Hello everyone,

I am heading to Puerto Rico April 24-29th. Doing a PHL-SJU USAIR direct. $336, double tier miles!

I thought I would quiz everyone for some advice. I am still trying to figure out where to stay, am considering the caribe hilton

www.caribehilton.com (http://www.caribehilton.com)
or
El Canario by the Sea
http://www.canariohotels.com/sea.htm

My friend Jaimie and I are mainly interested in drinking and getting a good tan. We are going to spend the first two nights in San Juan, then two nights on Vieques island to go snorkeling, hiking, beaching, and a biobay tour (www.biobay.com).

Any advice?

I haven't been to San Juan for a few years, but obviously the Hilton is much more plush (and expensive), but the Canario is on the Condado, closer to most of the bars. The Hilton is a little further walk, but closer to Old San Juan.

In addition, El Canario is close to one of my favorite gay bars in the world, the outdoor bar at the Atlantic Beach Hotel, which extends from the lobby on a wooden deck over the beach. Its a wonderful place for a cocktail at sunset with the cool tropical breeze and the Puerto Rican "scenery" (if you catch my drift).

If you are mostly looking for sun and liquor, the Hilton is probably not the best choice. El Canario is well located for the Condado bars (as noted above) and cheaper. I have a straight colleague who stayed there a year or so ago and was not particularly impressed, but we had just spent a couple of days down at Las Palmas for business and the comparison is tough. If you want a hotel with all of the amenities, you might be better at the Marriott. It is better located to the bars and is beach-front. Finally, if you want the best beach in San Juan, head out to Ocean Park. Some sections are reasonably gay, too. A few gay/gay-friendly guesthouses there as well.

Well I ended up booking the hilton, it was $30 more a night then the canario (got it for $145 including tax) and I didn't want to have the hour long planning discussion again with my friend. She was set at that point with the Hilton (plus we do get breakfast and stay credit for HHonors).

How are the beaches? Anyone ever been to Vieques?

Chris

If I remember, there really is no beach at the Hilton - perhaps a very small private one. You'll have to make do with the pool. If you are interested in watching men, the beach at the Atlantic Beach Hotel should provide eye candy. This is maybe a 10 or 15 minute walk from the Hilton. Otherwise, as dfwoods says above, Ocean Park will have nicer beaches.

If you want a beautiful beach for a day, rent a car and go the the rainforest early and spend the rest of the day at Luquillo beach. There are very interesting things going on further up the beach around the bend -either way, a lovely walk.

My partner and I have been going to PR at least once a year for the past 15 years. I recommend the Marriott. Great staff, great pool, great beach. Short walk to the Atlantic Beach Hotel.
If you need any recommendations on where to eat or places to go please feel free to e-mail me.

catwood,

As a native Puerto Rican, transplanted to your neck of the woods a few years ago (by way of a few other places), I'll be happy to share tips and suggestions. My partner and I both go back to the island pretty regularly -he fell in love with the place the first time he visited 4 years ago- and try to stay current. I myself am heading there this Friday for a long weekend visiting my folks. (booked the same $336 USAir special http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

I know you're set with the Hilton already; but I have to concur that the Marriott is in a much better location.

And while Vieques can be quite spectacular, Culebra can be even more so.

Feel free to email me for info.

You have mail.

But for the general audience, can you tell us about your flights down?

Chris