Tell me about the Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino in San Juan

[Clarkk W Griswald]

We're going on Adventure of the Seas next March and need a pre cruise hotel. Looking to book the Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino in San Juan. It looks nice and prices seem reasonable. Anyone stay there? What did you like or dislike? Would you stay there again?

 

Please don't tell me to post on San Juan port of call thread. I already did and only received 2 responses since Thursday. Plus, that wouldn't answer my question, would it?:D

[Dolby1000]

Once about 10 years ago, for 2 days before a Rhapsody sailing. We were traveling with my parents and had a great two days. Used their tour desk for an almost private tour of the rain forest and enjoyed the pool and pool bar. Travel to the pier is very short. Only real issue was that noise from the nightclub was very, very loud on the last night. We were on the third floor and could hardly speak to each other. We liked it so much that several years later, we tried it again.

 

Last time, about 4-5 years ago for 2 days before a Serenade sailing. Totally different hotel. This time, I had made the arrangements on my own. We were flying late so I called ahead and told them we wouldn't arrive to near 10 PM.

 

We got there around 9:30PM and they told us our room was not ready (at 9:30 PM!?) and to wait an hour. So we got a late dinner and tried again at 10:30 PM. Told still not ready. Finally, after 11:00 PM, they found a room for us. Just as we got our keys, another person showed up with a pre-paid reservation and the hotel did not have a room for them. I don't know what they did, we took our keys and escaped. We were given an ocean-view room on the 8th floor that did have a spectacular view

 

Pool service was non-existent. If you brought lunch, no one was around to pick up trays so dozens of aggressive seagulls and other birds roamed the pool areas. They would eat right off your plate right in front of you. We didn't even see the tour desk. Service was curt and unfriendly. The hotel's age was showing in the stainded carpets and dirty windows.

 

Check-out was a nightmare. There was some sort of convention going on and the front desk was over-their head, with no one really in charge. We had to drop our keys and run without any receipts, since there was no one to check anyone out (or in, there was a line of 40-50 people waiting to check in at an empty desk).

 

However, it is in a good location, an easy (and cheap) bus ride to Old San Juan and the pier, and has a (or at least had) a Tony Romo's across the street and beach access. It has two pools (one fresh, one sea-water) with a small water-slide in the fresh-water pool and full-time security on the premises. There is also a small casino. The view from the upper floors is excellent.

 

I doubt we will stay there again (next time, if there is a next time, we might try the Hotel Caribe about 1/4 mile away).

 

So, perhaps you will have better service since it seems we visited at a bad time (I think it had just changed owners at the time we stayed, so it may have settled in by now).

 

Dolby1000

[Clarkk W Griswald]

Thanks for the reply, Dolby1000. I understand the hotel is in process of major renovations. Lets hope they "renovate" the customer service as well.

[katiel53]

We stayed there about 3 years ago when it was a Wyndham hotel. We were on the Concierge floor and it was really quite nice. We had dinner in one of their Tony Roma restaurant as we weren't really into going out after a long trip getting there.

 

I know that it is no longer a Wyndham hotel so I don't know how the service etc. is. I do know it was really great when we were there. Good luck.

 

Also, we stayed at Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, Marriott Stellaris, so if you have any questions regarding those hotels, we might be able to help.

[Lise Dagenais]

We were in San Juan last April 2007 and I think that the Condado Plaza is in full renovation

If it is the one I think I would avoid it

Good luck

Lise D

[terri23]

We stayed there pre-cruise in March and our room (corner oceanview or something) was large, clean and very nice. However, the price was high ($375/night?). We had late flights after disembarking and went back to the hotel and lounged by the pool for a couple of hours. We just told security "we already checked out and are waiting to go to the airport". We felt guilty - but not that much considering what we had paid to stay there!

 

There is a restaurant in walking distance down the street - Ropa Vieja - it is FANTASTIC puerto rican food and darn good mojitos. We went there three times :rolleyes: :D

[55J5-5]

Katiel53 what can you tell me about the other hotels you stayed at. We are looking at staying one night before our cruise. A pool is a must, breakfast the next morning would be nice if it was included or is there some place close by that serves?

Thanks.

[catwoman2965]

I stayed at the Coral Princess Inn in Condado last month, before my cruise on the AOS - it was nice, but nothing fancy. Don't know if you're looking for a hotel with lots of "stuff" or just a place to sleep. If you're looking for a larger full-service hotel, its not for you.

 

BUt if all you want is somewhere nice and clean to sleep, etc. I would recommend it. They have a continental breakfast, rooms are clean, but not fancy. They have a pool, and hot tub on the roof...Staff is friendly and helpful; you can check out and leave luggage before you get on the ship, and vice-versa after getting off, until its time to check in.

No restaurant, but there are plenty within walking distance, and we took the bus into OSJ - but i believe a cab to the pier was about $20 for 2, with 4 bags...incl. tip, i think.

[55J5-5]

Thanks. Last year we stayed at Tres Palms. It was nice, clean but REALLY small. The people were very friendly too. It is basicaly a place to sleep or for the business person with the ocean across the street.

This time we are taking more family so are looking for something just a tad bigger [not like the hilton unless the price is great]. Walking distance for resterants and shopping would be great!

Love the look of El Convento, but I think there is a two night min. and the price is really high.

