San Juan hotel?

[Wendylet]

I will be on the Summit for a Southern Caribbean cruise in Jan 2015 leaving from San Juan and I am having a look at the available hotels there and they all seem very pricey! I need one night pre and one night post and I would be interested in where people would recommend that might be clean, reasonable and close to the port. I understand San Juan to be fairly small so perhaps "close to the port" is not really relevant. Any help is greatly appreciated.:)

[chrismakris]

Hello Wendy,

 

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott and are staying there again for our cruise in January as well. The Celebrity dock is at the Pan American Pier on the southern side of Old San Juan.

 

It was a decent hotel less than 10 minutes from the terminal.

 

If you are planning to do some sightseeing on the day of, you can drop off your luggage at the terminal at check in and then go to Old San Juan for the day. That's what we did.

 

All taxi cab prices are predetermined depending on the are from where you are

catching it. There is a sign on each cab and a big map at the airport.

[stones902]

I will be on the Summit for a Southern Caribbean cruise in Jan 2015 leaving from San Juan and I am having a look at the available hotels there and they all seem very pricey! I need one night pre and one night post and I would be interested in where people would recommend that might be clean, reasonable and close to the port. I understand San Juan to be fairly small so perhaps "close to the port" is not really relevant. Any help is greatly appreciated.:)

 

 

The answer really depends on your likes and preferences. I would be happy to recommend hotels for you but it would be helpful to know a bit more. We've sailed from SJ a couple dozen times and stayed lots of places.

 

Our favorite area is Isle Verde (10 mins from the airport, 15 from the port). Nice beach, restaurants nearby and some good hotel choices. Condado is also a popular area up the beach a bit.

 

We favor smaller boutique hotels with beach access and a nice, fun bar. Our favorite is The Water & Beach Club but that vibe is admittedly not for everyone. The El San Juan is also nice as is the Intercontinental. We've also stayed at another small property called Acacia that was pretty interesting.

 

 

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[Wendylet]

Thanks so much for the input. I did, in fact, try to post in the port review area but for some reason the website just froze up each time I tried to open it up. Anyway there is some good info here for sure. We are trying to avoid paying $300 a night and really we do prefer smaller boutique hotels ourselves because we love the character they often bring. We will be mostly sightseeing so we won't be spending that much time in the hotel anyway so just want something clean and in a safe area. Thank you for the recommendations!

[alcpa1]

If you have an early morning flight from SJU you might consider hotels closer to the airport to avoid traffic. The Embassy Suites may be the closest and there are many other options nearby.

San Juan is not a huge city by some estimations but it is large enough to have traffic!

On your pre cruise stay look at Isle Verde or Old San Juan.

In the past there have been many suggestions to try Priceline or Hotwire. We have never done that in SJU but there are bidding sites that will give you an idea of the hotels offered. Prices for January are going to be on the high side as it is high season in Puerto Rico just as it is high season in south Florida or Arizona or anywhere warm and without snow.

There should be some very worthwhile recommendations on the Destinations boards or try Trip Advisor for recommendations too.

[Jaxom37]

in Calla Santa Anna. Its RIGHT on the beach and reasonably priced.

[kevinyork]

If you have an early morning flight from SJU you might consider hotels closer to the airport to avoid traffic. The Embassy Suites may be the closest and there are many other options nearby.

 

We stayed at The Embassy Suite pre-cruise as we wanted somewhere close to the airport as we were arriving late afternoon. We had a 2 Bed Suite (which was two adjoining rooms). Hotel is about 3 minutes Taxi ride from the airport. There are free drinks/snacks for 2 hours each evening and the breakfast was pretty good. Overall it was OK, not spectacular however the rate was excellent.

[chief joe]

We did a southern cruise out of San Juan and stayed at a small boutique hotel in the Coronado section. It was At Windchimes Inn. Hotel was a restored older building but was great had open air bar and restaurant and could walk to beach. We went a couple days eary and they arranged trip to Rain Forrest and other places. Would go back in an instant. Look up on web.

 

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[stones902]

We did a southern cruise out of San Juan and stayed at a small boutique hotel in the Coronado section. It was At Windchimes Inn. Hotel was a restored older building but was great had open air bar and restaurant and could walk to beach. We went a couple days eary and they arranged trip to Rain Forrest and other places. Would go back in an instant. Look up on web.

 

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At Windchimes Inn is right across the street from Acacia in San Juan. I think they share the same owner. Walking distance (maybe 1/4 to 1/2 mile) from several restaurants & bars in the Condado section of town.

 

 

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[siamesecat2965]

Mind you, this was about 6 years ago, but we stayed at the Coral Princess Hotel, in Condado. It's not too far from the port, maybe 10-15 minutes, and while the rooms are small, it was clean, and the staff was very friendly and accomodating. And as others have said, the taxis are zoned, so the rates are set.

 

just looking at their website, the rates run from $125 - $175, depending on the type of room, and location. if I were to leave from there again, I'd definitely stay there.

Edited June 4, 2014 by siamesecat2965

[grnidlad8]

The answer really depends on your likes and preferences. I would be happy to recommend hotels for you but it would be helpful to know a bit more. We've sailed from SJ a couple dozen times and stayed lots of places.

