as the form is only in English).

 

Line at the taxi stand was <5 minute wait & they were often putting multiple small groups of 2 or 3 people together into one shared taxi van. Fare for 3 people with 4 rolling bags =$25.

 

Wait times at the airport vary by airline. We flew with Southwest and were in line for about 30 minutes to check our bags. Would've been faster to skip check in bags..but Southwest offers free checked bags.

TSA precheck was as fast as other airports I've experienced.

 

 

I'm not sure which ship you are sailing with, but if you're on the Dawn...I believe you will be able to make your flight if you get off the boat right as the disembarkation process begins.

[Luvmypetz]

Looks like you got a couple updates already, but I will post my experience with disembarkation at the Pan Am Port yesterday (Sunday, Dec 3).

 

 

 

The NCL Dawn offered easy walk off (carry your own luggage off the boat) & it started promptly at 6:30AM. Disembarkation by color groups went smoothly until around 9:45AM..an announcement was made that there were "slight delays" in the terminal & current disembarkation was put on hold for at least 15-20 minutes. Our estimated debark time based on our luggage color RED was 10:15. We were off the boat & bags in hand by around 10:45AM. Line for customs was extensive & a delay seemed to be caused by incomplete customs declarations forms..many guests were reaching the customs officials without a completed form (blame the language barrier for some part as the form is only in English).

 

 

 

Line at the taxi stand was <5 minute wait & they were often putting multiple small groups of 2 or 3 people together into one shared taxi van. Fare for 3 people with 4 rolling bags =$25.

 

 

 

Wait times at the airport vary by airline. We flew with Southwest and were in line for about 30 minutes to check our bags. Would've been faster to skip check in bags..but Southwest offers free checked bags.

 

TSA precheck was as fast as other airports I've experienced.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure which ship you are sailing with, but if you're on the Dawn...I believe you will be able to make your flight if you get off the boat right as the disembarkation process begins.

 

 

 

Yes! Some others have posted their experiences but I do appreciate yours as well. It's Disney and I will be walking off at first call. I feel we can make it in time.

 

 

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[mozzerbythesea]

Just stayed at the Marriott Courtyard, Isla Verde property on Saturday (the 2nd day of them allowing non-FEMA worker civilian guests). They are still doing a decent amount of work on the property with lots of scaffolding and some interior construction, but it was a great stay and the staff were wonderful. The pool was immaculate and my husband and I even enjoyed our swim at the beach in front of the Marriott. We didn't have internet access through the hotel wifi or our verizon service, but that wasn't a big deal for the night. We heard from someone at the pool that the airport is commonly turning away passengers who don't arrive at least 2 hours early. We arrived 2.5 hours early for our Sunday 1:50 PM flight and the security line was the shortest I have ever seen, so we had a lot of time to kill at our gate. I thought the security professionals were a lot more efficient this year than in years past, which is probably why there wasn't a huge line. My United flight to Newark was completely sold out.

[Runcrazy]

Just stayed at the Marriott Courtyard, Isla Verde property on Saturday (the 2nd day of them allowing non-FEMA worker civilian guests). They are still doing a decent amount of work on the property with lots of scaffolding and some interior construction, but it was a great stay and the staff were wonderful. The pool was immaculate and my husband and I even enjoyed our swim at the beach in front of the Marriott. We didn't have internet access through the hotel wifi or our verizon service, but that wasn't a big deal for the night. We heard from someone at the pool that the airport is commonly turning away passengers who don't arrive at least 2 hours early. We arrived 2.5 hours early for our Sunday 1:50 PM flight and the security line was the shortest I have ever seen, so we had a lot of time to kill at our gate. I thought the security professionals were a lot more efficient this year than in years past, which is probably why there wasn't a huge line. My United flight to Newark was completely sold out.

 

Hi just want to ask about your comment airport routinely turns passengers away. Some on our cruise ship had their flight on JetBlue changed to earlier (by the airline) and may not have 2 hours before flight. Are you saying they could be turned away?

[mozzerbythesea]

Hi just want to ask about your comment airport routinely turns passengers away. Some on our cruise ship had their flight on JetBlue changed to earlier (by the airline) and may not have 2 hours before flight. Are you saying they could be turned away?

 

If the airport is running as efficiently as it was on Sunday afternoon, I think they would be fine showing up only an hour early. The person at the hotel who shared this with me was a FEMA worker who had been staying on the island a few months. Maybe she was referring to a few weeks ago when things were running less smoothly. I would feel pretty confident about making my plane if I showed up at the airport 90 minutes early, so hopefully you are able to do that. The people working the TSA inspection area looked to be mainland Americans this time, as opposed to native Puerto Ricans last year and the inspection area was operating a lot more quickly and efficiently than the day I was there last year and almost missed my flight out of SJU, even though I had arrived at the airport 90 early.

[Runcrazy]

If the airport is running as efficiently as it was on Sunday afternoon, I think they would be fine showing up only an hour early. The person at the hotel who shared this with me was a FEMA worker who had been staying on the island a few months. Maybe she was referring to a few weeks ago when things were running less smoothly. I would feel pretty confident about making my plane if I showed up at the airport 90 minutes early, so hopefully you are able to do that. The people working the TSA inspection area looked to be mainland Americans this time, as opposed to native Puerto Ricans last year and the inspection area was operating a lot more quickly and efficiently than the day I was there last year and almost missed my flight out of SJU, even though I had arrived at the airport 90 early.

