Hilton HHonors - Hilton HHonors Properties in Puerto Rico

We're looking at the Caribe Hilton and the Embassy suites Dorado del mar resort for a vacation with 2 small kids. Questions:

1. What's the beach like at these resorts?
2. The Hilton seems to be a pretty busy place -- or can it be big and relaxing at the same time, like HHV in Waikiki?
3. Is the Embadssy Suites in the middle of nowhere?

Any other comments appreciated.

gsilliman -- I can't comment on the ES, but I think you and your kids will enjoy the Caribe Hilton. It has a private beach (I believe man-made) and a nice pool area. It is a busy place, but it's not overbearing. If you are Diamond (or just book an executive level room), their lounge is (or at least was last year) very good, open for breakfast and evening reception, with free drinks.

ES is near the SJU aiport (5 min drive by taxi). IMHO..it is an out of the way property. I enjoy the Caribe Hilton very much..and it probally is the best place for kids..great beach and excellent activites..& it is located in the Condado area..nice suites, good restaurants..killer pools and a casino. There is a foot bridge to take you to the towers section.. avoiding crossing the street.
The best part is the $0.25 bus ride to Old San Juan! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Really a very good luxury hotel.

There are 2 ES's in SJU..the Dorado del Mar is at least a 20-30 min drive! Out of the way for most activities and sight seeing, but closer to EL Yunque..which is the only rainforest in the U.S. National Park system.
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MRKEY

[This message has been edited by MRKEY (edited 01-19-2002).]

The Caribe Hilton is next to the only public beach in San Juan. Not much waterfront area and not much sand, since it is manmade. It was OK when my wife and I stayed there in Feb 2000. I would recommend if you are planning to go to El Yunque, wear your bathing suit under your hiking clothes, so you can take a dip in the waterfall at the top. Also check Laquillo Beach across the highway from El Yunque. Cheap rum drinks and lots of sand and calm ocean, since it's in a cove.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by outoftown:
Also check Laquillo Beach across the highway from El Yunque. Cheap rum drinks and lots of sand and calm ocean, since it's in a cove.</font>

Excellent recommendation outoftown!!, but it is spelled LUQUILLO beach and it is not quite across from El Yunque. If driving from San Juan, Luquillo beach is just a short drive further on the highway from El Yunque. Don't miss the two tower lookouts on El Yunque, what a view!!

Back to topic. The ES is too close to the airport and lots of plane noise. Caribe Hilton will be great for your family, have stayed many times.

The ES I'm inquiring about is not the one in Isla Verde, next to the airport.

There is another in Dorado, apparently on its own beach, with a mix of suites and condos.

Anybody know anything about that one?

I have not been to the ES Dorado, but I am very familiar with the general area. The 2 Hyatt resorts are out there. I would say itsa really in the boonies. I would place my bet on the very nice classic Caribe Hilton. Great Hotel and great location. I have stayed in 80+% of the major San Juan hotels and really is difficult to do better than the Caribe Hilton, HH or no HH.

MisterNice

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MisterNice:
I have not been to the ES Dorado, but I am very familiar with the general area. The 2 Hyatt resorts are out there. I would say itsa really in the boonies. I would place my bet on the very nice classic Caribe Hilton. Great Hotel and great location. I have stayed in 80+% of the major San Juan hotels and really is difficult to do better than the Caribe Hilton, HH or no HH.</font>

Agree to all MisterNice stated. If just hanging at the resort is your thing, then this ES may work out. But if you wish to dine/play/shop in San Juan at all I would not recommend it.

I had thought that the "casino" was closed.

If this is not the case then, At the Carib is the casino operrated by Hilton or is a concession.

If it is truely run and managed by Hilton that I have no doubts ion the fairness and integrity. But I have heard Bad stories about P.R's Casinos, esp. the slots.

The casino at the Caribe Hilton is closed and the area is being used for other functions. I was told the license was turned back to the PR govt. One of the hotel asst mgr said they will be re-applying for another license soon. I dont know what this means as dealing with the PR govt is a very fluid situation.

