Topic Wiki

Info for the jewish traveler
http://www.chabadpr.com/


Hotels   (feel free to add suggestions)
   Before booking any hotel check the Chabad website they have very good rates for the popular hotels that are close to them

   Ritz Carlton

   http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SanJuan/Default.htm
        DDF'r Hotel Review
        http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg462832#msg462832
   St. Regis
   http://www.stregisbahiabeach.com/
       DDF'r Hotel Review
       http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg161581#msg161581
   El San Juan
   http://www.elsanjuanhotel.com/default-en.html
   Gran Melia
   http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/coco-beach/gran-melia-puerto-rico-golf-resort/index.html
         DDF'r Hotel Review
         http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg927319#msg927319


Preferred Car Rental
   http://www.chabadpr.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/2370163/jewish/Charlie-Car-Rental.htm


Kosher food
  Old San Juan
   Kosher in Paradise, Israeli style. With panini, falafel and more.  They can deliver to your hotel for a fee
   261 Fortaleza Street.
   787-244-3399
   Chabad (next to The Ritz and El San Juan)
   http://shop.chabadpr.com/   (please someone add info regarding this)


Things to do

   Bioluminescent Bay
   http://www.pureadventurepr.com/adventure_trips/bio_bay_lagoon_tour_excursion/
 
   El Yunque rainforest
   http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147324-d1448148-Reviews-The_El_Yunque_Rain_Forest-El_Yunque_National_Forest_Puerto_Rico.html

   ATV/Horseback Riding
   http://www.carabalirainforestpark.com/atv.php

   Casa Bacardi Distillery Tour- Rum Factory
   http://www.casabacardi.org/

   Explore Old San Juan-
   Castillo de San Cristobal- Old Forts in Old San Juan

   http://www.nps.gov/saju/index.htm

   Vieques and Culebra
    2 small islands with fabulous beaches that, IMHO are more interesting than the main island. (and Vieques has its own biobay)

  Mini Boat Adventure
  http://www.kayakingpuertorico.com/pages/island_hop_snorkel.html


Trip Reports:

   http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg651144#msg651144

   http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg1063469#msg1063469

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg2616327#msg2616327
« Last edited by yelped on August 02, 2022, 04:21:34 PM »

Author Topic: Puerto Rico Master Thread  (Read 234102 times)

Offline beny

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #20 on: January 10, 2012, 12:36:03 PM »
Hi I saw your post. I'm looking to take my wife for 3-4 days sometime in February (flying from NY as well). We've never done an island before as we were always hesitant with the food situation, so we usually just end up in Florida because it's easy. Did that work out well for you? I have plenty of starwood points to spare so I'm looking for a really nice resort. I checked out the website for this hotel it looks nice but doesn't blow me away...is it really that nice, maybe the pictures just don't do it justice? What about the surrounding area, is it decent, or do I not even care? I'm not one that needs tons of activities on my vacation, the pool/beach/spa should keep us busy most of the time, but over 4 days I would need something else to do not to go nuts. Is there any nightlife? What else can you tell me I'm clueless when it comes to this. Thanks!
the food situation worked out just fine. We had a grill on our George Forman every night. Just went to the restaurant once fore drinks and change of scenery.

this is category six, so it was 8000 points and $150 plus a whopping $60/night resort fee. (they waived 3 of the 4 nights resort fee for me, due to the bad weather). If your gonna do just points, I would suggest five nights, cuz 5th night is free.

the resort is truly amazing. YouTube it and you'll find some nice pics of it. No breathtaking views but really unique and secluded. When you enter the property you drive for like 3 minutes till you get to the front desk.... Service is amazing. If you picture a clear blue beach like the pics of some islands, this isn't it... Its decent, but the main beauty is the rain forest you feel like your in.

the activities they have to offer can keep you on the grounds for a few days, but you most probably will want to go to the el-yonque rain forest, relatively close by.

no nightlife at all there, that's the island feel.

you could get more info from flyer talk. Some ppl describe in detail their whole experience. Just beware, a lot of negative reviews about service, it seems that it took some time to get their act together when they first opened about a year and half ago, when I was there it was absolutely great. Btw this property charges in this season about $1200 a night for the most basic room, just to give you a feel of the place...

hope you enjoy!

Offline Mocha

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #21 on: March 19, 2012, 03:07:39 PM »
Have reservations for the St Regis for chol hamoed. Have a 11:59pm flight Sunday night and arriving to SJU at roughly 4am Monday morning. That is too early to check in and I was forced to redeem cash&points from the night before (Sun night).
Should I rather stay at a dumpy hotel near the airport to get some rest and save on the 8k *wood points+$150+$60 resort fee?

