Looking for a pre-cruise hotel, San Juan

[Cages2000]

Patty

 

I have not stayed at the Hilton Caribe before. I read through the thread that is in the top of the San Juan Forum that has a history of what people were getting for rooms. I believe that I bid on a 3 star and included "resorts" as well and I bid $65, which I saw was the lowest being accepted. I bid for us (3 nights) and another room for other family (1 night) they arrive later then us and they were both accepted. I am really looking forward to the stay and the Destiny. I suggest you read through the thread regarding the history of Priceline bids and give it a try. Let us know how it goes!

 

Matt

[prtcafe.com]

holiday in in old san juan is an alternative

[kittylove]

Has anyone stayed at the Radisson Ambassador Plaza? Is this a good hotel?

 

We're currently booked for a pre-cruise stay there this May for three nights. We got a decent rate going through the hotel directly-$142/night. We were debating on staying at the Courtyard by Marriot Isla Verde, but the price wasn't nearly as good, not to mention the select comfort beds at the Radisson.

[gtidan]

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

 

My wife and I booked a room at the Marriott in Old San Juan the day before our cruise through Cruisesonly. There were several other couples also booked there going on the same ship. The next day we took a tour of the city while the hotel arranged for our bags...along with perhaps 20 or 30 more to be taken to the ship. When we arrived on board our bags were waiting for us outside the cabin. Nice.

 

The hotel is right on the beach and there is a casino attached to it for those who wish to try their luck. Beer was free.....:)

[jmgpatty]

Hello

Thanks for the info.

At the time I am traveling the Hilton Caribe is not available.

You are for sure going to love it. We stayed for 2 nights after

the cruise and no one wanted to leave. It is the best

 

Patty

[SantaCruzer]

I know both hotels are in different locations and of different categories, BUT... can anyone give me the pros and cons of each so I can decide which one to stay at in a few weeks. One is the Sheraton Old San Juan, and the other the Holiday Inn Express. If you've stayed at the Sheraton, what was the noise level, and after the cruise are they willing to take bags early so you can go do stuff. Also, restaurant choices in each area would be helpful. Thanks so much! Teri

[SantaCruzer]

I know both hotels are in different locations and of different categories, BUT... can anyone give me the pros and cons of each so I can decide which one to stay at in a few weeks. One is the Sheraton Old San Juan, and the other the Holiday Inn Express. If you've stayed at the Sheraton, what was the noise level, and after the cruise are they willing to take bags early so you can go do stuff. Also, restaurant choices in each area would be helpful. Thanks so much! Teri

[SantaCruzer]

Sorry, don't know why it double posted. It took a long time!

[Trixsea]

Has anyone stayed at the El San Juan lately?? I stayed there several years ago and I was wondering if it was still as nice. Any other recommendations for a resort in San Juan on the beach?? Looking to stay 4 nights in July. Thanks

[BJAMINGIRL]

Just got back from our 11 day on the Galaxy. We flew into San Juan 2 days prior to the cruise and stayed at the Howard Johnson. The prices are good about $150 per night and the rooms were clean and nice. The best part is location!. Only 1/2 block to Barrachina...two blocks from La Bomenera, close walking to the pier and not far from the El Morro walk. The only thing I would do different was ask for either second or 3rd floor. We were on the 4th floor and the elevator is an antique, so lots of steps.

 

I would stay there again before I paid the $250 rates they are asking at some of the other hotels.

[Lois R]

Hi, I just got the Sheraton in Old San Juan on Priceline for 100 bucks:D

Not sailing till March 2008 but am very happy with the choice

and glad I have my hotel booked!

I love the location~walking around Old San Juan is always

fun:)

I had emailed El Covento and was given a price of 340.00:eek:.

I know it is more of a B&B type place (they are very nice too)

but that amount is just out of my budget.

 

For one evening I am very pleased with the Sheraton

and will try La Bomenera for breakfast too!

[Katfncy]

I'm also traveling in March 2008 and would like to try to get the Shearton through price line. What did you put in to get the Shearton and not something else come up?

[Lois R]

Hi Kat:) I didn't know I was going to get the Sheraton.

I checked 3stars and San Juan for the zone. I put in my dates

and 100.00 for my bid price.

It accpeted the bid and that is the hotel I was given.

 

That is what Priceline is about.....you don't know what hotel

you will be awarded prior to your bid being accepted.