 

Our favorite area is Isle Verde (10 mins from the airport, 15 from the port). Nice beach, restaurants nearby and some good hotel choices. Condado is also a popular area up the beach a bit.

 

We favor smaller boutique hotels with beach access and a nice, fun bar. Our favorite is The Water & Beach Club but that vibe is admittedly not for everyone. The El San Juan is also nice as is the Intercontinental. We've also stayed at another small property called Acacia that was pretty interesting.

 

 

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Hey, stones902...does the Isla Verde provide transportation from the airport and to the pier? Looking at staying there next cruise since the Embassy Suites is already booked!

[stones902]

Hey, stones902...does the Isla Verde provide transportation from the airport and to the pier? Looking at staying there next cruise since the Embassy Suites is already booked!

 

 

No, the property does not provide complimentary transportation but cabs are always plentiful. This place is located between OSJ and the airport. I would estimate about a $20 cab fare to port.

 

Best features are that you are right on the beach and a wonderful rooftop bar with unparalleled views of the city & beach. Very friendly and helpful staff. There is also a higher end restaurant on property and other less expensive restaurants nearby within walking distance. Also, a very convenient Walgreens across the street.

 

We've stayed about 5 times and love it.

 

 

 

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[luv2trvlnow]

Hey, stones902...does the Isla Verde provide transportation from the airport and to the pier? Looking at staying there next cruise since the Embassy Suites is already booked!

From everything I have read, I think there are only taxis from airport. I think it has to do with the taxi companies exerting their power. Every once in a while I read someone saying they will never stay at such and such hotel because they did not provide a shuttle to and from the airport in San Juan. But when I check the other hotels, I can't find one that does. So I guess those people may not have any hotel to stay at the next time they come to San Juan :D.

 

Sharon

[homeschoolmama]

Taxis are the main transportation for port and airport. They are fixed rates to where you choose to go, plus 1$ per pc of lg luggage. We have never paid more than 25 to port from isla verde andit isabout a 15 to 20 min ride depending on traffic. We have stayed at Marriott courtyard isla verde and love it. Great beach, newly renovated pools, good restaurants but also a snack and ice cream counter for pizzas, sandwiches and ice cream. There is a casino on site. Our favorite thing is on Fri and Sat nights there is a live salsa band and people from all over Puerto Rico come for the dancing. People are salsa dancing everywhere and it is a blast to watch the cultural love for salsa this country has. Staff is great too.

 

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[Dirkgun]

Noticed you said you were cruising in January....? When in January? If it during the 3rd week in Jan the 15th-18th the San Sebastian Street Festival is going on then (quite a party) then the rooms will be more expensive but there are cheaper rooms to be had.... try looking on the internet hotel sites like priceline or hotwire you can find things cheaper. We are staying at the holiday inn express for $145/nt including breakfast and we are going specifically for the street festival.

[rjrice1]

Has anyone ever stayed at the Radission's? We got two rooms on Priceline and I know it is a block from the beach...

We are cruising second week of Jan. on AOS

Thanks

Cathy

[stones902]

Has anyone ever stayed at the Radission's? We got two rooms on Priceline and I know it is a block from the beach...

 

We are cruising second week of Jan. on AOS

 

Thanks

 

Cathy

 

 

I have not stayed at that particular property but we walked through and are familiar with that area. I'm sure you will be pleased as there is a lot to do in Condado.

 

I personally like the beach a little down the way in Isle Verde a little better but that is just a matter of preference. More bars & restaurants in Condado.

 

 

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[Nick55]

Try sj suites. Its only a couple of blocks from the port. It was not fancy, but rooms were clean, workers were very friendly and helpfull, and very convienent to stores and restaurants in old San Juan.

[DP]

I stayed at the Radisson last year and was very happy with it. Great hopping bar/restaurant across the street. Excellent burgers dirt cheap.

 

What did you get the rooms for bidding on Priceline? We want to stay there again but don't know how much to bid.

[Wendylet]

Noticed you said you were cruising in January....? When in January? If it during the 3rd week in Jan the 15th-18th the San Sebastian Street Festival is going on then (quite a party) then the rooms will be more expensive but there are cheaper rooms to be had.... try looking on the internet hotel sites like priceline or hotwire you can find things cheaper. We are staying at the holiday inn express for $145/nt including breakfast and we are going specifically for the street festival.

 

We are actually sailing on Jan 17 so I will take your advice and be looking and booking soon. I may use airmiles as well so I would have to get on that pretty quick. Thanks so much for the input!

[rjrice1]

I stayed at the Radisson last year and was very happy with it. Great hopping bar/restaurant across the street. Excellent burgers dirt cheap.

 

What did you get the rooms for bidding on Priceline? We want to stay there again but don't know how much to bid.

 

Thanks... bidded very low for 3 1/2 star and end up with $75.0o per room

Also took the insurance just in case. Know lots of doctors (nurse) can easily get letter... lol

Any tips what to do in that area.. we are only staying one night

Cathy

[LHARTWICK]

Any recommendations for a clean room with breakfast the next morning that's not really expensive? I'm looking at hotels now for our October Valor cruise - lots to pick from for sure. Thanks!