Historical Traveler Reviews of Caribe Hilton San Juan
Loved Our Stay!
from A TripAdvisor Member
My husband and I just returned from our stay at the Caribe Hilton. The hotel was overall very nice, and we recommend staying there. When we arrived, we were very impressed with the huge open air lobby and friendly staff. Our room was not yet ready (even after the 3pm check in time), but we only had to wait about 15 minutes until the room was ready, and because we stayed on an executive floor, we had the advantage of being able to freshen up in the executive lounge while we waited. In the executive lounge they offer complimentary continental breakfast, snacks during the day, cocktails and hors d'ourves in the evening, and desserts at night to the guests on the executive floors. This costs about $30 extra per day, but overall it saved us money on eating out. If you prefer to eat out at various restaurants, the executive floor may not be worth the extra cost to you. The hotel is located just outside of Old San Juan. That side of the island is on the Atlantic Ocean--that means big waves and lots of wind! However, on much of the shoreline, the waves break on huge man-made boulders out off the coast so that the water that you swim in is more like a bay. The beach at the Hilton was very nice. It is uncrowded, there are plently of free chaise lounges, and they give you towels on the beach (which are free so long as you return them). The water is calm and warm. They also have two floating rafts that you can swim up to, lay out on, and dive off of, which was my little personal favorite. The view is just beautiful! There are two old forts on either side of the hotel, and a pier to walk out on. They do serve cocktails and food on the beach and, yes, the pina coladas are good, but strong. They have a pool and swim up bar, which is pretty happening most all of the time. Our room was your standard hotel room--clean and nice, but basic. It had a balcony from which we had a lovely view. The nightlife at the hotel was great. They have several restaurants and a huge, oceanview bar where they have music and dancing erranging tours for us. We went on the El Yunque rainforest tour, and the kayaking tour, and both were great. We only wish we had more time to go on others. If you want a nice, easy vacation in Puerto Rico, the Hilton is the place to stay.
Why stay anywhere else?
from A TripAdvisor Member
Hands down the best hotel we have ever stayed in. The service was wonderful, and the location is perfect. We have stayed twice now with great satisfaction. Stay on the executive floor and the service surpasses the Ritz San Francisco or the Greenbriar resort. The food is a bit on the pricey side but worth the price. Outstanding service and good food in all. Best collection of superior restaurants we have seen on one property. If you want lower prices you are only 5 minutes away from the islands best. Ask at the desk. We have stayed at the El Conquistador in Farado as well. No contest, we are going back to the Caribe with our children in two months. We are counting the days.
Puerto Rico the forgotten Jewel
from A TripAdvisor Member
Okay, Going in In to this trip to San Juan I had some fears admittedly. I'd been to Cancun were everyone said it was dirty and I wouldn't have a good time, but I had a blast. And I've been to the Bahamas were the hotel staff ignored me and I was harassed by bums on the street. But my girlfriend convinced me that Puerto Rico would be much better shed been there as a child with family, but a trip that appealed to a child might not be whats right for a couple in there mid twenties looking for Romance and Excitement. Luckily my fears were soon gone. First Rule of traveling (I do a lot of it) Never skimp on the hotel, we stayed at the Carbie Hilton, which though a little more then most was well worth it. First The Hilton has the ONLY private beach in Puerto Rico. See the law there is ALL beaches are public, so Hilton got cleaver and built a man made beach making it all theirs, or so we were told. Well fake or not it was gorgeous, the property is a lush tropic scene that you would see on most post cards. They had two pools and a swim up bar you could easily have stayed all week in the hotel not including the four restaurants. If your staying their or even if your not I suggest you try the Madrid a Spanish restaurant and the Italian place they have there it was some of the best food we had on our whole trip. DO NOT eat at the Oasis Lounge the food there was awful however if your looking for the best pina-coladas this is the place, they were the best we had anywhere even better then the bar were pina-coladas where they were first made. Finally one more tip about the Hilton become a Hilton honors member which is Free, if you do every morning you get a small Free breakfast thats is oj, coffee, some Danishes and fruit, but it helps save for those big dinner bills and trust me you want the money for that.Now on to touring, both me and my girlfriend both travel a great deal and we have to say we had the best tour experience of our lives. The Hilton had over booked and we couldnt get on a jungle tour so the touoon couple through a freelance tour operator. This man was so much fun and so knowledgeable about Puerto Rico that half way through our jungle tour with him the first day my girlfriend and I decided we were booking him the rest of the week for all our other touring. His rates we exceptionally reasonable and he help us out so much, my girlfriend even felt a little ill one morning and he offer to pick up medicine and bring it to us in our hotel out of the kindness of his heart. My Girlfriend was also looking for a certain handbag and he helped us find a vender for that too. His name is George and here is his web site www.puertorico-tours.com. Now I know some of you guys are thinking oh this is a scam or something to drum up business or its a just a big AD, it is not. I know I would have thought the same thing too, but if you really want to know AIM me at KDP228 and Ill be more then happy to chat with you about it.Finally gambling here is decent, its a little hard at the craps table with the language barrier but I made it through. My girlfriend on the other hand did just find at the roulette tables winning all three nights we went. We preferred the Conada Plaza and Marriot. By the way if your down the Conada Plaza way look for a little restaurant called the waterfront, it looks like a dive but it has a great window view of the ocean and the food is good and the margaritas are fabulous. Well thats it hope you enjoy Puerto Rico as much as we did.