[Clarkk W Griswald]

Love the look of El Convento, but I think there is a two night min. and the price is really high.

 

We looked into the El Convento and it is a 2 night minimum.

[katiel53]

Katiel53 what can you tell me about the other hotels you stayed at. We are looking at staying one night before our cruise. A pool is a must, breakfast the next morning would be nice if it was included or is there some place close by that serves?

Thanks.

 

The most expensive hotel we stayed at was the Marriott Stellaris. It's right on the beach and it beautiful. It has a casino and the grounds are very pretty. At night they had a combo play music right off the lobby. We loved the hotel and our rate included breakfast.

 

The next most expensive was Embassy Suites. It has a pool, a full hot buffet breakfast and a free happy hour at night. (I think Monday-Friday) The rooms were very dark and I didn't like that. The lobby was fine and there was a small casino as well as an Outback restaurant with the hotel. It is not on the beach.

 

The least expensive and probably our favorite was Hampton Inn. It has a pool, free breakfast and the rooms were great. It is about a block from the beach but almost right across the street from the Ritz Carlton hotel. They have a casino there if you are interested. It is also across the street from a fun restaurant called Lupe's. It is a kind of Mexican restaurant with great burgers and salsa. It is also very close to the El San Juan Hotel. We booked the hotel and then kept looking at the rates online. As the rate lowered, we called reservations and got the lower rates. The only drawback to this hotel is that it is near the airport, so if you are out at the pool/bar, you can hear the planes. In the rooms though, you can't hear them at all.

 

If you are looking for amenities, I would suggest the Marriott Stellaris as it is really like a resort. You can sit in your chair and have the pool people bring you drinks. All hotels in San Juan to me are expensive, but keep checking the rates to see if they go down. Fortunately, ours did. We usually travel the end of November.

 

Good luck. I hope this helps.

[55J5-5]

Thanks katiel53, that is the kind of info I am looking for. The resort kind of place is nice, but not affordable for this trip. With 3 older teens in the group we are looking for a nice pool and breakfast included, or low cost. Beach real close is great for the adults too. Night life isnt us so much as good places to eat. I really like alot of the Inn's and such but it looks like those are costing alot for the one night we are going to be in town. I'll keep looking though.

Anyone stay at the El Canario's? [by the sea, by the lagoon] Hubby thinks they look good, but what are they near? How are they?:confused:

[MACruisers]

I have stayed at the Condado plaza twice and had a GREAT experience both times. The pool area is great, small beach, I had excellent service at the swim up bar as well as dining service. Rooms were spacious and clean, staff excellent. I have never had dinner at the hotel, I always go out the the local "native" restaurants. (Don't care much for chain restaurants and there are plenty in the area) The hotel is a short taxi ride to Old San Juan and comfortable for walking around at night.

 

I had planned to stay there before my Serenade cruise next February, but alas, RCCL canceled by 2/23 sailing. Now I am doing Liberty of of Miami on 3/1 and Serenade out of San Juan on 3/8 so I have no extra time to spend in San Juan.

 

Enjoy.

[jimbug]

We are staying at the Caribe Hilton for our 1 night pre-cruise in August (57 days!!!). Anyway, we got it on Priceline for a bid of $65, which came to exactly $86 total with taxes. (Taxes on hotels in PR are very high.)

 

We were so amazed with the price, as we are on a budget this trip and couldn't afford to stay at one of the nice hotels with a $300+/night price tag. I read and read, and read some more, trying to find out how to end up with a nice hotel on Priceline. Basically the deal is this: Bid ONLY in resort category, and start bidding at $65. I think that the only 3 hotels in the resort category for San Juan are the Caribe Hilton, Marriott Stellaris, and the Intercontinental...all of which would be fabulous choices. With that low of a bid, if you get anything, you will likely end up with the Hilton, as it seems to be the only one going for that low. Also remember that if you don't get it the first time, you can try again in 24 hours. So, you've got some time to try to get it at a reasonable rate. (I would not bid on anything besides 'resort' category for San Juan, as there are some questionable hotels listed as 3- and 4-star wins on Priceline)

 

Also, there are some complaining reviews about the Caribe Hilton, but these people all ended up with "garden terrace" rooms. Apparently you do not want these, and almost every review I read, if you just ask for a different room, they are more than happy to accommodate your request. The newer HHonors tower is supposedy the best, along with the villas, which are more like vacation condos with kitchens, etc. Also, remember, even if you get a so-so room there, the grounds/pools/beach are BEAUTIFUL, so it should be worth it if you get a decent rate. Good luck!

[55J5-5]

I always wondered how the priceline thing really worked. Call me chicken but I figured I would be the one that got 'Bates Motel' from psycho with Norman running the place. I DONT THINK SO!!!:eek:

We stayed at the Hilton after our last cruise and it was nice. The beach and pool are really great. Our shower flooded the bathroom, but everything else was nice. Thier breakfast [$20pp i think] is AWSOME! More food than you can imagin, no way can you walk away hungry. However, we paid like $200 for the one night after all the taxes. This trip we just can't quite do that. It is also off the beaten path so you would have to take a taxi instead of wandering around.

I am not finding much available for next feb right now under $200 so I'll ask the others in the group what they feel about priceline.