sohnlinen

Trying to decide between Conrad Condado Plaza and Caribe Hilton. Anybody stay at Condado Plaza yet? What gold/diamond benefits did you recieve?

TravelLawyer

* bump *

I'm looking at the Conrad as well...decent reviews on tripadvisor post-remodel. (Other option is the Ritz, but seems like mixed reviews there.) Any FT'ers stayed?

Horizon438

I have been inside Condado Plaza a few times to eat during business trips and its a very nice looking hotel. (never stayed, I'm usually over at Renaissance La Concha. It has a starbucks, Strip House (steak), an Italian eatery, and also a chinese/japanese place by the casino. The hotel is pretty up to date and modern looking. Attracts a variety of guests and is located at the west end of the Condado area ( toursit area ).

The area right outside Condado Plaza has two really good restaurants that I'd recommend.

1) Ajilli Mojilli - Puerto Rican Food
2) Ropa Viejas - Cuban/Puerto Rican Food

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Caribe Hilton is located right behind Condado Plaza across a water canal...essentially the same area but closer to Old San Juan.

Hope that helps, if you need more general information in the area, let me know.

troyintn

The caribe has a lot of bad reviews recently.

paterwdb

I had a great stay there about a year ago... review here.

But based on so many reviews since then, I'd rethink it. Without the lounge being open and the good upgrade we got, I'm not sure its worth much. The hotel lobby/pool/atmosphere IS cool, but the rooms and lounge are important.

I'd give the Conrad a chance if I were going for absolute certain. There is a casino there if that matters... but with the Conrad name, give it a go. Caribe probably has a better location, but they are close by across the lagoon. If you go to Condado, check out Di Parma for a nice casual dining one night... not pricey, just a nice feel to the place.

HHonorsFan

I have stayed at the Caribe and played some cards at the Condado Plaza prior to being a Conrad but after the renovations were completed. I think both hotels are nice. I think the Caribe is better suited towards families and couples would probably enjoy the Condado Plaza a little better. Plus the Caribe does not have a casino. The beach at the Caribe is much better than the Condando. I think that the location is a little bit better by the Condanado even though they are very close to each other.

If you have any questions feel free to respond and I will check back.

Sam

russh884

Just checked out of the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza. Stayed there for three nights. Beautiful location, not a bad hotel, needs some work in the area of customer service to live up to the Conrad name.

The Good:
1) Housekeeping staff did a great job keeping up my room
2) The pools were great / well maintained / relaxing
3) Internet was actually high speed, and included in the "resort fee"
4) Room was decent.

The Bad:
1) No upgraded room as a Diamond, even though Hilton OLCI stated there was an upgraded room available. Front desk clerk was rude about it (and no, rude does not equal saying no - she said that there were no rooms available and this was the one her manager assigned and there was nothing they can do about it)
2) Breakfast voucher is for $7.00, which gets you the 'Continental Breakfast' which is literally toast and a cup of coffee or juice. That's it.
3) Forgot my bathing suit so I called down to the Concierge to figure out where to go. They said to go to Old San Juan and a surf shop there. When I went down to catch a cab, I was chatting with the bellman and he stated the hotel had a gift shop with bathing suits.
4) Last night got to the hotel at 630 after work and after reading the little guidebook tried to figure out when the pool was open, to no avail. I called down to the Front Desk and the clerk said the pool was open 24/7 but the bar closes at 6. I go down to the pool and the towel service (that I pay the "resort fee" for closed at 6, the bar was open until 9 (food service until 7), and the only place for me to get a towel was my room. I go to the front desk to see if they have a towel perhaps--nope, he said, go to my room and get them. After I gave him a look of disbelief and just stood there, he called housekeeping to have towels brought to the front desk...15 minutes later.
5) Elevators were not well-maintained--5 minute wait from 10th floor to lobby even at odd hours.

Overall, would never stay there again--does not live up to the Conrad name. The Conrad Chicago was amazing--they were so nice there, but the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza = terrible.

moman

Sounds like par for the course in San Juan. I spent thousands of dollars at the sister hotel (Old San Juan) and finally they broke me. I was tired of the lackadasical service, excessive fees, poor attitudes of staff and the rates of the rooms. I spoke to the manager - I told him I would not return until they implemented a rewards program - looks like I wasn't the only one as both of these hotels are now part of HHonors. Do NOT expect the HHonors treatment.

I wish the pool at the Marriott was better in San Juan.

fly4work

I stay at the Hampton Inn across the street and have received nothing but great service from them! Granted it is not a luxury hotel, but the staff is friendly and helpful!

russh884

So are there any hotels with decent service in San Juan? How about the Caribe Hilton? It just floors me that Hilton would allow the Conrad brand to be affixed to a hotel with such poor service. I realize that it is Puerto Rico and there's a certain culture that may be different, but I would think that allowing such behavior would be dilutive to the Conrad brand. I.e., after this I will have to do extreme due diligence for future Conrad stays--which is a problem in terms of their brand. I do not perceive any sub-par Ritz-Carltons.

CNWO4LIFE

Off subject a bit, but is there any reason there are only 3 Conrads in the entire U.S.? And I see no plans for any future Conrads here as well.

mikeef

We had dinner at the Ritz and everyone there seemed quite nice. But our other experiences in San Juan were generally greeted with lackadaisical service, at best. We stayed at a place called El Convento, which our friend told us was luxury, but service was definitely lacking.

Conrad was originally set up as an international brand. I'm not sure if it will change in the future.

Mike

anabolism

Is there an executive floor or lounge?

fly4work

There is a new Conrad opening this fall in Walt Disney World at Bonnet Creek Resort.

N2IT

Stayed at the Hilton Caribe last October I believe and it was decent. Prices for dinner and drinks were expensive but I guess that is every hotel. I was upgraded as a Gold to Honors floor - lounge was nice with discounted drink prices. I had a situation with some other guest (rowdy party people wanting to fight) late at night and the next day I was moved to the Presidential suite. Give them a try.