Pre-Cruise San Juan Hotels

[nae418]

we stayed at Hampton Inn...It was resonable and the staff there was AWESOME!! The beach was only about 5 mt walk and the hotel gave us beach chairs to take with us. They have a tiki bar and seim up bar and the hamburgers they cook are the BEST!!! We were walking distance to a few things and the drug store right across the street. We had a free breakfast buffet that included eggs, bacon, make your own waffles, and many other items. At nightime they bring out fresh cookies and coffee. The staff always made sure you had a taxi when you needed it and was always helpful.

 

 

We stayed at Hampton also last year. Love, love, loved it! I agree with everything you said. Also we didn't rent a car, but took local transportation 0.75 each way to Old Juan to tour. Comfy Bed and Burgers were to die for! Happy Sailing!

[lv2bcruzin]

Just booked our flights and we will be getting to San Juan on Thanksgiving (2 days prior to sailing). Now I just have to find a hotel. Been working Priceline the past couple of days, but still no luck.

 

I figure with a decent amount of acceptable choices of 4 star hotels, if I can get a deal on Priceline I'm sure we would be happy with what we got... I hope.. :)

[sadie8]

The Caribe is further out from OSJ than the Marriott. It's in Isla Verde. You would not pass it going from the Marriott to OSJ.

Guess you could walk it, but I'd advise against it.

 

The Caribe Hilton is closer to old San Juan than the Marriott and I think the area is still considered Condado.

[mein18]

Just booked our flights and we will be getting to San Juan on Thanksgiving (2 days prior to sailing). Now I just have to find a hotel. Been working Priceline the past couple of days, but still no luck.

 

I figure with a decent amount of acceptable choices of 4 star hotels, if I can get a deal on Priceline I'm sure we would be happy with what we got... I hope.. :)

 

Sounds like we are on the same cruise. We usually head down 2 days prkor but due to the holiday we are flying in on Friday. Usually stay at the Marriott Stalaris but since we wont have any time to enjoy we decided to stay closer at the Caribe.

 

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[nanwel]

do NOT stay at the San Juan Plaza (used to be Holiday Inn) stayed there once on a precruise package "deal" some deal, unfriendly, not clean, tiny pool, "free breakfast" was a joke. Also, smoke free is only when you do not smoke there!

Could walk to shops beach - used the hotel drives to walk through to the beach, I was told they are not allowed to restrict access. But, would not use that hotel again unless there was nothing available.

My stay was 2 night pre cruise, taxi (minibus) from airport, 2 hour bus tour, 2 breakfasts, taxi to ship for $249.

[Tatka]

The Caribe Hilton is closer to old San Juan than the Marriott and I think the area is still considered Condado.

 

Marriott (Stelaris & Casino) is better situated. There are stores and restaurants around. Hilton is nice and has own lagoon, but food is very expensive and not much around.

[Cocochanel26]

Try the la Concha

 

 

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[lv2bcruzin]

Sounds like we are on the same cruise. We usually head down 2 days prkor but due to the holiday we are flying in on Friday. Usually stay at the Marriott Stalaris but since we wont have any time to enjoy we decided to stay closer at the Caribe.

 

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Jewel of the Seas 11/30/13 - That is the cruise we are on. If you are on the same one, have you checked out the Jewel of the Seas Roll Call?

[mein18]

Jewel of the Seas 11/30/13 - That is the cruise we are on. If you are on the same one, have you checked out the Jewel of the Seas Roll Call?

 

Will be chiming in. Just booked few days ago. We were going through cruise withdrawal.. Could not wait for the next one we have booked so grabbed a decent deal.

 

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[lv2bcruzin]

Just got the Sheraton Hotel and Casino for $90/nt. Was hoping for a little better deal, but it's going for $198/nt, so it's still a good deal.

 

Anybody have any experience at this hotel? It seems to be just on the other side of the port, so that's good.

 

Is there anything close by to do or see? Any good restaurants?

[Debde]

Another vote for the Hampton Inn. Stay there every time we cruise out of PR. Yup-those burgers are great!!

