Caribe Hilton or Doubletree?

[swtroy]

I have the Caribe Hilton booked for our pre cruise evening in San Juan. Reading the trip advisor reviews on this property I am beginning to get concerned. The Doubletree reviews are far better. I am a Hilton Diamond member and am booking a reward stay, so no additional cost.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations, past experiences, or just a lot smarter than I am? I appreciate the advice! Thank you!

[mommyto2girls]

I have the Caribe Hilton booked for our pre cruise evening in San Juan. Reading the trip advisor reviews on this property I am beginning to get concerned. The Doubletree reviews are far better. I am a Hilton Diamond member and am booking a reward stay, so no additional cost.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations, past experiences, or just a lot smarter than I am? I appreciate the advice! Thank you!

 

We just got back last week from our San Juan cruise. We started pre-cruise at the Intercontinental..it was awful (and we are gold ambassador members) we did 2 nights post cruise at the Caribe..it was beautiful.

[Chilliwack62]

Stayed at the Caribe on Jan 7/12......didn't want to leave. A beautiful property with easy beach access. Rooms were comfortable, restaurant on site had a great breakfast and free wi-fi in the lobby area.

[Host Faith]

I stayed at the Caribe in 2010 (you can see pics and a description in my Serenade review from that year in my sig). I emailed the manager before our trip to request a Tower Room, and was able to get one even though I booked through Priceline. You may be able to find the manager's contact information through Tripadvisor reviews, since a lot of managers respond to reviews. I emailed and sent a fax to the manager's attention. I noticed that a lot of people who gave bad reviews on TA stayed in the regular rooms, not the Hhonors Tower.

 

We really enjoyed the hotel, and the views from our balcony were beautiful. It's a little out of the way of places to eat, but it's not that big a deal if you're willing to walk a little or take a cab. We enjoyed our time there and would go back.

[Montague2011]

Staying at the Doubletree next weekend. Are you booking this week? Recommended by my TA. I could let you know what I think.

[Kruizefan]

I stayed at the Caribe in 2010 (you can see pics and a description in my Serenade review from that year in my sig). I emailed the manager before our trip to request a Tower Room, and was able to get one even though I booked through Priceline.

 

How much did you pay at priceline.com?

 

 

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[Montague2011]

Booked thru Expedia for $186 Cdn (taxes in). Next Sun night (Super Bowl). No breakfast but we have an early flight, just need a place to sleep.

[Host Faith]

How much did you pay at priceline.com?

 

 

.

 

We got the Caribe Hilton for $90 plus tax. :)

[daniblu86]

If you're dead set on a beachfront property, then the Caribe is your best option; but when you're gonna be getting on a cruise the following day and are going to spend all that time on the ocean, I'd personally go with the Doubletree for your pre-cruise stay.

 

Their service is stellar and the staff is super nice. And the rooms are very cool with a modern look and super comfortable. Plus, while the Caribe has very nice beach views, its kind of apart from everything, so if you want to walk around and explore a little that day, at the Caribe you'll need a taxi to take you to one of the more central areas (Old San Juan or Condado for example) or do the 20-30 min walk to reach either of these areas. The Doubletree is in the Condado District, so you're only 3 blocks away from the main avenue (Ashford Ave.) where there are tons of restaurants, shops, bars, and casinos. And depending on your schedule you could stop by at the PR Museum of Art which is also only 3 blocks from the Doubletree.

 

I hope this helps and have a great time!

[Cruzin-K]

We got the Caribe Hilton for $90 plus tax. :)

 

Is that classified as a "resort" on Priceline :confused:

[Host Faith]

Is that classified as a "resort" on Priceline :confused:

 

Yes, it's in the resort category. You can check out betterbidding.com for a list of the resorts in San Juan :)

[Montague2011]

Enjoyed our stay at Doubletree last weekend.

[jrzgrl]

We're booked at the Doubletree for 2 nights pre-stay in April. We are staying free with Hilton points. How far is this property from Old San Juan? Is it walkable (we consider walkable 2-3 miles if there is stuff to look at) or will we need a cab?

[Montague2011]

Cost us (two adults) $15 one way so I would guess too long to walk it. Convenient to have 24 h grocery store across the street so you'll save some $$ on food!