betsbw

I've been looking and looking for a special place to take my Mom. She's 83 and her mobility is very limited now. After considering the following criteria, I am highly considering Puerto Rico. In particular I am looking for insights into hotels that are not too sprawling, so that we can easily make it to breakfast and the pool.

Direct flight from FLL -- will San Juan have jet ways or Tarmac boarding? If it's the latter, she won't be able to handle stairs, so I'll have to contact the airlines.
Beautiful Pool more important than beach -- she loves the pool and can't handle the beach due to balance issues, so pool area is really where we'll spend our time.
Accessibility -- has to have rooms that aren't too far from the beach, trams would be nice if it's a bigger property. We also need room with two queen beds, not a king room.
Location -- we are not limited by needing to be within walking distance to shops or restaurants. We'll have to take cabs or rent a car, wherever we go.
Something special -- a view would be nice and a place known for good service. Our budget is up to $350/night. Caribe Hilton and Intercontinental are both of interest based on my research so far, but open to suggestions. Kids/families are probably OK, but something low key is best for her.

Our last trip together we went to the FL Keys. It was a great choice. We stayed at the Marriott Key Largo. We spent the morning at the pool, went out for lunch, she rested in the afternoon, and we went out for dinner. That was plenty for her!

girlonthego

The caribe hilton is a large property. It has more than one pool area if I recall. Does she use a wheelchair because there would be a lot of walking to get around. It is a very nice hotel.
The Marriott on the condado has less property,so less walking but the pool area was crowded. It was New Years week when we stayed there so that may have added to the crowded pool area.

The Hilton sits off by itself.

I had dinner at the El San Juan and it looked very nice, but don't remember much outside of the lobby and restaurants.

I would recommend not going during a holiday break or summer to avoid kids.

Tom42 goes all the time to PR and probably knows more hotels than I do.I hope he sees this!

Inakauaidavidababy

A gentle question - would your Mom consider as a convenience to you using a wheel chair as an aid? Not all the time but to get from point a to point b.

I have personally experienced that people of a certain age do not want to use a wheel chair, but when they do and experience that they are not holding their travel companions back and can see and do more - they are very comfortable.

Tabernash2

We loved The Buccaneer on St Croix. There are golf carts available to pick you up and take you to the main house for breakfast, etc.

betsbw

She uses a skycap and a wheelchair at the airport, but otherwise she does not require a walker or chair. She just tires so easily. She might be willing to let me rent oa chair if it comes down to it. She loves travel and hasn't had the opportunity to do much. Perhaps she will consider it a good trade off. I wonder how one would rent one.

cw

I can't help a lot with your questions, but to say that the airport if SJU has jetways so you could order a wheelchair to meet you at the gate because there are some long walks in the terminal.

We had drinks at the Intercontinental near the pool a few years ago and it was quite pretty for a large hotel/resort, and right on the beach. It looked to have good views.

Friends stay yearly at the Carib Hilton and only leave the property for dinner out. They really enjoy the getaway with relaxing by the pool. The Intercontinental is closer to the airport and the Carib Hilton is closer to Old San Juan.

betsbw

Thanks CW. Actually what you've said is quite helpful.