Starwood Preferred Guest - Four Points Humacao, Puerto Rico [Master Thread]

i just finished a stay at the four points in humacao. basically, the four points humacao is a nice property. service can be a bit incompetent, but you have to expect that in puerto rico. just keep saying "manana" to yourself (over and over and over).

i was upgraded to a suite but the furnishings were worn. i did find the bed comfortable, however. the shower had decent pressure but i didn't have hot water on my first day (it was barely warm....not a fun shave).

my key de-magnitized (is that the correct term?) several times a day. apparently, you can't keep the key anywhere near a cell phone or even credit cards. i went through about three keys a day during my stay.

housekeeping didn't arrive until 5 pm one day. they provide two bottles of water each day. the rooms didn't have seattle's best coffee...it was a non-name brand.

high speed internet isn't wired to each room. instead, the property provides a netgear wireless card and software. but, i didn't get a signal in my room even with the hotel's card. so, when you check-in, tell them internet is important. you want a room near wi-fi equipment. even when you are near the wi-fi equipment in the lobby, the internet comes and goes. so, if you have to work during your stay, be careful.

but, if all you want is quiet and a nice beach/pool, this is a great place away from the clutter of san juan. it's a fairly painless hour drive from the airport.

the casino is tiny...it used to be on the hill but it was torn down. the temporary casino has three blackjack tables which are regularly packed. the craps table was removed.

the best restaurants are in an area called "the plaza" which is near the palmas supermarket. there is also a pizzeria in the plaza called "flying pizza."

Thanks for the report, but I have to ask ...

why ON EARTH were you here in the first place????

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: ;)

Thanks for the report, but I have to ask ...

why ON EARTH were you here in the first place????

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: ;)

why was i at palmas? vacation and a cheap fare on CO from EWR. i like palmas.

oh, i should also point out that a daily newspaper was not provided even though it was promised in the key holder given at check-in. small point but even the san juan star would have been nice.

full disclosure: if anyone has questions on this resort, i've spent about two weeks a year there since i've been about 13 years old (aside for the past four or five years approx). my parents used to own timeshare on this resort and i basically spent every new years and xmas on palmas for about 20+ years.

We are planning a long weekend stay in Puerto Rico with young children. Is either of the Four Points hotels ideal for a family short holiday? Which one has a nicer beach and pool(s)? We also plan to visit old San Juan and the rain forest. We will rent a mini van. It seems that Westin Rio Mar is sold out for the weekend in question.

Thank you in advanve for any tips and advice.

We are planning a long weekend stay in Puerto Rico with young children. Is either of the Four Points hotels ideal for a family short holiday? Which one has a nicer beach and pool(s)? We also plan to visit old San Juan and the rain forest. We will rent a mini van. It seems that Westin Rio Mar is sold out for the weekend in question.

Thank you in advanve for any tips and advice.

i would stay at the four points humacao any day of the week over the westin rio mar. but, then again, i would stay in alaska for a week over the westin rio mar. i've never been to the caguas property. the sheraton in old san juan is poorly suited for kids to say the least. it's hard core city.

i would stay at the four points humacao any day of the week over the westin rio mar. but, then again, i would stay in alaska for a week over the westin rio mar. i've never been to the caguas property. the sheraton in old san juan is poorly suited for kids to say the least. it's hard core city.

Fly co to see the yanks, thank you for the info.
How far is the beach from the Four Points Humacao?
How would you describe the property itself? It says that it is a resort but is it a well maintained resort? clean? recently renovated? Are they a Platinum friendly hotel? How are the suites there?

Thanks again.

Please see other threads on the Westin Rio Mar before dismissing it on one persons comments....as noted on several threads, service is spotty, but the grounds and hotel are very nice, and kid friendly.

regarding the westin rio mar, comments for the most part have been mediocre at best to downright abysmal. let's just say there have been awful reviews but few stellar ones. i most definitely prefer the four points over the westin rio mar.

at the four points, the beach is on the resort. you just have to schlep it to the sand.

there is probably more organized kids activities at the rio mar. honestly, i wouldn't know since i am single so i don't really notice those things. but, i don't think the four points humacao has a lot going on in that regard. but, again, i wasn't paying attention. i would think a quick call to the resort could answer that "pregunta."

platinums are treated well at the four points. the rooms themselves haven't seen much renovation in years. but, the pool and grounds have been renovated. the hotel has a new pool, hot tub, bar area which includes an outdoor grill for lunch preparation.

like the westin rio mar, service is typical for PR (i.e., spotty, lousy, incompetent). but, the service is definitely less spotty at the four points. but, expect at least one brain freeze on the part of staff.

i was upgraded to a suite during my stay. again, the room could use renovation but it was a suite nonetheless.

regarding the westin rio mar, comments for the most part have been mediocre at best to downright abysmal. let's just say there have been awful reviews but few stellar ones. i most definitely prefer the four points over the westin rio mar.

at the four points, the beach is on the resort. you just have to schlep it to the sand.

there is probably more organized kids activities at the rio mar. honestly, i wouldn't know since i am single so i don't really notice those things. but, i don't think the four points humacao has a lot going on in that regard. but, again, i wasn't paying attention. i would think a quick call to the resort could answer that "pregunta."

platinums are treated well at the four points. the rooms themselves haven't seen much renovation in years. but, the pool and grounds have been renovated. the hotel has a new pool, hot tub, bar area which includes an outdoor grill for lunch preparation.

like the westin rio mar, service is typical for PR (i.e., spotty, lousy, incompetent). but, the service is definitely less spotty at the four points. but, expect at least one brain freeze on the part of staff.

i was upgraded to a suite during my stay. again, the room could use renovation but it was a suite nonetheless.