Offline Dan

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #22 on: March 19, 2012, 03:28:49 PM »
Did you ask when's the earliest they would allow you to checkin?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Mocha

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #23 on: March 19, 2012, 03:31:50 PM »
Did you ask when's the earliest they would allow you to checkin?
Check-in time is 3pm and I have basically no status (gold)

Offline Dan

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #24 on: March 19, 2012, 03:32:48 PM »
PUTPAC a manager.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Mocha

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #25 on: March 19, 2012, 03:34:55 PM »
PUTPAC a manager.
As of now I have the day before reserved if he sees that he's obviously gonna say to keep the reservation for the night before.  And if I cancel I will lose it in the event that he says no, as the hotel no longer participates in cash&points.

Offline Dan

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #26 on: March 19, 2012, 03:52:18 PM »
As of now I have the day before reserved if he sees that he's obviously gonna say to keep the reservation for the night before.  And if I cancel I will lose it in the event that he says no, as the hotel no longer participates in cash&points.
So don't call and you definitely won't get what you want.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Mocha

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #27 on: March 19, 2012, 04:07:07 PM »
So don't call and you definitely won't get what you want.
Ok I called and like I thought they said they can't confirm that early check in, but if the room is available....should I take my chances of showing up at 5am and they tell me that I have to wait until 3?

Offline David B

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #28 on: March 19, 2012, 08:01:32 PM »
Ok I called and like I thought they said they can't confirm that early check in, but if the room is available....should I take my chances of showing up at 5am and they tell me that I have to wait until 3?

I would go for it.  It's a St. Regis -- customer service should be pretty darn good on property.  If you show up at 5:00 AM, and say, "Good Morning -- I know I'm super early.  Is there any chance I can check into a room?" -- if it's available, I'll bet they will let you check in.

And if no room is available, they'll help you get settled some other way, so you can change and enjoy the day.

Otherwise, stay in the Sheraton Old San Juan, Cat 3 for the one night.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #29 on: March 19, 2012, 08:47:49 PM »
Ok I called and like I thought they said they can't confirm that early check in, but if the room is available....should I take my chances of showing up at 5am and they tell me that I have to wait until 3?
I would call before you take off and ask if they will have a room and if they don't book a room at the airport for a short rest
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline beny

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #30 on: April 02, 2012, 01:25:42 PM »
Ok I called and like I thought they said they can't confirm that early check in, but if the room is available....should I take my chances of showing up at 5am and they tell me that I have to wait until 3?
This hotel had problems getting the rooms ready even for slandered check in time in the past (many complaints about this on diff rating sites). I would therefor do what Ergel suggested, and not rely on a room being ready. unless they can confirm it for you the night before...

Offline Mocha

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #31 on: April 02, 2012, 01:29:17 PM »
This hotel had problems getting the rooms ready even for slandered check in time in the past (many complaints about this on diff rating sites). I would therefor do what Ergel suggested, and not rely on a room being ready. unless they can confirm it for you the night before...
Thanks. Gonna try my luck with the $20 trick. Fingers crossed.

Offline Dan

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #32 on: April 02, 2012, 02:34:28 PM »
Thanks. Gonna try my luck with the $20 trick. Fingers crossed.
Might take a $50 trick in this kind of hotel...
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Mocha

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #33 on: April 02, 2012, 02:35:13 PM »
Might take a $50 trick in this kind of hotel...
Aight a $50 it is.

In case anyone wants to know, Verizon considers Puerto Rico roaming while Sprint does not.

Offline Finckmyster

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #34 on: September 13, 2012, 06:50:29 PM »
Does anybody know the Chabad Discount # for the The Ritz Carlton Hotel in PR?

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #36 on: September 14, 2012, 02:00:08 PM »
I have an option to either make a 5.5 he stopover or 10hr stop in San Juan.
Is there what to see there in that time?  Mostly walking distance?
Or should I just go to Miami for 10 hr stopover? I've been to Miami before, never in SJU

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #37 on: September 14, 2012, 02:08:13 PM »
I have an option to either make a 5.5 he stopover or 10hr stop in San Juan.
Is there what to see there in that time?  Mostly walking distance?
Or should I just go to Miami for 10 hr stopover? I've been to Miami before, never in SJU
eh SJU's not worth it for 10 hrs. I'd do MIA and grab a bite.

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #38 on: September 19, 2012, 09:33:13 PM »
So thr plan is to stay till sunday iyh from tomorrow night.
Staying at a friend for friday and motzei. But thursday i wanna treat myself out to a hotel. Any suggestions?
Up to $200 ill hear though id rather stick with $180 but if major diff then up to $200
I was looking at intercontinantal . Any idea which room to choose? Its just me.
Im new to hotels, havent really been to anything nice.

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #39 on: December 08, 2012, 06:43:09 PM »
Can anyone comment on what Kosher bread is available in the supermarkets there (San Juan or Rio Grande area)?  Any other DDFers going to be in the SJU area between 12/20 and 12/31?