[voyager89]

Just got the Sheraton Hotel and Casino for $90/nt. Was hoping for a little better deal, but it's going for $198/nt, so it's still a good deal.

 

Anybody have any experience at this hotel? It seems to be just on the other side of the port, so that's good.

 

Is there anything close by to do or see? Any good restaurants?

 

:eek: that is a GREAT deal. May I ask where did you get it?

[crookedhalo]

Just got the Sheraton Hotel and Casino for $90/nt. Was hoping for a little better deal, but it's going for $198/nt, so it's still a good deal.

 

Anybody have any experience at this hotel? It seems to be just on the other side of the port, so that's good.

 

Is there anything close by to do or see? Any good restaurants?

 

If you are taking about the one next to the cruise terminal you will enjoy it very much. We stayed there in February and it was great:D. Some restaurants in the actual hotel but they are a bit pricey. Easy to get a cab - concierge is great!

[pcur]

Just got the Sheraton Hotel and Casino for $90/nt. Was hoping for a little better deal, but it's going for $198/nt, so it's still a good deal.

 

Anybody have any experience at this hotel? It seems to be just on the other side of the port, so that's good.

 

Is there anything close by to do or see? Any good restaurants?

 

The Old San Juan trolley:

 

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/free-trolley-old-san-juan/

[lv2bcruzin]

:eek: that is a GREAT deal. May I ask where did you get it?

 

Priceline

 

If you are taking about the one next to the cruise terminal you will enjoy it very much. We stayed there in February and it was great:D. Some restaurants in the actual hotel but they are a bit pricey. Easy to get a cab - concierge is great!

 

Yes, we will be staying at the one by the cruise terminal, not Old San Juan. Hopefully we get to see a ship or two come in.

Edited September 18, 2013 by lv2bcruzin

[lv2bcruzin]

The Old San Juan trolley:

 

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/free-trolley-old-san-juan/

Thanks! I'll check it out.

[dmdicato]

We're reserved for Best Western Condado...$110 per night, plus tax. Great reviews!

[jmf123]

For those interested, the Sheraton PR Hotel and Casino currently has this offer when you book two or three nights. From Sheraton's website:

 

PAY RATES EQUAL TO YOUR BIRTH YEAR!

We're celebrating the year you were born. With this special offer for two or three night stays, you'll receive rates equal to your birth year!

First night: $219 per night*

Second or third night: rates equal to your birth year! (If you were born in 1948, you'll receive your 2nd and 3rd nights at $48!)

Rates for second and third night stays will be confirmed at check-in upon presentation of valid ID. Book online, or call (866) 716-8106 and reference promotion code NBR to make your reservation today.

*Valid for Thursday through Saturday arrivals only

[Bg12377]

Just booked our flights and we will be getting to San Juan on Thanksgiving (2 days prior to sailing). Now I just have to find a hotel. Been working Priceline the past couple of days, but still no luck.

 

I figure with a decent amount of acceptable choices of 4 star hotels, if I can get a deal on Priceline I'm sure we would be happy with what we got... I hope.. :)

 

 

We stayed at the Hotel Milano a few years ago.

http://www.hotelmilanopr.com/index.html

Nice experience. Good location, helpful front desk.

[lv2bcruzin]

For those interested, the Sheraton PR Hotel and Casino currently has this offer when you book two or three nights. From Sheraton's website:

 

PAY RATES EQUAL TO YOUR BIRTH YEAR!

We're celebrating the year you were born. With this special offer for two or three night stays, you'll receive rates equal to your birth year!

First night: $219 per night*

Second or third night: rates equal to your birth year! (If you were born in 1948, you'll receive your 2nd and 3rd nights at $48!)

Rates for second and third night stays will be confirmed at check-in upon presentation of valid ID. Book online, or call (866) 716-8106 and reference promotion code NBR to make your reservation today.

*Valid for Thursday through Saturday arrivals only

That one first night is already more then my total 2/nt stay, but could potentially be a good deal for those staying 3 nights or more will low birth years.

