LOCATION
6063 Avenue de Isla Verde
Carolina, Puerto Rico 00979
(Isla Verde)
WEBSITE
El San Juan Resort & Casino
RECOMMENDED STAY
At least 3 to 4 nights – make you sure you visit Old San Juan.
RECOMMENDED DISTRICTS
Old San Juan (restaurants, nightlife, shops, no beach access)
Condado (restaurants, nightlife, shops, beach access)
VERDICT : 3 / 5
Good and comfortable stay. This hotel is ideal for those whose main focus is hanging out by the pool/beach, drinking, and clubbing. Since I was here for a Bachelorette Party, the El San Juan Hotel fully served our purpose of relaxation and partying, however I would NOT stay here again since I prefer more modern and updated rooms.
Aside from some major hotels, clubs, a few decent restaurants, and lots of fast-food restaurants, you won’t find much else in Isla Verde. Having said that, if you are looking for just a simple relaxing beach vacation, Isla Verde is your place to stay and I highly recommend the Intercontinental San Juan Resort & Casino (stayed here twice).
Personally, I prefer the areas of Old San Juan and Condado which have a lot more to offer. Old San Juan has a slight European look to it and is great for strolling and shopping. It has some great restaurants to choose from, however there is no beach access in Old San Juan. On the other hand, Condado, lies between Old San Juan and Isla Verde, has a strip of bars, restaurants, and shops all along Ashford Avenue. Additionally, there are some major resorts that offer easy beach access.
Pros: Excellent Location in Isla Verde. Trendy Restaurants in Hotel. Club in Hotel. Casino. Great Lobby. Great Pools. Swim Up Bar. Beach Access.
Cons: Very Noisy Hotel on Weekends. Small Bathroom. Outdated Rooms & Bathrooms. Fake Balcony. Broken Safe. Thin Walls.
Regarding lodging within San Juan, I recommend:
Old San Juan – Hotel El Convento (strolling, great restaurants, great nightlife, no beach)
Condado – La Concha (strolling, shopping, good restaurants, great nightlife, good resorts, beach access with slightly rough waters)
Isla Verde – Intercontinental San Juan Resort & Casino (okay restaurants, good nightlife, great resorts, great beach access with calm waters)
TELL ME: Have you been to Puerto Rico? If so, what are some of your hotel recommendations?
A foodie who is passionate about living a healthy-ish lifestyle, cooking, and traveling. You'll find a mix of everything here and lots of seasonal content. I moved from Jersey City leaving behind my family & friends to beautiful Southern California for love. I'm adjusting to the laid-back SoCal lifestyle and learning a lot about myself along the way. Come join me on a soul searching journey and I'll tell YOU "what's cooking" through my love for food, fashion, and travel.
I can't do outdated rooms…thus why I'm so nervous about my trip to London this week. They excel in having outdated rooms and charging ridiculous amounts for them!
Hope you are having a great weekend Nisha. 🙂
Now this is a vacation. I don't care much for hotels as Long as they are clean I am good to go. If I were there I actually probably wouldn't even care. I need an exotic vacation like that ASAP!!
@Ameena – completely agree with you. I know, European standards are lower, and they charge more, it sucks. So jealous you are off to London, I love Europe. Have a great trip! Can't wait to hear about all the places you eat at.
@eatgood4life – thanks.. I didn't care that much since it was a Bach party and we have everything we needed at the hotel, else I'd care. 🙂