Courtyard Marriott

[EJPhilly]

I am torn between Courtyard Marriott - Isla Verde & Miramar. What are your experiences with either of these? I would like to stay near the Condado area? Thanks

 

:)

Edited December 11, 2015 by EJPhilly

[EJPhilly]

I am torn between Courtyard Marriott - Isla Verde & Miramar. What are your experiences with either of these? I would like to stay near the Condado area? Thanks

 

:)

*** Which one near Airport and which one near Condado Area?

Thanks :)

[pghsteelerfan]

We've stayed at the Courtyard - Isla Verde twice now, pre-cruise. The first time was in 2013 and the second was this past September. However, the Courtyard is near the airport.

 

We chose this hotel because it was reasonably priced and on the beach. Both times, our flight has arrived between 11:30AM and noon, we've arrived as early as 12:30PM and the room has been ready, on both occasions. It's only a five minute ride from the airport to the hotel.

 

The rooms have been very clean and nice both times. We noticed that the rooms have been updated (very nice) since 2013.

 

Hotel staff have been very helpful and friendly. There are a few on site restaurants, a casino, a beautiful pool and swim-up bar, and the beach is nice, wide, and clean with plenty of loungers/umbrellas for guests. There are some really nice hammocks. There is a beach grill and easy access to the bar. We actually got grilled chicken sandwiches from the grille this past time and they were huge and very good and came with a generous helping of French fries.

 

Check-out is at noon, so we've never been "rushed" to check out earlier before our cruises, so when we've arrived to get on the ship, we've never been stuck trying to find something to do with all of our luggage in tow. Very easy to get a cab. They are there waiting and hotel porters actually call them over for you. The ride from hotel to either cruise ship pier (Old San Juan or Pan American) is about 15 - 20 minutes.

 

Attaching some pictures:

 

Hotel lobby and front desk

 

View from our table in the buffet restaurant

 

Hotel beach and loungers (they have umbrellas and set them up when you pick your loungers)

 

The Courtyard

 

The pool/swim-up bar. This is the larger pool, but here are a couple other smaller pools.

 

The hammocks

 

Hope this helps and feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Edited December 12, 2015 by pghsteelerfan

[EJPhilly]

Did you do any sightseeing pre-cruise? I think DH wants to stay @ Miramar as we have points and wont have to lay out $$ as we would if we stay @ Isla Verde (even though its so much nicer)! Do you happen to know if you can walk around the Miramar hotel area? Thanks [emoji4]

[pghsteelerfan]

Did you do any sightseeing pre-cruise? I think DH wants to stay @ Miramar as we have points and wont have to lay out $$ as we would if we stay @ Isla Verde (even though its so much nicer)! Do you happen to know if you can walk around the Miramar hotel area? Thanks [emoji4]

 

Pre-cruise sightseeing...not much. We flew in one day pre-cruise and stayed at the hotel and wanted and early night since we had been up since 1AM that morning for an early flight. Our cruise was on Carnival Liberty, which sails out of San Juan at 10PM, so we checked in and boarded, then got back off and had plenty of time to spent several hours at the forts and the Paseo del Morro (walkway below the walls of Fort El Morro).

 

Is it the Courtyard San Juan Miramar you're talking about? I just looked it up on Google Maps and noticed it's near the smaller airport and the Pan Am cruise terminal, and in an area where there are other hotels and restaurants, but I can't tell if there are sidewalks for easy/safe walking. I've never been in that area, so I really don't know for sure. If you were interested in going into Old San Juan, a cab would probably be necessary but not as expensive as if taking a cab from Isla Verde, which was $19.00, plus the $2.00 gas surcharge and $1.00 for each suitcase. Once you'd get to Old San Juan, it will be walkable. It's uphill to the forts, but there is a lot to see and do in that whole area with a lot of nice little restaurants and shops.

 

Hopefully someone else who has stayed in the Miramar area can add some input. Several others that we'd gotten to know on our cruise stayed at the Courtyard - Isla Verde one or more days, post-cruise, due to it being a very short cab ride to the airport.

Edited December 12, 2015 by pghsteelerfan

[EJPhilly]

Pre-cruise sightseeing...not much. We flew in one day pre-cruise and stayed at the hotel and wanted and early night since we had been up since 1AM that morning for an early flight. Our cruise was on Carnival Liberty, which sails out of San Juan at 10PM, so we checked in and boarded, then got back off and had plenty of time to spent several hours at the forts and the Paseo del Morro (walkway below the walls of Fort El Morro).

 

Is it the Courtyard San Juan Miramar you're talking about? I just looked it up on Google Maps and noticed it's near the smaller airport and the Pan Am cruise terminal, and in an area where there are other hotels and restaurants, but I can't tell if there are sidewalks for easy/safe walking. I've never been in that area, so I really don't know for sure. If you were interested in going into Old San Juan, a cab would probably be necessary but not as expensive as if taking a cab from Isla Verde, which was $19.00, plus the $2.00 gas surcharge and $1.00 for each suitcase. Once you'd get to Old San Juan, it will be walkable. It's uphill to the forts, but there is a lot to see and do in that whole area with a lot of nice little restaurants and shops.

 

Hopefully someone else who has stayed in the Miramar area can add some input. Several others that we'd gotten to know on our cruise stayed at the Courtyard - Isla Verde one or more days, post-cruise, due to it being a very short cab ride to the airport.

