San Juan Hotel

[chief joe]

We are cruising on Galaxy 3/07 and would like to go couple of days early to see San Juan any recommendations on hotel.

[agathasmum]

You might like to try El Convento in Old Town San Juan. Rooms in a converted convent, rooftop pool (small), wonderful restaurant and tapas bar and free wine and cheese in the evening.

 

Susan

[reklawr]

Chief Joe, Here's a link that might help get you started:

Go to the San Juan thread on Cruise Critic:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=131&order=desc

Lots of people ask the same question as you're asking.

 

Here's another link that may help:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sanjuan/323_indacc.html

It lists all the hotels in San Juan.

 

We're staying at El Convento in 3/07. We're on Galaxy on the March 5, 2007 cruise out of San Juan. Are you on the same cruise in March?

[reklawr]

Chief Joe,

a few other thoughts:

 

If you are on the March 5, 2007 cruise join us on our roll call at this link:

March 5, 2007 Galaxy Southern Caribbean

If you are on the 3/16 cruise out of San Juan join your cruise critic friends at this thread:

March 16th Galaxy Cruise

[espmass]

It really depends on where in San Juan you want to be and what sort of hotel you like. We always stay at the Embassy Suites on Tartak Street. It's close to the airport, walking distance from the beach, has it's own casino, has a wonderful pool, has a free buffet breakfast and free cocktail hour every afternoon, and we like the rooms. There is also a terrific authentic Puerto Rican restaurant (Mi Casita) a block away which is frequented by the locals.

[paintedduck]

we stayed at the coral princess in the condado district. about $150 a nite for two with breakfast. about equal distance from the airport, cruise terminal, and old san juan. nice resturants in the area and just a couple blocks from the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

[Sheik]

We stayed in Coral Princess too in march this year. A very nice little boutique style hotel, clean, nice people and shops, restaurants and pubs are just a couple of meters from the hotel. Our experience is that the area is safe, even around midnight we haven't seen strange things happen.

 

The rooms are tiny, but comfortable and again very clean, the garden is very nice and breakfast is good.

[newmexicoNita]

It really depends on where in San Juan you want to be and what sort of hotel you like. We always stay at the Embassy Suites on Tartak Street. It's close to the airport, walking distance from the beach, has it's own casino, has a wonderful pool, has a free buffet breakfast and free cocktail hour every afternoon, and we like the rooms. There is also a terrific authentic Puerto Rican restaurant (Mi Casita) a block away which is frequented by the locals.

We love this place, they are friendly, of course, like all Embassy suites it is pretty and never seems crowded plus you can walk right outside to the Outback Steakhouse if you don't feel like leaving the hotel area. Actually the breakfast is made to order. I guess you may want to call it a buffet,but I think of it as one step up from that. Regardless it is a very good choice. It is important to remember March is still very high season in San Juan and the prices are going to reflect this. NMnita

[espmass]

NewmexicoNita- Yes, they are very friendly there. I do consider the breakfast a buffet although they do make eggs and a few other things to order so I guess it is a step above a regular buffet. Did you know that 2 -3 years ago there was a tragic triple murder in that Outback? We were staying there at the time in a room just above the restaurant.

[newmexicoNita]

NewmexicoNita- Yes, they are very friendly there. I do consider the breakfast a buffet although they do make eggs and a few other things to order so I guess it is a step above a regular buffet. Did you know that 2 -3 years ago there was a tragic triple murder in that Outback? We were staying there at the time in a room just above the restaurant.

DArn, and we were there in November of 2003, which was 2 and 1/2 years ago. WOW. NMNita

[espmass]

It was April of 2004. I can't remember those things anymore so I could be a bit off on the date! We woke up in the morning and walked down to the lobby and found it filled with news people and police. Never heard a sound and we were right above the restaurant! Apparently employees of an air conditioning company doing work there were caught using drugs. The restaurant manager turned them in to their company and they were fired. One or more came back and held the staff in the freezer and then shot and killed the manager and I believe 2 others. We have stayed there since then and the Outback is still there.

[aloanldy]

El Convento! Great hotel, close to everything. Lots of history.

You'll love it.

[chief joe]

We are on the March 26 cruise.

