San Juan Pre-Cruise Hotel?

[TheRichFam]

Howdy, DisFam!

Can anyone recommend the best hotel for a couple pre-cruise nights in San Juan? Specifically we like being at a hotel that lets us watch the ship come in early on embarkation morning, or at minimum be at a resort where we can see the ship from the hotel. Any advice you have would be appreciated!

 

[brentm77]

This won't help if you want to see the ship, but it's an option to consider. We stayed at Caribe Hilton. It's overpriced, but it's the only hotel that Disney uses for Disney transportation. We normally would never pay for DCL transportation, particularly here where it's only a 15 minute drive, but it gets you to the front of the line in a crowded and hot port. The hotel itself was nice enough, with a fun open lobby and nice beach area, but I still think it was overpriced for what it was. In the end, I don't know for sure if I would do it again, but it was really nice pulling up and going right into the facility while there was a line over a 100 deep standing out in the sun.

The other option is to stay somewhere else, catch and early ride to the Caribe Hilton, and pick up the DCL transportation from there. But of course, you can't just leave your luggage in the room if you do that.

There are hotels that look out at the port, but none are within walking distance due to the port's design. So plan on catching a cab or Uber to get form the hotel to the port, even if you can see the ship. We drove past the Hyatt House San Juan as we entered the port area and I thought I would look into that if I sailed from San Juan again. It looked new and had a great view of the port.

If you can, build some time in to see San Juan. It's a destination in itself. I really liked it.

 

[auntlynne]

The ship will arrive in the direction of the arrow.

 

[auntlynne]

I was going to mention the Sheraton Old San Juan - but it has been remodeled and name has changed.

Look up Hotel Rumbao. It is still part of the Marriott hotel family, but has been put into its “folio” collection of unique hotels. The location was a favorite of many cruisers, thanks to its location at the foot of Old San Juan. Making it an excellent base for exploring and dining. It is near the other set of berths ( you can see those sticking out into the water, above my red arrow.)

It would require transport to the port, but rideshares are available in San Juan. (We used an Uber to get from the Residence Inn close to the airport). Nothing is going to be as far as the ride from MCO or WDW to PC.

I don’t know if any rooms have water views.

You could figure if the ship will be coming from East or West, as SJ is on North side of Island. If from the East, it is possible it would pass by hotels along the coast.

My memory of sailing in was that we approached from the North, so that wouldn’t have made us visible from the north coast.

I don’t see any hotels along the harbor that are near enough for views.

If Hotel Rumbao looks good to you, it would set out you in a location to walk a block to the pier area and see the DCL ship docked. If you are up early, maybe you could catch it. They often arrive very early.

 

[apwenger]

This won't help if you want to see the ship, but it's an option to consider. We stayed at Caribe Hilton. It's overpriced, but it's the only hotel that Disney uses for Disney transportation. We normally would never pay for DCL transportation, particularly here where it's only a 15 minute drive, but it gets you to the front of the line in a crowded and hot port. The hotel itself was nice enough, with a fun open lobby and nice beach area, but I still think it was overpriced for what it was. In the end, I don't know for sure if I would do it again, but it was really nice pulling up and going right into the facility while there was a line over a 100 deep standing out in the sun.

The other option is to stay somewhere else, catch and early ride to the Caribe Hilton, and pick up the DCL transportation from there. But of course, you can't just leave your luggage in the room if you do that.

There are hotels that look out at the port, but none are within walking distance due to the port's design. So plan on catching a cab or Uber to get form the hotel to the port, even if you can see the ship. We drove past the Hyatt House San Juan as we entered the port area and I thought I would look into that if I sailed from San Juan again. It looked new and had a great view of the port.

If you can, build some time in to see San Juan. It's a destination in itself. I really liked it.

I second the Caribe Hilton. My wife and I stayed here back in May and loved it. Ubers into Old San Juan were about $10. It is also pretty close to Miramar which is worth visiting (Casita Miramar was our favorite restaurant).

We could see the port and watch a couple ships pull into/out from out balcony.

 

[TheRichFam]

View attachment 876749

The ship will arrive in the direction of the arrow.

This map is perfect. Thank you so much!

 

[TheRichFam]

I second the Caribe Hilton. My wife and I stayed here back in May and loved it. Ubers into Old San Juan were about $10. It is also pretty close to Miramar which is worth visiting (Casita Miramar was our favorite restaurant).

We could see the port and watch a couple ships pull into/out from out balcony.