 

But I did read somewhere on this board that the Sheraton usually

comes up 3stars in San Juan. I am quite pleased with it:)

[fti]

I'm also traveling in March 2008 and would like to try to get the Shearton through price line. What did you put in to get the Shearton and not something else come up?

 

If you absolutely want the Sheraton, then do not use priceline. You could bid the exact same amount for the exact same dates and still end up at a different hotel - that is what could happen with priceline. You can hope for the Sheraton but if you would be disappointed in not receiving it, then Priceline is not for you.

[Jim B]

10 of us stayed one night at the Comfort Inn.

It was fine. All of our bathrooms had been remodeled.

We did have to go across the little narrow one way street to the

Holiday Inn for breakfast the next morning.

Guess both are owned by the same person and to save expenses

they just combined the two. It was fine. In fact it may have been slightly better than normal Comfort Inn breakfasts.

Since we had all day before our cruise we set up a private city tour with Legends of Puerto Rico.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! Debbie gave us a wonderful tour. 9:30 am to 2:30 pm

 

Don't forget that in Puerto Rico you have 3 different sales tax structures.

Hotel

Resort

Resort with casino attached.

[seadoll]

We booked 2 rooms for one night in October through Hotwire and got the Hotel Normandie. Can anyone tell me anything about this place? The reviews I've seen on Trip Advisor aren't so great. Also, what types of food places are within walking distance. We'll be coming in the evening before our cruise.

[Katfncy]

I know that I might not get the Sheraton but I wasn't sure if you checked 3 stars or Resort. That was the part that I was wondering. I know using priceline that you don't get to pick out the hotel and that you don't know until after you book it. I need 4 rooms and we are hoping that we might be able to get something cheaper than booking directly with them. Why spend all your money before you hit the cruise ship. Lois, which ship are you traveling on March 8th?

[Lois R]

I know that I might not get the Sheraton but I wasn't sure if you checked 3 stars or Resort. That was the part that I was wondering. I know using priceline that you don't get to pick out the hotel and that you don't know until after you book it. I need 4 rooms and we are hoping that we might be able to get something cheaper than booking directly with them. Why spend all your money before you hit the cruise ship. Lois, which ship are you traveling on March 8th?

 

3stars;) San Juan was the Zone. I never checked Resorts.

 

Oh, I am on Galaxy for 10 nights, leaving on March 7th:D

[Katfncy]

Have a good time. I'm on the Crown leaving March 1st. The people traveling with me are a little worried about priceline but who knows maybe I can convince them that it's only for one night how bad can it be?

I guess it could be really bad. We have the Sheraton booked right now but it's at 225 a room.

[island hopperz]

On priceline we bid $99/night and checked the box for "resort" and "San Juan" for location. Our total with tax was $123.78/night. It gave us the Hilton Caribe. We are very excited! One night was for a Saturday stay and the other night is a Sunday.

[Lois R]

Have a good time. I'm on the Crown leaving March 1st. The people traveling with me are a little worried about priceline but who knows maybe I can convince them that it's only for one night how bad can it be?

I guess it could be really bad. We have the Sheraton booked right now but it's at 225 a room.

 

Kat, I honestly don't think a 3star hotel (whatever chain it ends up

being) is going to be really bad. (Just my opinion).

 

Hope you have a good time too:)

[Lois R]

Island, congrats on your Hilton bid:)

[fti]

Have a good time. I'm on the Crown leaving March 1st. The people traveling with me are a little worried about priceline but who knows maybe I can convince them that it's only for one night how bad can it be?

I guess it could be really bad. We have the Sheraton booked right now but it's at 225 a room.

 

Check out betterbidding.com or biddingfortravel.com - they give you info on how to bid (strategies), also hotel lists so you have a fairly good idea of which hotels you might win at each quality level, and users post their winning bids (but do your own homework before you bid as to rates for your specific nights).

 

I use priceline all the time with great success. I would strongly encourage it. You can bid for up to four rooms at a time. The only hitch is that priceline only guarantees double occupancy. If you have 3 or 4 people per room, you might want to use hotwire instead.

[SmileHMB]

Since we had all day before our cruise we set up a private city tour with Legends of Puerto Rico.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! Debbie gave us a wonderful tour. 9:30 am to 2:30 pm

 

Jim B, as per your post how to I find this tour. Can I book it online? Thanks

[F858MM]

How can o get in touch with the Hotel Milano

 

Fran