GEMINI100

Thanks, PADAMS421 for your reply. Can you suggest some better hotels in San Juan, as you mentioned in your post? We're looking for something on the level of a Ritz or Four Seasons with a beautiful beach. Most of the hotels in San Juan I've read about seem to be in bad need of renovation. Would appreciate any suggestions.

Author: padams421
Date: 02/12/2007, 11:02 am
I can't understand why RC/Marriott Corp. placed the Ritz there either. I can only guess they got a great deal on the real estate. It's not the typical RC. There are better palces to stay in PR.

doug_stallings

Well, the Ritz-Carlton in San Juan is certainly of Ritz-Carlton quality. There are some very good places to stay in San Juan, but nothing of the caliber of a Four Seasons in all of Puerto Rico. I do like the Westin Rio Mar and El Conquistador (and both have beautiful beaches), but the level of service and luxury you are looking for does not exist in Puerto Rico, in my opinion. The island's top luxury resort is without a doubt the Horned Dorset Primavera; it's spectacular but also small ... and in Rincon, not San Juan. My opinion of Puerto Rico is that there is much that is good---even very good---but nothing truly great (except for Horned Dorset). If you want something really nice but modest you have many options. And Vieques has some beautiful places, though none is directly on the best beaches.

Callaloo

FWIW, I found the San Juan RC to be pretty close to RC quality on the U.S. mainland. Some might grouse about the location being too close to the airport, but we didn't find air traffic to be an annoyance, and didn't hear planes at all indoors. The rooms and common areas are beautiful, opulent and well-maintained (at least as of 10 months ago). The beach is nice enough, given its urban setting. And service for the most part was good, with the exception of an interminable check-out process the morning we left (when both TV and phone check out were non-functional, and only one staffer was working the desk).

emcash

We've been to PR 3 times and the last 2 times we have stayed at the RC and when we return we will stay there again. yes, the location is not ideal and the beach is not teh greatest, but we have found true RC service and amenities there. We love that it is so close to so many of PR's amazing restaurants and we love getting off the plane and before you know it, we are lounging by the pool. I think it's all about reasonable expectations.

marbleheadguy

Stay only at the WEater Veach Hotel:
http://www.waterbeachclubhotel.com/

It is FAR superior to Ritz.

Callaloo

Marbleheadguy, looks like the Water Club has changed its name? Have they also renovated the rooms since 2003? We stayed there at that time, and found the bathrooms to be decidedly downmarket, and the rooms -- while very stylish -- a bit small, and about 2/3 the size of RC rooms. The service was fine, albeit different than RC (young & cool vs. warm & courtly). As I recall, you had to cross a street to get to the beach. Definitely a cool place to stay, but different from the RC.

emcash

I'm sorry, but you can't be serious about the water beach club. It is a hip, trendy W "like" hotel., but it can't compare with the RC. We saw the rooms and went there for a drink. It just can't compare -- if you are looking for a RC or FS level experience.

raulitog

Try The El San Juan Hotel(elsanjuanhotel.com) in and casino or el Convento(elconvento.com) in old San Juan. If not try this site HolaSanJuan.com online magazine. They are renovating the site but contact the webmaster. He'll help you. He lives in San Juan.

Curt

Strongly agree with Doug about the Westin Rio Mar. We were very happy there - the rooms are very nice, the grounds immaculate and very pretty, and the beach is excellent. It is not right in San Juan though. It is about 30 minutes or so from airport. The El Yunque rain forest national park is just adjacent to the resort. We would return to the Westin in a flash.

jumpinjess7

We also went to the Westin Rio Mar. Beautiful grounds, access to a fantastic little bakery at the entrance to the resort, and fantastic beach and pools. Our PR vacation was the best vacation we've had!

underradar

Callaloo hit the nail on the head. This is an urban hotel. The lobby is opulent, the restaurants are top-quality and the feeling overall is posh. But the space is a bit cramped, the pool area is very crowded, the beach is decent but not a real destination beach and the rooms are no more than OK. And it's a bloody fortune during peak season.