Thanks so much for the reply. We've been pretty irritated by the Hilton family of brands lately, but if they're objectively the best spot we may need to just get over it and book it.

 

[dreamer17555]

Echoing what others have said I didn't love the Caribe Hilton (but there was also a convention being held while we were there) and yes it is over priced. However the DCL transportation and quickness to board and not be stuck in the long line outside made it totally worth it in the end.

 

[BStieers]

My husband and I were able to do one of the lovely San Juan cruises this summer, and we were very concerned about all the reports of how awful the port process was. This was not our experience at all, we breezed right up via uber, dropped our bags, and practically walked on to the ship. We were seated having lunch 5mins after our PAT (we got to the port early since we left in time to allow for traffic that just never materialized).

As for a hotel, we didn't think the Caribe price was worth it, so stuck with a Marriott over near old town and had a great time with a Food Tour the day before from https://thespoonexperience.com/

 

[TheRichFam]

You had me at "food tour!" Thanks, BStieers!

 

[DVC Jackie]

You had me at "food tour!" Thanks, BStieers!

My husband and I were on the same cruise as BStieers and also did the Spoon food tour with them coincidentally- worth every penny!!

 

[NephieRN]

We had a terrible experience at the caribe Hilton in November after our cruise. We like the Fairmont el San Juan for a beach front hotel. If you don’t care about beach, we like aloft or the Hyatt place and Hyatt house which are all very near to the port as well as the T-Mobile entertainment district.

 

[Deaconfan]

We've cruised twice from San Juan the latest being in May. Both times stayed at the Caribe Hilton. May was the absolute worst experience we've ever had in any hotel. Our next trip to San Juan will include new accommodations.

 

[Mathmagicland]

I was going to mention the Sheraton Old San Juan - but it has been remodeled and name has changed.

Look up Hotel Rumbao. It is still part of the Marriott hotel family, but has been put into its “folio” collection of unique hotels. The location was a favorite of many cruisers, thanks to its location at the foot of Old San Juan. Making it an excellent base for exploring and dining. It is near the other set of berths ( you can see those sticking out into the water, above my red arrow.)

It would require transport to the port, but rideshares are available in San Juan. (We used an Uber to get from the Residence Inn close to the airport). Nothing is going to be as far as the ride from MCO or WDW to PC.

I don’t know if any rooms have water views.

You could figure if the ship will be coming from East or West, as SJ is on North side of Island. If from the East, it is possible it would pass by hotels along the coast.

My memory of sailing in was that we approached from the North, so that wouldn’t have made us visible from the north coast.

I don’t see any hotels along the harbor that are near enough for views.

If Hotel Rumbao looks good to you, it would set out you in a location to walk a block to the pier area and see the DCL ship docked. If you are up early, maybe you could catch it. They often arrive very early.

Thank you for this info! I’d not found this hotel on any of my searches, maybe because of the new name.

 

[RedmonFamily]

We are staying at Hotel Rumbao for two nights before the nov 15 san Juan cruise. We have a 3 year old and will be bringing a car seat, wanted to be able to walk around so we don't have to Uber as much.

 

[brentm77]

We've cruised twice from San Juan the latest being in May. Both times stayed at the Caribe Hilton. May was the absolute worst experience we've ever had in any hotel. Our next trip to San Juan will include new accommodations.

What was bad? Our experience was pretty average with the room, but the hotel lobby and beach area were nice. I don't know that I would choose it again, but it was convenient for DCL transport (for quick check in at the port). We stayed at the Marriott resort after the cruise and it was nicer than the Hilton, but still didn't seem to live up to the price.

 

[auntlynne]

Thank you for this info! I’d not found this hotel on any of my searches, maybe because of the new name.

We are staying at Hotel Rumbao for two nights before the nov 15 san Juan cruise. We have a 3 year old and will be bringing a car seat, wanted to be able to walk around so we don't have to Uber as much.

@hotel Rumbao - would love to hear how it works for you.

I checked the reviews on TripAdvisor. The US site version had some poor reviews, but also good ones. There are only 10 reviews since the remodel/ rebrand. Maybe this is similar to going on a maiden voyage or to a new private beach development.

Sounds like people are rating it based on being a Marriott (it is part of their company), but aren’t getting the quality they are expecting from a “tribute collection” hotel. But these hotels seem to be in special locations and may be older properties.

But it does have that real estate dictum of location, location, location. If you want to look across the water (not far) and see the Disney ship or step out the hotel’s front door and be immersed in Old San Juan after a few minutes walking, it might fit the bill.

