lenlu

I need your expertise again everyone!

We found great air to San Juan. So, we are thinking of booking but I want to know anything that stands out in your view about this area? Fabulous hotels (with 9, 10 year old), must see beaches or a specific location or anything that you think embodies the area. We are five star travelers and beach people. I'd like some local cuisine and culture too. I was looking at the Ritz but it doesn't have to be that property. We just want it to be nice with a great pool and location. ANY advice would be appreciated since I'm short of time to research. Thanks so much!

Jms421

Hi. We were in PR during 2011 hurricane irene. we stayed in ponce but since our flight was canceled we had to stay an extra 3 days in PR. We stayed 2 nights in Ponce and had to take a flight out of San Juan. Our cousin droves us to san juan our fibal night. We ended up going to la concha (it's part of the Marriott.) I loved it. I truly regret even going to ponce blah. This hotel is beautiful, clean (packed), nice beach , great Italian food, expensive drinks but pretty good, room was nice and clean. You can walk right out and eat at Any restaurant on the block . Also when you drive through the hotel it doesn't seem like a big deal (vicinity is kind of dingy) but inside its awesome.
My only regret was not staying here for the entire length of my trip. Also near the airport. They have adult only pools but also pools for kids. Very very beautiful hotel.
oh and a casino.
It does have a nightlife I'm not sure if it'll be too loud for your family. I've also stayed at rio del mar. Very far from airport but very quiet, beach is not as nice but you're near the rainforest. You'd need to rent a car to visit old San Juan and the main town of San Juan.

doug_stallings

In my opinion, San Juan isn't the best destination for families. But if you are going, I think you either want to stay at the Ritz-Carlton or some other resort in Isla Verde, at the Caribe Hilton or the Conrade, both of which have protected and in the case of the Hilton, a man-made beach.

The surf in Condado is not really very conducive to kids and can be kind of rough. Also the water isn't very pretty there.

If you stay in San Juan, you're within easy reach of family-friendly activities like hiking or exploring El Yunque or even the biobay in Vieques, which can be done as a very long evening trip, though there is another biobay (not as nice) north of Fajardo.

But I think of San Juan as a great place for dining and nightlife, and neither of those is a very kid-friendly activity.

Would you consider renting a car and going outside of San Juan for your vacation? There are great resorts along the north coast (El Conquistador or the Rio Mar Beach Resort) or elsewhere. You can also get rather expensive transfers to the resorts outside of San Juan, but I think they have to be part of your consideration since they have more family-friendly facilities.

lenlu

Thanks you guys. We would stay at The Ritz and are considering a flight to Vieques or St. Croix. If not St. Croix, we'd stay in Vieques at the W. I have looked at El Conqui and La Casitas (as they both seem to have access to the water park). Not sure which to choose and looked into the El Yunque park but no place takes kids. Is this park worth seeing? Do you know anything about La Casitas (Waldorf Astoria property) or Vieques? I appreciate your feedback!

doug_stallings

Vieques is great with beautiful beaches but otherwise pretty quiet. However, though the W resort itself is great, it's not on one of the best beaches. They are completely undeveloped. El Yunque is amazingly beautiful if you like nature. But the parts that are easiest to reach can be crowded.

Kated

We stayed at Las Casitas a few years ago and loved it. I probably would not stay within the El Conquistador area. Not as nice. The food was good, and there is a ferry on the property to take you to their private beach. Pool at las Casitas is an infinity, very nice.