San Juan, Puerto Rico
Jan 20, 2008, 9:32 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
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Posts: 29,258
Jan 20, 2008, 10:07 am
#47
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Very good thread. Thanks for all the first hand insight.
Mrs. Flews and I have travelled to PR many times. For old San Juan, we like the Sheraton for the location, casino and upgrades. We can pretty well walk anywhere we want to go, or grab a cab/tour for outside old San Juan.
For an authentic meal in OSJ, we highly recommend Spanglish. Very affordable, great value. Nice, clean friendly family-owned hole in the wall.
We've also stayed at the Rio Mar a few times. Completely different resort experience of course. We haven't stayed there since it changed from Westin to Wyndham, but we probably wouldn't go back because we found it was focused too much on conventions. Just didn't live up to expectations.
We are NOT "spring break" people. So posters from the hallowed halls of learning looking for advice for "me and my friends" will want to rely more on other postings here.
Cheers,
Mrs. Flews and I have travelled to PR many times. For old San Juan, we like the Sheraton for the location, casino and upgrades. We can pretty well walk anywhere we want to go, or grab a cab/tour for outside old San Juan.
For an authentic meal in OSJ, we highly recommend Spanglish. Very affordable, great value. Nice, clean friendly family-owned hole in the wall.
We've also stayed at the Rio Mar a few times. Completely different resort experience of course. We haven't stayed there since it changed from Westin to Wyndham, but we probably wouldn't go back because we found it was focused too much on conventions. Just didn't live up to expectations.
We are NOT "spring break" people. So posters from the hallowed halls of learning looking for advice for "me and my friends" will want to rely more on other postings here.
Cheers,
Feb 14, 2008, 1:50 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ohio
Programs: HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Gold, United 1K
Posts: 190
Thanks to FlyerTalk (and this thread), I'll be staying at El Conquistador for the week at the end of this month! I'm booked at the special American Express rate (4th night free!) so the resort was super cheap! I'm traveling with the whole family - two adults and three kids ages 5-8 - and everyone is very excited.
A few questions:
1) What's the best (relatively cheap, reliable, non-scary) way to get from SJU to El Conquistador? I don't want to rent a car...
2) Are the resort-arranged day trips a rip off? Is there a better option?
3) Are there any things in particular I should watch out for in PR? (I did read the negative experiences up above in the thread...)
4) Most of the family is vegetarian. Will that be a problem in PR? At the resort?
We're also adding a final night (on HHonors points) at the SJU Embassy Suites so we won't have to worry about making our flight. Will probably spend that day in Old San Juan!
Thanks for any help! I love FT!^
A few questions:
1) What's the best (relatively cheap, reliable, non-scary) way to get from SJU to El Conquistador? I don't want to rent a car...
2) Are the resort-arranged day trips a rip off? Is there a better option?
3) Are there any things in particular I should watch out for in PR? (I did read the negative experiences up above in the thread...)
4) Most of the family is vegetarian. Will that be a problem in PR? At the resort?
We're also adding a final night (on HHonors points) at the SJU Embassy Suites so we won't have to worry about making our flight. Will probably spend that day in Old San Juan!
Thanks for any help! I love FT!^
Mar 5, 2008, 3:59 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ohio
Programs: HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Gold, United 1K
Posts: 190
Just back from a family vacation at the El Conquistador resort in Fajardo, PR.
First, let me say that this resort is excellent in most respects. I would definitely go back again, whether with family, on business, for golf, or as a couple. We found a great American Express rate (4th night free, even), making it somewhat economical as well.
The resort has been repeatedly updated and expanded, and continues to add more elements. Just added in Feb 2008 is a small but family-friendly water park by the sea, more on that later. It encompasses a main building (the Grand Hotel) at the top of the hill with an attached (and VERY nice) conference center, two hilltop wings, a hilltop "village" of rooms, a mid-hill hotel, a seaside hotel, village, waterpark, and marina, and a private island. It is a large property with many pools and restaurants, a casino, golf, shops, etc. One could easily stay on-property for a week without getting too bored.
Fajardo is located quite a ways from San Juan, at the extreme northeast tip of the island. The road from the airport runs through the city for about half the hour-long trip, with many stoplights and local sights. On the way, you pass El Yunque rain forest national park and Luquillo beach, and you must drive a complex route through Fajardo to reach the hotel. We took the hotel bus ($208 round trip for a family of 5) rather than drive or taxi.
There was a large convention while we were there, so most of the hotel features were unused. We had no waiting for anything, plenty of room at the pools and island beach, and quick seating at the restaurants.
The food is (typically) overpriced by about 50% - we joked that every meal for 5 cost $100, and this wasn't too far from the truth. But it is a resort, and you are a captive audience... And it was no more expensive than any other resort, and much less than European dining! The food was generally good to very good with the exception of the poor sandwich shop.
The private island is reached by a high-speed catamaran on a half-hour schedule. It was beautiful, clean, and empty when we went. There are bars and restaurants, plenty of beach chairs, raft and boat rentals, and a curious lack of showers. Note that there are two additional beaches on the opposite side of the island which are clothing optional, if you're into that! There is also a small extra island just a short swim or snorkel away, which we enjoyed.
