USVI-On-Line

Has anyone ever stayed overnite in San Juan near the airport? I'm looking at some frequent flyer flights (hard to find) that involve an overnite stay in San Juan? Any suggestions?

We did...at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Casino in
Isla Verde, Carolina area (the one on Tartak street). It's 1/3 of a mile from the airport & 2 blocks from the Isla Verde beach. I was concerned about the jet noise but completely surprised as we didn't hear anything inside that hotel. It's very nice for an overnighter; we certainly enjoyed it.

We stayed at the Best Western in the airport. It was great. Convenient, clean and comfortable. We didn't want to spend time & money on taxi's because we were on the first flight out in the AM. Great pit-stop.

BPT wrote:We stayed at the Best Western in the airport. It was great. Convenient, clean and comfortable. We didn't want to spend time & money on taxi's because we were on the first flight out in the AM. Great pit-stop.

We second this if you just want a place to stay. Right at the airport, you walk to it.

We stayed one night at the Wyndham before doing a Southern caribbean cruise and although the hotel was nice, I wasnt impressed with San Juan at all..

JJ - That's funny, because I absolutely love our one or two night stopovers in San Juan. I think it depends on what area you stay in. We were there in January once during a major festival in Old San Juan. We rode the bus down to Old SJ and met some of the nicest Puerto Ricans out for the day with family and friends. Old San Juan is touristy, but it's very beautiful. SJU is not a paradise like St. John, but it is a rather cosmopolitan city for that part of the world. I keep hoping my husband will get a contract job down there for a year or so... it would be a nice diversion.

My husband and I are always mistaken for Puerto Ricans. He's a very dark-haired Italian, and I could pass for one of the more fair-skinned women you see from PR. Everytime we go through that airport or visit San Juan, people always speak to us in Spanish and we have to say "uh, Ingles, por favor?" The last time we did this, the TSA agent at the airport cut us a look and said "you don't speak Spanish?" and then acted like she didn't believe us.

Wow, this post turned into a book, and not a very good one.

To the OP, if your layover is a bit longer and you have the chance to sightsee, I suggest trying either Condado or Old San Juan. A bit further from the airport, but lots to see.

Another vote for Best Western at the airport, if it's just for the night. Very convenient. A complimentary breakfast is served in the morning.

[quote="alw1977"]JJ - That's funny, because I absolutely love our one or two night stopovers in San Juan. I think it depends on what area you stay in. We were there in January once during a major festival in Old San Juan. We rode the bus down to Old SJ and met some of the nicest Puerto Ricans out for the day with family and friends. Old San Juan is touristy, but it's very beautiful. SJU is not a paradise like St. John, but it is a rather cosmopolitan city for that part of the world. I keep hoping my husband will get a contract job down there for a year or so... it would be a nice diversion.

It was 2004 when we were there...and after looking at your posts I went to check and it was the Coronoda that we stayed at...Not sure why but some of the napkins I kept says Wynhdam...maybe they were affiliated or may still be..Im not sure..I did like Old San Juan much better ( we visited there the next day while waiting to sail )than where we stayed although the hotel was very nice, very nicely furnished and right on the beach..What bothered me was all the bars on the balconies for apt buildings several stories up that was saw on the way from the airport. Also while we were only there for 1 night...there was a body that washed ashore that evening.. The whole thing just bothered me...and Im sure there are prettier places than what we saw..Its just never been one of my wanna go back top places.. But Im glad you enjoy it..

Ok, yikes... yeah, the body thing would likely throw me for a loop too. Let's chalk that up to bad timing. My comment was more about how drastically people's experiences in SJU differ. I've known some people who think it's fun and great, and other who can't get out of there fast enough. I always advise people to take advantage of their layovers to see a little of the city. Like I said, paradise it ain't, but there is some neat history there.

We stayed overnight at the Ritz Carlton by the airport on our way home from STJ last August. Very nice hotel. Good pool. I'm not fond of the SJU beach though.