And now, for something completely differnent....

[conchman]

So my wife and I are starting to look for airfare for our trip in October. Of course AA is already becoming interesting (in a bad way). We are still a ways out but we got to talking we might try something different this time. We would fly out on Tuesday from O'Hare, then stay overnight in San Juan, maybe do a little sight-seeing in Old San Juan. Then Wednesday, take the 9:30 Cape Air to STT, then on to STJ. So I guess my questions are;

1) Anyone go this route before?
2) If you did, where did you stay in San Jaun. We are looking for something on the beach, must be clean and safe.
3) Close to airport desired but not a have to,
4) Money or budget not necessarilly an issue, but my last name does not end in "Rockefeller"

Thoughts??

Thanks in advance,
CM

[lprof]

For one night, I would skip the beach and stay in Old San Juan. If you really want the beach, probably the Isla Verde area is the best location, yet close to the airport.

PA Girl wrote a San Juan trip report in February
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=22706

and there was some discussion on stopping in Old San Juan en route to St John on the Off Topic Forum
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=19457

I have stayed three trips (business) at the San Juan Hilton
http://www.caribehilton.com/
and once at the Marriott Stellaris
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/s ... is-casino/

These hotels are close to the airport and between Old San Juan and the Isla Verde section... clean and safe, nice pools, a little beach.

Old San Juan is well worth seeing, in my opinion. Enjoy your planning!

[stjchica]

I have done that a couple times en route to Tortola...Worked out great. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Isla Verde..great pool area with swim up bar and close to beach. http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels ... index.html
Got a good nights rest then flew the short leg the next morning. Short ride from the airport and the taxi area at the airport is very organized and the taxis are nice. No worries..Have a great trip..

[PA Girl]

We did it last trip for 3 nights because we wanted to see Old San Juan. We really enjoyed it. We stayed at the El Convento. Iprof linked to my trip report.

I am also considering a one night stay for our upcoming trip, also picking up a Cape Air connection. Like stjchica mentioned, taxis were easy to obtain. We flew out at 2:30 pm on a Saturday and the airport was running smoothly.

[mit43]

We have also done the San Juan thing. We also stayed in the Hotel El Convento and took in Old San Juan. Loved it! We plan on doing it again. We didn't mind not being on a beach since we had just spent 2 weeks on STJ.

[Pia]

LOVE the El Convento hotel. I have also stayed at the Coral Princess in Condado and it was fine and I have friends that stayed at Da House and loved it and at between $80 and $150 per night for 2 ppl low season the rates can't be beat.......

http://coralpr.com/
http://www.dahousehotelpr.com/

Pia

[PA Girl]

LOVE the El Convento hotel.

I remember you mentioning El Convento years ago and I bookmarked it at the time. So here is your belated thank you!

[toni]

We've stayed in Old San Juan itself before/after cruises at Da House and Hotel Milano. Neither is on a beach but both worked great for exploring old San Juan. We also stayed at the Caribe Hilton which is on the water, had a nice pool area and if I remember correctly we got a good deal on by bidding through Priceline.

Have fun if you go!

[Pia]

You're welcome PA Girl

[conchman]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like EL Convento and the Crib Hilton make the short list. We have decided to add a couple of days more in San Juan...what the heck you only go around once. We will leave on Sunday now, stay two full days, then on to STJ on Wednesday for ten glorious days. Wish us luck...

Thanks,
C-Man

[PA Girl]

Old San Juan surprised us, in a good way. We really enjoyed it. The El Convento is not a budget option but I do think it was worth the cost for a number of reasons. We will stay there again.