Looking for a pre-cruise hotel, San Juan

[seabreeze0389]

Hi:

 

We are looking for a pre-cruise hotel in San Juan for only one night. We have noticed that most of the 3+ hotel rooms require a two night stay. We are interested in a hotel that has trasportation to/from Old San Juan available at all hours. We are sailing RCCL. Recommedations please!

 

Thanks bunches!

 

Tina

[Cages2000]

Hello

 

I studied the Priceline thread for our stay (this coming August). I ended up getting pretty excited about the Hilton Caribe which is not too far from OSJ. I bit $65 for 3 nights which was accepted. Not a bad price for a pretty nice hotel. Good luck

[pittypat]

I booked the hotel Milano for one night due to recommendations from this board. We will be staying there this Sat. Feb. 10 pre cruise, you might try them.

 

pittypat

[PhinsAndGills]

We're looking at the same scenerio for August, one night before cruise, one night after, and we're going economy (refund check will barely cover air and cruise). Any recommendations for a safe but cheap stay?

[PhinsAndGills]

Oh for Pete's sakes, double post...

[texancruzer]

Well one thing San Juan is not - cheap when it comes to hotel room prices whether in the Old San Juan area or further out in Condado, Ocean Park or Isla Verde. Even the "chain" hotels around the airport are not "cheap" compared to US prices.

 

However, do not hestitate to call the hotel directly and ask if they will book one night for the same price..... you may also want to think about staying in the old San Juan area instead of taking taxis back and forth if you plan on spending most of your time in osj. The cost of the taxis will negate any savings in the hotel cost you might have. You can walk to any point in osj easily as it is only about 15 square blocks. Do not know of any hotel that has shuttle to osj or docks.

 

We stayed 2 nights precruise at El Convento - only 5 star in San Juan..... pricey. But did learn that sometimes they will book 1 night at cheaper rate depending on what time of year and how booked they are.....try www.elconvento.com and click on internet specials. There is a pre/post cruise special here that makes the price come down considerably.

 

so if you see a hotel you like......call and ask. Most have 800 #s on their websites so all it involves is a little time on your part.

 

PhinsandGills: try www.numero1guesthouse.com this was nice B&B type hotel on the beach about halfway from the airport to the dock area. Small but nice. We had dinner there at Pamelas and was best meal of the trip.....also pricey. But their hotel rates are very reasonable for San Juan.

[rlkubi]

We just returned from cruising on the Destiny and we stayed a couple of extra days in San Juan after the cruise. We stayed at the Hotel Milano in Old San Juan and we loved it! It was a great location along with a great price. We walked to the El Convento which is a beautiful hotel but for the price in my opinion the Hotel Milano was way better. I would definitely stay there again! We stayed there with 2 other couples and we all loved it!

[Penguinlo]

Can you tell me a little more about Hotel Milano? What were the views like? They list rates for front and back. Which did you have? Did you eat at the hotel? How was the food if you did? Your help is appreciated. We stayed at the Shearaton the last time and would like to stay in Old San Juan again. Thanks

[Penguinlo]

Sorry, I posted my question, but the board timed out and didn't bump my post, so I'm posting this to bump it. Sorry

[OVgirl]

We are also staying there in a few weeks. Would love some more details.

Thanks

[rlkubi]

We stayed in the front of the hotel and one of the couples stayed in the back. The difference was that we had a view of the main street in front and our room was a little bigger. We were on the second floor. They have a restaurant on the 5th floor. We could see our ship from the restaurant but they are building a parking garage near the water so the view is partially blocked by that. We didn't eat except appetizers at the restaurant but there are a lot of restaurants near. We ate at the Parrot Club and Aquaviva which were both great! There is also a restaurant a few blocks away El Bombaro (not sure of the spelling). If you stay here, you will make a right out of the hotel, go down a block and then make another right, go a block and make a left. The restaurant is on the right and it had nice breakfasts.

 

We looked at the Sheraton also but this hotel is a few blocks away and was half the price. There is no pool but that didn't matter to us -- we were too busy sightseeing. If you have more questions, just ask.

[rlkubi]

Also the back of the hotel doesn't really have windows -- they are small windows near the ceiling with no view. They didn't mind though -- we werent' in the room long.

[Bonnie Voyager]

We just returned from cruising on the Destiny and we stayed a couple of extra days in San Juan after the cruise. We stayed at the Hotel Milano in Old San Juan and we loved it! It was a great location along with a great price. We walked to the El Convento which is a beautiful hotel but for the price in my opinion the Hotel Milano was way better. I would definitely stay there again! We stayed there with 2 other couples and we all loved it!

 

Was your front room at the Hotel Milano noisy? I often read about how noisy it is there but one person's idea of noisy is another person's idea of "ambience". We are currently booked at The Sheraton, but I am contemplating switching to Hotel Milano for almost 1/2 the price. There will be 4 of us in one room. I am thinking it would be quieter in a back room, but if the room is too small for 4 of us (hubby, myself, adult daughter, teenage son) I might risk the noise and choose a front room. It's only for one night and we really want to hang out in OSJ and visit the forts etc...so we won't be in the room for much more than sleeping and showering the next morning. Kids and I don't care much about noise, but hubby might grimace a bit if there is too much noise interfering with his ability to sleep and we don't want to start our wonderful family vacation with a restless dad on our hands! :eek: We will be there on a Friday night (Good Friday by the way) which could be a noisy night in OSJ! So, I'm wondering, do I squeeze the 4 of us in a back room, risk the noise and book a front room, or just keep our room at The Sheraton? What to do, what to do! :confused:

[candhmama]

We stayed one night pre-cruise at the Sheraton. We got it on priceline for $100 for the night. I thought the location was great to walk around OSJ. We walked by El Convento and it too is a great location for seeing OSJ. I was a little worried at the Sheraton because our room was in the back and Senor Frogs was behind the hotel but I didnt' hear any noise.