I believe all the PR slots are owned and all profits go to the PR govt. Payouts have never been large but then they have many 5 cent machines too. Most players are local PR elderly ladies especially on the weekends.

There are plenty of casinos in PR. The Hyatt Cerromar in Dorado has a huge new one. The nearest one to the Caribe Hilton is at the Condado Plaza Hotel (it was a Holiday Inn, then a Williams, then a Wyndham etc) about 0.5 mi away. You can walk to it during the day, but absolutely take a taxi or drive to it at night. This should be a valid link: http://anyhotelanywhere.com/findhotel3.cfm/115517

MisterNice

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MisterNice:
absolutely take a taxi or drive to it at night.</font>

Hmmm... Perhaps I should've known better, but I've crossed that little bridge from Hilton to Condado on foot and walked way past that Condado Plaza hotel at night on several occasions, and never felt unsafe.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MisterNice:
There are plenty of casinos in PR. The Hyatt Cerromar in Dorado has a huge new one. The nearest one to the Caribe Hilton is at the Condado Plaza Hotel (it was a Holiday Inn, then a Williams, then a Wyndham etc) about 0.5 mi away. You can walk to it during the day, but [i]absolutely take a taxi or drive to it at night.</font>

Condado is the nicest w/in walking distance IMO. We never have taken a cab when making this walk at anytime of the day/night and have not felt a need to.

The most luxurious casino (looks like a casino from Monte Carlo (not the vegas hotel)) is the casino at the El San Juan, simply beautiful.

well , The Carib Hilton "offered" to upgrade me to an executive floor for a "supplement" of $75 nightly. Boy am I glad that I have a HHonors Gold card http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

In the way of disclosure my stay is a priceline booking. Should that make any diffrenence?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by writetorich:
In the way of disclosure my stay is a priceline booking. Should that make any diffrenence?</font>

Yes, it should make a difference. According to the information in HH Diamond VIP package, Priceline stays are not eligible for any elite benefits. This has been posted by Beckles in this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/004477.html

Caribe is a good place to take small kids in our experience. there is a jungle gym type thing for them to play on, and there is a recreation center at which you can borrow games and toys for them to play with overnight (I believe it is three at a time, no charge). they also give a free gift for the children, in our case i believe it was a backpack and some other items. They also have very nice pools, hammocks, a private beach, and a tiny pier.

We were very underwhelmed by the room we received however. The ocean view rooms have small balconys, but unfortunately the A/C from the restaurant is directly below and is very loud when it's running. We were on the executive floor, but the room was disappointingly small. Access to the private lounge was nice however.

oh and I have never stayed at the Embassy del mar... but I have stayed at the airport one (volunteered my seat on the plane and got put up there overnight.)

I never heard any noise from the airport as far as I can remember. My room was very nice, better than what I had had at the caribe... and there was an outback steakhouse. how can you complain with that.

Definitely wouldn't choose that as my vacation hotel though.

The best place I have stayed by far however is at the Westin Rio Mar. Wow. That place was just incredible. Spent three weeks there in a villa, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I was back there. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Quote:

Hmmm... Perhaps I should've known better, but I've crossed that little bridge from Hilton to Condado on foot and walked way past that Condado Plaza hotel at night on several occasions, and never felt unsafe.


Condado is the nicest w/in walking distance IMO. We never have taken a cab when making this walk at anytime of the day/night and have not felt a need to.

The most luxurious casino (looks like a casino from Monte Carlo (not the vegas hotel)) is the casino at the El San Juan, simply beautiful.


I have been going to PR for over 20 years and San Juan has changed a lot in the past few years. The Condado area now has groups of uniformed police about every 50 ft complete with bullet-proof vests noticeably (worn on top of their shirts, the Condado Beach Hotel is boarded up, the nearby Convention Center is closed, many once-busy stores, shops, restaurants etc are closed. Many younger people were once on the bridge almost every night with much music and laughter. Now few or none are there and the police were seen questioning the few hanging out there (it was quite easy to see with my binoculars from the hotel). I walked it many times in the past, but now I will walk it only in the daylight, not now after dark.

