Big Sky Country

[emen822]

Don't mean to sound like a stalker, :eek: but I wanted to start a new thread since you seem so knowledgeable about San Juan and hope you can give me some advice. Here is my scenario:

 

We are cruising out of PR next March and would like a room pre-cruise. I am traveling with my husband and two daughters who will be 12 and 14 at the time. Basically looking for something that is near El Morro since we have never visited PR and heard that is something you should see. Obviously we want a nice clean hotel, with a pool and restaurants nearby. Currently I have reservations at the Marriott Stellaris but its quite pricey. [FYI - My girls have already seen a picture of the pool and they are SOLD!] Is there a better choice? I would like to wander around the tiny streets and take in some local food. I'm not sure if we can see any ships pull into port but that would be a plus. Now that I'm reading this, it sounds like I want a lot! But can I get it all?? Thanks for your help!

[Big Sky Country]

Don't mean to sound like a stalker, :eek: but I wanted to start a new thread since you seem so knowledgeable about San Juan and hope you can give me some advice. Here is my scenario:

 

We are cruising out of PR next March and would like a room pre-cruise. I am traveling with my husband and two daughters who will be 12 and 14 at the time. Basically looking for something that is near El Morro since we have never visited PR and heard that is something you should see. Obviously we want a nice clean hotel, with a pool and restaurants nearby. Currently I have reservations at the Marriott Stellaris but its quite pricey. [FYI - My girls have already seen a picture of the pool and they are SOLD!] Is there a better choice? I would like to wander around the tiny streets and take in some local food. I'm not sure if we can see any ships pull into port but that would be a plus. Now that I'm reading this, it sounds like I want a lot! But can I get it all?? Thanks for your help!

 

Glad to help. You should be able to get the majority of your needs met. The only question I have is... What is the price range you are looking for (and what do you consider pricey)? I can narrow things down a bit with that information. Stellaris is a nice hotel. There are many other options. You did not say the beach was important. Old San Juan is the spot for wandering and eating, which is where the fort is. There is nothing as close to the fort as you are thinking, but taxis are readily available everywhere for a cheap, short trip (<$20). There are 3 basic areas to choose from: Old San Juan, Condado Beach, and Isla Verde Beach. Each has its pros and cons. OSJ is in the old city and has all the charm. Amenities can be a little thinner for that reason. Condado is on the ocean, but the beach is not as nice as the latter. There are reasonable hotels typically more targeted for business (not exclusively). Isla Verde is the preferred beach area. The hotels are more resort like (although it varies from place to place). Here you are farthest from OSJ, but a taxi will get you there shortly anyway. Typically, more hotel amenities. If you want to see cruise ships sail in, Condado is best from the ocean, but OSJ Sheraton is on the south side of the harbor and you'll be the monsters right in front of you. I'm kind of answering your questions in a crazy, random fashion, so please let me know if I'm missing anything or if you have more questions. Stalking is allowed here ... ;)

[Oaktree]

Hope I'm not trespassing in BSC, but here is another CC members site with

good maps: http://www.langland.org/cruises/sanjuan.asp. My family stayed at

the Marriott and teen grand-daughters love it.

[emen822]

Glad to help. You should be able to get the majority of your needs met. The only question I have is... What is the price range you are looking for (and what do you consider pricey)? I can narrow things down a bit with that information. Stellaris is a nice hotel. There are many other options. You did not say the beach was important. Old San Juan is the spot for wandering and eating, which is where the fort is. There is nothing as close to the fort as you are thinking, but taxis are readily available everywhere for a cheap, short trip (<$20). There are 3 basic areas to choose from: Old San Juan, Condado Beach, and Isla Verde Beach. Each has its pros and cons. OSJ is in the old city and has all the charm. Amenities can be a little thinner for that reason. Condado is on the ocean, but the beach is not as nice as the latter. There are reasonable hotels typically more targeted for business (not exclusively). Isla Verde is the preferred beach area. The hotels are more resort like (although it varies from place to place). Here you are farthest from OSJ, but a taxi will get you there shortly anyway. Typically, more hotel amenities. If you want to see cruise ships sail in, Condado is best from the ocean, but OSJ Sheraton is on the south side of the harbor and you'll be the monsters right in front of you. I'm kind of answering your questions in a crazy, random fashion, so please let me know if I'm missing anything or if you have more questions. Stalking is allowed here ... ;)

 

Thanks for the help so far...but we're not done yet. ;) Pricey to me is over $400, which is what this hotel is charging for that one night. Plus they also charge $50 ($25 each) for my daughters because they are both over 12. :eek: With all said and done, this hotel is close to $500 for one night. It really sounds great but I don't know if it's worth it. Beach is not important to me since we will have 4 port stops on the cruise the following day. Casino is also not important to me. And seeing the ship in the morning is not a necessity but would just be an added perk. It doesn't matter to me if we need to take a taxi to the fort.