[LuvBNatC]

Stayed at the Hotel Milano in April. Centrally located in OSJ on Fortaleza within walking distance of many restaurants, with a nice rooftop breakfast. The price was reasonable, the room was clean, but on the dingy side.

 

BONUS: Within a block of the hotel, I had a chance encounter with the infamous "Do you speak English?" scam artist who's become a San Juan legend, thanks to CC.

 

A few years ago I stayed at the Caribe Hilton and got one of the most gorgeous rooms I've ever had, facing the water (although, alas, no balcony). It's a full resort a bit off the beaten path. Got the room for about $110 on Priceline. The restaurant in the lobby was lovely, the grounds facing the ocean were gorgeous. Spectacular views. Perfect start for a cruise.

 

I'd say Caribe would be my choice next time.

[Let'sGo!]

This thread is making me reconsider our plan... I have already booked El Convento for our pre-cruise stay in May of next year. We have sailed out of SJ twice, and both times we stayed there, so I just automatically contacted them to book our stay for next year.

 

Yes - it is pricey, but we just love walking about OSJ in the morning before leaving for the cruise port, and usually try to eat breakfast at La Bombanero (which apparently is reopening) or Cafe Majorca.

 

I'm thinking I might try seeing what is available elsewhere though, just to save a little $$$, since we are going to be forking out some big $$ on our port stops.

 

I got confused by the posts about the Hilton, Sheraton and Marriott --- which one has the city bus you can catch to go to OSJ? And where does it let you off once there? How often do the busses run?

 

thanks for your help,

Ann

[lv2bcruzin]

This thread is making me reconsider our plan... I have already booked El Convento for our pre-cruise stay in May of next year. We have sailed out of SJ twice, and both times we stayed there, so I just automatically contacted them to book our stay for next year.

 

Yes - it is pricey, but we just love walking about OSJ in the morning before leaving for the cruise port, and usually try to eat breakfast at La Bombanero (which apparently is reopening) or Cafe Majorca.

 

I'm thinking I might try seeing what is available elsewhere though, just to save a little $$$, since we are going to be forking out some big $$ on our port stops.

 

I got confused by the posts about the Hilton, Sheraton and Marriott --- which one has the city bus you can catch to go to OSJ? And where does it let you off once there? How often do the busses run?

 

thanks for your help,

Ann

I basically started looking at different sites and what was considered 4 star (Sheraton, Marriot, La Conche, Caribe, El Convento, etc).

 

After looking at many reviews on the web and input on this thread and throughout CC I decided that using Priceline for a 4 star deal would be the best choice as it seemed I would be happy with any of the hotels we would end up with.

 

I had been trying the same price range for two weeks and finally got one.

 

You can find transportation options (including bus options) for the Sheraton HERE.

Edited September 18, 2013 by lv2bcruzin

[LookingForward2]

This thread is making me reconsider our plan... I have already booked El Convento for our pre-cruise stay in May of next year. We have sailed out of SJ twice, and both times we stayed there, so I just automatically contacted them to book our stay for next year.

 

Yes - it is pricey, but we just love walking about OSJ in the morning before leaving for the cruise port, and usually try to eat breakfast at La Bombanero (which apparently is reopening) or Cafe Majorca.

 

I'm thinking I might try seeing what is available elsewhere though, just to save a little $$$, since we are going to be forking out some big $$ on our port stops.

 

I got confused by the posts about the Hilton, Sheraton and Marriott --- which one has the city bus you can catch to go to OSJ? And where does it let you off once there? How often do the busses run?

 

thanks for your help,

Ann

 

 

I know I've chimed in before, but I liked it that much....

If you really like El Convento - check out reviews for Villa Herencia.

It is a little more rustic, but right around the corner from El Convento, so this would enable you the same walking around OSJ that you're used to.

[Max Density]

Good information here! I'm considering flying into San Juan a day early to save on airfare and see some of the local sights before our cruise, but still in the planning stage.