The El San Juan Hotel and Casino is my all-time favorite PR hotel. Fortunately the Caribe Hilton is 1/3 the price and very nice in many ways, ie mostly the smoke-free excellently operated executive lounge etc.

MisterNice

can anyone help...want to burn some hilton points in puerto rico...what are my choices...likely for next christmas..but not definitely

thanks

For my money (or points for that matter), there is only one place worth staying at: the Caribe Hilton. Good location, excellent lounge, etc.

While there are other HH properties in San Juan, IMO they do not come close to the Caribe Hilton.

A search on the Caribe Hilton will tell you all you need to know

I have already booked an award stay at the Caribe for week after Xmas 2003. (I orig wanted Cancun, but that was already sold out for that week!) I think a lot of people are booking the holiday weeks WAY ahead of time to get the bookings in before the rates go up. BTW, the award stay surprisingly, was for a confirmed high floor ocean view room.

how far is the caribe hilton from casinos?

Its around $5 to the Marriott and $10 to $15 to the El San Juan (Wyndham property) (which is very nice I might add; don't forget to go to the two rooftop restaurants in the El San Juan) and I think to the Wyndham Old San Juan is about $10 via Cab. You can (but don't want to) take public busses to these places for less than 50 cents. Buses are not timely and you better know your routes before hand. Plus they go through some very shady neighborhoods. there are probably other casinos but those are the only ones I have visited. I don't believe any are in walking distance, well you could walk to the Marriott but if you did, I would only do it during daylight hours.

Enjoy

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by teacher5:
how far is the caribe hilton from casinos?</font>

There is a casino just over the bridge, about a 10 minute walk.

There's also the Ponce Hilton on the southern part of Puerto Rico.

Location is good, 15 min. walk over the bridge to the Condado Plaza Hotel/Casino. Be careful not to get assigned a room in the older wing at the Caribe. The doors to the balcony are sealed shut and the rooms are musty and in dire need of refurbing. Not a great value even at the Priceline cost of $68/night.

IMHO, the Condado Plaza (for a resort) is a dump... this is one of the priceline hotels you might get if you bid for a resort. I do not like this place at all... a note.. they don't disclose this till check out but they will charge you an $8.25 per day resort fee as well. No getting around it.

Avoid this place like the plague

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SteveHOU:
Location is good, 15 min. walk over the bridge to the Condado Plaza Hotel/Casino. Be careful not to get assigned a room in the older wing at the Caribe. The doors to the balcony are sealed shut and the rooms are musty and in dire need of refurbing. Not a great value even at the Priceline cost of $68/night.</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TrojanHorse:
IMHO, the Condado Plaza (for a resort) is a dump... </font>

I think SteveHOU mentioned the Condado Plaza strictly as a possible casino hangout. The rest of his/her comments were about the Caribe Hilton (and I do agree, the Garden wing at the Caribe is terrible).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TrojanHorse:
IMHO, the Condado Plaza (for a resort) is a dump... Avoid this place like the plague</font>

We've had three stays to the contrary; we enjoyed our stays quite a bit at the Condado. Each time we received an "executive" level room overlooking the ocean. Great dedicated concierge service on the executive level as well.

There is a section of the Condado that is across the street on the lagoon. Obviously any rooms that are on the street for either section would be undesirable. I wandered into the lagoon section to peek into the rooms overlooing the lagoon, they were nice, but not a nice as the ocean.

The topic says it all! Opinions anyone?

Definitely SJ.
I stayed at both last thanksgiving and it is a no-brainer. On the whole, Ponce doesn't have a whole lot going for it. The beaches are awful. We were really surprised once we got there because the water seems dirty, the sand is a brownish color. The Hilton has their own sort of private beach area with access from their grounds, but the only people there ( 5 ) were sunbathing.

The rooms were small and nothing spectacular.

The main restaurant was so-so, some decent spanish food. I don't think there was an executive lounge there, or we just didn't see it.

The pool area is nice, but the hottub was disgusting and needed a thorough cleaning. It did not have the slightest hint of chlorine.


