The Westin Hotel
 

My husband and I just came back from celebrating his 50th birthday at The Westin Hotel in Puerto Rico. What a disappointment! Our room smelled of mildew and had mold on the shower tiles and shower curtain liner and our sink was clogged. We had to move to another room which was cleaner and nicer except for the two holes from cigarette burns on our duvet cover (we stayed on a non-smoking floor). The restaurants were just mediocre except for Palio. My T-bone steak at the Grill House was full of gristle and more expensive than one I could have had at Peter Luger. The pool was nice but there was no one to get you lunch or a drink, we did that on our own by walking to the outdoor bar on the beach. At least we got to play tennis and rent bikes. If we ever go back to Puerto Rico we will stay at a Hyatt or the Intercontinental right in San Juan. This was not what I had anticipated and certainly not the special birthday surprise I had hoped for.

Thank you so much for posting! The first time we ever stayed at a Westin was in Chicago. Beautiful! The next time was in GC, and although we had been warned that that Westin was going to be a far cry from that one, who knew it could be that bad! Lots and lots of mold there as well. Did you enjoy PR though?

Yes it was nice but way too hot and humid for my liking. No breeze whatsoever and annoying small biting bugs, I'm covered in them and look like I have german measles. We didn't get to go to the rain forest as there were not enough people to go on the tour. I would certainly go back to Aruba, much breezier. Any other island suggestions? Atlantis in Paradise Island maybe?

Perhaps you should avoid the Caribbean, as humidity and bugs are commonplace. I would assume the Westin had a/c thus no reason to be eaten alive if you're getting no breeze. Hope you had them replace the duvet cover...I don't think whether you were smoking or nonsmoking had anything to do with that...it gets sent to the laundry then redispersed, I'm sure nothing is tagged "smoking room duvet". For a better experience I strongly sugguest you try something other than high volume tourist places....where you'll find much more personalized accomodations and services. Not the Atlantis.

I had those bug things in St. Lucia. The only island where I've had the problem. I won an unofficial award at the airport for mine! LOL. We are going to Aruba this winter. I'm looking forward to it for the food alone as I hear it's WONDERFUL! Our favorite spot in the Caribbean is Curacao. We are not big Bahama fans and heard Atlantis was really cheesy, but haven't been there ourselves.

Knowing,
You're right, the selection of restaurants in Aruba is very good. However, I'm not sure you'll like it as much as Curacao. Leave yourselves open to hop a flight to Curacao should you find disappointment on Aruba...its high volume, very touristy. I'm flying through Aruba in a few weeks enroute to Bonaire, going to stay one night each way on Aruba. Other islands you might consider are Tobago and Bequia. I agree with Bahamas, at least Nassau and Freeport, however the out islands are a different ball of wax...try Eleuthera, Abaco, etc.

I loved Aruba. The Marriott is newer than the Hyatt but the Hyatt has the best restaurants. The pool is gorgeous as well as the lobby, it's a very romantic hotel. It is hot but breezy, lots of water spots to take part in. Also try the restaurant Chez Matilde and Valentina's in town. Another island I recommend is Ochos Rios in Jamaica, always sunny and breezy there. Check out San Souci spa for one night as a treat.