What's the down side? Holiday Inn Express

[bubbie617]

I've been looking for a San Juan hotel for 1 night pre transatlantic cruise at the end of March. I happened upon the Holiday Inn Express. The price is very reasonable (by San Juan standards) and the reviews are terrific.

 

Does anyone have any experience with this hotel? Is it as good as it looks for a 1 night pre-cruise stay? What am I missing?

 

Thanks.

[LPYRCRUISER]

We're booked there also for our prenight in late February. We're a group of 17 and couldn't justify twice the money to just sleep. As a group we really couldn't go the cut rate route, not knowing if we'd all get the same place. I always second guess decisions but I'm hoping this was a good choice...I'm hoping someone can confirm that!

[bubbie617]

Still looking for opinions about Holiday Inn Express. If you wouldn't recommend HIE, what hotel would you recommend for one night pre-cruise?

[kruznkanuk]

Given any choice at all, I would not return to San Juan as we found it to be the rudest city we have experienced in many years, especially if you are not fluent in Spanish. But since you are already booked out of San Juan... here is my opinion on the hotel.

We had 2 rooms at the HI Exp Dec 22 07 for one night. Our daughters' room with 2 doubles was OK. Our room was one of the smaller ones at the end of the hall in the corner (# 312?) with one queen bed and was awful. The room reeked of mold and was tiny. The bathroom was so small there was no place to set a cosmetic bag, and it had a very narrow door. We were treated to a rude "no changes allowed" when we requested a move. Our keys never worked more than twice without having to get the reprogrammed. We both coughed foul moldy-tasting yetch for two days after staying one night, and should have been more insistant about moving. Windows do not open and the smell seemed to be strongest when the ventilation unit was running.

The linens and floors were clean, the pool area is nice, the breakfast adequate standard stale stuff, and the staff were generally unpleasant except one nice lady in the breakfast room. The area is fine and it is a nice short walk to the oceanfront, though not swimming beaches. The location is central between cruise docks and airport.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND you ask for a room with two doubles, to avoid the miniture bathroom, but the mold could be anywhere and I have read other reviews that it was a problem.

The price was right by PR standards (we paid $144 per room plus many taxes for a total of $172), but double what it should be anywhere else for that level of room and service. So...you are probably OK here... good luck and enjoy your cruise!

[khm1]

My group of 12 stayed at the holiday inn express last year pre-cruise. We had a great experience! It was very clean, no mold. The rooms are on the small side, but we fit a family of 4 in our room. The beds are comfortable. There is free wireless internet and plenty of English speaking tv stations. The breakfast buffet is free. It is located off Ashford Ave (the main drag) 1/2 block from the beach. There are plenty of dining options. There are other resorts close by and a Walgreens and Dunkin Donuts down the street. It was an easy cab ride from the airport and to the pier. The staff was friendly and helpful. The elevators are VERY small and you sometimes have to wait a while. The pool is small but pleasant. I would not hesitate to stay here again and the price is right!:)

[BitsnBearsmom]

Good to read a positive review.

 

Our group of 12 is staying here in March.

 

Can't wait to escape all this snow!!

[LPYRCRUISER]

Thanks so much for your positive comments. One less thing I have to worry about. We're not a fussy bunch so this should be fine for us.

[TupeloHoney]

I've stayed at the Holiday Inn Express - and it's just fine. We also stayed at the Marriott on the beach once, and of course there is no comparison, but the HIE is sooo much cheaper! It's no frills - it's a HIE. But it was perfectly fine. The only down sides were small rooms and slow/small elevator. Not a big deal at all. We enjoyed ourselves. It's in a good location.

[boo968]

The hotel itself is fine. Like the previous posters mentioned, the elevator is small and so are the rooms but, the price is right. It is clean and the help is very friendly. However...

 

DO NOT get a rental car and think you will have good parking. There are only eight spots if I remember correctly and you have to park them between these two cement posts. We had rented a SUV and boy were we sorry. It just narrowly fit between the post and it became quite funny when it was time to park. The real problem is that you can't come at the space at the right angle without backing up a few times. Once you get there you will see what I am talking about.

 

There is an Avis right down the street. If you need a car for the day, I would highly suggest just renting the car there and returning it the same day.

[pondst302]

Try Hotwire....we just booked the Hilton Caribe (stayed there last year and loved it) for Feb 8&9 for only $129 night. Look for the "customer favorite, 3.5 star at the top of the list". It was actually listed first and you can narrow it down by clicking "continue" and making sure you chose the hotel with more than 460 Tripadvisor reviews! Good luck and happy cruising!

