san juan casinos

[ganurse]

can anyone recommend a nice casino to visit during our stop? any recomendations would go and how to get there would be great

 

[rae519]

On our Magic-al Mystery Tour (Western DCL diverted by Hurricane Lili a few years ago), we stopped in San Juan. There is a dinky casino right off the port - short walk. We lost $10.00 but some of the crew said they made out pretty well. There is a nicer one but you need a cab to get there.

My uncles were stationed in Puerto Rico decades ago - so my Mom was thrilled we diverted there so she could see the island also.

You will love it - especially as you approach the island and the fort/castle is on the left side of the ship. Just beautiful!

Rae

 

[cjsmith]

Originally posted by ganurse
can anyone recommend a nice casino to visit during our stop? any recomendations would go and how to get there would be great

We're staying at the Ritz Carlton in San Juan the night prior to our 10/24 Princess cruise and I understand that they have the spectacular casino on the island. You can grab a cab and it's mostabout a 10 minute or so cab ride if you want to check it out.

 

[TexasGirl]

We were thinking of going to the Ritz Carlton when we stop in San Juan on the Sept 4 cruise. My DH is wanting to spend some time in the casino. Can myself and my daughter use any facilities while he gambles? I know there is supposed to be a public beach close but don't know the logistics or if we can use the Ritz beach and/or pool. Or maybe they offer a dayrate and that is neccessary. Anyone know anything?

 

[FLGalInTN]

Definitely the Ritz-Carlton. It's the nicest casino on the island.

 

[ganurse]

i will also be on the sept 4 board.. go to ********************** to read about more passengers

 

[rae519]

GA nurse - don't try to spell the site out. As I found out, it's a big no-no to try to circumvent the word filter. Instead, the people can pm you if they want to know where to go.

Rae

 

[cjsmith]

Originally posted by TexasGirl
We were thinking of going to the Ritz Carlton when we stop in San Juan on the Sept 4 cruise. My DH is wanting to spend some time in the casino. Can myself and my daughter use any facilities while he gambles? I know there is supposed to be a public beach close but don't know the logistics or if we can use the Ritz beach and/or pool. Or maybe they offer a dayrate and that is neccessary. Anyone know anything?

You can not use the facilities at the Ritz while your husband gambles since it's not fair to the paying guests that are there. I spoke directly to them about using the facilities on the back end of our cruise for the day since we had a late flight out of San Juan and we will have just stayed with them. They do not offer any kind of day rates at any of the Ritz Carltons is what I was told. The manager told me that they would hold my bags as a courtesy and I could eat at the restaurants and gamble in the casino or enjoy the lobby, but that was all that I could do unless I wanted to book a room again. While I was at our local Ritz Carlton last night here in Naples, they confirmed what the Ritz Carlton told me from San Juan. I guess it makes sense or they'd be way too crowded and since the prices are so high to stay there, they need to limit the amount of people using the pools and beach area.

 

[ksjayhawks]

If I remember right, there is an entrance to the beach not to far from the Ritz. Probably about a 10 minute walk at most. Head back towards the Hampton Inn, turn on the street almost directly across from it and head to the beach--another 2 or 3 blocks. The entrances to the beach are marked. I believe we went on a sidewalk between a hotel and condo. It was a nice beach--there was outside dining, too.

 

[MBFergie]

2 comments...

1) Do not go to the Wyndam (sp?) that is close to where the ship docks. My DH and everybody we spoke to say it was horrible. The slots are not very generous and casino was very small.

2) We were told that PR has no private beaches. All beaches are open to the public. So even if they can't use the Ritz pools, they still should have access to the beach right there.

 

[ksjayhawks]

The beaches are available for use, it may be the access to them that is open to the public that you will have to find. The hotels don't want people who are not staying there wandering thru the hotel lobbies and going out to the beach. So you have to find the public access paths.

 

[cjsmith]

Originally posted by MBFergie


2) We were told that PR has no private beaches. All beaches are open to the public. So even if they can't use the Ritz pools, they still should have access to the beach right there. [/B]

The beach may be public, but using the facilites isn't. This includes chairs, towels, bathrooms, etc. The access to the beach is also not allowed through the Ritz. At our beach Ritz here in Naples, there is a public beach right next to the Ritz Carlton. Yes, we can walk down and sit right in front of the Ritz and also have lunch there. However, we can't walk through to the Ritz to get to the beach, use the pool, use the lounge chairs, or use their bathrooms. There are for the express use of hotel guests only.

Now, if the OP wants to enjoy lunch, the lobby and have tea, shopping and simply walking around, hey go for it, it should be fun!

 

[ganurse]

rae, thanks a lot....i had no idea i couldnt post things...i learn something everytime i log on!

 

[rae519]

GANurse - we learn something new everyday!!!

Rae

 

[AspiringCindy]

Originally posted by MBFergie
2 comments...

1) Do not go to the Wyndam (sp?) that is close to where the ship docks. My DH and everybody we spoke to say it was horrible. The slots are not very generous and casino was very small.

2) We were told that PR has no private beaches. All beaches are open to the public. So even if they can't use the Ritz pools, they still should have access to the beach right there.

The Wyndham in Old San Juan is a NO NO...but the Wyndham Condado Plaza(a very short taxi away) is really nice as well as the Caribe Hilton! If you interested in traveling a bit further(20 Min), the Intercontinental has a nice size casino!
PS. I have stayed at so many hotels in San Juan...so I am familiar with all these!