Thank you so much for the info.
We are not going to take part in any organized children programs, so it's not important to us.
It's great to know that the beach is right on the property at either Humacao or Rio Mar. This is important to us, as are the pools for the kids. The suite upgrade is also important for space.
So, it seems Humacao it is for us.

Thank you so much for the info.
We are not going to take part in any organized children programs, so it's not important to us.
It's great to know that the beach is right on the property at either Humacao or Rio Mar. This is important to us, as are the pools for the kids. The suite upgrade is also important for space.
So, it seems Humacao it is for us.

hope you had a nice stay.

stayed there for 10 days over Christmas and New Years. the resort was pretty dead for the first few days but steadily ramped up NYE week.

the beach has eroded a bit since my last visit but it is still a very beautiful resort. it rained quite a bit (on and off...no complete wash out days) so the golf courses (two 18 hole golf courses) were mushy.

the internet was completely down the last several days of my trip as the T1 to the resort was dead.

the food on this resort has always been pretty dreadful but Sebastians (the restaurant in the hotel) was a very, very pleasant surprise this trip. i had meals that i would have thought were great in new york city. very pleasant surprise.

if i think of anything else, i will add it later....

I plan on staying at this hotel in the late summer. Whats the best way to get there on the cheap? taxi, van shuttle?

thanks

I plan on staying at this hotel in the late summer. Whats the best way to get there on the cheap? taxi, van shuttle?

there is no public transportation. the resort offers a shuttle bus but -- from what i remember -- it ain't cheap. there is an avis on site, so you could conceivably rent from the airport, drive to the resort, and return the car there. if you are traveling with a few people, this will certainly save you money since the van charges on a per person basis.

the resort is an hour from the airport, so a taxi will cost quite a bit.

Just spent the past five days in Palmas Del Mar, particularly at the Four Points Sheraton in Humacao. Here's my report for flyertalk:

Arrival
Pros: Nice drive into the resort, beautifully manicured lawns, a "country club feel", mediterranean architecture, expensive look & feel, friendly bell boys/porters/maids.
Cons: No attendee(s) at the Gold/Plat preferred desk. The one employee working the front desk was very slow & unresponsive, portrayed an attitude of being bothered by incoming guests, and not helpful. No upgrade provided for being a plat and said "You already have the best room" so I didn't press any further thinking my room should be nice. No welcome gift upon checking in!

Room
Pros: Close proximity to the beach, privacy, and ground floor since I have two small kids
Cons: HORRIBLE inside to say the least, had a very musty smell to it, the flow of water wasn't constant (or even on some days) and hot water came on and off at random, nothing was done about it and we just had to deal with it, pillows were as flat as a pancake

Staff
Pros: A few extremely helpful people, genuinely happy about being at work with good people skills
Cons: Overall, full of incompetent, lazy, and unhappy people, it's a herculean task for any staffer to come unlock the beach chairs and provide a service for the guest, even while earning TIPS.

Amenities
Pros: Palmas Del Mar resort as a whole (not the hotel) had 19 nineteen restaurants, a shopping plaza, two golf courses, hotel had parking valet service, nice & open reception area with a baby grand piano
Cons: Main on-site restaurant was over priced but food was bland with less than adequate quantity, only one Blackjack table in the casino and a hundred slots, no live music/entertainment even though advertised, small fitness room, have to request beach towels at the front desk everyday as they don't provide any at the pool, and finally lizards (Iguanas) running around everywhere

General info & Observations
Expect ridiculous lines at the airport and the incompetence as well. I am all about local culture/language etc, but really wish people spoke in English at the airport especially being a US state. It can get downright annoying at times. Airport taxi is $77 one way plus tips, so rental car was the option I went with and I liked having the freedom to roam. I rented an intermediate car for sub $200 for the five days. Gas is sold in liters, and was about $3.96 a gallon. We found Puerto Rican culture to be somewhat lackadaisical as far work or services are concerned. Being a tourist place, I found it odd that souvenior shops & gift places close at 7pm sharp and people will no less tell you straight up to your face to leave. I would think twice before going back to Puerto Rico for a future visit. Maybe a U.S. colony, but not U.S. friendly at all in my opinion.

I would think twice before going back to Puerto Rico for a future visit.

psst, you didn't go to the good part, you went to a part of the island specifically designed to separate you from your money and not provide much else.

really wish people spoke in English at the airport especially being a US state.