The Caribe Hilton has had a bunch! of bad reviews for years, but people still stay there.

There are several newer hotels on the same little island/ spit of land as the cruise port Disney uses. And a big mall. It may be possible to see the ship from those.

Dig into Aloft or Hyatt House San Juan for possibility of seeing the ship from the hotel. But a visit to Old San Juan will entail transport.

Well, I was curious. Found this review on TripAdvisor for Hyatt House: First one on list.

“Great hotel for pre cruise stay. Can see cruise port from hotel. Great location near t mobile area. Beautiful area to walk around with great places to eat nearby. We have stayed at sister property across the street (Hyatt Place) as well. Both are nice properties, but we liked Hyatt House a little better. Property has a nice pool area, work out facilities, breakfast area and work center with computers and printer. Staff was very friendly and hotel was clean and safe. Staff kept out luggage locked up for us after we checked out so that we could go explore the area without dragging our bags around. We will stay here next time we visit San Juan!”

These hotels around the Convention Center should be newer. I stayed in a new hotel near the airport and was happy making that choice - both for newness and for pool.

Whatever you are somewhat interested in booking, do it soon. Get a cancellable rate. But they can fill up or bump their rates if you hesitate. Then continue your search if need be. I am that cautionary tale, having paid more for a room that I previously just considered.

 

[RedmonFamily]

@hotel Rumbao - would love to hear how it works for you.

I checked the reviews on TripAdvisor. The US site version had some poor reviews, but also good ones. There are only 10 reviews since the remodel/ rebrand. Maybe this is similar to going on a maiden voyage or to a new private beach development.

Sounds like people are rating it based on being a Marriott (it is part of their company), but aren’t getting the quality they are expecting from a “tribute collection” hotel. But these hotels seem to be in special locations and may be older properties.

But it does have that real estate dictum of location, location, location. If you want to look across the water (not far) and see the Disney ship or step out the hotel’s front door and be immersed in Old San Juan after a few minutes walking, it might fit the bill.

The Caribe Hilton has had a bunch! of bad reviews for years, but people still stay there.

There are several newer hotels on the same little island/ spit of land as the cruise port Disney uses. And a big mall. It may be possible to see the ship from those.

Dig into Aloft or Hyatt House San Juan for possibility of seeing the ship from the hotel. But a visit to Old San Juan will entail transport.

Well, I was curious. Found this review on TripAdvisor for Hyatt House: First one on list.

“Great hotel for pre cruise stay. Can see cruise port from hotel. Great location near t mobile area. Beautiful area to walk around with great places to eat nearby. We have stayed at sister property across the street (Hyatt Place) as well. Both are nice properties, but we liked Hyatt House a little better. Property has a nice pool area, work out facilities, breakfast area and work center with computers and printer. Staff was very friendly and hotel was clean and safe. Staff kept out luggage locked up for us after we checked out so that we could go explore the area without dragging our bags around. We will stay here next time we visit San Juan!”

These hotels around the Convention Center should be newer. I stayed in a new hotel near the airport and was happy making that choice - both for newness and for pool.

Whatever you are somewhat interested in booking, do it soon. Get a cancellable rate. But they can fill up or bump their rates if you hesitate. Then continue your search if need be. I am that cautionary tale, having paid more for a room that I previously just considered.

We have been to San Juan before and yeah, anything in the Old San Juan area is going to be an old building and I'm expecting that. I agree that a lot of the poor reviews are probably from expectations of new and nice, whereas this is definitely a refurbed hundred-year-old building. But that's to be expected in Old San Juan. We just really want to stay in that area and we know that that comes with staying in older refurbished buildings.

 

[auntlynne]

We have been to San Juan before and yeah, anything in the Old San Juan area is going to be an old building and I'm expecting that. I agree that a lot of the poor reviews are probably from expectations of new and nice, whereas this is definitely a refurbed hundred-year-old building. But that's to be expected in Old San Juan. We just really want to stay in that area and we know that that comes with staying in older refurbished buildings.

So agree! You are going in with eyes open.

My dream is to stay at the Hotel Convento one day. Despite reviews. Such a neat looking place. We stayed new near the airport thanks to a late night arrival and hotel points value. Trade off was great lap swimming pool before heading to ship (and we had the fun of OSJ on port stops.)

 

[CaseyCruiser]

You should check out hotels on Condado Beach and Isla Verde. We love those areas. We stayed at Caribe Hilton for the cruise a couple months ago. It was fine but I would rather be on Condado.