 

Thanks for the reply- I am sure those on our cruise will be comforted by that. With airlines changing flights - not much control over these matters. Looking forward to our Jan cruise. I flying in night before - hoping my hotel reservation holds. Unfortunately had to book a few as I am not sure what will hold and what won’t.

[cstiv]

Anyone stayed at the Hyatt House San Juan? I booked this on Hotwire before the hurricane for late Jan. The Hyatt corporate line wasn't any help, they just told me what the website said. I sent a couple emails direct to the hotel and got no answer, I also wasn't able to get anyone on the phone. Based on all that I booked an AirBnb that was big enough to accomodate our party of 8. It was actually less expensive than the hotel room my parents had booked (that they are able to cancel), so we are going to keep that. Unfortunately, I don't think I can cancel my reservation, because it's Hotwire, unless they cancel mine. I was hoping I could find a way out of it so I can get my $170 back.

 

So all of this was a long-winded way of asking if anyone has stayed there recently and can confirm they are honoring their pre-hurricane reservations?

[Runcrazy]

Anyone stayed at the Hyatt House San Juan? I booked this on Hotwire before the hurricane for late Jan. The Hyatt corporate line wasn't any help, they just told me what the website said. I sent a couple emails direct to the hotel and got no answer, I also wasn't able to get anyone on the phone. Based on all that I booked an AirBnb that was big enough to accomodate our party of 8. It was actually less expensive than the hotel room my parents had booked (that they are able to cancel), so we are going to keep that. Unfortunately, I don't think I can cancel my reservation, because it's Hotwire, unless they cancel mine. I was hoping I could find a way out of it so I can get my $170 back.

 

So all of this was a long-winded way of asking if anyone has stayed there recently and can confirm they are honoring their pre-hurricane reservations?

 

I am booked st Hyatt House too (direct since last Feb) for our Jan cruise. Haven’t been able to reach local hotel - just 1-800 who as you say aren’t helpful. I had a rate of $152/night and I cannot find anything at another decent hotel for anything close to that rate.

[Beeker123]

That view doesn't look very nice. But overall how do you find the Best Western?

Is Best Western still on Generator or have they electricity?

[Beeker123]

Just checked into Best Western Plus for our night stay before we board the ship tomorrow. Our current view [ATTACH]412294[/ATTACH]

 

 

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Does Best Western have electricity??? Also, are the street lights on? I am curious if we should be fearful being out at night with no lights. I understand there is a restaurant in the hotel. Has anyone who stayed there give a report please. Anyone else on this board staying there on December 11? Dinner anyone?

Edited December 5, 2017 by Beeker123

[MotownH2O]

mozzerbythesea - Thanks for the Courtyard Marriott Isla Verde update!

[LasVegas666]

Just returned from our cruise out of san juan...ncl dawn nov 26-dec 3...we stayed 3 nights prior to our cruise at an airbnb in carolina puerto rico close to everything...arrived on thxgiving and a few things were open...people were lined up at 6pm thursday waiting for black friday deals...friday everything was open and running...enjoyed the day at bacardi distillery...saturday spent the day at the beach then headed to La Placita for the night...loved it...sunday got on ncl dawn and had a great cruise...st thomas magens bay was open and beautiful...they r replanting and rebuilding...so glad we stopped there...you can see damage on the drive but still lovely and people are happy to have us return...spent 2 nights after cruise at best western condado...a/c hot water everything (staff said they were still on generator but u wouldnt even notice) we spent the day at el morro fort...spent time in old san juan...ate at serafina (delicious)...loved our entire trip...peurto rico was beautiful and we cant wait to return...:)

[PJWisconsin]

I am booked st Hyatt House too (direct since last Feb) for our Jan cruise. Haven’t been able to reach local hotel - just 1-800 who as you say aren’t helpful. I had a rate of $152/night and I cannot find anything at another decent hotel for anything close to that rate.

 

 

Hyatt House San Juan canceled our January 6th reservation a few weeks ago. We booked through Hotels.com and that is where the cancellation email came from. This was after I made several phone calls earlier in November to confirm our reservation.

[Cruisin KLS]

Arrived in San Juan this morning. Staying at Hotel Casablanca in Old San Juan until we sail on the Jewel on Sunday.

 

No issues at the airport. Shops and restaurants open. 2 minute wait at the taxi stand and we were on our way. Our taxi driver Carmen still has no water or electricity after 80 days but she was still in good spirits.

 

We got to Hotel Casablanca at noon and it was too early to check in but they held our bags so we could walk around and get some lunch. They have power, AC and running water. Most restaurants and shops were open this afternoon. Some places still running on generators. Looking forward to our time here!

-KRISTI

 

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[Getting out there]

LasVegas, how far is Best Western Condado from El Morro? How did you get there? Did the hotel let you drop off luggage early, so you could sightsee?

[LasVegas666]

LasVegas, how far is Best Western Condado from El Morro? How did you get there? Did the hotel let you drop off luggage early, so you could sightsee?

 

We took an uber... cheaper then taxi...it was a short car ride..yes best western let us drop our luggage off early...they tagged it all and off we went for the day...its $7 to get into fort and that allows access to all forts for a 24hr period...enjoy