Is the Sheraton in Old San Juan worth $375?

[cme4ltc]

:confused: :confused: :confused: I have heard many on these boards talk of the wonders of the Sheraton. It is close to everything and I see on here that it is a wonderful hotel. Here is my question...It is really worth the $375 they are asking or do some of you know a cheaper way to stay at this hotel. I appreciate any input you may have.

[texancruzer]

Wow--- you can stay at El Convento (San Juans only 5 star) cheaper than that....

 

 

www.elconvento.com scroll down to the bottom of home page for a link to internet specials....

 

 

It is also located in the heart of Old San Juan near everything....

[lovemylab]

I've heard good things about Sheraton Old San Juan - but $375??? Out of curiosity, what time of the year are you booking it for?

 

I would also check out El Convento. I haven't stayed there myself but EVERY review I have read is fantastic - and like the Sheraton it is in the heart of Old San Juan and within walking distance to everything.

[Sue L]

WOW!!!! It is very convienent in Old San Juan but I have never been inside except the lobby. Is it possible to priceline it? Not sure how it works out of the US mainland. Also heard wonderful things abou El Convento here is their website.

 

http://www.elconvento.com/

 

 

Sue

[gkrebs]

For 375 I better never have to put a foot on the ground, they carry me every where, the grapes are peeled, 1000 count sheets, oh and drinks included. My word, all inclusives are cheaper then that. hotels are for sleeping. If this is a one night pre or post cruise stay you can do alot better. I'm falling out of my chair over the rate.

[Lynnees]

When are you going? You could try for it on Priceline. That's a little too steep even for that hotel.

 

I used Priceline and got the Normandie which is apparently next door or close by. Paid less than a third of that amount and I'm told it's a decent hotel.

[vikeqn]

We sailed a few years ago out of San Juan and stayed at the HOJO and it was across the street from the beach - a block away. It was clean and cheap. We took taxi's from the airport and to the cruise port. No problem at all. Food and 7 -11 within walking distance. Don't spend that kind of money. I will see if I can find my review.

[cme4ltc]

Thanks all for your quick response. Here are the details. My sister and I are arriving San Juan on Saturday 1-27-07 prior to our sail date of 1-28. We booked a hotel for $165 (name not coming at the present) however, after reading the reviews, decided not to sleep with the roaches! Have never tried Priceline, but we do know that we want to be in Old San Juan for the ease of everything close by. The way we figured it, is if we stay on Old San Juan, it would be ike getting an extra port. We arrive San Juan around 1:30 on Satuday and just wanted to get the best bang for our buck.........But not for $375!!!

[Joan Fournier]

I've stayed at the Normandie for a LOT less, and am staying there again in January. Very accommodating, clean, friendly employees, restaurants, bars, and gift shops on premises.

[wdh]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!! You will have a fabulous stay at the ElConvento. JLo and Marc Anthony were staying at the ElConvento when we were there last January. If it is good enough for them, it should be good enough for you....and much much less than the Sheraton. ElConvento is also listed in the Historic Hotels Registry. You will not be dissappointed. Everything is within walking distance. A great little resturant directly across the street. Looks like a hole in the wall, but the food is cooked to order and the best we've had in San Juan. We go there often....6-7 times a year.

[shipshape sam]

We have stayed there two times and never paid close to that amount. It is in the middle of old San Juan and great for touring/walking, but you can take a cab to the area for a lot less and walk around then catch a cab back to your hotel.

 

We paid somewhere between 130 and 170. First time, got a special through our TA, second time we booked ourselves and paid about 30 bucks more for room without the concierge lounge.

[cme4ltc]

It looks like we were going to be robbed on our 1st day of vacation. You all have given us some great and cheaper options. I will continue my search. If anyone else has any thoughts, keep them coming! Good cruising to all. If it could only be tomorrow!

[Shanafan]

We are going Presidents week and we need a room for 4 on Feb 17th for one night. I know there is a site that you can get on to help when you bid on priceline but can't remember what it is. The Old Sheraton is asking $459........there has to be something better!

[negc]

We stayed at the Sheraton when it was the Wyndham Old San Juan and it is in a great location, across from where the cruise ships dock, but I doubt that I would pay $375 to stay there. I have friends who just came back from the Normandie which is just between the Condado section of San Juan and Old San Juan and they were extravagant in their praise of the hotel, its location, facilities etc. Don't know what they paid for their room, and of course, nowadays $375 is not an unusual rate for many hotel rooms during peak season. Check out the classic El Convento in Old San Juan, the Normandie, and some of the hotels in the Condado section. If I knew what districts Priceline uses for San Juan and what bidders typically get when they make a winning bid, I might be tempted to bid on their site. You might also check the Sheraton website to see if they are offering any special rates when you want to stay there.

