One Night Stand in San Juan

rivertrash

Senior Insider
We have to spend the night in San Juan the night before our arrival in St Barth. We have done this several times and have always stayed at the hotel in the airport because of the convenience. Our flight to St Barth is later in the morning this year and I'm looking around for some place a little nicer. The Ritz Carlton looks nice, but their price is crazy. Does anyone have an other suggestions? Has anyone stayed at the Verdanza Hotel?
 
I do like the Ritz, but the staff has a tendency to annoy me, service-wise. I describe it as a small "r" ritz carlton, rather than a "real" Ritz Carlton. Their roulette wheel has paid for multiple Tradewind flights.

If I don't stay at the Ritz then I typically stay in a Hilton-family property, where I rarely pay (long story, millions of frequent sleeper points, which are dwindling). The Embassy Suites is close by, and also has a casino which has paid for one of my Tradewind flights. If you like classic old hotels then check out the El San Juan, which is also a nearby Hilton property. Pass on the Caribe Hilton, which is too far out to justify the cost.
 
Keep checking prices at the Ritz. They tend to go up and down almost as quickly as air fares these days. We've overnighted there and at the El San Juan. Either is acceptable for a one night stand, and the ESJ is usually a lot more reasonable.

Phil
 
or you could do what I do when in san juan. I go on hotwire and choose only the 4 star hotels. you can get one for 129 dollars ( booking a week in advance) with a 90 percent favorite with guests that have been to the hotel which also includes a casino. but I like luxury with a good price.

if you book 2 weeks in advance the rate goes down to 99 dollars for a four star hotel.
 
Dick....Marriot Stella Maris is where we always stayed and its on Condado beach .....certainly nice enough for what its purpose was...great Tiki Bar in the beach, nice pool, in house Casino, and decent rooms....close to Old San Jusn too

one year year we did Embassy Suites and that was fine too.....
 
Like Mike, we stayed at the Mariott Stella Maris last time...in the Condado, it's very nice.

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or you could do what I do when in san juan. I go on hotwire and choose only the 4 star hotels. you can get one for 129 dollars ( booking a week in advance) with a 90 percent favorite with guests that have been to the hotel which also includes a casino. but I like luxury with a good price.

if you book 2 weeks in advance the rate goes down to 99 dollars for a four star hotel.

Good suggestion Diana. I may try that on my next planned overnight.
 
If you want the "old town" vs beach experience, try El Convento, a beautiful historic property which is walking distance to some great restaurants (but not the beach). It's only about 15 min from the airport.

We we stayed at the Ritz Carlton in May (our second time) and it's very nice, maybe not their top propert in the world but it was fine... And a 5 min drive from the airport. If you can get a good deal on the room I'd stay there. I did not like the El San Juan to stay in but if you're in the area on a Friday night the dancing is amazing!
 
We like La Concha (a Renaissance Resort, affiliated with Marriott) in Condado. It's a recent renovation of a 1960's era building. Maybe 10 minutes from the airport and a big step up from the Hampton Inn Isla Verde (our previous haunt) for not much more money.
 
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