Given the two choices, where would you stay in PR?

[guinness67]

Courtyard by Marriott San Juan Isla Verde or Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel? My wife and 5 year old and I will be spending a Sunday night in PR following our AOS cruise in June.

 

My wife and I stayed at the Old San Juan in 1998 when it was a Wyndham property. Although the hotel was in disarray after Georges hit the area a few days prior to our stay, we have an idea of what the hotel offers.

 

Is the beach around the Marriott nice? It looks like it's not too far from the airport, too. Any advice is appreciated as I'm going to book within the next week or so.

[Kathie44]

If we ever go back to PR, which we probably will since we need to do the "other" itinerary (besides Aruba, etc), we will stay at the Condado, which was a Wyndam hotel two years ago. It is on the beach and 10 min from the port. It is very nice and we were lucky enough to end up on the top floor with concierge service and free food--hors d'voeuvres (with cash bar) on Sat. and extensive continental breakfast on Sun. It was also $20 cheaper than the Old San Juan Wyndam, which I heard was pretty rundown.

RCI must've overbooked because they tried to "upgrade" us to another hotel 20 mi. away, but fortunately our TA researched it and told them no because it was the same # of stars and too far away.

 

1/02 Explorer E. Carib.

1/03 Explorer W. Carib.

8/03 Summit Alaska cruise/tour

2/04 Adventure S. Carib.

2/05 Galaxy Panama Canal

6/06 Jewel Brit.Isles/Nor. Fjords + 3 days in London

[caribbean dreams]

If i had to choice between the two, i would pick Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel, i love that it is so centrally located, you can walk to everything.

I also enjoy the boutique hotels that Old San Juan has to offer.

[katiel53]

I haven't stayed in either hotel, but unless the Sheraton has fixed all the problems the Wyndham had with that hotel, I'd not stay there. If I had to make a choice, I would stay at the Marriott Stellaris or if wanting to pay less I would stay at the Hampton Inn. I know that's not what you asked, but I thought I would throw that in. The Hampton has a great pool bar, and across the street is a fun Mexican restaurant, Lupe's. The Hampton also has a decent free breakfast. The next time we go to San Juan, the Hampton is where we will stay.

[guinness67]

I think my wife is interested in extending her cruise by staying somewhere with a nice pool and perhaps a poolside bar. However, she wants to be able to do this on a budget as we will have just paid for the three of us to cruise, and spend, for a week. Our budget is in the $160.00 and less range with less being better!

[katiel53]

Guinness67,

As I posted previously, the Hampton Inn has a nice pool bar and pool. I guess it depends on when you are staying in PR, but we stayed there the day after Thanksgiving last year and our rate was less than $160. I kept checking the price of the hotel on the Hampton Inn site and it kept going down and each time I called to get the new rate, I was given it. I think we ended up paying about $120 or so. We booked it thru the site, not thru Priceline or anything. We were happy with the room, the service and the people working there. Plus, there is a free buffet breakfast that was quite nice. We would definitely stay there again.

[ParrotTops]

ALot of folks have mentioned the Coral Princess Inn...

[cesarrcabrera]

Both hotels are nice...

 

Location, well, it depends on what you are looking for...

 

Isla Verde hotels are for the most part beachside... So if it is beach you want to see, Isla Verde is your best pick... The hotel you mention is the Courtyard Marriott San Juan Isla Verde. On the link below, you can see tripadvisor's reviews on the hotel, and there are also some pics..

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147320-d268430-r3838382-Courtyard_by_Marriott_Isla_Verde_Beach_Resort-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico-m10782.cink_html

 

The Sheraton, which is in Old San Juan, is a nice choice if you are looking to explore the historic side of the island. It is nearby the Piers; but unfortunately, not the one where the Adventure or the Empress depart from. However, if other RCI ships are scheduled in port for that day, you get a nice view... The taxi ride from here to the pier is shorter than from Isla Verde, as Isla Verde is by the airport... Below is the link to Tripadvisor's reviews on the Sheraton Old San Juan..

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147320-d150496-Reviews-Sheraton_Old_San_Juan_Hotel_Casino-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

 

If you need any more info, just let me know as I live in Puerto Rico...

 

Cesar

[texancruzer]

My choice would be in Old San Juan. We stayed at the El Convento for 2 nights precruise in Nov. We figured we would be "beaching it" enough while on the cruise and opted instead for the ambience of old sj.

 

However.... if you really want to stay on the beach, check this out

www.numero1guesthouse.com We ate dinner there one night at the restaurant Pamelas and it was a really neat place. Rates are good too as all of the San Juan is high. If we can get back I will definately check into staying there since we paid $380./night for EC. It is in a neighborhood that you have to go through a gate to get to so that is a plus also.

[guinness67]

After reading a few hotel reviews, it appears that the Isla Verde beaches may be a let down after cruising for a week. Also, my five year old son has decided that he would like to stay by the "forts" so that he can see cannons and cannon balls.

 

It appears that the Sheraton Old San Juan is not favored by the reviewers at tripadvisor.com. Any suggestions in OSJ that won't break the bank and would be appropriate for a five year old? I appreciate your help as this is the one vacation assignment that my wife has given me. I don't want to screw it up!

[guinness67]

One more thing -

 

Does anyone know if their recommended hotel will store our luggage for us until our room is ready on Sunday? I can't imagine lugging a weeks worth of baggage around Old San Juan.

[cesarrcabrera]

In Old San Juan there is also Hotel El Convento... I haven't stayed there myself; but reviews from locals and tourists are always on the positive side... Here is the link to Trip Advisor:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147320-d148043-Reviews-El_Convento_Hotel-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

 

And here is the link to the site of the hotel itself: http://www.elconvento.com/

 

I hope you enjoy your stay here in Puerto Rico... :)

[texancruzer]

As the above poster states the El Convento is indeed in old San Juan near everything !!!!! It is a bit expensive though but also Puerto Ricos only 5 star hotel. We stayed there 2 nights precruise last Nov. (Thanksgiving night and Fri). But we could walk anywhere in old San Juan and El Morro was only maybe a 5 minute walk. The cathedral is across the street. Try this also www.langland.org/cruises/sanjuan.asp to get an idea of the area. We loved staying in osj. They have an online pre/post cruise special on their website www.elconvento.com but you must stay 2 nights.... hope this helps....

[Jason's Storm]

Howard Johnson is also in Old San Juan, and I believe it is one of the cheaper joints there. I believe it is a 1/4 mile from the piers.

 

~JS

[Kevin's girl]

We are looking forward to returning to Hotel El Convento. It is centrally located as mentioned above, and a beautiful hotel. We stayed two nights prior to our cruise a year ago and can't wait to return.

[cesarrcabrera]

There isn't a Howard Johnson in Old San Juan... the one here in Puerto Rico is located in Isla Verde; and I would never stay there again, as it is the worse hotel I've stayed at in my whole life (and I constantly visit Days Inn while in the US)...

[Cessna140]

Try Hotel Milano in the heart of OSJ. It is small and cozy, only 30 rooms and the people that run it are very nice. There is no beach of course, but you will be close enough to walk all over Old San Juan and see both the forts. As a matter of fact you can see San Cristobal from their roof top restaurant. And yes, they will hold your luggage.

(hotelmilanopr.com)

[pholter]

I'd stay in Isla Verde personally. Love the area, much better beaches, close to the airport, has lots of restaurants/nightlife and you get to see a part of San Juan different than OSJ which you'll see/experience anyway being right across the street from the pier.