San Juan

I think the only hotel with casino in Old San Juan is The Sheraton. I don't think it's 4 star, though.

The El Convento is 4 star in Old San Juan, but no casino.

The El San Juan in Isla Verde is 4 star with casino, but it's not in Old San Juan.

I like the Conrad.

http://www.condadoplaza.com/

You might check out the Sheraton in Old San Juan - casino definitely - 4 ****?

I would give up on the casino and stay at El Convento. Paradise!!

El San Juan is very nice, they renovated a few years back and the rooms are very cute now. However the walls are thin and the club is very popular and very very loud so bring your earplugs if you are a light sleeper. This is a good rule of thumb for San Juan area. I can think of many other 4 stars that are nice but not one that will have the casino. A nice five star choice is the Ritz, best spa hands done (by a mile) is the San Juan area. I can't always afford to stay there but I always go to the spa. And they have a casino as well. Our other two favorites besides the Ritz are La Concha and the Stelleris in Condado. We love Condado because you can really walk around and there are always little festivals going on. It sorta feels like south beach.

Since this is a girl weekend I hope you know about the outlet stores in old san juan. Just a few like burberry, coach, ralph lauren, etc.. but nice ones. There's also another one about 30 minutes outside of old san juan. Have fun!

We stayed at Stellaris on our last visit and won't go back, except maybe to go to the casino, but not to stay in the hotel. Teensy rooms and the spa is a joke. It's not even a nice "beauty shop", much less a spa.

We walked over to LaConcha and loved the feel of the lobby and the outdoor dining around the pool. Didn't see a room or the spa. That will probably be our choice next time.

We used to stay at Condado Plaza, now the Conrad, all the time. We went in to see the remodel and I personally thought the lobby was cheap and cheesy, but the rooms were always nice size, and we like the casino. Been so long I don't remember if I even visited the spa (if they have one??)

I agree the Ritz is the best! We like being able to walk around the condado at night, and you can't do that from the Ritz. You'll have to take a taxi everywhere. Taxi's are pricey in San Juan.

If downtown/Old San Juan is not part of the attraction, you might look at the resorts outside San Juan proper. I believe it's a Westin on the outskirts. Something like Bahia Mar...or Rio Mar...? Anyone know what I'm talking about?

I think the Westin you are talking about is over by the rain forest. Not much in the way of night life over there. A taxi from there to san juan is very expensive. But so are the rental cars and they drive crazy over there so I would not recommend it. At least with a group of girls you can take turns paying for taxi's so it shouldn't be that bad. You can get to most places around San Juan for about $15 and there is the bus system which I always think I'm going to try because it's so cheap but I hear it's very slow as well.

At Stellaris the "cheap" rooms are actually the best, especially if you ask for a corner room. We always get city view and it has a good size room and huge balcony. Living here so long I'd much rather look at the city then the ocean which is not that pretty around san juan. At least not compared to St Croix. And the spa is a big joke. It felt dirty to me.

No spa at La Concha either, but the rooms are gorgeous with the floor to ceiling windows, so when you lay down in bed it's like the ocean is a big infinity pool. I'd recommend the Jr suites there. No baths only showers. I like a huge bathtub on vacation but hard to find in San Juan. But they do have a casino and on the weekends its a busy club area in their pool area, so it's very loud, you Do Not want pool view rooms there unless you like it loud. And all of the restaurants there are actually very good. Diagonal from the La Concha is a spa called Zen Spa and it's ok but not great.

Decided on this one http://www.sheratonpuertoricohotelcasino.com/ although the restaurants don't look like anything special the spa looks good.

Concierge recommended http://www.marmaladepr.com/index.htm which looks great

And they have a Casino

If you take the seaplane to Isla Grande, it will be very close, too.

I looked at that restaurant website. It does look amazing!

Have fun!

Juanita--

Going on Cape Air--I have a book of tickets. We're also going to Lemongrass at Caribe Hilton; were there a few years ago and it was lovely

I'll let you know how everything was. Birthday surprise for my friend--who does not read this board!

Decided on this one http://www.sheratonpuertoricohotelcasino.com/ although the restaurants don't look like anything special the spa looks good.

Concierge recommended http://www.marmaladepr.com/index.htm which looks great

That is where we stayed when we went to PR. You're right, the restaurants aren't great, but there are plenty of awesome places within walking distance. The breakfast buffet is good, and you can sit out on the balcony and that is nice. We had a Jr Suite (I think) and the room was plenty big- and the bathroom was massive! (Much like Hiya I also look for a bathtub. In fact, not having one here is a major bummer for me.)

A good place within walking distance is: http://www.311restaurantpr.com. It is a french place, and everything we had was amazing. The waitstaff were attentive (almost overly so!) and personable. My boyfriend (who has eaten many a pricey meal on expense accounts) said it was the best mushroom soup he has ever eaten. And if you do go, the squash salpicon is something I dream about.

Amethist---311 is replacing Lemongrass--THANKS!!!

OMG - 311 is awesome - we used to live on PR and that was one of our favorites!!! Great choice!

Good to hear--thanks everyone

Juanita--

Going on Cape Air--I have a book of tickets. We're also going to Lemongrass at Caribe Hilton; were there a few years ago and it was lovely

I'll let you know how everything was. Birthday surprise for my friend--who does not read this board!

Are you sure she doesn't read this board???? Anyone who ever googled any question at all about the VI, particularly St. Croix, has had vimovingcenter.com pop up, like a whole page at a time...I wouldn't be at all suprised to find my kids are reading, friends from the states, etc.

Every once in a while I'll mention this board to someone, and they say they've never heard of it. Several Realtors told me they didn't know about it. Maybe google and I are becoming too closely attached! LOL I do spend more time on the computer than most, I think.

Another vote for Trois Cent Onze...

Thanks!!