SanDiego1K

I was at the Caribe Hilton on an award stay for one night a week ago. I have just pulled my bill; the sole charge on it was a $3 resort fee.

There is no signage telling you this, but there is free wireless access in the Executive Lounge.

testk

cancel your reward stay and spend the money to stay at the Wyndham El San Juan (ESJ). It's "The Spot" on the weekends.

MIKESILV

Perhaps they increased it this week
But my folio had the $14.95 charge for each day, I checked out on 2/21.
I did not use the Internet while actually at the hotel, but I did confirm the rates listed above from the Towers concierge, twice.

mike

pdhenry

There's a Hertz desk within the hotel. Rent your car a day at a time (take it out for the day and return it when you get back instead of parking it) and there is no parking fee.

SanDiego1K

Now I'm ticked. I just went thru my credit card statement, and found a bill from the Caribe Hilton of $18.54. I got in touch with accounting, and was told it was a "resort fee". Well, the bill given me on the morning of departure says "resort fee" of $3.

I've now protested via email, saying that the $18.54 fee was not disclosed, and I did not consider it ethical to charge such a fee after the stay. Further, I pointed to the article in the New York Times earlier this week, which said:

My case has been kicked up the ladder.

M Singh

Don't start yelling just yet, i've already gone through all the old threads. What I'd like to know is this:
I've booked a Junior Executive Level Suite in early June.
Questions:
Anyone know what floor this is on? (Called the hotel, and they're useless)
Is is ocean facing?
Is this one of the renovated rooms or not?

Would I be happier booking a Ocean Front Club Level room at the Marriott instead? Eventhough it's shutting down a few days after my stay?

Or should I book a similar room at the IC?

Pricing is all about the same. What's important to me is:
Ocean Facing, Balcony, Space in room, "newish" room with plenty of space in bathroom. Upto $300 a night.
Thanks for any comments.

mikey1003

Call hotel and ask for manager... Then ask your questions.

baccarat_king

I have stayed at this property a number of times. The executive lounge (also for diamonds) is on the 9th floor of the tower that is connected to the main lobby. This is NOT to be confused with the "hhonors" tower (which has a lounge for Golds and Diamonds on the 2nd floor). This lounge is very nice -- great views of the ocean, small terraces, and good drinks in the evening (wine, sparkling wine, beer, and vodka and rum --- all no charge)

Because of the way the hotel is designed, either side should give you good views, and I "think" all of the executive level rooms are on the 8th, 9th and 10th floor of this tower.

This property has been good to us with upgrades (on reward stays and revenue) as a Diamond. Most recent, we received a Garden Suite from a regular room. (This suite is a true 1br with 1 and 1/2 baths and 2 terraces, but it is in the older garden tower --- in this instance, it worked out fine, since we wanted the space and it was on the top floor (8, I think), but this is NOT the preferred tower)

If you can get an upgrade, what you want is a CORNER EXECUTIVE SUITE. This is a very large suite on the exeutive level (and is a true 1 bedroom suite) --- I would also check the rate for this suite.

Regarding location :

Hilton is in Condado. Not many things you can really walk to, though, this property is pretty close (not walking distance... unless you want a hike) to Old San Juan. It operates as a self contained resort and is OK, but NOT spectacular. If you have young children, the shielded shallow private beach area is a plus. There is also a playground and hammocks available. The pools are also very nice, NOT spectacular, but very nice. The best benefit, IMHO, for families is that kids eat for free or half price (depending on age) at this hotel (even room service) --- this can be quite a saving for 2-3 kids over a few days.

Now, the IC is in Isla Verde. Much more happening area (next to El San Juan Hotel and Ritz Carlton). Much better beach and area for people looking for any type of nightlife (especially check out the bar on the top of the Water Club hotel, one of my favorite spots). Also, the IC has a casino, if that is of interest. I personally prefer this location to the Hilton's location. I haven't stayed at the IC, but have stayed at the Ritz Carlton and Embassy Suites in the Isla Verde area. There is a pretty nice, informal, Italian restaurant that is outside by the pool/beach at the IC, it made for a very nice setting for a family and friends dinner for 14 when we were there in December.

I have only been in the casino at the Marriott. This location on Ashford street is also very good (but, NOT as good as the location of the IC, IMHO -- unless of course, you need to be in walking distance to Louis Vuitton). I have heard favorable things about the Marriott, but have a slightly sour taste about the property because of some strange things that this casino does (long story).

If you need an email contact at the Hilton, don't hesitate to send me a private message.

edit to add : this property is readily available on Priceline and Hotwire. since June is NOT really high season in San Juan, I would suggest you research this option, as I have gotten this hotel for sub $90/day in the past. Of course, you will NOT get the choice rooms with this option, but, at $60 to $80 per night, I was more than willing to give up some HHonors benefits.

MisterNice

The best way is call the hotel directly and ask to be connected to the concierge in the executive level. All concierges there are very sharp people and are very knowlegeable about the hotel and San Juan.

MisterNice

ericgartner

Hi,
There has been no recent info on the Hilto Caribe. I am going over Thanksgiving with my family and was wondering what kind of treatment did diamond members experience.(Upgrades, lounge access) It is a reward stay for 2 double beds which I hate. I sent an email from the Hilton website to the hotel to ask about a king bed with a sleeper sofa, but it went to the catering dept. So maybe I will get invited to the kitchen. If anybody knows the email address to the hotel or has a better suggestion, I would take it. It is my first time to puerto Rico.
Thanks
Eric

baccarat_king

On our last reward stay @ the Caribe (in February) we were upgraded to a Garden Suite (2 room suite with King Bed and Living Room w/ Sofa Bed and 1-1/2 baths). This Suite was in the "less desirable" Garden Wing; though, it was in the corner on the TOP floor and had a really nice direct ocean view. I contacted the HHonors Program Manager at the property 2 days before our stay. IMHO, It is too early to ask about room upgrades (for a Thanksgiving stay). We did check-in in the Diamond (Executive) Lounge and had access to that lounge for our entire stay.

pjrice

Does anyone know what Gold members get at this property? Breakfast coupons, upgraded room, lounge access?

Thanks

funtotravel

I had an award stay there in Sept and it was for 2 double beds. I continued to see the reservation change to 1 king bed. Each time I called the Diamond Desk they said someone at the hotel changed it. They would call the hotel and it would be fixed. A week later I would check and it would be back to 1 King bed. Very annoying. I was assured by the hotel I would get 2 double beds just a couple of days prior to arriving by talking to the hotel mgr through the Diamond Desk. Well, I showed up at the hotel and they gave me a King bed! Could not believe it. They eventually changed us to one of the Villas which had a decent view, but was very, very small. It was for one night, but I did wonder how large the regular rooms were. So, maybe you will have this issue and get a King bed ?

As for the lounge I liked it. Food/drinks were good. Did not try any of the restuarants. The gym was very good.

ericgartner

It is interesting that you stated that they changed your room type. I noticed on my profile that I had 2 confirmation numbers instead of one. I called the diamond desk and they said for some reason the hotel added the other reservation. There was no upgrade, just a duplicate reservation. The diamond desk cancelled the duplicate and kept my original. So I emailed the hotel, but got a response from the hotel catering dept.
Do you have a king bed in your profile?

pdhenry

IIRC there is an "HHonors lounge" that is on a lower floor. Gold members don't get Executive Lounge access. Sorry that I can't tell you more.