We are planning a 3 night pre-cruise stay in San Juan 12/25-12/28/99 and have reservations at the Caribe Hilton. Any opinions on this place? We are a family of 7 with 3 young adult "kids" and a 10 and 12 year old; we like water sports and site seeing. Is this hotel a good choice? Also, the Caribe is now closed for major renovation to reopen Christmas Day '99 -- our arrival day -- hope they do infact open and that we don't end up in the middle of a construction site.

Caribe Hilton is a great choice. They even have a small Spanish fort wall section on their premises (renmants of the Spanish protective walls built to protect the city from the frequent attacks from pirates and enemies of Spain). Christmastime in PR is a very festive, great time to be there. The hotel beaches are nice. Try the pina colada at their beach bar; quite an experience. Jus a piece of trivia; this is the hotel where Elizabeth Taylor spent her honeymmon with her first husband. <BR> <BR>As far as sightseeing; El Morro, Casa Blanca, Fort Saint Cristobal, Old San Juan, Cathedral of San Juan (where Ponce de Leon is buried). Feel free to e-mail me if you need further details. <BR>

You will not find the wonderful Carrib-like beaches there! In fact, I thought the beach was pretty substandard with wall to wall chaises. Are you sure that you want to stay there on the day it is scheduled to reopen? I have found that "Carrib time" is signifigantly different than the deadlines and timetables that we are used to here stateside.

Thank you both Maira and Karen for your responses. Maira, your response made me feel good about our choice until I read Karen's. Karen I have a question for you. What hotel would you recommend and why? I have read good things about the El San Juan but there are 2 problems there for us. 1) At that time (Christmas '99) there is a 7 night minimum stay requirement; and 2) I feel that the Isla Verde area of San Juan appears less 'Puerto Rican' than other parts of San Juan, ie, fast food restaurants, lots of highrise hotels and airplane/airport noise. What do you think? I have not stayed in PR before so my observations come only from what I have read so your input would be most appreciated. <BR>Also, how substandard is the beach at the Hilton?

I tend to be in Karen's camp. Stayed at the Carib in March for one night with our 2 kids. Had an early flight back so returned from St. Croix early to spend the day in San Juan. Personally, I wish I'd stayed in St. Croix. Carib was ok, but it is LARGE with a very marginal beach that was very crowed when we were there. My kids did like the shuffle board, though. Hotel is also isolated somewhat requiring a cab to go anywhere and the main bar/restaurant was so noisy with bands that even my kids wouldn't eat there. Service was marginal, but no different than most big hotels. Went to Isla Verde for dinner and it actually looked better since you could walk to some places. Outside of the forts, Old San Juan held little attraction to us. Marginal shops and fairly dirty. Wouldn't go out of my way to get back. Personally, I'd get out of town. Friends stayed at the Hyatt in Dorado and liked it a lot (and they are picky friends). Wish I had a better report, but I got to call 'em as I sees 'em.

Not very well versed on PR. However we have had enjoyable stays at Las Palmas Inn (a small botique hotel on the grounds of Las Palmas) and Dorado in the last few years ... both "long weekends." Found Las Palmas very nice with a variety of restaurants but wonder if staying there might be a bit too much like staying in a very crowded city as there are thousands of condos one on top of another ... also the beach was lovely! A bit far from San Juan, but that was fine for us! I never found the beach along the "airport strip" very appealing. You did remind me that during the holidays many many hotels do the 7 or 10 day minimum especially with the millenium buzz ... The beach at the Hilton is a small semicircle that is on a swimming area created by a sea wall with rows and rows of chaise lounges right next to each other. And the sand was pretty brown ... doubt it is a natural beach! Our stay was as guests of AA ... and not a long one but those were my impressions! It certainly needed a face lift then ... the casino closed after our generous donation of $20 to the PR economy that night! Wish I could be more enthusiastic and helpful for you! But better that you be forewarned!

The Caribe Hilton beach is a man-made beach, but it is quite calm as opposed to Isla Verde which can be rough and have undertow. The Hilton beach is fine, but not a "paradise" type beach. If you want, rent a car and drive out to Loquillo beach...calm and very pretty. <BR>It's about 45 minutes away. <BR>Old San Juan is very atmospheric. Visit the El Convento, once a convent now a restored hotel, as well as El Morro. Have dinner at la Maiquilla (sp?) an old spot with ceiling fans and good asapao(sp). I think you will enjoy yourself in San Juan , especially if you llike cosmopolitan cities. I think the El San Juan is too far away from anything except the airport. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Hy There: <BR> The Caribe Hilton is a great Hotel for your stay. like they said the beach is man maid but great, The Hotel is close to the City of Old San Juan. At this time the hotel is close for renovations but will be open in december so this will be a lot of new stuff. Hope to see you soon.......

