San Juan Marriott Resort
 

Has anyone stayed at the San Juan Marriott Resort? Using points for a room and wanted a oceanfront but 800# says only a regular room available. Anyone know the changes of getting hotel to give oceanfront room? I'm willing to spend the extra points for the room.

I have stayed at the San Juan property on MANY occasions when I've been there for work. It is definitely worth it to try to get an oceanfront room...as you are close enough to hear the surf all night and the scenery is awesome. As an added "hint", you should try to get the "09" room on any floor in the main tower, as these rooms are corner rooms with balconies looking over both the pool and the ocean. If for any reason they cannot give you an ocean front room in the main tower, ask for any room in the "Cabana Section" of the hotel. This is an attached wing (backing up against the parking garage) that looks out over the pool AND then the ocean. Of course, a higher floor room in the Cabana section would have the best view. This has been one of my favorite properties, and if you have lounge access the Concierge Lounge on the 21st floor is also very nice, with a balcony looking over the pool and the Condado section of San Juan. The health club is also one of the best I've seen at any property, resort or otherwise.

Thanks for the info. How do I get lounge access?

Lounge access would either be through your Gold or Platinum Marquis status or by paying the concierge level rate, which may not be an option given the fact that you are staying on points. If you are Silver Medallion, you could always try to talk to the GM and see if he'd do you a favor, but I'm not sure what your likelihood of success would be.

Ummm....make that Silver "Marquis" instead of Medallion...I'm still trying to shake my Delta history!

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[This message has been edited by socrates (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

Thanks for all the info SeaBuddy. We've been looking at an SJU trip and are trying to decide between the Marriott and the Caribe Hilton.

Not that I'm a San Juan expert...but I stayed at the Caribe Hilton in the days (and years) before Marriott remodeled the former Dupont Plaza property into the great hotel that it currently is. Having said that, I had no complaints about the Caribe Hilton either. Both properties have a nice beach, both have a casino, both have health clubs (I like Marriott's better on that one) and both have rooms with nice views. The Marriott is more in the heart of the Condado section of town, which has historically been the tourist district but is seeing its share of problems (closed down convention center, etc.) but is still reasonably safe and the Caribe Hilton is a bit closer to Old San Juan, with a plethora of restaurants and clubs. There are some great restaurants near the Marriott too. All things being equal (i.e. you don't care whether you use/earn Marriott Points or Hilton Points) I would still go with the Marriott. Old San Juan is a short shuttle or cab ride away if you want to check out this section of town.

Thanks. No casino at the Hilton BTW, and that may be the deciding factor (wife likes the slots). The only downside of the Marriott I could find was a reference on the website to a maximum of two occupants in an exec. level room. We have a 12 year-old who will likely be going along - no problem at the Hilton, but can't be sure about the Marriott.

I would call the hotel directly and ask them about the "limit two" notation for two reasons. I can assure you that I have definitely seen families (including kids) in the concierge lounge during my visits, and second, the property has a great "kids activity" board by the pool area that lists various kids events for the day. Given that, it may be worth getting a clarification. On the other hand...it has been about a year since my last trip there...so things may have changed...

I asked this question on the Hilton forum (Caribe Hilton vs San Juan Marriott) and probably not surprisingly most choose the Caribe Hilton. Sounds to me that each hotel has its own strengths, so I'd do searches in both forums before deciding.

PS -- At least in my case, I decided to give the San Juan marriot a try.. Just because for 250k I can still get 120 AA miles and 7 nights at the Marriott, which is cheaper in points (straight 1:1 comparison) than a similar stay at the Hilton.

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[This message has been edited by socrates (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

That looks pretty close. I think there was a comment somewhere about no rollaways too. Which begs the question if there's only one king bed, but the maximum room occupancy is 4, where do the other 2 people go? I mean we're a close family and all, but there are limits... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Seriously though, I would be interested in anyone's experience with family at this hotel.

To clarify,

Hilton's beach is in a lagoon area and small. Marriott's is directly on the sea and big. They are very different. If one has small kids the Hilton lagoon would be the best IMO, but otherwise the beach at the Marriott is the better of the two for sure.

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I am going to stay at this location April 6-13. Anyone care to share how they are w/ upgrades (I am Plat)? Also, how is the concierge lounge and do they provide breakfast on the weekends when the lounge is closed? I have herd mixed reviews on this location. Thanks in advance for your reply.