Review: The Ritz Carlton San Juan

You should also check out the W Vieques Island.

@ Murphy -- I'm hoping to in the future, though in this case with a 22 hour layover figured it wasn't too practical.

We've stayed at the InterContinental San Juan about 10 times, and we have always received excellent treatment as Royal Ambassadors. Admittedly, we always email or call ahead about the upgrade and usually get some run around at check-in. However, in the end we've pretty much always gotten the upgrades we wanted. You should give this hotel a try.

Just to clarify, you booked on Jetblue?

@ Roland - From his post a few ago comparing UA and AA domestic F food, I'm pretty sure he flew AA from Miami.

The impromptu rock concert you saw was one of the ceremonies they do in an Indian wedding, typically the morning after the wedding - which signifies sending the bride to her "own" home - meaning to her in-laws... I think it was that 🙂 ... and if so, it was not a concert, it was just drums and music playing for that ceremony...

It could also be dancing for fun after the wedding... who knows ... 🙂

Lucky,

Is the cockfighting arena still across the street from the Ritz?

I don't mean to be snarky but what's with the huge crowd at the pool? It looks like one of those resorts where people claim their pool spot with a towel at 4am.

Lucky, I have always been curious - are there any customs or immigration checks at SJU for arriving flights from the US? Was your passport checked? Or do you just walk through like any other US destination?

Good Morning,
I am a Virtuoso Agent and Stars Agent (a preferred relationship with Ritz-Carlton), and send guests all the time to RC SJU.

It really is the best option for a "quick-getaway". That being said, there are plans to open a Ritz Carlton Reserve at the site of the former Hyatt Dorado Beach, due to open in December.

Just a piece of advice to all readers: when staying at a luxury property such as Ritz and Four Seasons, it is always best to book via through an agent who will sure get you more for your buck 🙂

San Juan is a great destination for a few days. We spent nearly a week and it was just too much I think. I do agree that Old Town is great, though for a great party and some culture try to go in the third week of January during Festival de Calle San Sebastian. It was crazy, but also fun and educational.

Also taking a trip to El Yunque National Forest and one of the bio-luminescent bays should be on the top of your list.

@Joe - No, Puerto Rico is a US territory so like Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands no passports are required.

I went to Puerto Rico about a year and a half ago, and was surprised by how much I loved it. You're right that there are more beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, but I found the people to be very friendly, and the service was relatively attentive.

Next time you go, I highly recommend kayaking on one of the bioluminescent bays. I went to the one in Fajardo, which was amazing. There is also one near Vieques, and on the other side of the island near Ponce. Definitely a must-do.

Who was this "friend" you had a quickie weekend with in the lone bed? Hope he was hot!

Aw, looks like Frank is back.

Ben- Why a quick 24 hour trip? Seems like it would be very tiring. Also, what airline did you take and from where?

What's the point of 30 trips a year for 1 day in a place? You must be rich, spoiled, or both.

What feels more American San Juan or Cancun??

I'd try here next time for a cheaper rate - http://www.chabadpuertorico.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/472160/jewish/The-Ritz-Carlton-Hotel.htm - $175 vs $339 (although this one has only a $50 resort credit, no upgrade...) - http://www.chabadpuertorico.com/media/pdf/641/ZrLu6416340.pdf

@Lucky:

1. What specific room was the $339 rate for?

2. Was Virtuoso the reason you inquired about upgrades or did you have some other status that came into play?

3. Who would you recommend Virtuoso to over other booking methods and under what circumstances?

4. What was the taste and quality of the lunch at the Ritz?

5. Which restaurant had the shrimp with yellow rice?

OK, I think I'll leave it at that. 😀

@Joe. As noted above, there is no immigration check. However, on leaving, all luggage is x-rayed for agricultural products. The airlines won't let you check-in without a sticker on your bags showing they were scanned. This applies even if you are inbound from an international destination and only transitting SJU. It's not a huge deal, but, at Christmas time (when we are typically passing through), the lines get long.

