JohnnyP

Any insight on the parking at the Marriott San Juan PR? We will have a rental car and be spending the last night here before we fly out in the morning (grabbed it on PL for $85). If anyone knows of cheap parking near the hotel, I would be interested to find out!

Also -- anything interesting around the hotel? Is it far from Old Town? Any recommendations dinner-wise? Authentic PR food is always best.

Aggie

There is a parking garage onsite and nothing around the area other than that – the garage is always full on weekend nights. I valet for $18 a day.

There are a few post about the property – I am always there on business so don’t know all the good tourist things. Old San Juan is about five miles away and there are a number of decent restaurants there.

I hope this helps.

JohnnyP

Thanks for your input. Is there self-park also available? $18 seems steep for PR, but I guess they can justify it at resorts.

loquillo

Yes, self-park is available, and cheaper than valet, but if I remember correctly, around $10 daily. I have always been there during the week, and had no issue with parking space; I cannot comment on weekends.

The hotel is by the beach, has nice pools, a casino, and is located in La Condesa neighborhood. There are plenty of restaurant choices within walking distance. Old San Juan is a few miles west of this neighborhood (five sounds about right) and you need a car to get there. Good restaurants there as well.

The hotel is about 20 minutes or so from the airport, but this depends on traffic.

In general, it is a nice hotel, although the rooms still have the 80's look. The rate you found makes it a good deal.

happywanderer

B21 bus stops 100 meters from hotel. For 25 cents, you can get into old San Juan in less than 10 minutes. For 50 cents you can take the ferry from Pier 2, about two blocks from the bus terminal, to Catena, where the Bacardi plant is located. From the ferry terminal, it's a $2 taxi ride to the plant. Tour isn;t very exciting, but you get two comp drinks. Plus, there's an excellent gift shop there with Bacardi merchandise. Bus operates every 20-39 minutes from the Marriott. The two forts in old San Juan are quite interesting and are operated by US Park Service. Entrance fee, as I recall, is $3 each or $5 for both.

Parking is premium. There is virtually no street parking available and very few private lots. Rate is $14 daily. BTW, the hotel is having a remodeling speical now -- $144 (plus 21 percent tax) that includes a $50 food and beverqge credit or 5000 points per night.

dmacst

$14 self parking at the hotel. I would not consider anywhere else. Stay away from overnite parking on the street, if you could find it, it may not be worth the $14 you saved. If you rent from Hertz they have a terminal at the hotel. I always take a cab from the airport (about $15) and rent the car the next day. That saves $14 on one night of parking and the difference between the price I saved for the car for one day and the taxi ride ($15). May want to do the same on the last day.

Restaurants: Puerto Rican - "Ropa Viejo" on Ashford Avenue between the Marriott and the Wyndham. It is about a 10 minute safe walk from the Marriott. You may have to wait, but if good PR food is what you are lookng for, you will find it there.

Corporate Solutions

I agree with dmacst about parking at the hotel. Even though the Condado is generally a safe area, don't take the risk. Park at the hotel.

Food- Stop by Miro', a short walk from the hotel, and order the garlic shrimp. It's my favorite meal in San Juan. Yerba Buena has a nice neiborhood feel, serves a great mojito and is also close to the hotel. Sit outside if the weather is nice.

Old San Juan is a short drive, but I would recommend taking a taxi. It's inexpensive and they are numerous. Lots to see including shopping, forts and great food. (You can tell that food is #1 on my list in P.R.!!!)

RamAir

I just got back from there last night! The taxis are not like in St. Thomas where you pay per person. The taxi from the airport was $12.50 for 4 people (you will pay for extra bags). Old San Juan was only $11. The taxis were cheap and getting a car would cost WAY MORE. The taxi didn't cost the price of parking while we were there. I like going wherever I want when I want so I always get a car. I followed a friend's advice this trip and I was happy. Save the money and go to the Casino. I won big with three card poker, William delt 3 J's for a 30-1 payoff!!!!
Enjoy your trip,
Steve