My husband is going for a meeting in San Juan and the meeting is at the Hilton Caribe. However, we were not able to get a room so am looking around for one that is within walking distance of the Caribe. Can someone suggest a nice (at least 3.5 stars) hotel that would be convenient and safe for him to walk to the meeting site and for me to stay/tour around on my own during the day. Thanks.

There is only one hotel within walking distance - The Nomandie which is a very short walk away. The hotel is one of tjhe oldest on the island and is considered an art deco treasure. It has closed and reopened a number of times over the years. The pool area is very small and the beach is not very good. The pool overlooks the beach at the Hilton but you can't walk from one hotel to the other on the beach.

Thanks Rob. Other than the Normandie, what is the closest (even if it's not walkable) to the Caribe? Do you know anything about the Caribe, Marriott or Wyndham Conando? How difficult is it to get from other hotels to the Hilton? Are taxis easily available? Can you tell me more about the neighbourhood around the Caribe? Many thanks.

What would you like to do during the day since you would be on your own - recommendations would vary. All big hotels have taxi lines so getting a ride would not be difficult.

Service at the Normandie is unpredictable and the facilities are not at resort level. It is more than OK for sleeping but not for hanging out.

The next closest would be the Condado Plaza. The distance to the Hilton is walkable but only when exercising. This hotel has access to a beach cove (public and crowded on weekends) and the pool is decent, big casino.

Next in line would be the San Juan Mariott, the beach is not great but usually less crowded than the Condado Plaza. It has a very centric position in the Condado area.

The Ambassador Plaza (Wyndham) is also in Condado but they are being sold off from the chain so I dont know how the service is.

After that your main options would be in Isla Verde. Getting a cab ride would not be a problem either from this area but it would take 20-30 minutes at least to get to the Hilton.

I agree with Marigross for the most part but wanted to say that, in my opinion, the beach at the Marriott is far better than the tiny strip of beach in front of the Condado Plaza.

Thanks all for the comments. I have read mixed reviews about the Wyndham Condado...seedy/rundown part of town, recent robberies in the rooms??? I'm not really interested in beach so that's low on my priority list. My preference would be safety, cleanliness and convenience. Also can anyone tell me if it's safe to ride the cab alone from the airport to that part of town around 10 p.m.? Any other tips would be great. Thanks

Riding the cabs is perfectly safe even later than 10PM but make sure you only board the white "taxi turisticos". These are regulated by the tourism company and should charge fixed fares withing the Old San Juan / Condado / Isla Verde / Airport area.

Yes the Mariott beach is a LOT better than the one in Condado Plaza but not as nice as the Isla Verde beach.

I stayed for a long time in the Condado Wyndham and it was only worth it when we got the Club Suites. It was several years ago and if they have not remodeled they should be looking worn down. The location is not that bad, it is more residential.