 

 

Yes the Courtyard Marriott Miramar is the one I was asking about.

 

We are cruising on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas and I believe we leave out of Pan American Terminal. She leaves @ 8;00 pm so we also might check in then leave ship and walk around till we have to leave. We are prob gonna book a tour of Old San Juan when we get back as they take you to airport when its over.

 

Thanks for all your info. [emoji4]

[moniquet]

We have just stayed 3 nights at Marriot Isla Verde. It's a really nice hotel. Some aircraft noise so a beachfront room is best. Not much around in the way of restaurants etc. Food in the hotel is mediocre. Comfy beds and nice bathroom:)

[luv2trvlnow]

Yes the Courtyard Marriott Miramar is the one I was asking about.

 

We are cruising on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas and I believe we leave out of Pan American Terminal. She leaves @ 8;00 pm so we also might check in then leave ship and walk around till we have to leave. We are prob gonna book a tour of Old San Juan when we get back as they take you to airport when its over.

 

Thanks for all your info. [emoji4]

Yes, Adventure of the Seas will leave from the Pan American Pier. You can check in and then go back out. But there is nothing to walk to around the pier. You will need to take a taxi. Most people who go out after checking in go to Old San Juan and that will require a taxi. But since you are thinking about a tour of Old San Juan after the cruise I don't know if you also want to walk around there before the cruise.

 

Another option is to just stay on the ship after check in and enjoy a little time checking out what it has to offer. This cruise is very port intensive and sometimes you just don't feel like you got a chance to sit back and relax.

Edited December 13, 2015 by luv2trvlnow

[pghsteelerfan]

Yes the Courtyard Marriott Miramar is the one I was asking about.

 

We are cruising on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas and I believe we leave out of Pan American Terminal. She leaves @ 8;00 pm so we also might check in then leave ship and walk around till we have to leave. We are prob gonna book a tour of Old San Juan when we get back as they take you to airport when its over.

 

Thanks for all your info. [emoji4]

 

You are quite welcome! Adventure of the Seas? I have a friend going on her in March. :) A booked tour of Old San Juan is great idea since they'll get you to the sites. It does get tiring (and very hot) walking it on your own. We've had earlier flights, so haven't been able to book the tours on our return.

 

Thought I'd share a picture with you - RC's Adventure of the Seas when we were flying into San Juan this past September. We also watched her sail out from our balcony at the Courtyard Isla Verde and went down to the beach to watch - just beautiful. Those pictures did not come out.

 

Adventure of the Seas in San Juan, Sept. 19, 2015

[EJPhilly]

Yes, Adventure of the Seas will leave from the Pan American Pier. You can check in and then go back out. But there is nothing to walk to around the pier. You will need to take a taxi. Most people who go out after checking in go to Old San Juan and that will require a taxi. But since you are thinking about a tour of Old San Juan after the cruise I don't know if you also want to walk around there before the cruise.

 

Another option is to just stay on the ship after check in and enjoy a little time checking out what it has to offer. This cruise is very port intensive and sometimes you just don't feel like you got a chance to sit back and relax.

 

Told DH and since we are prob going to tour San Juan post-cruise, we will just chillax on the ship.

Thanks :)

[rg5]

We've stayed at the Courtyard - Isla Verde twice now, pre-cruise. The first time was in 2013 and the second was this past September. However, the Courtyard is near the airport.

 

We chose this hotel because it was reasonably priced and on the beach. Both times, our flight has arrived between 11:30AM and noon, we've arrived as early as 12:30PM and the room has been ready, on both occasions. It's only a five minute ride from the airport to the hotel.

 

The rooms have been very clean and nice both times. We noticed that the rooms have been updated (very nice) since 2013.

 

Hotel staff have been very helpful and friendly. There are a few on site restaurants, a casino, a beautiful pool and swim-up bar, and the beach is nice, wide, and clean with plenty of loungers/umbrellas for guests. There are some really nice hammocks. There is a beach grill and easy access to the bar. We actually got grilled chicken sandwiches from the grille this past time and they were huge and very good and came with a generous helping of French fries.

 

Check-out is at noon, so we've never been "rushed" to check out earlier before our cruises, so when we've arrived to get on the ship, we've never been stuck trying to find something to do with all of our luggage in tow. Very easy to get a cab. They are there waiting and hotel porters actually call them over for you. The ride from hotel to either cruise ship pier (Old San Juan or Pan American) is about 15 - 20 minutes.

 

Attaching some pictures:

 

Hotel lobby and front desk

 

View from our table in the buffet restaurant

 

Hotel beach and loungers (they have umbrellas and set them up when you pick your loungers)

 

The Courtyard

 

The pool/swim-up bar. This is the larger pool, but here are a couple other smaller pools.

 

The hammocks

 

Hope this helps and feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Your post just helped me out! Thanks much! We're going in July, 2016. Oh, and go Steelers!

[EJPhilly]

We're now not staying the night before and just flying in morning of cruise. [emoji4]

Edited January 13, 2016 by EJPhilly

[lbtnewcruiser]

I am also looking for info on the Courtyard Miramar, can anyone help with info on pros & cons of Miramar ?

[kayehall]

I am also looking for info on the Courtyard Miramar, can anyone help with info on pros & cons of Miramar ?

 

 

I am also looking for info on this Courtyard. Please and thank you!!!:confused: