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rivrrts429
07-16-2007, 05:02 PM
After searching the internet for endless info on vacationing in Puerto Rico I'm turning to my fellow hot boaters for help.
My best friend is turning 30 in late February and wants to visit his Grandparents to celebrate. They live about an hour from San Juan, P.R. and his uncle has a parasailing business there. My wife, myself, two other couples (all grew up together), and his Mom are planning on going and making a vacation out of it. Plus it would be cool to meet that side of his family. We have all talked about doing this for years and finally the oppurtunity has come. We plan on staying for a week and really want to do it right the first time.
My question is, who has been there and what hotels do you recommend? Did you get an "all inclusive" type package with airfare and hotel? I'm not too concerned with places to see since his family will probably be a wealth of info., but which locations would/wouldn't recommend? All of the official Puerto Rico sites show how great it is but I really want first hand experiences.
Thanks in advance for any help
Richard

ChumpChange
07-16-2007, 05:23 PM
I was supposed to go there in May with work but my wife was too pregnant to fly. Otherwise, I would have been able to help. :D Good luck, there are good golf courses down there.

TCHB
07-16-2007, 06:50 PM
I was there a couple of months ago on a business trip.
We stayed at the Ritz and it was ok nothing special. If you need some help PM me and I will get you in contact with some people that live there full time that can help you via email.

GHT
07-16-2007, 06:53 PM
We stayed at the Marriot on the beach. We loved it the pool was Las Vegas class and the beach was nice as well. There was also I very nice bar right on the beach.
Don

ChumpChange
07-16-2007, 06:56 PM
I was supposed to stay at El Conquistador. It looked nice in the brochure. All inclusive resort.
I can ask my friend Vladamir Guerrero where he stays when he goes there. :D

rivrrts429
07-16-2007, 07:46 PM
I can ask my friend Vladamir Guerrero where he stays when he goes there. :D
VLAD is from that other island.....Dominican Republic but I appreciate the thought:D ;)
Thanks again for all the info.
Keep it coming, the more the better

rivrrts429
07-16-2007, 07:48 PM
We stayed at the Marriot on the beach. We loved it the pool was Las Vegas class and the beach was nice as well. There was also I very nice bar right on the beach.
Don
GHT,
Thanks for the response, this is the kind of info I am looking for. How far from San Juan is the marriot? Was it pretty central to most activities? Thanks again for the help:)

rivrrts429
07-17-2007, 11:21 AM
Bueller....Bueller

MrsGHT
07-17-2007, 12:56 PM
GHT,
Thanks for the response, this is the kind of info I am looking for. How far from San Juan is the marriot? Was it pretty central to most activities? Thanks again for the help:)
The Marriot that we stayed at is in San Juan. We stayed a couple days before our cruise left and then when we returned. It's right on the beach and there are some bars and restaurants within walking distance. Not sure of the all-inclusive since we were going on the cruise. Here's the site:
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/sjupr-san-juan-marriott-resort-and-stellaris-casino/

eliminatedsprinter
07-17-2007, 01:09 PM
I stayed a week at the San Juan Grand back in 2000. It was right on the beach and I would say it was about as nice as The Avi, but a lot more expensive..:)

Baja Big Dog
07-17-2007, 01:16 PM
Kinda a dumb question...why don't you ask the guy that has the business down there, I think he may have a better idea where a safe place to stay is.
I have friends that live there and the best advise on where to stay when ask about visiting is "home". They claim the place is a fricken zoo, and crime is unreal.

eliminatedsprinter
07-17-2007, 01:24 PM
Kinda a dumb question...why don't you ask the guy that has the business down there, I think he may have a better idea where a safe place to stay is.
I have friends that live there and the best advise on where to stay when ask about visiting is "home". They claim the place is a fricken zoo, and crime is unreal.
True, when we were in San Juan we had double police escorts where ever we went. I have a friend who lives there and he stays in Ponce, rather than in San Juan, he says Ponce is much nicer.

SHAKEN Not Stirred
07-17-2007, 01:44 PM
I have stayed at the Normandie a few times.....
Really nice.....
http://www.normandiepr.com
Later,
SNS
;)

rivrrts429
07-17-2007, 04:21 PM
Kinda a dumb question...why don't you ask the guy that has the business down there, I think he may have a better idea where a safe place to stay is.
I have friends that live there and the best advise on where to stay when ask about visiting is "home". They claim the place is a fricken zoo, and crime is unreal.
BBD -
His family lives about an hours drive away from San Juan, thats where the business is as well, I was hoping to stay close enough to visit but I also want to stay central to most activities.
For example - If I was visiting family in Riverside area I wouldn't want to drive to San Diego for all the activities.
After I read my thread I realized I would get those kinds of comments. Sorry for the confusion but that is why I am asking.

dunaholic
07-17-2007, 04:29 PM
San Juan is a lot like T.J. Just be prepared......You are not going to a really nice ocean resort type town with the crystal clear blue water and the likes when you get there. I think the Marriot also has a casino in it if I remember correctly.

rivrrts429
07-17-2007, 04:47 PM
San Juan is a lot like T.J. Just be prepared......You are not going to a really nice ocean resort type town with the crystal clear blue water and the likes when you get there. I think the Marriot also has a casino in it if I remember correctly.
No I fully understand that. I've seen pics of there. I have been to Hawaii and all those white sand beach places before. I want something different from all the concrete jungles and tourist bullshit that you can't explain what you spent all that money on when you come back.
I know what to expect, I just want to get the best experience I can. Again thanks for everyones help.

RandyH
07-17-2007, 07:23 PM
When I traveled PR for business, Most of my travels where on the west coast. Not exactly the tourist side but you could find some really nice areas. LIke was said, Ponce is great, Some nice beaches around Agaudilla, a wonderfull seafood joint on the water in Elizabeth where at night you can see the baracuda come in to eat. As far as San Juan, Stay only in the best beach side hotels between El Morro and the airport and try to set aside a day to visit Old San Juan. Have fun.
Randy

GHT
07-17-2007, 07:30 PM
GHT,
Thanks for the response, this is the kind of info I am looking for. How far from San Juan is the marriot? Was it pretty central to most activities? Thanks again for the help:)
Yes, it is in San Juan and anything you want is only a taxi ride away. There were some cool local places within walking distance too. The opposite side of the island is pretty rough the locals told us. We enjoyed the room here (the two nights we stayed) better than our cruise.
Try this site: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/sjupr-san-juan-marriott-resort-and-stellaris-casino/
Hope this helps.
Don

rivrrts429
07-17-2007, 08:00 PM
Thanks again everybody, this info should really help. I appreciate the help and this should make it easier to decide where to stay.:) :D

sam pioske
07-17-2007, 08:23 PM
On Verde beach it is miles long, Casino, great night latin music, little snack bar with a cuban sandwich GREAT, across the street and a couple blocks is the best Deli. i have been to, bought a bottle off thier shelf consumed the food and bottle then down to old town. i had a ball and i have tried to do that all over the world. now trying the old Russian block states. And yes the Capitian has kicked in for the evening !!! Whoooo Hooooo Go have fun. Sam

lalhc
07-17-2007, 09:12 PM
I can't remember where I stayed while in PR, but it was outside of San Juan at a resort w/a river pool, nice beach, and casino. It was about 20 minutes outside of San Juan, and it's as or more expensive than Hawaii.

BajaMike
07-17-2007, 09:20 PM
San Juan is a lot like T.J. Just be prepared......You are not going to a really nice ocean resort type town with the crystal clear blue water and the likes when you get there. I think the Marriot also has a casino in it if I remember correctly.
San Juan is nothing like T.J......you are going to an island with crystal clear blue water and great white sand beaches and some of the best snorkleing in the world.
Take a 20 minute flight to the US Virgin Islands or the Brithish Virgin Islands, and you are really in paradise. P.R. and USVI and BVI are some of the best islands in the world, enjoy them.....if you r like me.....you hate to leave the boats, with the water, the food, and the people....paradise...way nicer then Hawaii.

Pete454
07-18-2007, 03:19 PM
I lived there for 3 years in Farjardo on the eastern end, the Conquistador is very nice, but that end of the island isnt the greatest but there is easy access to vieques and culabre(SP), and the town of Humacao is pretty decent as well. the western end has great surfing and is cleaner. I rarely went to San Juan, in the barrios the police dont even go in and yes there are some in SanJuan. Best advice is beware of your surrounds, and you should be fine. Enjoy your trip

NashvilleBound
07-18-2007, 03:24 PM
I just got back a few weeks ago..... I would definitely stay in an all inclusive club. We stayed at the Marriot Miramar downtown.... Barf.... I would never stay there again. Nothing around and the beach was quite a walk.

MrsGHT
07-18-2007, 03:54 PM
Unsure of the Marriot Miramar, we stayed at San Juan Marriot Resort and Stellaris Casino.

eliminatedsprinter
07-18-2007, 04:30 PM
I enjoyed San Juan, but we had lots of armed security around us all the time. I found it to be kind of like a cross between Mexico and Hawaii. I loved the old spanish fort and if you take a boat ride out of the harbor at San Juan you will find yourself singing the "yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me" song. Plus, unlike Mexico, you can drink the water and eat the food...If I were to go back there again, on my own, without government security, I would stay in Ponce and drive in and visit the best sights in San Juan one or two times.
P.S. Don't get into trouble in old San Juan. I hear they will put you in a burning cell and you will have to try to lure the dog with the keys with an old bone in order to get out.;)

NashvilleBound
07-18-2007, 04:32 PM
Unsure of the Marriot Miramar, we stayed at San Juan Marriot Resort and Stellaris Casino.
I think that one is on the beach....mine was downtown... BIG difference. Yours looked really nice.