We are planning a quick trip to Puerto Rico and I am having trouble deciding where to stay. Would like a luxury resort with golf and spa. Also kid friendly. I don't need a kids program, but we are taking our 3 year old. Right now I am thinking of Ritz Carlton, Westin Rio Mar, Hyatt Dorado and Wydham El San Juan. If anyone has been to any of these and could give me some input I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

Just got back from Hyatt Hacienda Del Mar - the timeshare part of Hyatt Cerramar and Dorado. We absolutely loved all three resorts and they are great for families. Four golf courses, 8 restaurants, several beaches and pools. A trolley runs between them. Hyatt Cerramar or Hacienda Del Mar are better for kids than Dorado but there were kids at Dorado too -- the beach is better. There is a Hyatt Kids Club that operates every day 9 - 4 or 6 - 10. My kids went on three different nights and loved it! Children have to be 3 and potty trained. Kids menus at all restaurants. It is about 40 minutes outside of SJ and so much nicer (in my opinion) than staying in the city -- I saw where the Ritz and El San Juan are located and they are basically resorts right in the city -- not our idea of paradise. Westin Rio Mar is outside the city and also gets good reviews.

Debbie,<BR>We've been to the Ritz and the Westin but not the other two. Depending on your interests I prefered the Westin. The spa at the Ritz is probably better (saw them, didn't use them) but there's very little beach at the Ritz -- you're in San Juan, after all. And no golf at the Ritz, but at the Westin there's a big course. The Ritz is a little fancier in some ways than the Westin but it sounds to me like the Westin would be better for you than the Ritz. <BR><BR>One thing I experienced and others posted to know about the Westin is the seas can be rough and management is quick to close the beach to swimmers.

I think we are now leaning toward Hyatt Dorado and Westin Rio Mar. Anybody seen both? How far is the Westin from the airport? Thanks again.

The Hyatt Dorado is about a 45 minute drive west from the airport, mostly highway. It is on the way to the Camuy Cavern system and the Arecibo Observatory. The Westin Rio Mar is located about 30 minutes east from the airport. It is extremely close to the El Yunque rainforest and Luquillo Beach. They are both kid friendly, excellent golf facilities, beach, pool, etc. Tough choice, since they are both good properties. Whatever you decide, have a great holiday!

Thanks Mily. It's good hear that both resorts are nice. I think they both have what we want. I'm still undecided. Anyone just love either one?

Anyone know or hear anything about &quot;The Regency&quot;? Travel agent was pushing it to me. We are looking for 2 nights post cruise.

I travel to Puerto Rico at least 12 times a year.<BR><BR>TRAFFIC is horrendous at rush hour (3-7)(worse than New York) and could take you hours to get to the outlying places. Getting to the airport on time could be a real challenge.<BR><BR>I would higly recomend Ilse Verde, which is the hotel strip 5 minutes from the airport which makes it real convenient.<BR><BR>The Ritz Carleton just opened there, and it is very nice. Also my favorite is one the oldest and I think most glamourous in PR is the El San Juan Hotel and Casino at Isla Verde Avenue Carolina. Be careful because there are several hotels with simialar names.<BR><BR>This resort is very nice, old mahoganey trimmed lobbies, and have 3 or 4 nightclubs ranging from latin music, Jazz, and Dance. The pool and beach are beautiful, and you will be treated like royalty here...the price though <BR>$ 300 - 500 per night.<BR><BR>The beaches are beautiful, but in general I can't figure out where the tourist board gets all its footage. It is a dirty ugly scrappy Island for the most part.<BR><BR>Crime is the worst in the nation so be careful at night.<BR><BR>As far as sightseeing, I would recommend going to Old San Juan and visit the Citidel, which is a nice tour for 1$, and then walk around the little shops in old San Juan, where you can find some surprising and unusual gifts.<BR><BR>People are really friendly, and the Puerto Rican food is unusual and good.<BR><BR>Be sure you try Mofunga...it is delicious. Ohh yhea...be sure you go to &quot;Ajili Mohili&quot; I'm not sure I spelt it right, but if you pronounce it phonetically anyone on the Island will know what you are talking about.<BR><BR>The restaurant is known for its local cuisine, and I believe that the chef was the originator of Mofungo.<BR><BR>I don't know a lot of other good restaurants, but down the road from the Ritz at Lupi's Mexican Rest. are the best damn chicken wings I have ever had!<BR><BR>I won't recommend the Ritz, the food was not very good last time I was there, and neither was the Palms in the other hotel...so your on your own, but I could eat at Ajili Mohili every day.(moderate price 2 people with drinks <BR>$ 100.00)<BR><BR>If you want to stay across the road from the Ritz and save BIG BUCKS the Hampton Inn is about $ 130/night and is a cute charming hotel that caters to business travelers and airline staff.<BR><BR>It has a nice pool and you literally walk across the Road to the other Ritz or El San Juan and spend your saved money there. The rooms are quite and clean as a whistle. (I normally stay at W hotels so this is coming from a hotel snob)<BR><BR>Good luck

The Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach is awesome! They have the most amazing water pool, and I believe it was rated as one of the top ten family resorts in the world two years ago. The kids club is supposed to be unbelievable (we didn't bring our children but should have) and even though the beach is not nearly as nice as the Dorado's, all you have to do is go next door to use it. If you go, get a massage there. The massage I received was bar none, the best I've ever had!<BR><BR>Have a great trip.<BR><BR>Kimberly

By the way, I believe the golf course between the Dorado and Cerromar Beach was designed by Chi Chi Rodriguez. He has a home there on the property as well.<BR><BR>Also, they do have a spa (where I received my massage), but it's nothing on par like the Green Brier in West Virginia or the Golden Door (both of which I adore), but they do offer spa services.<BR><BR>Kimberly