The Caribe Hilton on the other hand seems worlds apart. The grounds and facilities are great, it has a swim-in bar, huge pools including a kiddie pool. It even has a beach inlet area that is neat. Great shallow spot to do snorkeling. The only thing missing is a hottub.

There are several restaurants which are all good. The executive lounge area puts out some food and soft drinks ( I can't remember if there was wine, I think there was. )

Hope this helps. IF you have any other specific questions, e-mail me.

In my quest to use the three free nights I've just earned, my wife and I are heading to Puerto Rico in April. I currently have a reservation at the Caribe Hilton and I am wondering if anyone has a recent experience there? As a diamond member what are the possibilities of an upgrade at this hotel. We enjoy relaxing at the beach and it looks like there are three Hilton brand hotels that have beachfront access; the Caribe Hilton, the Hilton in Ponce, and a Emabassy Suites. We will be staying a total of five nights and will most likely be switching hotels to see more then one area. Any must do suggestions and places to eat are also appreciated. Thanks!

Caribe is a very big place and you'll get an UG for sure.

Ponce is a few hours drive South. Have stayed there too, but WAY out of the action of that city. Most vicious mosquitoes of all time near their pool.

DO take a day to go to Vieques. I am just back a couple weeks ago - the Bio Bay experience is quite something! The photos tell the story. :)

www.glenstephens.com/puertorico.html

Spent a week at the ES Dorado last May. The hotel was clean and had very nice grounds. There were alot of activities, movies, etc. The beach is quite small however. The hotel was very crowded with locals on the weekends but during the week was extremely quiet. The "managers reception" was excellent. Real Pina Coladas with spears of fruit, heavy hor douerves. Very nice.

In my quest to use the three free nights I've just earned, my wife and I are heading to Puerto Rico in April. I currently have a reservation at the Caribe Hilton and I am wondering if anyone has a recent experience there? As a diamond member what are the possibilities of an upgrade at this hotel. We enjoy relaxing at the beach and it looks like there are three Hilton brand hotels that have beachfront access; the Caribe Hilton, the Hilton in Ponce, and a Emabassy Suites. We will be staying a total of five nights and will most likely be switching hotels to see more then one area. Any must do suggestions and places to eat are also appreciated. Thanks!

I've stayed at all three.
Forget about the Embassy Suites in Isla Verde. You will see it as you leave the airport. 2 Blocks off the ocean, by itself, rooms are tired and worn.

Ponce Hilton: There is a floor for Diamond/Gold members. Rooms are not any different. No executive lounge, free internet for guests in Business Office, no free breakfast, free coffee in the lobby. Beach is extremely small and not that nice. You are really isolated at the Ponce Hilton. Swimming Pool is nice/clean, Bar near pool is fun and tropical, restaurant is good. Casino in the Hotel, big enough for the crowd. If you like to golf the course is above average and worth bringing the clubs. The town of Ponce, not much to it.
From the Caribe Hilton in San Juan it takes about an hour and 45 minutes. If it is raining in San Juan, which it has alot for the past 6 weeks, take the drive to Ponce it will probably be 5 degrees warmer and sunny.

Caribe Hilton: Private/clean/nice beach. Best private beach along the San Juan and Isla Verde strip. Pool is everything you need. Plenty of lounge chairs, hammocks, and a water bar. No slide in the pool or diving board, more adult oriented. No Casino, walk 10 minutes to the Wyndham if you need to try your luck. Restaurants are good, the prices are a little expensive but not outrageous. Diamond Club members will almost always get an upgrade. Ask for ninth or tenth floor. Executive lounge is on the ninth floor. Continental breakfast, appetizers in the evening, 5:30 - 8:00 with free beer, wine, liquor. Nitecap from 8 - 10. Music in lounge every night. You will get a free bottle of champaign in your room as a Diamond member on the first night.
Negative: not alot to do at night. Go to Old San Juan, Isla Verde Hotels, Casino. El Yunque, or take a drive to the El Conquistador in Fajardo. Hope this helped.

