The Caribbean - Recommendations for Hotels in Puerto Rico

Me and Mrs. GoCanes are heading to Puerto Rico this winter. We are looking for a hotel on the island for a long weekend. We are not huge fans of the socalled Miami Beach mega-hirise hotels but something more intimate with a local flare (say Sheraton Maui type of property).

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced hotel property in Puerto Rico (sub $200) not too far from San Juan (maybe an hours drive) that might meet our desires?

We definitely want something on the beach with good restaurant options and obviously safe.

Thanks in advance.

Within an hours drive, check out the all-inclusives in the Rio Grande/Fajardo/Luquillo area

Within an hours drive, check out the all-inclusives in the Rio Grande/Fajardo/Luquillo area

I was under the impression that PR did not have many all inclusives. Are there a few you may be able to name in these areas as I am having trouble finding some. Thanks!

My first choice would be along Ashford Avenue on the Condado

Very close to everything with an abundance of good restaurants

and easy access to Old San Juan & the comercial Hato Rey area

There are many large & small hotels along this great beach area

I was under the impression that PR did not have many all inclusives. Are there a few you may be able to name in these areas as I am having trouble finding some. Thanks!
In that area, there are 3 main ones: Gran Meliá Coco Beach, Westin Rio Mar, Wyndham El Conquistador

In that area, there are 3 main ones: Gran Meliá Coco Beach, Westin Rio Mar, Wyndham El Conquistador

Thanks for the information. I saw these resorts online, all look spectacular (although I think the Rio Mar is now a Wyndham property).

But one question, I do not see anything on the resort websites indicating they are "all inclusive"??? Am I missing something???

Look for all inclusive packages... they do offer them... maybe not year round, but I'm certain that they do all inclusive packages.

Almost forgot... 2 things

1- The Hyatt Dorado Beach. Less than an hour out of San Juan, in Dorado... the opposite direction of Luquillo/Rio Grande/Fajardo area. http://hyatthaciendadelmar.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

2- GO CANES!

Almost forgot... 2 things

1- The Hyatt Dorado Beach. Less than an hour out of San Juan, in Dorado... the opposite direction of Luquillo/Rio Grande/Fajardo area. http://hyatthaciendadelmar.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

2- GO CANES!

Thanks. It appears though the Hyatt Dorado Beach closed - which is sad because it looks like a beautiful property. Apparently they have turned the Hacienda Vacation club into its only resort on the Island and it does not look great - although quite inexpensive.

And, yes Go Canes!!! Harris is the man next year now that Marve and his problems are going elsewhere. Watch out ACC, there is a storm brewing this off-season.

So, I am trying to narrow down my choices to either the Gran Melia or the Wyndham Rio Mar. Both look like very nice properties and have what we are looking for.

With that said, just wondering if people have any personal comments on either property??

Also, the Wyndham currently has a promotion of buy 2 nights get 2 nights free, but the per night costs is steep - $450 for Oceanview and $500 for Ocean front. The Gran Melia has no current promotions (rate of $230 per night for a Garden View Suite) but through CheapCarribean.com, there is a 4th night free promotion with a Garden View room and $236 per night. Any thoughts on these rates?

So, I am trying to narrow down my choices to either the Gran Melia or the Wyndham Rio Mar. Both look like very nice properties and have what we are looking for.

With that said, just wondering if people have any personal comments on either property??

Also, the Wyndham currently has a promotion of buy 2 nights get 2 nights free, but the per night costs is steep - $450 for Oceanview and $500 for Ocean front. The Gran Melia has no current promotions (rate of $230 per night for a Garden View Suite) but through CheapCarribean.com, there is a 4th night free promotion with a Garden View room and $236 per night. Any thoughts on these rates?
While neither hotel is bad, my personal preference is the Rio Mar. I've attended a few conferences in both properties (and at times have been a regular at Brunch at the Rio Mar), and the Rio Mar seems overall to be higher quality than the Melia. It's about 3 miles farther from San Juan than the Melia, but it's also 3 miles closer to the rainforest.

While neither hotel is bad, my personal preference is the Rio Mar. I've attended a few conferences in both properties (and at times have been a regular at Brunch at the Rio Mar), and the Rio Mar seems overall to be higher quality than the Melia. It's about 3 miles farther from San Juan than the Melia, but it's also 3 miles closer to the rainforest.

Thanks. We are actually now leaning toward the El Conquistador in Fajardo.

Thanks. We are actually now leaning toward the El Conquistador in Fajardo.
Good choice as well

Good choice as well

Thanks!

I figure even if a hotel sucked, it is an island in the caribbean, and you really just cannot go wrong. ^ :D

I'm headed down in a few weeks. Still trying to get a hotel. I have some family down there so want to stay in the San Juan area.

Any opinions on this hotel: http://www.waterbeachclubhotel.com/ and the area is in? or this one http://www.hiltoncaribbean.com/index.php

Thanks.

I'm headed down in a few weeks. Still trying to get a hotel. I have some family down there so want to stay in the San Juan area.

Any opinions on this hotel: http://www.waterbeachclubhotel.com/ and the area is in? or this one http://www.hiltoncaribbean.com/index.php

Thanks.

Have you checked out the reviews on www.tripadvisor.com - we found them quite useful in selecting the El Conquistador.

Also, Costco.com has some great pricing on hotels in Puerto Rico on its website. If you are a member, I would check it out.

Have you checked out the reviews on www.tripadvisor.com - we found them quite useful in selecting the El Conquistador.

Also, Costco.com has some great pricing on hotels in Puerto Rico on its website. If you are a member, I would check it out.

oy vey, HELLO ? how about checking out the reviews on Flyertalk ?:rolleyes:

oy vey, HELLO ? how about checking out the reviews on Flyertalk ?:rolleyes:

I assumed being a Fter he already exploited what FT had to offer and was looking for a secondary source. FT is always the first place I look and then off to TripAdvisor where I can get the reviews that either those who had the most amazing trip or the most horrid trip. Because it seems like those are the only posts on TripAdvisor. With that said though, I add the very good reviews and if there are more than the bad, then I imagine I am in pretty good shape.

And another comment on the El Conquistador. They are having a winter promotion of $239 a night. On the nights I wanted to go they suddenly raised the rate $70 a night. I called and they said there was nothing they could do. Costco still had the $239 rate, so I booked there. But when I called the hotel the other day to alert them to my late arrival, the guy told me they only had 5 people checking in the same day we were and that they really had no one in the hotel during our time period - that is was really light given high season. Now this is not a guarantee there are not people staying from previous nights, but we arrive on a Thursday. Not many people arrive on Weds. you know. So, these morons jacked up their price when they have not even remotely come close to filling rooms. Who does that??? :mad: They could have avoided me going through Costco, where I imagine they pay some kind of agent fee, and almost lost me as a customer all together.

I'm headed down in a few weeks. Still trying to get a hotel. I have some family down there so want to stay in the San Juan area.

Any opinions on this hotel: http://www.waterbeachclubhotel.com/ and the area is in? or this one http://www.hiltoncaribbean.com/index.php

Thanks.
Water Beach Club is essentially 3 nightclubs in a building, that has hotel rooms on the other floors. It's fun, it's chic... but I don't care for it as a hotel.

The Caribe Hilton is a Puerto Rican classic... and always a safe bet. It's in Puerta de Tierra, literally just between Old San Juan and Condado.