[eloyps]

When are you going? You could try for it on Priceline. That's a little too steep even for that hotel.

 

I used Priceline and got the Normandie which is apparently next door or close by. Paid less than a third of that amount and I'm told it's a decent hotel.

 

I am puertorrican,so I guess I know best.The Normandie is not exactly in Old San Juan,is in the avenue that drives you there.Not far,but you need a taxi.Sheraton is exactly in front of the piers.El Convento is Old San Juan,but further away than the Sheraton.It is the most unique hotel in San Juan because it use to be a convent, with an old spanish style and a lot of class and personality.

[pepsicruiser]

This doesn't work at all hotels with casinos, but try calling them and asking for a casino rate. You then have to sign up for a casino card. I have done this a few times in Canada, Las Vegas etc. It's worth a try.

[wrp96]

The Sheraton is a good hotel. Not worth paying over $300 for though. I would keep looking and see if you can find a better price.

 

Oh, and just so you know while it is across from the Old San Juan piers it is not across from the pier RCCL uses, which is the Pan Am Pier and is across the harbor from Old San Juan.

[gkrebs]

We are going Presidents week and we need a room for 4 on Feb 17th for one night. I know there is a site that you can get on to help when you bid on priceline but can't remember what it is. The Old Sheraton is asking $459........there has to be something better!

 

biddingfortravel.com

[Nurse Daybreak]

Thanks all for your quick response. Here are the details. My sister and I are arriving San Juan on Saturday 1-27-07 prior to our sail date of 1-28. We booked a hotel for $165 (name not coming at the present) however, after reading the reviews, decided not to sleep with the roaches! Have never tried Priceline, but we do know that we want to be in Old San Juan for the ease of everything close by. The way we figured it, is if we stay on Old San Juan, it would be ike getting an extra port. We arrive San Juan around 1:30 on Satuday and just wanted to get the best bang for our buck.........But not for $375!!!

 

The Normandy as another has suggested is a nice enough hotel but it is not in old San Juan. It is only a short ride to the pier. When we stayed at the Normandy several years ago we got up in the morning and walked the beach down to the fort and then down to Old San Juan. We went into San Juan last year at the same time as you will be traveling (AOS 1-29-06) and El Convento was $400/NIGHT. We declined and stayed in Conondo, about 12 minutes from the pier. If you're doing Adventure you will be sailing from the new Panamerican pier anyway and being down by the port won't make your ride there much shorter.

[PH8]

Heard good things about this place(#7 on tripadvisor)....

 

http://www.hotelmilanopr.com/

[Lynnees]

I am puertorrican,so I guess I know best.The Normandie is not exactly in Old San Juan,is in the avenue that drives you there.Not far,but you need a taxi.Sheraton is exactly in front of the piers.El Convento is Old San Juan,but further away than the Sheraton.It is the most unique hotel in San Juan because it use to be a convent, with an old spanish style and a lot of class and personality.

 

I guess you do and I am more than willing to take your word for it. That's fine by me anyway. Thanks for the info. We like to walk but we'll take a cab if we have to. Since you're so knowledgeable please tell us where to go for dinner that wouldn't be too far from the Normandie.

 

I was already aware that we would have to cab it from the hotel to the pier as we sailed from there less than 2 years ago and I know that RCL is at the other pier.

 

Thanks.

[SPARKLE10]

Hi:

 

We stayed at the Sheraton Old San Juan this past March before our AOS cruise. I found the hotel in a good location, but to me, it was just an average place to stay and I certainly wouldn't spend $375 to stay there. In fact, when we go back again, I'll be booking a different hotel. I just didn't find anything special about it. Our room was very small and when I looked out our window, I saw cement and other rooms across from us. We had absolutely no view of anything nice. We were also disappointed in the breakfast buffet. Just our opinion.

 

Happy Cruising.....Sparkle 10

 

PS Their casino also was a disappointment.:(

[Shanafan]

biddingfortravel.com

 

Thanks Gary.....that is what I was looking for!

[MIcruiser99]

This idea is too late for the OP but we used our Starwood AmEx card to charge enough points to stay at the Sheraton Old San Juan for free.

 

The rack rate is $375 and when I talked to the customer service, she mentioned that sometime in Nov., you can call and ask for a 50% off coupon for your stay - it may or may not be available.

 

If we did not get the room with our points, I would not be spending that kind of money!

[nhlbd]

Go to Priceline.com and see what is available. I have often gotten better hotel rates there.