Arriving at SJU is always a trip. There are not enough gates in the nice section of the terminal so you always chance being dropped off in an area that approximates a 3rd World Airport. After walking to the bag claim and picking up my bags I headed to the taxi queue.
The taxi queue is a bit of a joke as only one taxi company is allowed to serve the airport, and that is the Taxis Turisticos. Read: Overpriced. On one hand you can't be cheated because it is a flat fare anywhere. On the other hand the flat fare is very high for the distance driven. For instance, w tip I paid $25 just to take the 10 minute drive to my hotel.
I stayed at the Sheraton San Juan Concention Center. I am always torn when picking a hotel in San Juan. The Sheraton Old San Juan is a very tired hotel, the air con often can't keep up with the heat and humidity, but it's in the middle of Old San Juan, with lots of restaurants and a CVS nearby. The Sheraton Convention center is new(er) with good rooms, a lovely pool deck with an infinity pool and fantastic bar/lounge. The downside is it's by itself on a lonely speck of land and you are really limited to the eating options in the hotel.
The room wasn't ready on my arrival so I went to one of the hotel restaurants, Texas de Brazil, a Brazilian Steakhouse. Since I hadn't eaten since the night before I definitely ate my fill of meat. And, then I ate some more.
With a bottle of Evian (sin gas) and some house made raspberry lemonade the total (incld. tax + tip) was around $80! (Just a note for you fellow *wood afcionados, the restaurant is in the hotel, but cannot bill to the room so no *points for this meal).
About the same time I finished eating I got a phone call from the front desk alerting me that the room was ready and I went to pick up my keys. One of the biggest advantages of this hotel is they have a Platinum/Gold line and actually recognize it. So while there was a very long line of people waiting to check-in, I walked right up to the counter and was immediately helped. (And, surprisingly, no one from the regular line tried to tell me I was cutting!)
I was given a room with a pool/cruise ship port view on the 10th floor with club access. And...a King Bed. So luxurious. So mine!
I stored my luggage, took a shower, turned the air down to 65, and promptly fell asleep...at 3pm...and didn't wake up until 7 the next morning. I wasn't overtired...not at all.
Next: January 2: El Yunque, Fajardo and Clubbing until dawn!!!!!