We loved Old San Juan and can't wait to go there again sometime.

[rlkubi]

There was noise but not that bad. We take a sound ball (has ocean sounds, etc) when we travel because that helps drown out sounds. You might think about getting one of those. I would opt for the front room and request 2 double beds. The room had a fridge and was a normal hotel room size. This hotel is about 2 blocks from the Sheraton -- not that far and has a lot more character than the Sheraton. If you want a pool this doesn't have one but there is so much to see in OSJ you won't need it.

[Kanukkacruise]

We booked Embassy Suites yesterday getting a good rate (military) for one night. There are other hotels ranked higher at http://www.tripadvisor.com but we like the fact that it's under $200 including taxes, has a casino, is close to restaurants and also within walking distance of a grocery store.

[KT32]

We stayed at both the Milano and El Convento last September/October pre and post cruise. Location of either one cannot be beat for enjoying old San Juan.

 

The Milano is fine for 1 night, especially if most of your time is going to be spent sightseeing & dining. We did hear the nightlife - I'd recommend earplugs if anyone is sensitive. They also included a continental breakfast with fruit, cereal, coffee, juice, etc.. at the restaurant on the top floor. Our room was near the back with little tiny windows and no view. We didn't really care since we were mainly there for sightseeing. Hotel even let us check out later than the posted time.

[Bonnie Voyager]

We booked Embassy Suites yesterday getting a good rate (military) for one night. There are other hotels ranked higher at http://www.tripadvisor.com but we like the fact that it's under $200 including taxes, has a casino, is close to restaurants and also within walking distance of a grocery store.

 

The military rate at Embassy Suites for the night we are interested in is $324! We have the Sheraton in Old San Juan held for almost that same price . We are sailing Easter Week (2008) so the prices are much higher than the norm. The price at the Hotel Milano is about $175-$200 for Good Friday 2008. They just won't let us book it till closer to our sail date. (6 months out). I've got the Sheraton on hold though, in the meantime. I wonder if the Hotel Milano has a Military discount?

[Bonnie Voyager]

Darned double post! Sorry!!

[mexicobob]

We have booked a room for one night at El Convento in June. Had to go through Travelocity to book one night on the weekend. Considered both the Sheraton and Hotel Milano but El Convento sounded like it was worth the extra money. We shall see.

 

MexicoBob

[texancruzer]

We have booked a room for one night at El Convento in June. Had to go through Travelocity to book one night on the weekend. Considered both the Sheraton and Hotel Milano but El Convento sounded like it was worth the extra money. We shall see.

 

MexicoBob

 

We thought so..... we stayed 2 nights over Thanksgiving and paid dearly. Don't miss the wine tasting by the pool every evening (free) with cheese etc.... also remember this was built in 1500's as a convent so the rooms are not huge....but the charm and history are priceless. We had a huge door/window in our room with the original wooden shutter that was 5-6 inches thick. We opened ours one night and enjoyed a rain shower (lightning included) with a view of the harbor. mmmm wish I was there right now !!! The location cant be beat as everything is walkable. El Morro is 5 minute stroll, the cathedral is right across the street, the gate to the city is a stones throw, La Bombonera is a few blocks away (Do eat breakfast here instead of at hotel) and shops, salsa clubs and other sites...... too.

[mexicobob]

Texancruzer:

Thanks for the tips. We really look forward to staying at El Convento. Wish we could stay longer, maybe another trip. We will plan on eating breakfast at La Bombonera as it sounds to be an experience.

 

MexicoBob

[NanaJulie]

Has anyone stayed at the Carib Hilton. We are staying there in 8 days. How were the resturants. What did you like and what didn't you like. It looks like a good place to stay

:)

[A Sixth?]

Can you tell me a little more about Hotel Milano? What were the views like? They list rates for front and back. Which did you have? Did you eat at the hotel? How was the food if you did? Your help is appreciated. We stayed at the Shearaton the last time and would like to stay in Old San Juan again. Thanks

 

 

There are no shortages of restaurants in the area, everything from fine dining to tavern food to fast food. We only ate the breakfast that come with the room and didn't try the restaurant. (B-fast was fiar, cereal and toast)

 

If noise is a possible issue for you at the Milano, stay in a windowless or back room. I found the street on the edge of my tolerable noisy room" level.

 

There are no real "views" from the Milano.

 

I'd say it was a clean 2 1/2 star hotel in a 5 star location. We're going to stay there again next January.

 

Whatever you do, DO NOT stay at the El Canario by the Lagoon. It was B-A-D. and trip Advisor.com gives it a good rating. They are bound to get a dog in there now and then I guess.

[jmgpatty]

Hello

The Hilton Caribe is my favorite Hotel.

That time of the year 2 years ago I paid $180 per night.

You got a great Deal.

Were you able to request that hotel on priceline? I never booked on pricelin

so I don't know how it works.

Is it difficult?

Please let me know

Patty