The water park ("Coqui") is new. It features a beautiful kiddie pool with a tiny water slide, a tubing "river", a tube slide, and two body slides. The big slide is is FAST, but all the rest are very kid-friendly. The park costs extra but was well worth the $$ - my (4-8 yo) kids would have gone all day every day if they could! But it's small and I can imagine it would be a nightmare if it was crowded.
All in all a great stay. Please PM me if you have any questions on the hotel or our PR vacation!
First, let me say that this resort is excellent in most respects. I would definitely go back again, whether with family, on business, for golf, or as a couple. We found a great American Express rate (4th night free, even), making it somewhat economical as well.
The resort has been repeatedly updated and expanded, and continues to add more elements. Just added in Feb 2008 is a small but family-friendly water park by the sea, more on that later. It encompasses a main building (the Grand Hotel) at the top of the hill with an attached (and VERY nice) conference center, two hilltop wings, a hilltop "village" of rooms, a mid-hill hotel, a seaside hotel, village, waterpark, and marina, and a private island. It is a large property with many pools and restaurants, a casino, golf, shops, etc. One could easily stay on-property for a week without getting too bored.
Fajardo is located quite a ways from San Juan, at the extreme northeast tip of the island. The road from the airport runs through the city for about half the hour-long trip, with many stoplights and local sights. On the way, you pass El Yunque rain forest national park and Luquillo beach, and you must drive a complex route through Fajardo to reach the hotel. We took the hotel bus ($208 round trip for a family of 5) rather than drive or taxi.
There was a large convention while we were there, so most of the hotel features were unused. We had no waiting for anything, plenty of room at the pools and island beach, and quick seating at the restaurants.
The food is (typically) overpriced by about 50% - we joked that every meal for 5 cost $100, and this wasn't too far from the truth. But it is a resort, and you are a captive audience... And it was no more expensive than any other resort, and much less than European dining! The food was generally good to very good with the exception of the poor sandwich shop.
The private island is reached by a high-speed catamaran on a half-hour schedule. It was beautiful, clean, and empty when we went. There are bars and restaurants, plenty of beach chairs, raft and boat rentals, and a curious lack of showers. Note that there are two additional beaches on the opposite side of the island which are clothing optional, if you're into that! There is also a small extra island just a short swim or snorkel away, which we enjoyed.
The water park ("Coqui") is new. It features a beautiful kiddie pool with a tiny water slide, a tubing "river", a tube slide, and two body slides. The big slide is is FAST, but all the rest are very kid-friendly. The park costs extra but was well worth the $$ - my (4-8 yo) kids would have gone all day every day if they could! But it's small and I can imagine it would be a nightmare if it was crowded.
All in all a great stay. Please PM me if you have any questions on the hotel or our PR vacation!
Mar 7, 2008, 5:15 pm
#52
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: SFO/SJC
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Posts: 544
Fajardo - El Conquistador
The missus and me stayed at the El Conquistador a few years ago. Very nice accommodations and pretty good service. Lots of families there so it is good if you have little ones. Lots of facilities and they have a gondola that takes you down to the coast where you can frolic on the beach, do water sports, horseback riding.
And yes, eating there is expensive as it is a self-contained resort, not surprising.
Transport to/from San Juan is pretty straightforward. You can call for car services, like a van that carries several people, for a pretty good price (forgot what it was but considering the distance wasn't too bad).
We also went to Vieques, taking the ferry. One of our fellow passengers was Vanessa Minillo, who also stayed at our hotel there too. My wife recognized her from her then role on The Bold and the Beautiful.
And yes, eating there is expensive as it is a self-contained resort, not surprising.
Transport to/from San Juan is pretty straightforward. You can call for car services, like a van that carries several people, for a pretty good price (forgot what it was but considering the distance wasn't too bad).
We also went to Vieques, taking the ferry. One of our fellow passengers was Vanessa Minillo, who also stayed at our hotel there too. My wife recognized her from her then role on The Bold and the Beautiful.
Mar 16, 2008, 1:10 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
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Posts: 3,331
kinda late, but an answer nonetheless. lol. My favorite place for lunch in Ponce is Mark's at the Meliá... check it out @ http://www.marksatthemelia.net/
Mar 18, 2008, 2:14 pm
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MFE / SAT
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kinda late, but an answer nonetheless. lol. My favorite place for lunch in Ponce is Mark's at the Meliá... check it out @ http://www.marksatthemelia.net/
Mar 18, 2008, 9:34 pm
#55
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
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Posts: 3,331
Ack... that I don't recall, however I'm certain that they do... they have to.
I actually asked my dad, cause I'm not sure, and his reply was, even if they don't, still eat at Mark's. It's the best in Ponce and for a while the only worthwhile restaurant.
I actually asked my dad, cause I'm not sure, and his reply was, even if they don't, still eat at Mark's. It's the best in Ponce and for a while the only worthwhile restaurant.
Mar 19, 2008, 2:34 pm
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MFE / SAT
Programs: UA Premier Silver, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 3,681
Great choice mkt. My son and I enjoyed the restaurant, especially its location to the plaza. We both had the Caesar salad which was great and the medallions of tenderloin. It is definitely a good choice if you are ever in Ponce.
FYI- They do not have cheeseburgers of any kind.
FYI- They do not have cheeseburgers of any kind.