[TamaLee]

We stayed at the HIE in October before our cruise. It's a perfectly fine hotel to sleep in. As mentioned the room and the bathroom are very small but fine for a place to sleep and clean up. Lots of places to eat within a short walking distance from the hotel.

 

I didn't notice any issues with mold. Although I didn't want to take a shower. It made a weird noise and the shower head was about at my belly button level. It was a little dirty. Just being honest.

 

But I would recommend the hotel to someone just looking for a place to stay before or after a cruise for one night. Not longer.

 

However, just so you know, we didn't want to stay there for our cruise in May. We booked a room at the Marriott through Priceline for about the same price. My husband didn't want to stay at the HI again. Not sure why, I think he just wanted to try some place a little nicer.

[cak1014]

We are also a group of 12 staying at HIE 2/29 for 1 night Pre-Cruise. Where did you all eat? Are you familar with a restaurant called Metropol? What are the options for breakfast?

 

Lot's of questions

 

On previous cruises we stayed in OSJ at Milano and what is now the Howard Johnsons. Both were fine but we wanted to try something in a different location.

[TamaLee]

I don't remember the place we ate dinner at but it was very expensive. We only stopped there because they had the Az Diamondbacks game on the TV. There is a Chili's nearby.:p

 

We ate breakfast at a restaurant on the ocean. It wasn't anything fancy but it was a nice view. If you leave the hotel and take a right and then a left when you reach the street and walk a few blocks you will see it. It is near a Subway. Sorry but I don't remember the name of it.

 

We found the free breakfast at the HIE to be poor at best.

[smitty3000]

Did not stay in this hotel but stayed next door at the Comfort Inn. The room smelled of mildew so I am wondering if it is not something in the area. We did see standing water. The Holiday Inn looked good at least from the outside. It looked better than the Comfort Inn. Although the Comfort Inn was clean and the staff very nice. Elevator was slow. I think it was about $10 cheaper per night. I think you will be fine in your choice. The Sheraton would be great because it is right by the cruise ship. I think if I went again I might stay there but only if I could afford the extra cost which this past October when we went on the Destiny I could not. Happy Cruising!!!:)

[amy417]

We are also a group of 12 staying at HIE 2/29 for 1 night Pre-Cruise. Where did you all eat? Are you familar with a restaurant called Metropol? What are the options for breakfast?

 

Lot's of questions

 

On previous cruises we stayed in OSJ at Milano and what is now the Howard Johnsons. Both were fine but we wanted to try something in a different location.

 

I was looking at the Milano for next November. Can you give me more info about your stay?

thanks,

[swom]

They mention on their website that they have omelets, gravy, biscuits etc. I have stayed at other Holiday Inns and found this to be totally not the case.

Now I don't mind a true continental breakfast if that's what advertised, but I hate it when they advertise things and then don't deliver.

I am booking this hotel no matter what, but would like to know what to expect at breakfast.

Yep, this is a minor issue and not a deal breaker, just wondering. I will be happy no matter what cause I'll be on a cruise ship the next day!!! :D

Thanks!

[ERAMP76]

We stayed there the night before our cruise on Aug 30th. Breakfast was continental all right. Cereal, pastries, toast, fruit, etc. I did find some hard boiled eggs though. You will have to fight off the mob to get to the food.

[travelgirl64]

We also stayed at HIE one night pre cruise on August 30--had no complaints.

The room was clean, the bed was comfortable. Yes, the bathroom was small and the elevator was small, but it was great for one night. I wouldn't stay here if I was staying a week, but after all, this isn't a resort!!

[carraizo99]

Hotel is Ok, five minute drive by cab to pier. Answering the poster about not wanting to come here, english and spanish are both official on the island. PR is like anywhere in the world,you deal with people with respect they do the same to you.

[mikepmcm]

I've been looking for a San Juan hotel for 1 night pre transatlantic cruise at the end of March. I happened upon the Holiday Inn Express. The price is very reasonable (by San Juan standards) and the reviews are terrific.

 

Does anyone have any experience with this hotel? Is it as good as it looks for a 1 night pre-cruise stay? What am I missing?

 

Thanks.

 

There are quite a few reviews on this hotel at http://www.tripadvisor.com most good but nothing great. After reserving a room here I decided to check out bidding on priceline and was able to get the Marriott Resort and Casino for the exact same price as the Holiday Inn. Follow the bidding suggestions and stick with what you're willing to pay for the room. Only drawback is that once you've won the room is yours non refundable.

 

Another hotel to check out with good reviews http://www.clarionhotel.com/hotel-san_juan-puerto_rico-PR019 low prices.

 

Worth a try