Was at the Caribe in August for a wedding at another resort. Loved it. Chapagne waiting for us on arrivial with a card welcoming us, access to the executive lounge for breakfast and drinks and snacks in the afternoons, etc.

We will most certainly be going back again.

We just returned from the Caribe. It's a nice property and we enjoyed the stay.

I think they've cut back on Diamond benefits/preference though. We were not upgraded to the Executive Floors (8-10 in the main building). We were upgraded to a suite on a lower floor, but were denied access to the executive lounge, instead were directed to the "HHonors Lounge" on the second floor. Similar breakfast there, but the evening reception is a few appitizers, cheap wine and a bowl of rum punch, no liquor selection or after dinner drinks as on the executive lounge. I pointed out the T&C that
if a Diamond isn't put on the exective floor they will still have access to the lounge. Was told they recently (in the past month or so)changed their policy as the executive lounge was getting "too crowded" with Diamonds who weren't on the executive floor, so only guests on 8-10 were allowed there now. To me that sounds like a lot of Diamonds aren't getting put on the executive floors as it appears they were in the past. The sign on the executive lounge door states it's access is "limited to executive floor guests AND DIAMOND HHONORS MEMBERS". The HHonors manager was FIRM about this and wasn't going to bend. No champagne in the room, but a fancy looking bottle of water and a small jar of cashews. What really irked me about the lounge access was that it appeared any HHonors member could use the small lounge on the second floor. I asked a couple people there if they were gold or diamond, wanted to know what they thought about the restricted access to the executive lounge. They both said, oh, we're just basic members. So, if Diamonds aren't put on the executive floors, the new attitude is apparently to let them share a lounge with people who stay less than 4 times/year :mad:
This lounge has a grand total of 3 four-seat tables and 4 little ones you have to stand at :td: I made a point to take the elevator up to the 9th floor a couple mornings and evenings to have a look at the executive lounge - it was NEVER crowded and had plenty of extra seats every time I looked........

Anyway, except for the disappointment of not having executive lounge access and the attitude of the HHonors manager, we liked the Hotel. The employees were very friendly and efficient, the property clean, food good, check in quick and easy. Other comments:

The pools were very nice but too cool - we were there for a week and saw a grand total of 10-12 people use them. It was empty almost all the time.
Our daughter prefers the beach anyway, so it wasn't a big issue for us.
They do a lot of convention and meeting business, so those guests aren't competing for chairs at the beach or pool during the day. It's the only caribbean trip we've ever taken where there wasn't a mad dash to save seats in the morning - there was plenty of room to sit wherever you wanted.

If you go, feed the fish on the pier during the day. There are hundreds of them. Then go down at night when the lights are on and check out the 8-10 sharks who come in for THEIR dinner :)

We just got invited by a friend to spend a week with them on their sailboat in the Grenadines over New Years. The only flight I can get to CIW (Canouan) using AA miles requires that we overnight in SJU. We'd get in to SJU about 8PM and depart at 2:30 the next afternoon. So we'd have a little time in PR, but not much. I was looking at the Isla Verde ES because it is close to the airport, so it would be convenient to get to and back to the airport. And it's available for a PointSaver award at 18K. The only comment on this property I've found was this:

Forget about the Embassy Suites in Isla Verde. You will see it as you leave the airport. 2 Blocks off the ocean, by itself, rooms are tired and worn.

We're not looking at this as a destination, just a comforable place to overnight. Anybody else here have any comments on this property? Also, any suggestions on what to do with such a short stay there?

The only flight I can get to CIW (Canouan) using AA miles requires that we overnight in SJU. We'd get in to SJU about 8PM and depart at 2:30 the next afternoon.

We're not looking at this as a destination, just a comforable place to overnight. Anybody else here have any comments on this property? Also, any suggestions on what to do with such a short stay there?

Any of the HH SJ props would be fine for such a short stay. The Caribe Hilton is by far the best. You will have little time to do/see anything except try a casino at night and the beach in the morning. Good luck.

MisterNice

Can anyone tell me if the SJU Embassy Suites (Isla Verde) offers a free airport shuttle? It doesn't say on the HH website.