Let me just see if I have this right: El Morro is in Old San Juan? And is that where they have all the tiny streets (I'm picturing cobblestone and I don't know why) and we could eat in a local restaurant? If we were able to take a taxi to Old San Juan, walk around the fort, eat and take a taxi back, I would consider that a good day. :D Would the coach/douney outlets be anywhere near where I'm looking to go? Again, not a necessity, just an additional perk. ;) Needless to say, if I am venturing into any unsafe areas in SJ, please let me know.

Oaktree - Thanks for the map. I have looked at it SO many times and for some reason, I still feel clueless. :confused:

How is the Radisson? According to the map that Oaktree provided, it seems to be in the general area (and about $150 cheaper!). I also tried to get a room at the Sheraton but they were sold out.

Thanks again for any insight you may offer.

[Oaktree]

From Marriott by taxi, OSJ is about 10 minutes away. You can ride the bus

for .75 cents (correct change} if you want to do that. There is a free trolley

that goes to El Morro from the waterfront. OSJ is not a big area and you can

easily cover it on foot. The best stores are on Cristo, which you would use

coming downhill from the fort. Neat places to eat on San Sabastian, top of

Cristo St. Don't worry. Once you get there, it is easy.

[Big Sky Country]

Thanks for the help so far...but we're not done yet. ;) Pricey to me is over $400, which is what this hotel is charging for that one night. Plus they also charge $50 ($25 each) for my daughters because they are both over 12. :eek: With all said and done, this hotel is close to $500 for one night. It really sounds great but I don't know if it's worth it. Beach is not important to me since we will have 4 port stops on the cruise the following day. Casino is also not important to me. And seeing the ship in the morning is not a necessity but would just be an added perk. It doesn't matter to me if we need to take a taxi to the fort.

Let me just see if I have this right: El Morro is in Old San Juan? And is that where they have all the tiny streets (I'm picturing cobblestone and I don't know why) and we could eat in a local restaurant? If we were able to take a taxi to Old San Juan, walk around the fort, eat and take a taxi back, I would consider that a good day. :D Would the coach/douney outlets be anywhere near where I'm looking to go? Again, not a necessity, just an additional perk. ;) Needless to say, if I am venturing into any unsafe areas in SJ, please let me know.

Oaktree - Thanks for the map. I have looked at it SO many times and for some reason, I still feel clueless. :confused:

How is the Radisson? According to the map that Oaktree provided, it seems to be in the general area (and about $150 cheaper!). I also tried to get a room at the Sheraton but they were sold out.

Thanks again for any insight you may offer.

 

Yes, that strikes me as abnormally high, especially for that hotel. There should be ways to bring down the cost. As Oaktree mentioned, OSJ is compact and very walkable. It is only about 15 square blocks. El Morro is in OSJ (the oldest part actually ;) ). It is on the northwestern most tip at the mouth of the harbor. The rest of the city, like El Morro, are within the city walls that line the shoreline. Yes, there are little cobblestone streets with narrow sidewalks throughout. Coach and Douney are on Cristo Street at the center of the old city, an easy walk after the forts.

 

Okay, since taxi is not a problem and you are looking for something cheaper with a pool, take a look at the Condado Plaza and Caribe Hilton to see what you think of them. They are closest to OSJ. They should be a lot cheaper too. Lots of people to doing resort class through Priceline and landing great room rates (<$150) at the Caribe Hilton. Radisson is ok.

[RichardK]

The Sheraton Old San Juan (OSJ) might fit the bill -- i.e., in OSJ; can walk to pier (unless you're at the Pan Am Pier); plenty of places to eat nearby (I would not eat at the restaurant – in that it’s overpriced); can walk to El Morro; and. there's a roof top pool.

 

The Hotel Milano is right in the hear of OSJ; however, no pool, but less pricey than most other hotels. Going in March (toward the end of the cruise season) they may or may not have a 2-night minimum, however.

[Big Sky Country]

The Sheraton Old San Juan (OSJ) might fit the bill -- i.e., in OSJ; can walk to pier (unless you're at the Pan Am Pier); plenty of places to eat nearby (I would not eat at the restaurant – in that it’s overpriced); can walk to El Morro; and. there's a roof top pool.

 

The Hotel Milano is right in the hear of OSJ; however, no pool, but less pricey than most other hotels. Going in March (toward the end of the cruise season) they may or may not have a 2-night minimum, however.

 

I agree on the Sheraton OSJ fitting the bill, but I think the OP mentioned that they were already full. Personally, I think the Milano is a good value from a location and price standpoint. If the pool is negotiable, I'd consider it too. There isn't much to do at the hotel with kids, but OSJ makes for an interesting day anyway. I would not suggest staying at the Milano for more than one day with kids though.

[emen822]

How is the Intercontinental? I would assume its very nice but how is it as far as location? I looked at the map http://www.langland.org/cruises/sanjuan.asp

and don't see it listed there. I just went on Hotwire and they have a 4* (customer favorite) and its listed for a total of $315. That to me, is much better than the $500 the Marriott is charging. According to betterbidding.com, that 4* would be the Intercontinental. I only tried Hotwire once and that was in Miami for this past March. We were VERY happy with the deal we got. (Just happened to be the Intercontinental as well.)

I understand that the weekend I am looking to get a room is during Spring Break and is also the night before Easter so I know I won't get the greatest deal like some other people are getting during non-peak travel months. But $315 to me is better than $500.

Any insight? TIA!

[Big Sky Country]

How is the Intercontinental? I would assume its very nice but how is it as far as location? I looked at the map http://www.langland.org/cruises/sanjuan.asp

and don't see it listed there. I just went on Hotwire and they have a 4* (customer favorite) and its listed for a total of $315. That to me, is much better than the $500 the Marriott is charging. According to betterbidding.com, that 4* would be the Intercontinental. I only tried Hotwire once and that was in Miami for this past March. We were VERY happy with the deal we got. (Just happened to be the Intercontinental as well.)

I understand that the weekend I am looking to get a room is during Spring Break and is also the night before Easter so I know I won't get the greatest deal like some other people are getting during non-peak travel months. But $315 to me is better than $500.

Any insight? TIA!

 

Intercontinental is in the same league as the Marriott. Good beach area. The distance difference is inconsequential. You won't notice the difference. You can't go wrong if you're happy with $315.

[Big Sky Country]

Intercontinental is in the same league as the Marriott. Good beach area. The distance difference is inconsequential. You won't notice the difference. You can't go wrong if you're happy with $315.

 

Let me clarify one point. You won't notice the difference because you will be taking a taxi anyway. The difference in the taxi is like 5 or 10 minutes (and maybe $5 additional). It would make a difference if you were going to walk. Sorry - I was a bit rushed yesterday...

[emen822]

Intercontinental is in the same league as the Marriott. Good beach area. The distance difference is inconsequential. You won't notice the difference. You can't go wrong if you're happy with $315.

 

Let me clarify one point. You won't notice the difference because you will be taking a taxi anyway. The difference in the taxi is like 5 or 10 minutes (and maybe $5 additional). It would make a difference if you were going to walk. Sorry - I was a bit rushed yesterday...

 

It sounds like the Intercontinental has a nice beach area as well. Correct? And the pool looks nice too. So now I should be closer to the airport but a little further from El Morro. But since we are taking a cab, it shouldn't make too much of a difference. And $315 is MUCH better than $500 in my eyes. ;) Thanks again for your help.

[excalwop]

We did the OSJ walk nov 06 took a cab to the La Casita info center by pier 1. They have some great maps of OSJ. Try some of the ventors on the street they have some great tasting items. We walk 1st to the san juan gate outside the wall. then to El Morro spent about 45 minutes there and then headed back into OSJ ( leaving the fort we hit a rain shower which lasted for about 10 minutes.The only one for the entire vacation and cruise) Spent 4 hours there. Were told by the police not to go outside of the wall on the north side. That was the only NEG. thing we hit while in OSJ. Except some of the prices of things:D Every one was friendly and helpful Do not rember the name of where we ate but it was a local site. Food was very good and did not cost that much. Oh yes visit the Plazas you will see just about everything you can imation birds, animals flowers, painting, and a ton of other things.

Will be visiting there again this DEC.

Paul

[RichardK]

It sounds like the Intercontinental has a nice beach area as well. Correct? And the pool looks nice too. So now I should be closer to the airport but a little further from El Morro. But since we are taking a cab, it shouldn't make too much of a difference. And $315 is MUCH better than $500 in my eyes. ;) Thanks again for your help.

 

I stayed at the Intercontinental in CY2000 when it was the San Juan Grand. Nice property, with a very nice stretch of beach along the entire Isle Verde area. Location wise>>>I don't think you can go wrong.

[Big Sky Country]

It sounds like the Intercontinental has a nice beach area as well. Correct? And the pool looks nice too. So now I should be closer to the airport but a little further from El Morro. But since we are taking a cab, it shouldn't make too much of a difference. And $315 is MUCH better than $500 in my eyes. ;) Thanks again for your help.

 

Yes. The beach area is pretty good. It is San Juan's primary beach area (ie. where the locals go), which means it is very good relatively speaking. I view the hotel and its location much in the way your characterized it above. Glad to help.