Not satisfactory
from A TripAdvisor Member
Whenever I visit PR I usually stay at The Conquistador in Fajardo. This time I decided to stay in San Juan so I could be close to everything. This hotel is the worse hotel that I have ever visited. The staff was unfriendly, not educated on anything about this hotel. Room service was horrible. My balcony door didn't open right, my cable channels went out and I must have missed tons of calls from family and friends. When I asked the operator why my phone was ringing and I couldn't get the call she simply answered that everything is ok with your phone. The front counter receptionist was rude when I asked about my phone again. Then they would refer to me under my kids last name instead of mine when it was clearly stated who made the reservations. I would never stay there again. My advice be people friendly and keep staff informed about how this hotel functions. keep all rooms in tip top condition before letting anyone stay there.
Home away from Home
from A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed at the Caribe Hilton from 4/21/03 - 4/24/03. The hotel is very nice. Upon arriving to the hotel lobby, someone welcomes you and takes your bags. I arrived before the official check in time of 3PM and was accomodated with a room as quickly as possible. I was extremely comfortable with the room although the ocean view is not the best. There are many restaurants but they are extremely pricey. Be prepared to spend $$ on your meals. The beach is not that attractive; however I loved the pool and the swim up bar. Additionally, the tours were well worth the money - check with guest services to book your tour. You will not regret it. I would definately stay there again!
Absolutely perfect
from A TripAdvisor Member
Spent 4 nights, 5 days at this marvelous hotel. Everything was perfect from the room, with a beautiful view of the ocean, to the pool and staff. Everyone was helpful and very friendly. Geared towards everyone from families to convention guests. The hotel is the only one with its own private beach with its own mini reef which was perfect for snorkeling. Saw beautiful fish without leaving the hotel. Very close to Old San Juan, 10 minute public bus trip, only 25 cents. Would definitely stay there again.
So beautiful
from memcc
Stayed at the Caribe Hilton for three nights in January. Walking up to the hotel to check in you feel like that is all you came to Puerto Rico for. The hotel has a large open air lobby, with a greeter dressed in local garb handing out tropical fruit slushies, and thru the huge glass wall at the back you see the ocean, over the huge pool. A warm breeze was constantly blowing thru. Food at the spa cafe was amazing, AND healthy! Our room had a beautiful ocean view - in every direction! There was a little construction going on, but it was no louder than the coquis at night. Easy walking distance to Condado where there are all kinds of cool restaurants and shops. Beautiful snorkelling right outside the hotel door. I would suggest buying your own snorkel and mask though as the rental prices are steep, if you rent for three hours you will have spent as much as your own set would cost in the hotel gift shop. Taxis are great, always a string of vans waiting to take you wherever you want.The trips from the hotel lobby to different points of interest in PR were also good, though a little pricey. Overall an excellent place to spend a few days, or a week!
The best...
from A TripAdvisor Member
This was perhaps the best hotel I have ever stayed in. The design and amenities are beyond excellent and the staff was ultra-friendly. The pool and beach are among the best on their own private peninsula. The entire hotel was recently remodeled along with the rooms and it is exquisite. The open-air design of the lobby makes for a breath-taking entrance. I will definitely return for a stay here and would highly recommend it to anyone.
Superb Hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed here for a week. The hotel has been recently renovated, and it beautiful. It has an open air lobby, which features live music every night. There are several nice shops off the lobby as well.
We had a corner suite that was VERY spacious. The rooms are clean and decorated very nicely.
The hotel has a very nice large pool area, and a nice private beach. You can rent snorkel equipment and rafts. They also provide free fish food to feed the beautiful, colorful fish on the little pier everyday.
The only downside, was the restuarants left a little to be desired.
Great location, close to Old San Juan, and just a $6 cab ride to the Condado Plaza Casino.
Other hotels, down the Condado are close to the airport and it is so loud, you think your hotel is in the middle of the runway.
Very Nice - pool area beautiful - staff is nice
from A TripAdvisor Member
I had a two week stay here for business purposes. The hotel is very nice. Rooms were clean and many have an ocean view. The pool area is luxurious/wonderful and has a bar in the middle with a small pool connected to it. Beautiful views but no beach... or a very tiny one next to the hotel. Room service food is better than the restaurant on the 1st floor. Staff is nice and responsive. You have to pay to park - very expensive! Better to walk into town (.5 mile over the beautiful bridge) and find food than to rent a car. There is an excellent Catamaran cruise offered at this hotel clear on the other side of the island. They will pick you up for the boat ride - free food/booze and a beautiful boat ride w/snorkeling! $50(+/-) per person if I remember right.