U.S. commonwealth, not a state.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_rico

otherwise, your trip report is pretty accurate. i've been to this resort at least 25-30 times in my life since i was in high school (i am now almost 40). my parents owned time share on the resort and, since they've sold it, i've been staying at the hotel when i visit.

the rooms at the hotel probably haven't been renovated in 20 years. entering the rooms is like walking back in time. service is generally incompetent. but, service at the westin rio mar (when it was a westin) was similarly bad/incompetent/indifferent.

having said that, the hotel has a beautiful beach/pool/ocean, etc. there are two 18 hole golf courses on the resort. the resort also has a better gym. the hotel gym is pretty pathetic. and, the hotel is pretty cheap. you get what you pay for, i guess.

I am here at the Sheraton Four Points Las Palmas del Mar in Humacao, and post #15 is pretty spot on, one year later, although I disagree with your editorial about Puerto Rico at the end of your post.

There is now wired internet in every room, no charge, so that comment from 05 is no longer valid.

I brought my family (spouse and kids 16, 15, 13 and 11) and we've had plenty to do here. The pool is fabulous, the beach is too, although the waves are too big for my little one, he's not going in there!

Check-in was slow and tedious, we arrived at 2 and were told our rooms wouldn't be ready until check in time at 3. We went to Sebastians and had lunch, also slow, but good. Back to the desk at 3, and our rooms were STILL not ready. By 3:30 they put us into a temp room and comped me 1000 starpoints, by 4 one of our rooms was ready. It cost me $20 in tips to have the porter move all the bags from car-storage-temp-room.

Rooms are old but nice enough. Remember this is a FOUR POINTS, not a Meridien or a Luxury Collection. For 7000 points a night (and redeem four get a 5th free) it is a great deal, especially for someone who needs two rooms. I burnt 70K points for a full week of two rooms.

Ask for one of the rooms on the ground floor that opens up to the pool, they are numbered 205 to 217. These are the most convenient rooms in the hotel.

Maid service is slow and one day non-existent, I had to call three times to get the room made up. "Mañana" is a good word to explain the pace here, they even drive slowly on the highway; there is no rush to anything. Maybe that is a good thing and not a bad thing?

The beach is about a two minute walk past the pool and golf course. They have chairs there for free if you're staying in the hotel, but get there early. One day we went at about 2pm and the chairs were all gone.

There are still only beach/pool towels at the front desk, not at the beach or pool. I didn't find this to be too much of an inconvenience, but you've been told it twice now.

We chose this resort because it is on the water, and at this point the only *Wood property on PR that is waterfront. I wanted a direct flight from my home airport and while we all have passports, staying in a US territory has it's advantages too, like Walgreens pharmacy is here, etc... I am quite glad we stayed here, and would come back again (although a quick long weekend sans-kids at the new St. Regis will be NICE I think).

We did rent a car and I'm glad we did. There are a few restaurants in the hotel itself, but the greater Palmas resort has a bunch more, and there is a shuttle bus that takes you around for free, or you can use your rental car. We visited El Yunque rainforest one day, about an hour away, and Old San Juan too. The hotel charges $12/day for self parking and $15/day for valet parking. No reason for this considering they are on a huge property in the middle of no where, but they do, and you should know it in advance.

The resort rents golf carts for $25/hour or $60/day to tool around. We passed on that because they wanted me to sign a BLANK credit card receipt with an imprint of my card. Uh...no. I actually read the fine print, which said they would charge me $50/hour labor plus parts plus $50/hour lost revenue to repair their golf cart should anything happen. This was the worst rental agreement I've ever seen, and you'd have to be an IDIOT (in my humble opinion, of course) to sign it.

At the Marina in the resort, Tapas restaurant is very nice, and Chez Daniel is terrific for a nice expensive French dinner with a Puerto-Rican flavor. Don't miss the pool bar for lunch, but the burger bar at the beach is a pain in the @ss. You order food at one building, pay at the bar, which had a huge line and I waited 15 minutes just to pay; found out I couldn't charge to the room, went back to the room to get my credit card, then waited 15 more minutes to pay, then back to building #1 to get three cold $12.50 hamburgers. Skip that and eat at the pool bar instead. Same food and WAY better service.

NOTE TO GPS USERS: DO NOT PUT CANDELERO DRIVE in your GPS or you'll get a mountain tour to no-where. Put in 1 Palmas Drive, and you'll get there no problem.

Breakfast: there is not really a breakfast place in the hotel itself. There is a cookie store that makes eggs and toast, and sells coffee and pastries, but that's it. On the weekends they do have a buffet set up for $17.50/head. For $105 for the six of us, I passed on that so can't comment.

Will add more as I think of it.

NOTE TO GPS USERS: DO NOT PUT CANDELERO DRIVE in your GPS or you'll get a mountain tour to no-where. Put in 1 Palmas Drive, and you'll get there no problem.


Yes. I did that and wound up calling the hotel for directions. 'You must have a Garmin. We keep calling them,' was the first thing the staffer said. He stayed on the phone with me until I was within a turn or two of the resort.

Go for the weather & beach and remember it's a 4P and you won't be disappointed.

I also have had the pleasure of taking the mountain tour via my Garmin Nuvi.

Not fun.