Are there any? Husband wants to stay at the Ritz Carlton, which is very nice, but it's too far from Old San Juan for easy walking. Are there any comparable hotels right in the old part of the city? Thanks.

There is a hotel at the pier. I believe it is a Sheraton.
Fodor"s has recommended El Convento in it's guidebooks in the past. That section of Old San Juan is very nice. If I ever stayed in Old San Juan again I'd stay there.

El Convento would be a good option - centrally located for easy access to all the Old San Juan has to offer

Note: None of the hotels in Old San Juan will have easy access to a beach

El COnvento would also be my first choice - there are several closer to the docks where the 'cruisers' tend to stay. S.

El Convento looks AMAZING!!!! How far is it from a beach, and can one get there without a rental car?

There really isn't a beach in Old San Juan...it's the major cruise ship pier, fort, and Old San Juan, quaint little town - tons of restuarants....

Thanks for the input. As hard as I lobbied for El Convento, the family overruled me in favor of the beach at the Ritz. Oh well ... who can complain about a week at the Ritz?

Well, definitely set aside at least a day to walk around Old San Juan. El Convento is beautiful to visit, even if you're not staying there, and I think their Cafe Nispero patio restaurant is a pleasant place to eat lunch if you're in the neighborhood.

Don't forget to visit at least one of the two forts guarding the port and the old town, and make time to walk the outer walkway, shaded by palm trees and cooled by the breeze, and it's both beautiful and historical.

Enjoy your time at the RC. I've never stayed there, but I spent a 5 hour layover from the airport there. The staff was very pleasant and the food was good, with prices not quite as extortionate as you might expect for that kind of resort. The water was a little rough there, and the beach a little crowded, but it made for great people watching.

For our dates, the cheapest in El Convento would be $210. Is there anything under $150? Looking at a place to sleep 2-3 nights in the Old Town, not interested in beach access.

Try Hotel Milano...it's small, has a nice roof top bar/restaurant.....

Yes, it's nice, but $183... with tax and all... I'm looking for 3 nights, would hate to cut it down to only two

Oh, wait... let me take it back! "Advance booking" button brought it down to $156 - this might work!

Thank you, Bella

oh good! The hotel is on a busy, narrow street - and is small! But if you look on Trip Advisor, it's rated 12 out of 44 SJU hotels. The location is great if you want to stay in Old San Juan in my opinion!

Yes, I checked TA

I am a huge El Convento fan. BUT, it is a splurge place, not a cheap rate place. From the staff to the wine reception to the roof-top pool, it is a retreat in a historic section of San Juan.

So I've narrowed it down to 2 hotels, both had no-window rooms mentioned in the reviews on TA. E-mailed both, one sent a generic reply, Milano sent a detailed reply explaining the room types, difference in windows...

Milano was sold out on booking sites, but on their own site I got an advance reservation discount with cancellation option! In the "note" space asked for a window - got an e-mail confirmation from another person at Milano - yes, we'll have a window.

I am a happy camper Will definitely have their roof-top breakfast at least once, and the rest is TBD - staying pre-cruise.

Now, the flights - UGH!! Pick convenient flights, double the price

If you are going for an entire week, could you convince your family to spend a couple of nights in Old San Juan and the rest at the Ritz? That might be a nice way to accomodate everyone.