OPFlyer

I will be taking the family to San Juan for spring break and would like to know if you all have any insights. Which one is the best overall to stay in?

jan_az

Never stayed at the Renaissaince but I got bed bug bites at the Marriot :

Try a search for San Juan.

DJTravel

We have stayed twice at the Marriott in SJ and had good experiences. It does have the feeling of a little bit older beach hotel.

At that point (early Dec07), the Renaissance was just opening, but there appeared to be a lot of work yet to be done.

o2bonn

The Marriott is just average, not a great "resort." Don't know about the REN but if its new its probably nice.

OPFlyer

Thanks for the advice. I will probably just stick to the Renaissance for now.

Newman

I am taking the voluptuous Mrs. Newman to Puerto Rico in January. I have seen the reviews of the Marriott Stellaris which are decidedly mixed. I have seen no reviews of the San Juan Renaissance resort. I believe it has been open less than a year. Anyone been there? Opinions on which of the two is preferable? Also, how about the Courtyard in Isla Verde? Any reviews?
Thanks.

Newman

megtravels

i stayed...sort of...at the CY and was underwhelmed...in fact we left.....this was a few years back but it was loud, dirty and the staff not particularly friendly.....they yelled my full name across the lobby and made little remarks about it....very not secure and unprofessional....

pre cruise, i used points at the Ritz....loved that.

we would have moved to the FS but it was full. i have friends that stayed there and loved it.....


i would probably try the Ren if i were to go back...looks very cool!

TxLobo

She was impressed, stayed on my Marriott Points with a bunch of her friends and said it was first rate. Since the Marriott is close by I asked her to swing by and check it out as I had one of my worst experiences at the Marriott some time back and she was not impressed and was very happy to be at the Renaissance still.

Any specific questions, I will pass them along to her.

qazw1

There was a lengthy thread on the Marriotts in San Juan. You should search for that thread. The FS Marriott is nice and in a much nicer area than the CY as Isla Verde. However, nothing wrong with the CY. Just not as many restaurants in the area.

rkaul

Any thoughts on comparisons between the two properties? They both look nice.

Which one will offer better upgrades? How far are they from each other (for casino use )? any other thoughts.

qazw1

I responded to similar post not too long ago. Do a search. If you cannot find it, I post again later.

karolinakev

Just returned from a week long stay at the La Concha resort in san juan--it is just down the block from the Marriott--the two hotels are totally different--the La Concha is cool, modern and hip--the Marriott is staid, old and stodgy. The pool and beach at the La Concha are very well laid out and there is no feeling of over crowding. The Level 25 restaurant (where we had breakfast each morning) is open on both sides to the pool and the ocean-- a great place to begin the day. The staff at the la Concha are great and accommodating. I am a Platinum and received upgrade, breakfast for my family, drink coupons and more. My friend who was staying at the Marriott was told the Concierge room was closed and received nothing. One La Concha negative--it is pretty noisy because there is an incredible bar scene with live music and DJ almost every night and the lobby is open air--so request a high floor!

sharonsimon

Any recommendation between the two for a single adult with only silver status looking for a attractive outdoors with pool for swimming laps? Have noise issues at La Concha improved?

dan1431

Silver status, if you had Gold/PLT, Marriott without a question due to the lounge which is actually pretty good by the new lessor Marriott standard.

However, considering you are a Silver the Ren might be the way to go...cooler/better bar.

Dan

GYK

i stayed at the regular marriott, and really liked it. I thought the beach area was much nicer. plenty of restuarants right across from the hotel. concerige was only okay. Charlie's car rental right across the street.

I walked to the REN, and it seemed teh beach area was much smaller, and not as nice. defintely more hip atmosphere. Depends on what you want