The Caribbean - Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Going to PR mid June and am looking for clean, bug free lodgings in Old San Juan for 3 nights. Wanting to spend @ $100/night for two people. Have read Frommers and Trip Adviser and am not impressed w/choices. Any good suggestions much appreciated. Also would like to know if there is a good public transpo way to go around the whole island in a day, and any other suggestions for enjoying PR. Thanks!

I had to edit when I noticed this was your first post:

Welcome to FT

Getting a decent place to stay anywhere is San Juan for around USD100 is tough, Old San Juan is tougher.

I am sure someone will post soon enough detailing a cosy spot in line with your budget but might I suggest that you check out the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel. The best rate I saw quoted was somewhere around USD150 + charges and Taxes and you are looking at USD180.

I know it is outside the range you quoted but I think it is still one of the best deals going in Old San Juan.

All that being said I also enjoy, or should I say prefer the Hotel Milano www.hotelmilanopr.com

Should get something more in line with your price range but the cheaper the room the smaller the bed and for two person you may be charged anywhere from USD130 - USD175 (room with a queen bed). Check out the site/give then a call. It is worth it.

Getting around on public transpo in one day just ain't gonna happen. Puerto Rico is an island but a very big one, one of the largest in the Caribbean coming in at over 3400 sq miles. Too much to do in a day.

My advice would be to check some websites, figure out what you guys really enjoy and plan for that. You may want to check out the El Yunque rainforest, or visit the outer islands but whatever you are in to, I am sure you will find it in PR.

There is an FTer who is/was based in SJU can't remember his handle or the forum he normally posts in. Will try to locate and post later, i am sure he will be able to assist with your San Juan and Puerto Rico quesries.

As promised here is the additional information

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=668401&highlight=San+Juan

Check this thread post # 6 – one before the last on the page - BlassSJU is based in San Juan and is an American Advantage forum poster maybe he can help with your queries.

You may also want to check this other thread and speak with some of the persons or organisers of the last SJU DO

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=518691&highlight=San+Juan

Welcome to FT!!!

I live in San Juan, but only for about half the time. I am travelling out of PR every other week.

If you are looking for better accomodations, the good ones are like Sheraton in Old SJ or likes of The Marriot in Isla Verde and the like. Staying in Old SJ or places like Condado and Isla Verde is not going to be any different, as they are all very close-by. May be around $10 by cab, but the difference in hotel prices may sometime be in hundreds.

One website I found that gives good prices, if you book your airticket and hotel and may be your car, is www.site59.com . One drawback though is you can only book 2 weeks in advance. May be you should try this website to find the prices and available accomodations, to get the feel of price/availability.

I stayed at the Hotel Milano, referenced above by johannesj, a couple of years ago and found it perfectly fine. It was then about in the price range you mention, but that may change with time & season. It was very conveniently located to the Old San Juan sites, had an enjoyable roof-top bar that caught the breezes, and the staff seemed nice. It wasn't opulent, but it was adequate and clean. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again based on my expereince.