Help Pls for Hotel Choice...

[vivig]

Hello,

 

If I may obtain some opinions in regards to which hotel you would suggest that we should stay in the night prior to our cruise I would be very greatful!

 

The choices are as follows:

 

- ESJ Towers in Isla Verde or..

- Embassy Suites Hotel Dorado del Mar Beach and Golf Resort

- Four Points by Sheraton Caguas Real Hotel and Suites

 

All suggestions opinions will be welcomed.

 

Thanking you all in advance,

Vivian

[amapola]

I already gave you my thoughts on the Four Points back in December, so I won't repeat myself, just to say my opinion still stands :D .

 

The Embasy Suites Dorado is nice, not excellent. We've stayed there twice. It has a small, veryshallow beach and a nice pool. The buffet breakfast is fine. I've always had dinner at Oregano, which is located in the golf clubhouse, for good Italian food. Have not tried the hotel restaurant for dinner. Rooms are large, with a separate living room, 2 TVs, fridge, etc. The only drawback is that it's at least 45 mins from San Juan, more during rush hour, so for an overnight stay, personally I wouldn't choose it.

 

I've never stayed at ESJ but the location is good.

 

One thing to consider when choosing a hotel outside the San Juan tourist area is transportation -- both in terms of the amount of time it takes to get anywhere because traffic is just horrid leaving SJ in the afternoons and coming into SJ in the morning, and the cost of the taxi, limo or rental car.

 

HTH!

[vivig]

Thanks so much for your feedback 'amapola'!

 

Yes, we did take your advise for the Sheraton..I cancelled our reservation there.

 

However, I keep flip flopping our thoughts due to what I read on the boards.

 

I have read both the positive as well as negative reports on all the hotel options...and to boot there is absolutely NOTHING left from the hotels I read with recommendations.

 

I am worried to make an error as to where we should be staying the night prior to our cruise.

 

Please don't feel that your suggestions were not taken into account, I did take them into account and cancelled the room we had reserved (And now it has dropped 1/2 the price we had booked it for orginally hmmm.) I am trying to gather as much info prior to finalizing my decision.

 

I should state that I am really torn between ESJ Towers and the Embassy Suites in Dorado.....or if anyone knows of another location that has availability and that they have stayed there with a positive experience.

 

I know this topic is very subjective and I won't hold anyone accountable for their thoughts..I am only trying to make this the right decision for my family. So please everyone share any and all info that you can:)

 

Thanks again amapola...I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post....Due to your comments I am now considering the ESJ Towers.

 

Have a happy Sunday,

Vivian

[amapola]

Hi Vivian! I'm not surprised the 4 Points is going for cheap -- it's really in the middle of nowhere as far as tourism is concerned. :eek:

 

If you will arrive in PR in the afternoon of the day before the cruise, my recommendation would be to stay in Isla Verde or Condado. But if your flight gets here early enough that you will be able to enjoy the beach & pool in Dorado, then go for that one!

 

Also, look at the price of the hotel AND transportation there and back before making a final decision. Getting to Dorado might cost a pretty penny, though I don't know how much

 

Glad I steered you away from Caguas :D

[thatbloominplace]

stayed a week in esj hotel, not the towers, a few years ago. i believe it is more expensive than the others but, location, location, location.great beach, decent casino, nice hotel restaurants. personally, i think that the other choices you have are too far to travel for a one night pre-cruise.

[pcboston]

I have stayed in San Juan both pre and post cruise a few times. I completely agree with the other poster that the best areas to stay would be Isla Verde (near the beach and the airport), something in the Condado area, or Old San Juan. I've stayed at the Wyndham Old San Juan(now its a Sheraton) pre-cruise...that is directly across the street from the Old piers and very convenient to exploring Old San Juan. Have also stayed at the Wyndham Condado Plaza post-cruise a few times, you can see the ships at the International Pier from there, depending on the room you get. Last year we stayed pre-cruise in Isla Verde at the Hampton Inn, had to walk a couple of blocks to get on the beach but it was a really nice hotel for a night, they had a courtyard pool area and a free continental breakfast and it was right near the expensive beachfront hotels. Traffic is really bad in San Juan, so I'm not sure I'd want to stay such a long drive away from the piers. Most cruises out of San Juan don't leave until late at night though, so if the price of transportation from a hotel an hour away is no object, then you could stay further out if that is your choice. I hope that this helps some, just my experiences......Happy sails.....

[pholter]

I vote the Isla Verde area as well....

[chris sea]

I vote the Isla Verde area as well....

 

We always stay in Isla Verde when we cruise out of San Juan. Close to the airport and the piers.

 

We stay at the Inter-Continental -Isla Verde. The Water Club is also nice:) The IC has a beautiful pool, is on the beach, and has a casino,

[luvdasea]

We also liked the Intercontinental-ESJ is next door.:)

[gracecarmo]

Has anyone stayed in a B&B in Old San Juan? Once, when we were there years ago, I saw a B&B and thought it would be a nice place for a pre cruise stay. I am now exploring places for next Jan. pre cruise.

[Martin and Lindsey]

Has anybody stayed at, or visited the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel? :rolleyes: