Hampton Inn Isla Verde

[w8ing2cruz]

Anyone stay recently? Any great bars or places to eat nearby? Also, is there a store where we might pick up some bottled water and maybe a bottle of wine or two for our cruise? thanks.

[orquidia]

the new Holiday inn isla verde is a much better hotel, renovated 2 years ago and next door to embassy suites (restaurants & casino).

[ancldaca]

The Hampton is a great place for the money. Next door you can go have dinner at the Metropol which is Cuban-puertorican cuisine and very reasonably priced. Next to the Metropol is also a cock fighting ring (I know, not everybody's cup of tea for many - valid - reasons, but it's there nevertheless). Across the street is the Isla Verde Mall which has an El Amal pharmacy in it that also has quite a number of other things for sale (foods, etc); the bar Shots used to be there but I think it recently closed and there's also a Denny's in there.

 

Less than a - casual - 2 minute walk west (along the way there's another pub, a pool parlor, and if I remember correctly a bakery) is Lupi's which Thursdays - Sunday nights has a very lively crowd with bands/happy hours into the wee hours; the food is also quite good there. Another 1 minute walk west from there puts you into the El San Juan Hotel, one of the better ones in PR with a terrific lobby bar, restaurants and a very nice casino. About a 3 minute walk east of the Hampton you have the Ritz Carlton if you really want to go upscale.

[w8ing2cruz]

Thanks ancldaca - we had 40 oz magaritas at Lupi's last time in Puerto Rico :eek: Do you have any ideas on where we might purchase a few bottles of wine within walking distance?

[ancldaca]

You got me on that one. I live by the banking district and try to avoid the 'tourist areas'. Also, I don't really drink anymore so I haven't been looking out for specific shops. But the cruise terminals have duty free shops and I suppose that when you take the cab to the port you could arrange with your cabbie to swing by the Pueblo or Grande supermarkets that are on the way (I have to assume that there would be some kind of fare adjustment). Pueblo has a larger variety.

[orquidia]

you can buy the wine at Pueblo, this large supermarket in Isla Verde

[w8ing2cruz]

for the tips - Holiday Inn was actually on our list but we chose Hampton and have five rooms - don't think we'll change at this point. Is the Pueblo within walking distance of the Hampton? I don't mind a hike as I'll have to be working on weight control on the cruise:o

[ancldaca]

I took a quick look at the maps on Yahoo and it looks like a 1/2 mile walk or so. As you are going from the airport to the hotel, you'll see the Pueblo on your left at a set of lights on Los Governadores Avenue (rt 187). From there to the Hampton will be about another minute to 1.5 minutes by cab (depending on the light at the intersection with Isla Verde Ave where your hotel is located on).

 

Sorry about the small size of the jpeg. If you enter "Carolina, PR 00979" in yahoo maps you can get it a tad bigger.

 

BTW, see that loop at the intersection of Governadores/Isla Verde Avenue? That's the Ritz Carlton mentioned before. The rectangular block closest the Isla Verde Ave to the left of the Ritz Loop is the Isla Verde Mall. Finally, that little blip of a street north of where I put the word "Pueblo" is the El San Juan Hotel (to the left of that is the Intercontinental).

 

My parents will be in town for our 12/15 cruise and are staying at the Hampton pre-cruise for a night and then 5 more nights post cruise.

[orquidia]

that road you see in the map, Avenida Los Gobernadores can be a bit tricky if you are walking since it is an avenue that conects to the expressway it is not a street, it doesn't have a sidewalk, only an emergency lane.... i would take a taxi if i were you

[w8ing2cruz]

Great tips - thank you. I'm really excited about the Isla Verde Mall as one in our party needs some comfortable sandals and of course there are none to be found in Wisconsin this time of year;)

[sun&sea]

I have stayed in this area many times! The Hampton Inn is 'almost' next to the Pueblo. The store has lots of wine, liquor, and beer! The key is to ask directions at your hotel. It's just down a street and kinda through a parking lot. With directions from the hotel, you will have no problem getting there in 5-10 minutes! Its a very nice, modern store. (The Hampton Inn is very nice also!!)

 

I also recommend Lupi's! Very good!! We will be visiting there in a few weeks ourselves!!! Can't wait! (actually, I see you are cruising on Jan 26!!! So are we...on the Crown Princess!)

 

Janet

[w8ing2cruz]

Thanks Janet - from one midwesterner to another! Great choice of dates huh?