NeoPatrick

Just started looking, but this is what I like about this -- besides the price, which is good even during our stay next February.

Like that it is so close to Old San Juan, with a bus there right outside the door.
Like that it is not at a more remote part of the island -- but is it TOO citycenter-like?
Like that there are nice restaurants and bars close to the condo, not stuck at a resort or having to drive elsewhere and drink and drive back.
Like that it has a free garage inside if we do rent a car to get around the island.
Like that it has a beachfront balcony.
Scary that it is so close to airport, but owner insists there is no noise from it to the apartment due to flight plan direction, and in all the reviews, not one person has suggested otherwise.

http://www.vrbo.com/333782#

Comments? Not really familiar with the locations on PR.

MmePerdu

Isla Verde isn't particularly close to Old San Juan. It's been some years since I lived there so I cannot comment on restaurants but I can say with confidence that the 2 areas are across town from each other, about 8 miles according to Google maps.

NeoPatrick

Maybe I was unclear. I didn't mean that we'd walk to Old San Juan or anything like that, but it says a bus to it takes only 10 minutes from the condo. Is that possible? Mainly I meant as opposed to being at one of the resorts way far away from San Juan. Originally I was thinking of several nights in Old San Juan to get our "fix" there, then staying at a more remote beach resort. But this seems like if it is realatively close, we could easily go into Old San Juan (even by taxi?) for dinner.

MmePerdu

Yes, I looked at the listing. Google says it's a 15 minute drive but it'll certainly be more on the bus I should think. I used the distance between El San Juan Hotel in Isla Verde to El Convento in Old San Juan as I don't know exactly where the condo is located. But if that's not far for you then it's fine. My comment was meant to explain that it is across town, not very close.

NeoPatrick

OK, thanks.
Other comments?

coqui_07

Bus will be cheap but will be more than 10mins and longer than a taxi ride. Better option will be a taxi to get to OSJ.

virginia

one of the reviewers said 45 mins if you go by bus into osj.
i like that the owner lives on island - if you have any issues she's right there & that it's newly remodeled.
the price will certainly allow you to enjoy some splurge dinners
looked on tripadvisor & found this http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...erto_Rico.html

this is from 2011 but everyone seems to like the condo blding you've chosen http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...erto_Rico.html

sassy_cat

I think it looks good!

Take the bus when you have time to spare and the route isn't too congested and take a taxi when that's more convenient.
Great to have a car for visiting the rainforest and maybe Luquillo beach.
We've never made it to the caves.. told to check they're open before actually making the trip.

If you want beachfront this would definitely be a better option for you than one of the large chain hotels. You can still visit the hotel bars and restaurants nearby.

Would you miss not having a fancy pool? The condo pool looks rather small and less inviting than a resort pool.

NeoPatrick

Generally speaking "fancy pool at a resort" usually means "packed with kids" -- or at least that's my experience. Add a "lazy river" type feature and you usually can't get near it. Apparently there are a couple of pools in this complex, including one rather large one. Googling the condo complex showed me views of at least two pools. The owner informs me the pool is rarely crowded and hardly even used (which has often been my experience with condos), as most people head to the beach instead. I guess overall, I'd rather have a "quiet pool" than a fancy one.

blamona

Last time from there to old San Juan took about 35 minutes by bus. (I was trying to save money vs taxi)

Even by taxi I'd say it's closer to 20 minutes at least.

genio67

For me it is too far from Old San Juan and I didn't particularly like the area near the airport/Isla Verde. I would stick with Condado as it has more to offer in walking distance (density of restaurants, bars, etc) and it is a shorter bus ride or taxi to OSJ. Not sure if you are open to hotels, but we really liked La Concha. We were there without our kids and didn't really see any while we were there. The main pool can get crowded because it's not that big but there are two other pools that were always quiet. Granted those pools were in the shade by 1pm or so but they were quiet. The beach at La Concha was fine and there were some kids at the beach but they were local kids playing in the water, not guests of the hotel. They were not bothersome in any way. There are many options for dining within walking distance of La Concha. We ate in different types of places for lunch and dinner and went to OSJ several times to sightsee and have a couple of meals. Personally, I think you would prefer the Condado area.

MmePerdu

I, too, prefer the Santurce-Condado area. I lived first in Isla Verde in a rented place as I worked in one of the 2 big hotels that were there at the time. When I bought a place it was in Santurce, walking distance to the beach and Condado area and I liked it much better. It kind of depends on if you want an area that's geared for tourists or one that is more local. I think the residential areas in Santurce within a couple of blocks of the beach have the best of both.

NeoPatrick

Well, I'm sold. Find me a place as nice as the one I linked that is available for Presidents Day week at that price ($1400). With balcony on the beach.

Jimmie

"Well, I'm sold. Find me a place as nice as the one I linked that is available for Presidents Day week at that price ($1400). With balcony on the beach."

I think you forgot to put the little smiley face after your comment....

MmePerdu

Stay in the one you've found. It's perfectly fine. If you decide to move to PR then you can widen your search.

NeoPatrick

Lol Jimmie. The problem was I couldn't find a rolling on the floor icon. Clearly the price for the quality is a major point. We might prefer somewhere a little more, but twice the price?

MmePerdu

Just to point out, NeoP, you DID ask for comments and got them. Now it seems you'd already made up your mind so you'll get what you pay for which is nearly always the case.

NeoPatrick

What? So is price not an issue for most people? It's like asking how a certain Holiday Inn is and being told the Four Seasons is nicer. I don't know the areas, but if you're saying the other area is "a bit" nicer but costs twice as much, well yes, maybe my mind was sort of made up. But to be honest, if we wanted to spend $400 or $500 or more per night for lodging, we probably wouldn't choose Puerto Rica to begin with. And to be even more honest we haven't fully decided on PR, but we're trying to get some perspective.

Sorry to be so blunt, but I really do appreciate the comments.

MmePerdu

Price is usually a concern but many people also have other criteria that they consider as well. You said you liked the price so fine, as that seems to be your main concern, take it. No one said it was a dump. My comment about getting what you pay for takes into account the down side of the location. That's all.

We answered your original query, to please comment on the location among other things. We said there are nicer areas and it isn't as close to OSJ as you'd been led to believe. That doesn't mean this property isn't worth the money. This has nothing to do with a Four Seasons. It has to do with location. Holiday Inn in Isla Verde or Holiday Inn in Condado. I'd take Condado.

BTW, the beach in Isla Verde is better than the beach in Condado. So there is something better about your choice.

tom42

Condado and isla verde should be similarly priced as far as hotels go. However there are more condos in isla verde to choose from. I have been going to isla verde and condado areas for the last 25 years. Here us my take on it:

--Isla verde has the better beach. It's a good walking beach- very long and wide. It will get crowded on the weekend with lots of Puerto Rican families. On occasion there is seaweed but most times it is pretty clean and clear. It's a fairly calm beach as far as waves.

--isla verde is 5 minutes from the airport but you will not hear planes from your condo.

--isla verde is more hotel based as far as restaurants.

--it's not a great area for walking around (meaning its bit quaint or pretty not does it have a lot of shoppes)

--old San Juan is about a 15 minute can ride away (or a 30 minute bus ride)

Photo 19 in the link you provided is the outdoor lunch restaurant and bar at the hotel I usually stay at. It's called El San Juan Hotel and Casino and it is a short walk from the condo. You should check it out on a Friday or Saturday night. Lots of people, live music, dancing in a beautiful lobby. Oh and as it tends to be a little less casual in San Juan make sure you don't wear a tank top and running shorts. ; p