[eileen & jay]

El Convento! Great hotel, close to everything. Lots of history.

You'll love it.

 

Totally agree...wonderful, charming and in Old San Juan! Would definitely stay there again. Enjoy!

[superjerryw]

On our last trip we stayed in the Marriott on Ashford Avenue in the COndado area which is right on the beach. The hotel is really nice and I would not hesitate to stay there again. We've also stayed at the Caribe Hilton a couple of times. It's a very nice hotel with extensive grounds but on the far side of a lagoon away from the main part of the Condado.

[xranger39@aol.com]

On our last cruise from San Juan, we stayed at the Intercontinental.

It was very close to the airport (I think it was about 25 dollars to the pier). I got the rate for 129 in October which I understand is very reasonable. You are within walking distance of many great restaurants and there is a convenience store right across the street.

The pool area is beautiful and the staff was extremely professional. There is a casino in the hotel which was neat. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse is attched to the hotel. The restaurants in the hotel were very expensive, so we walked a few blocks to a Mexican restaurant and an Italian place...can't think of the names right now. The hotel has a large beautiful beachfront area and a great bar. I would pay double the price to stay there again.

[xranger39@aol.com]

Oh, and I forgot.....:)

The Intercontinental has balconies as well. The ones in the front face the street (but fun for watching planes take off and land). The ones in the back on the lower floors face the pool and the grounds. The higher floors in the back face the ocean.

[newmexicoNita]

On our last trip we stayed in the Marriott on Ashford Avenue in the COndado area which is right on the beach. The hotel is really nice and I would not hesitate to stay there again. We've also stayed at the Caribe Hilton a couple of times. It's a very nice hotel with extensive grounds but on the far side of a lagoon away from the main part of the Condado.

Caribe would be my second choice. You are right about the location, but if it is only for 1 night this probably makes no difference and the grounds are lovely. I just like Embassy suites because of free shuttle from airport, breakfast and managers cocktail party each night: those 3 things based on the expense of San Juan could amont up to $100 easily. NMNita

[travel222]

Does the Embassy Suites operate a free shuttle from the Airport?

How can I arranage a pickup?

Thanks for the info

[newmexicoNita]

Does the Embassy Suites operate a free shuttle from the Airport?

How can I arranage a pickup?

Thanks for the info

They do have a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel. I think you just have to wait outside for it, but there may be a curtesy phone inside by baggage. We have done it twice and I still can't remember. Is it a senior moment and a more serious problem? LOL

[BOB AND PINKIE]

We are on the Galaxy on Feb 2

Currently booked at the Condado Plaza on Jan 31 and Feb 1, and

agiain on the Day the ship returns (Got a non-stop

mileage flight by staying the extra day.

Stayed there about 35 years ago (about six owners ago)

Heard that it is still nice, but need to do some more checking as

to current condition.

[parrothead1]

It really depends on where in San Juan you want to be and what sort of hotel you like. We always stay at the Embassy Suites on Tartak Street. It's close to the airport, walking distance from the beach, has it's own casino, has a wonderful pool, has a free buffet breakfast and free cocktail hour every afternoon, and we like the rooms. There is also a terrific authentic Puerto Rican restaurant (Mi Casita) a block away which is frequented by the locals.

 

Funny that you mention Mi Casita. I used to travel to San Juan for business all the time back in the late 90's and stayed at the Embassy Suites and we used to walk to Ruths Chris Steakhouse and also Mi Casita. The food at Mi Casita was always outstanding and very reasonable.

[espmass]

Yes, Mi Casitas has been there for a long time. They serve authentic Puerto Rican meals. We went with a group of 12 one time and they gave us a sampling of lots of different things. We didn't even know what some of the dishes were because at that time, they didn't speak much English. However, they were friendly and welcoming and eager to have us try their native foods. Last time I was there it hadn't been 'discovered" by too many tourists yet.

[Shir Hayam]

We've stayed at the Marriott and the Radisson, both in Condado, and found that to be a good location. It's near the beach and restaurants, and not far from Old San Jaun if you want to visit there. San Jaun is a fun place to spend a day or two before (or after) a cruise. Which hotel or location is best for you really depends on your budget and interests. Good luck!

 

Sheila