Ritz-Carlton vs. Intercontinental

[MaryPoppinz]

We have a reservation at the Ritz-Carlton, but I've found the IC has a similar room that includes breakfast and is about $100 less/night. The pool at the IC is closed and it's scheduled to reopen before we arrive -- but if it's not completed on time for some reason, I'd hate to be staying at a resort-with-no-pool. Locations are similar, both appear to have pretty good dining, seems like kind of a toss-up to me. The IC is cancellable until 6 pm the day of arrival, the RC requires 48 hours notice or a one night penalty. Not sure how much that matters, but it's one of the little differences.

 

Which would you choose?

[cs1]

We stayed at the ritz post cruise 3 years ago and were very happy and well taken care of at the property. We previously stayed at the El San Juan which had poor service in our opinion.

 

I like Ritz Carltons and would not take a chance on the pool situation at the Intercontinental because even if the pool is working there is a good chance that other construction around it could be going on.

CS

[stprdi]

The IC is great. Our check in took a long time. We were early due to the arrival of the ship. They took forever getting our room ready and I think they actually forgot we were sitting there. Not a good intro. Past that it was good. We never ate there though cuz way to expensive for our taste in food. I imagine the Ritz would be the same. The pool was lovely and the beach the same. Maybe the big difference would be in the proximity to other restaurants and shopping, the IC would be closer. If you're in to casinos...we went to the ESJ which is right smack in the middle. Way better than the IC in our opinion.

[Host CJSKIDS]

The Intercontinental is nice, but it is not the Ritz Carlton. If you read reviews on the Ritz, it wins hands down. We stayed at the Ritz San Juan in 10/04 and we will be checking in on 11/2 for two nights again. For service you can never beat a Ritz Carlton.

 

Did you just book a standard rate at the Ritz or a package? If you let me know when you're going I can try and play around with some of their codes for you.

[ClCB0911]

the IC its not the Ritz but have better beach than the Ritz!

[chris sea]

the IC its not the Ritz but have better beach than the Ritz!

 

I would have to agree with you on this comment:)

[pholter]

While the Ritz is beautiful, it's way too much for the rooms they give you and the food/drinks are priced extrememly high.. Honestly, we found our stay relaxing, but quite boring. We've already decided that the Intercontinental would be the only place we'd stay in the future unless it's the Water Club. The Intercontinental has a HUGE pool area, nice grounds, fun bar atmosphere, entertainment, and the same basic rooms for $100- $200 + less per night. We'd still opt for IC even if the pool were closed unless the Ritz were comping our stay :)

[beachlovergirl]

The InterContinental was originally saying the pool would be completed by the end of October. When I called yesterday they said they were hoping it would be done by mid-November.

[vacationhappy]

We stayed at the IC last August and hated it - we are not that fussy bit the service was horrendous at every point in the hotel. For example, we paid over $100 for breakfast for four in the the coffeshop and could not get a cup of coffee...we waited 2.5 hours for our luggage to be brought up to our room and could not get into a room until after 6:00PM (we arrived at 1:00 and expected to be able to get into a room by 3:00 or 4:00). During that time, the beach water was full of jellyfish which is something that the hotel could not help but they should have warned people as they entered the beach and picked uptheir towels. I really would not receommend it....

[MaryPoppinz]

Goodness. Badness. :)

 

If the pool isn't open, then I think my decision is made. A resort with no pool? That's no resort!!

[marshabear]

we stayed at the IC sunday night...checked in at 10:30am due to getting off the ship so early...no problem..our room was ready-we were upgraded because of the pool renovations..which by the way doesn't look to be completed anytime soon...alot of construction going on...

 

anyway, we had a great room with a very nice view on the 14th floor...

 

didn't eat here cause it was too much money for us to spend so we ventured across the street to burger king for lunch, then ponderosa for dinner...very good actually...:)

 

this hotel was a 5 star in our book but if the pool is important to you, don't count on it being open for awhile...we saw the beach but didn't go swimming ...a very nice looking beach though...and a bar/place to eat right next to the beach...also, rest rooms and showers to use...

 

we would recommend this hotel easily!! :)

 

 

Marsha

[gonma]

hi! I recommend the Ritz. Without the pool the IC, it's not that great for a vacation.

[beachlovergirl]

Does the Ritz have an outdoor restaurant/bar near the pool or ocean?

 

Thanks!

[Host CJSKIDS]

Does the Ritz have an outdoor restaurant/bar near the pool or ocean?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Yes, they do and it's great. It's right next door to the pool and right in front of the beach. If you go to ritz.com and check out the San Juan Ritz you can read about it and see the menu.