Liz: <BR>I think I can give fair information about the Caribe Hilton, without being prejudiced for being puertorican. San Juan in december is lovely and the Caribe Hilton is a traditional place for spending the Xmas festivities. The service is superb, and the best artists either spanish speaking or american give their shows.Old San Juan definitely looks like New Orleans and has been repeatedly compared to it. The beach is beautifull and very safe. Is heaven for locals. Tourists will have a wonderfulltime.

While I've always loved the Caribe Hilton, I'm not sure if I would recommend it to you since you have such young children, unless of course, your food budget is endless. <BR>Food at this hotel is outrageously priced and when they re-open on 12/25/99, expect to pay top dollar for anything edible. But if you're not worried about that, then go ahead and stay at the Hilton. Your other alternatives are the Marriot (so-so beach) but close to fast food places, as well as the Condado Plaza (beach is a , but also located to fast food places. The El San Juan and the San Juan Grand Beach, both located in Isla Verde are on a great beach, and near dozens of fast food restaurants. <BR> <BR>About the beaches: the best beaches in Puerto Rico are located far away from San Juan, so don't expect "picture-post-card" beaches in the metropolitan area--they don't exist. San Juan is New York in the tropics, with an active nightlife and fast-paced, hectic city life. Enjoy your trip to P.R. and your cruise. I'm a native Puerto Rican, so I wish you a safe journey to our wondeful island.

Hi Alicia: <BR> <BR>While our food budget is not "endless" I certainly wouldn't go to PR to eat in a fast food restaurant, nor do I even want to see one out on the street. I am going to PR for the look and feel of San Juan, otherwise I might as well go to San Diego or Miami Beach and save travel time and money getting there. Also, I can't imagine the Caribe's prices being any higher than big hotels in most large cities. I hear there are some great and not very expensive places to eat in Old San Juan so we will plan to do a lot of our eating there. After all how much food could we possibly consume in 3 days? Many thanks to all who responded to my posting. Despite the critics I have decided to stay at the Caribe. It was what those people who responded favorably said that made me realize that the Caribe best offers us what we are looking for in our stay in San Juan. There will be plenty of opportunity to see beautiful beaches elsewhere during the rest of our vacation cruising the Caribbean.

No, I didn't mean eat every meal at a fast food restaurant, but a typical child will want a hamburger for lunch and that will run you around $8 at the Caribe Hilton. <BR> <BR>Great restaurants in Old San Juan: La Mallorquina, the oldest restaurant in the new world, La Bombonera, great for typical Puerto Rican dishes, Siglo XX. For a real treat, visit La Casita Blanca on Calle Tapia in Santurce, for a typical, home-cooked Puerto Rican meal. Also I recommend El Metropol next to the Best Western Hotel in Santurce where they serve great Cuban food. Have a great trip.

Liz, take it from a well informed source. Your choice is great. Yes'. the man made beach is not the greatest in Puerto Rico but It is safe. And with the huge new pool at the Caribe Hilton you won't use it too often.During that time there won't be any construction going on, I guarantee it.I've seen the progress on Construction and the place will be better than ever. You can't beat the location and the Christmas atmosphere of these unique Latin people. You'll be close to the old city and a walk across the bridge from the Condado and restaurants of all types. That time of yeardriving around is crazy and although the El San Juan is great, the area gets too crowded like Mardis Gras in New Orleans.. Stick with your first choice..you can't go wrong. Look caribe hilton international in the net. A dear friend oversees the work there so I know what's going on.

Liz, <BR> The Caribe Hilton is the perfect place to stay pre or post cruise! We travel to the Caribbean quite a bit and almost always make a stop at the Caribe either because we're going on a cruise or because our conecting flight goes through San Juan. It is very convenient to the cruise terminal and is pretty much self-contained. Yes, the beach is samll, but adequate, and I personally can't wait to see the new pool and other improvements. I must admit we've never stayed there more than one night at a time, so you might plan a day trip to do some exploring. Good luck and have a great time!