Where to stay in San Juan day before Carnival cruise in Sept

[AphroditesPhd]

Greetings!

I'm looking for guidance with securing a hotel prior to a cruise in September this year. Flying in the day before the cruise.

 

Here are the variables.

I'm the unofficial guide.

9 of us cruising. (4 out of the 9 have cruised before)

2 are 70 and 78 year old women (very slow in walking)

2 are 12 and 13 year old rambunctious boys

5 are 26 - 55 yr. old women.

 

I am looking for a hotel that keeps us all together and is in close proximity to the pier. We arrive at 7:00p so the day will be over. I want a pool for the boys and a place for the seniors to rest awhile. I'd like to stay at an EMBASSY SUITES (for adjoining rooms), but the one I found seemed far away from the Old San Juan Pier (Carnival). I read the reviews on the Sheraton (across the street) on different sites and they were not impressive. A block is too far to walk for the older mature ladies to walk. Have any suggestions for this mixed group? How to keep us all together without shuttles and taxi cost. I'm sure I will need some alcohol by the end of the day! Give any suggestions for cost and convenience.

Thanks :)

[jmf123]

AphroditesPhd, have you been to the Puerto Rico Ports of Call board? Much info on hotels there. Here's a link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=131. I was going to suggest Villa Herencia in Old San Juan, until I read your variables. I would check the Sheraton Old San Juan, which is likely the closest hotel to the pier. Have a great cruise! :)

[mapsmith]

Check out the San Juan Board.

 

In my trips to San Juan, we stayed in the Sheraton. (entire first floor is a Casino, so you want a higher floor.) Probably good for sightseeing, but not really good for one night.

 

We also stayed at the Stellaris Casino before it was the Stellaris. Has everything you could want but is pricy. Would need a cab to the hotel from the Airport and then another for the pier.

 

Have heard decent reviews for the Hilton between Old San Juan and the Condado area. But for your requests, I think any of the hotels in the Isla Verde (?) area are probably good choices. Again, you will have to take cabs from the airport and to the pier. (Besides if the Sheraton is not good for the older members of your party to walk to the pier, there are no hotels closer than the Sheraton. On the Isla Verde area, you will find hotels that run the gamut of hotels. $129-up to $600 per night. Many restaurants within walking distance. (and possibly pizza for the boys). Pools, beaches, shopping, etc.

[AphroditesPhd]

Thank you so much. I need to book something that will allow for comfort for everyone the day before we board the Carnival ship. I will look up Isle Verde

Thanks again.

J~

[Traveller20074]

AphroditesPhd, have you been to the Puerto Rico Ports of Call board? Much info on hotels there. Here's a link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=131. I was going to suggest Villa Herencia in Old San Juan, until I read your variables. I would check the Sheraton Old San Juan, which is likely the closest hotel to the pier. Have a great cruise! :)

 

I stayed at the Sheraton Old San Juan...and it was AWESOME!! GREAT hotel. I took a cab to the cruise port (I was Celebrity Summit) across the bay.

Edited May 15, 2014 by Traveller20074

[Quilcruisers]

We stayed at the Sheraton a few years ago in Puerto Rico. Same situation, mixed age groups and some older people that couldn't walk. It was great for a good nights sleep and did have a small casino. There was a rooftop pool and restaurants nearby. Very exciting to see your ship come in before boarding. The only problem was we were in walking distance to the port but it was difficult to carry luggage all the way from the hotel to the ship. It was useless to get a cab to go right across the street but would have served us well. We packed quite a bit because we had a 7 day cruise and 2 days in Puerto Rico before and after the cruise. I dont regret staying there it was very convenient. Just the cobblestone sidewalks were hard for us to carry the luggage.