Freedom of the Seas - Hotel in San Juan before cruise

[iamcsm]

We used an Airbnb in the Condado area. We walked to the beach and the store, and took Uber to Old San Juan and to the cruise pier. Will probably do the same in November when we go back.

 

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[S.S.Oceanlover]

Hi

 

I am debating on doing this cruise that goes out of San Juan. It looks amazing. Has anyone gotten a hotel in San Juan before the cruise? If so what is your experience? I would love to find one close to the port and has a cruise shuttle if possible.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

For our cruise in December out of San Juan we are booked at the AC hotel.

 

Looks like a pretty good hotel.

 

Bill

[mpdog42]

Hi,

If you want to get away from the Corporate mainland chains, try Old San Juan, especialy the El Convento ,Its a 350 year old building that used to be, at one time a convent for nuns,.. Its the oldest Member of the Historic Hotels of America and has three dining places...

 

Their website is pretty cool, and across the street is the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista where Ponce De Leon is entombed

 

They also have a Managers Reception (Wine & Cheese) Trip Advisor has is rated at #1 out of 49 hotels in San Juan...

 

All The Best

Mike

[jcolley]

Here in San Juan this evening, staying at the La Concha. Nice property I suppose, but our room wasn’t ready at 6pm and were told they would call asap when it was ready. That didn’t happen, went back at 7:30 and it was ready, they just never called. Said they would send up our luggage right away, that took 45 minutes. They did offer us comp breakfast for the morning. :) Anyway, I digress ...... Uber does not operate from airport. You must use a taxi which is $17 (if going to pier/Condado area) plus a $3 airport fee and $1 per bag. After tip it was $30 for us. Uber does take you back to the airport, and for the same distance (Pier/Condado) in about $12-13. Hope that helps!

[dani negreanu]

We stayed at the best western palm inn suites in Condado. We loved the location and walked on the beach and to restaurants and there’s a Walgreens across from the hotel. Highly recommend.

 

Would also recommend this hotel. Public transportation from the corner to OSJ (75 cents). Nice area in the evening. Taxi to port -- 20$.

[Shak]

3 weeks ago we sailed with our daughter, son in law, and grandchildren out of San Juan and one must was we had to stay at a hotel with a beach. We ended up staying at the InterContiental Hotel for 2 nights and we had a great experience. The staff couldn't have been nicer and the grounds and beach were beautiful. When the 7 of us were ready to go to the cruise port all we did was tell the porter we need transportation for 7 and a cab/van was there within minutes.

 

While the kids played I went to Old San Juan via the public bus. It was $.75 each way. There is a bus stop just outside the hotel and the drop off point is at the bus terminal near the old port. The concierge at the hotel told me the number of the bus to look for.

 

One of the best things for me was going to Panaderia Espana. This place is a bakery/deli/restaurant/and wine store all wrapped up in one. It was outstanding too. I made the 15 minute walk from the InterContiental the first morning and brought back some pastries I thought everyone would like and they all did but the next morning the grandkids joined me so what other choices there were. I get up pretty early and it really must have been important for them to go to get up to join me. When I was there this place was always busy with mostly locals so that another clue to to the food. Never made it back for lunch but I will the next time.

 

http://www.laespana.net/english/menu.html

 

Shak

[maggieq]

In order of what hotel we liked best

La concha

El San Juan

Marriott

Intercontinental

Doubletree

Hilton el caribe - beautiful property but rooms were in terrible shape

[bouhunter]

My wife and I always come in the day before when we cruise out of San Juan. This time, we are staying at the Condado Plaza Hilton. Appears to have a decent beach and pool along with a couple of restaurants.

 

We stay at Condado Hilton. FYI the "beach" is on a lagoon not the ocean.

[Cyber Kat]

Another vote here for El Convento! We stayed there this past March and it was lovely. Such a gorgeous property. Unfortunately the tapas bar was being renovated, so it was closed on our visit, but the sangria was as tasty as I remembered from a visit a number of years ago.

 

It’s very convenient for touring Old San Juan, but not very close to the Pan American pier. We were sailing on Viking so it was quite convenient for us. I would still choose it if we were on a ship leaving from the Pan American port.

 

 

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[SirRedman]

Can you walk to the Pan American Pier (with luggage) from the Sheraton, or is a taxi necessary?

[Shak]

Can you walk to the Pan American Pier (with luggage) from the Sheraton, or is a taxi necessary?

 

No that pier is across the bay from the Sheraton. The old pier near the Sheraton is now used for ships that have San Juan as a port of call.

 

Shak

[brtwnr]

I stayed at the Hotel Miramar in Condado last May and I'll be staying there in August as well. Nice hotel at a nice price. I stayed at the Casablanca in Old San Juan before that and really liked it, but I think it hasn't recovered from the hurricane yet as I was not able to book online.

I've heard good things about the Casablanca and was able to get a room there this August pre-cruise. I'll let you know after my cruise....

[Salem615]

Salem615...Hampton Inn or Embassy Suites. No shuttles from the air port to the hotels or to the Pan Am pier. Approximately a 20 minute taxi ride to the Pan Am pier. Both offer a free mangers reception in the evening and free breakfast in the morning. Both are close to restaurants and stores.

 

This sounds great - thank you!

[Salem615]

Thank you for all the great info! this is so helpful.

 

As far as money...do we need to exchange american dollars? Do they take major credit cards?

[Clarea]

Thank you for all the great info! this is so helpful.

 

As far as money...do we need to exchange american dollars? Do they take major credit cards?

Credit cards and US dollars are taken virtually everywhere Royal sails in the Caribbean.

[davekathy]

This sounds great - thank you!

You're welcome.

[cruiseguy1016]

Thank you for all the great info! this is so helpful.

 

As far as money...do we need to exchange american dollars? Do they take major credit cards?

 

Are you asking about in San Juan? Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and the U.S. dollar is their official currency.

[ATC cruiser]

Can you walk to the Pan American Pier (with luggage) from the Sheraton, or is a taxi necessary?

 

 

 

The Sheridan Old San Juan is across the bay. The other Sheridan with the casino and convention center is near the Pan American pier, but there is a small airport in between. There is no sidewalk along the road to the pier, Uber is about $5.

[SirRedman]

There are 2 Sheratons? I'm only coming up with the one in Old San Juan,..

[Clarea]

There are 2 Sheratons? I'm only coming up with the one in Old San Juan,..

 

http://www.sheratonpuertoricohotelcasino.com/

[mommasaurus]

We stayed at the best western palm inn suites in Condado. We loved the location and walked on the beach and to restaurants and there’s a Walgreens across from the hotel. Highly recommend.

 

 

Glad to hear that you recommend this hotel as we are booked there for 2 nights before our cruise.

[LBumb]

this is great info

thanks everyone