If not, is it walkable from the airport (with luggage in tow)?

We just returned from the Caribe. It's a nice property and we enjoyed the stay.

I think they've cut back on Diamond benefits/preference though. We were not upgraded to the Executive Floors (8-10 in the main building). We were upgraded to a suite on a lower floor, but were denied access to the executive lounge, instead were directed to the "HHonors Lounge" on the second floor. Similar breakfast there, but the evening reception is a few appitizers, cheap wine and a bowl of rum punch, no liquor selection or after dinner drinks as on the executive lounge. ... :)

I am a Diamond. I had the same experience. No upgrade. No Champagne. Minimialist lounge. Property was nice. "Diamond treatment" was non-existent.

Can anyone tell me if the SJU Embassy Suites (Isla Verde) offers a free airport shuttle? It doesn't say on the HH website.

If not, is it walkable from the airport (with luggage in tow)?

Very close to the airport... though, don't think one would walk due to the logistics of walking from the airport...

Cab should be $10 to $15... what I recall when I went from the airport to the Ritz Carlton... which is walking distance to this property.

Very close to the airport... though, don't think one would walk due to the logistics of walking from the airport...

Cab should be $10 to $15... what I recall when I went from the airport to the Ritz Carlton... which is walking distance to this property.

Thanks.

Just curious. If the hotel is within walking distance of the airport, why would a cab cost $10-15? Are taxis in PR just expensive?

Thanks.

Just curious. If the hotel is within walking distance of the airport, why would a cab cost $10-15? Are taxis in PR just expensive?

That was by very broad estimate... I could actually be only $8... but, if I remember... and it was over a year ago, there is a fare sheet from the airport to hotels, which I "think" is a bit more than the regular meter around town rate.

I'll be at this property at the end of December, though, we are renting a car this time.

BTW, just checked and the Hilton/Embassy web site says $10 for a cab to the airport... so, I "assume" it is a Airport Minimum thing... as it is only 0.5 mile.

That was by very broad estimate... I could actually be only $8... but, if I remember... and it was over a year ago, there is a fare sheet from the airport to hotels, which I "think" is a bit more than the regular meter around town rate.

I'll be at this property at the end of December, though, we are renting a car this time.

BTW, just checked and the Hilton/Embassy web site says $10 for a cab to the airport... so, I "assume" it is a Airport Minimum thing... as it is only 0.5 mile.

Thanks. We're checking in on the 27th. Wanna split a cab? ;)

Thanks. We're checking in on the 27th. Wanna split a cab? ;)

Send me a PM... If I'm around I'll swing by and pick you up at the airport... we arrive on the 22nd.... will be in SJU for 8 days... I can suggest a number of good spots to go out, and restaurants in Old San Juan...

---- Michael

Thanks.

Just curious. If the hotel is within walking distance of the airport, why would a cab cost $10-15? Are taxis in PR just expensive?

Based on my experiences driving in PR this summer, no price would be unreasonable if it allowed me to cower in the backseat with my eyes closed. :D (only a slight exaggeration)

A cab from the Isla Verde Embassy Suites to the airport is $ 10 or $11 without tip. I took one last month.

Just back from 7 nights at the ES in Dorado and 2 nights in SJU.

A general comment about Puerto Rico: driving is tough. Not many street signs. People drive in a reckless manner. You don't see many people using turn signals.

Dorado ES: nicest staff of approximately 50 HH brand hotels that I have stayed at. Beach area is pretty small. A rocky outcrop protects their cove, reducing the waves and undertow. The crowd seemed to be 1/3 Puerto Ricans and 2/3 Americans. Pretty even mix of singles, families, retirees, and business travellers. Only 3 restaurants on site, one of which is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Plenty of beach chairs available by both the pool and the beach.

SJU ES: Rooms were surpisingly quite, considering that it is right by a highway and the airport. Not much ambience by the pool though, with the hum of traffic and the frequent jet noise.

Both hotels had a lobby computer(s) with free HSIA. IMHO the SJU is an okay base camp for doing other things on the island, while the Dorado hotel was a pleasant destination beach location.