travelenthusiast

My husband and I (in our late 30's) are thinking about going to Puerto Rico with my parents in May 2006. They will be turning 70 next year. We were thinking about going to Cancun but I'm worried that it won't be back to 100% by then.

I'd like to find a hotel with a nice pool and a beach with calm water. I'd like to be close to Old San Juan but I'm not sure the the hotels there are nice beaches. I think they would enjoy shopping in Old San Juan.

I'm looking into activities for us to do because they aren't the lay on the beach all day types. My Dad would like going to a casino one night. Are they any shows that we could see at night? The rainforest looks like something my husband and I would like but do you think that my parents would enjoy it too. They wouldn't be able to walk around for hours but a driving trip to the rainforest might work.

We have decided we don't want to stay in the Hyatt Condado area because an uncle stayed there and said it was too far away from everything.

tom42

I think you meant the Hyatt Dorado, not Condado. The Condado area has lots of restaurants and hotels and is near Old San Juan.

My recommendations in the San Juan area are Wyndham El San Juan, Ritz Carlton, Intercontinental - all in Isla Verde. Also, the Marriott in Condado is nice. All of the ones I mention have casinos. Ritz Carlton and El San Juan are my favorites, but they will be the most expensive also.

girlonthego

The Caribe Hilton is set off by itself and yet is still close to all the action. It has a calm water area and a private beach unlike the Condado area which is all public beach. I have not been in many years, but my brother was just there this past summer and enjoyed his stay there. In three previous trips, the Caribe Hilton was our choice. I would stay there again.

tom42

I completely forgot about the Caribe Hilton and I just stayed there this past summer. I agree with the previous poster that may be a good choice for your parents. My stay there was mixed but the grounds are nice, the beach is small and very tranquil, and it is very near to both Old San Juan and Condado.

rqf

I don't think the Caribe Hilton has a casino. If not, the nearest casino is in the Condado Plaza hotel a five minute taxi ride away.

marigross

The Caribe Hilton does have a small casino in the second floor. If they are Casino goers the Condado Plaza (I think that this is a Hyatt now and it might be the one they are referring to) and Wynham El San Juan are the best.

I like Caribe Hilton but it is kind of isolated. Condado (beach is not particularilly nice) or Isla Verde (beach is much better) are much nicer for strolling around.

Getting to Old San Juan should be quite easy from either Condado (closer) or Isla Verde.

tom42

I was at the Caribe Hilton in July and there was no casino. There was talk about adding one back in so maybe one has opened in the last few months.