Lucky, did you consider the St. Regis? It is apparently not too far from SJU, but probably not practical for an overnight.

@ Gene -- Thanks, might give the IC a try next time. Have heard nothing but awful things about it for RA treatment, so happy to hear it's not the case for everyone. What kind of an upgrade do you usually get, out of curiosity?

@ Roland -- No, I booked American. I was just saying that JetBlue keeps the prices down in the market.

@ John -- I had no clue there was one. Anyone know?

@ Acker -- Hah, the pool was very crowded, and I suspect it had a lot to do with the wedding, as everyone in the pool seemed to know each other.

@ Joe -- Nope, nothing at all, just like any other domestic airport.

@ Oscar -- Hah, I'd say Cancun. San Juan didn't feel American at all.

@ Joe S -- As shady as the site looks, I'll have to give it a try sometime!

@ Dax -- The $339 rate was for a garden view room. I was offered the upgrade due to Virtuoso, since that's one of the benefits. I'll have a post coming up shortly explaining Virtuoso and AmEx FHR in greater detail, though generally if you're staying at a Virtuoso hotel there's no reason not to book through them, since you get lots of extra benefits.

While the food was "simple" at the Ritz, it was actually really good. And I'm an idiot because I completely forgot to mark down the name of the restaurant we had dinner at.

@ Ryan -- Interesting. At no points were my bags scanned upon arrival or upon departure, except at the TSA checkpoint. Maybe they stopped doing that?

@ Ryan -- Would definitely want to try the St. Regis sometime in the future, though it was considerably more expensive and is also a bit further. But for a longer trip to San Juan I'd love to find a way to stay there.

Im surprised at the positive review....I found the gym to be unacceptable (it is the size of one hotel room with a pointless empty yoga room next door), and the pool is unheated. THe trees also block all the sun from the pool, and as you indicated the beach is substandard, even if "OK" for SJ. Agree with commenter that Vieques is awesome.

I stayed at the IC SJU about two years ago. The property is decent. Check-in went fine. However, when we got to the room, half of the bedding was wet and had a lysol smell. My guess is the maid dropped something on it? A call to the front desk fixed the problem.

The location is ideal. Valet parking if I remember correctly is $50/day. The fax-machine in the business center was steep at $1/page that you need to buy a pre-paid biz center card to use.

The pool bars are great. The drinks were more than you'd pay at your local bar, but definitely not $14 for a pina colada! We didn't eat at the property as we had a rental and there are lots of great places to eat locally.

We would most likely return to this property. If I remember correctly, it was somewhere around $149-199/nt on HotWire

@ lucky - Chabad is a worldwide Jewish organization, so since they are located nearby the Ritz, they get special corporate rates. I know a bunch of people who have used the rates while there, with no issues. There are some other hotel corporate rates as well - http://www.chabadpuertorico.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/472157/jewish/Directions-to-Chabad.htm

@John and @Lucky - Yes, the cock fighting arena is still there. Or at least it was in January. Can't imagine it would have moved since.

PR being a US Territory puts it at an interesting spot. There is no immigration check, but there is a customs check. Checked bags get extra screening (similar to Hawaii's agricultural check). The other interesting thing is that for Duty Free purposes, you are considered outside of the United States proper and do have an allowance.

Lucky - u didn't order a diet coke with a lime? How unusual to see that pina colada.

The Hilton El San Juan (former Waldorf Astoria) is a nice hotel near the airport that I like. With certain corporate discounts, the rates are very reasonable (~100/night). Add in miles, free breakfast for golds (i'm sure you can get it for free), and it's a pretty good deal. The lobby turns into a night club - very crazy.

@ JetsettingEric -- Hey, I also like pina coladas, especially when a beach is involved. 😀

Looks like you were treated well. I tried to walk in to extend my stay, and book a room, but security walked up to me and said LEAVE. When I caked if I could see a manager, he said, No! I have to say it was the first time I've ever been treated like that when I was trying to book a room. Weird! And, to date, no one has gotten back to me after writing several letters.