San Juan Hotels

[dobball23]

We're doing a cruise on the Magic from San Juan to Fort Lauderdale. We plan to fly into San Juan the day before the cruise. Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel? We are budget conscious and just need a place to stay the night leading into the cruise. Bonus points if it can provide transportation either from the airport to hotel or from the hotel to the port.

We've done some research, but always appreciate first-hand reports or recommendations.

 

[Calantha]

We're doing a cruise on the Magic from San Juan to Fort Lauderdale. We plan to fly into San Juan the day before the cruise. Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel? We are budget conscious and just need a place to stay the night leading into the cruise. Bonus points if it can provide transportation either from the airport to hotel or from the hotel to the port.

We've done some research, but always appreciate first-hand reports or recommendations.

We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn Isla Verde. We Uber-ed everywhere while we were there. Not sure if anyone really does a shuttle to the port, since it isn't near any of the hotels. I wouldn't call it a budget hotel (and there is a resort fee, but you can use some of it for food). I have some pictures, etc. in my trip report (linked in my signature).

 

[auntlynne]

I stayed at the Residence Inn the same night ^^. It is a new build. But I stayed on loyalty points, so only cost was $35 (resort fee). No hotel shuttle. Very near the airport. Also used rideshare to port. There is a Hampton Inn next door. This s in the Carolina Beach area - it’s a few blocks to the beach.

Try to book something early - before hotels fill up or price increases. (Book at no-deposit rate).

Others on my cruise reported the San Juan Airport Hotel to be a good hotel.

There are non-chain lodging options; apartments and other places near Old San Juan.

And consider your needs / pre-cruise plans. If you want to be able to walk out the door and be in a beautiful old town (one of the oldest in the US), check out that area.

The cruise port is across water from Old San Juan. Not walkable from any hotel, from what I can see.

 

[gatordoc]

The San Juan Airport hotel is nice, convenient if you’re flying in, and has a good breakfast. Not close to sights in town, but if it’s just a place to stay before your cruise it’s worth looking into.

 

[dobball23]

We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn Isla Verde. We Uber-ed everywhere while we were there. Not sure if anyone really does a shuttle to the port, since it isn't near any of the hotels. I wouldn't call it a budget hotel (and there is a resort fee, but you can use some of it for food). I have some pictures, etc. in my trip report (linked in my signature).

Thanks for the info. Approximately how much were Uber rates? Similar to what they are in the U.S.? I haven't used Uber much and am curious about how much it would be from the airport to hotel and from the hotel to the port.

 

[Calantha]

Thanks for the info. Approximately how much were Uber rates? Similar to what they are in the U.S.? I haven't used Uber much and am curious about how much it would be from the airport to hotel and from the hotel to the port.

Before tip:
$10 for 5 people from the airport to the hotel.
$22 for 5 people from the hotel to the port.
$20 for 5 people from the port to the airport.

Also we had an XL because of the people/wheelchair. Regular Uber is probably cheaper.

 

[motherdaughtercruisers]

Each time my mother and I have sailed out of San Juan, we stayed at the San Juan Water Beach Club Hotel. We keep staying there just because we are of the kind of mind that the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t. And truthfully, we have had positive experiences each time, so we have never felt the need to go elsewhere. We know what it looks like. We know what to expect as far as accommodations. We know it’s pros and cons. We know exactly where it is located and that food options are within walking distance - Alambique was amazing last time we were there, so we are hoping to find it is still the same! And we know what to expect at the beach - it is Atlantic side, so rough, but if you want a better beach, catch an Uber and head out towards Luquillo. It isn’t that far away.

 

[dobball23]

Thanks for the suggestions, all.

We've done some additional research and it looks like using an Airbnb might be our most affordable option. Does anyone have any experience with that in San Juan? The ones we're looking at have very high ratings for the owners.

We're also considering the Dreams Hotel Miramar, but that looks to be about 50% more money, and we're just looking for a place to sleep the night before our cruise.