Caribe Hilton, San Juan Antiguo

My husband and I stayed this hotel with my two teenage sons over a long weekend in January. Over all we had a good time and enjoyed the stay. Some of the web pages� quick look indicators say no pool and no restaurant (as of today 1/22/07, since at least Dec. �06). Do not worry. There are nicely landscaped pools and five restaurants available and fully functioning. Rooms: When we checked in, we were give two rooms in the separate wings. So, before I asked for the change, I checked both rooms. I found that the one in the main building was much nicer than the other in �Garden Tower�. Although both had ocean view, one in the �Garden� is 50% roofs and 20 % plain ocean. The other has 10% roof and 80% of ocean with pretty coastal lines. One was renovated and clean. The other had worn-look. Avoid Garden Tower if you can, at least at 7th floor or lower level. Even in the nicer one, I saw small imperfections. I paid three star hotel price, so I felt OK. But if had paid full price for four-star hotel, I would have been annoyed. I did not stay at so-called Executive Room. But, according to the brochure in my room, Exec. Rooms are located in a particular floor, which has its own salon where free continental breakfast; free early evening non-alcoholic drinks and appetizers are served. At one time when I was looking at the web the price difference between normal room with ocean view and Executive was $5. I thought I should have snagged it. Service: The front desk was helpful and pleasantly and efficiently responded to our request of change of the room. As someone else mentioned in the review, wash clothes were not provided on the second day. (I wonder if that was a way to earn tips when they bring the towels to the room later.) Overall staffs were friendly and helpful. Restaurant and food: Restaurants are at expensive side: about $30 for a main dish. But they were generally good. I liked Lemon Grass, Pan-Asian Latino restaurant situated in the rainforest garden. Try �Shared Dish� �appetizers. Buffet restaurant�s price varies between $25- $50(? Don�t remember exactly)/person depending on the day of the week. Their deserts were excellent. We let our boys eat off Subways and room service pizzas. Starbucks in the hotel is an alternative to breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Vending machine at their parking garage offers Dasani water for $1 a bottle. ($3 in the hotel shop and vending machine in the hotel.) Landscape: Hotel ground was pretty with beautifully landscaped pool and a private (somehow man-made look) beach, which is very safe for kids. It has its own ruins of a fort on site. Gym is clean and offers nice view while excising. Location/Transportation: We rented a car, but probably did not need it. The hotel is easy reach to San Juan and other tourist sites. Taxi would have been sufficient. Traffic in San Juan Down Town was terrible. Parking was $15 a day for self-parking, $22 for valet. Generally drivers in San Juan area drive either too fast or too slow.

This Hotel was the best. The staff were great and very friendly,they were very helpful with information of where to go. The atmosphere was the best ever for a hotel. I loved the bar,restaurants the pool,the food service,and over all the best view i have ever had in my hotel staying experiences. Bottom line I Love Puerto Rico and I Love The Caribe Hilton

I can see where this used to be a good place to stay, but it seems to need some updates. Plus each employee seems to have certain assignments and are only willing to do only what they have to do. The wait to check in and out was unbelievable. The hotel floors were stained and the phone didn't work. There were spots of dirt on the walls etc. For the price the view does what it can. Just needs some TLC and to be run by someone who cares.

everything was excellent. this was our first trip out of the u.s. as a couple. we were celebrating our 25th wedding anniverssary. the rooms were large and spotless. people were so friendly and helpful. the hotel grounds were beautiful, the water was inviting,and we just truly enjoyed absorbing everything around us. the staff treated us like friends. we tell everyone about our woderful experience, and we would return again and again.

We recently spent 4 nights and 5 days at the Caribe. This included my disabled father, my mother, my wife, and my three year old daughter. This hotel, as well as the whole of Puerto Rico (first time) surpassed my expectations. We would love to return. Rating the Hilton I gave it five stars. There are several pools as well as a beach to use around the hotel. The views are spectacular. There wer many kids that my daughter was able to play with. The staff regularly arrange for bilingual activities such as fish feeding and swimming contests. There are several restaurants on the hotel grounds. Fair warning - they are expensive, but the quality is generally good to excellent. We ate at the Lemon Grass (Asian-latin fusion) and Mortons (traditional steakhouse) and the food and service were exceptional. These restaurants do not offer a kids menu, but they were willing to accommodate us by permitting us to bring food for our daughter hich they heated up for her. Palmero's is the centralized buffet style restaurant with great ocean views. We mostly ate breakfast there. The staff was friendly and even helped us with some of our excursions outside the hotel. I would suggest renting a car if possible as the excursions to El Yunque (the rain forest) and the taxis to Old San Juan were overpriced. My whole family managed to see the rain forest on our own time which we needed since I was traveling with child and a disabled adult. The drive with trafiic took about 1.5 hours. But the views and the waterfalls were well worth it. It is a must to see Old San Juan. From El Morro (the old fort) to the many restaurants along Calle De San Fransicso and Calle de Forteleza, you will feel as if you stepped a few hundred tyears into the past. Parking is easy to find, but the streets can be narrow. If you are used to city driving, it shouldn't be a problem. If you want traditional, inexpensive Puerto Rican food and don't mind a lack of ambience, go for La Bombonera. Arroz y pollo, tostones, frijoles, are the staple items on this menu set in a 1902 diner-esque environment. It was great to have a meal over-hearng all the locals talk about the Wolrd Cup. For something more romantic and trendy, try Marmalade. This restaurtant sets a mood for young couples who are into experimental cuisine. Sushi-style paella bites, Gazpacho with watermelon salad, and prosciutto-wrapped halibut were the dishes that still resonate in our taste-buds. The staff here was very knowledgable and friendly. With a decent bottle of wine, dinner for 2 was $200. But it was worth since it was our anniversary night. When you return at night to your hotel, expect to find live music and hopping scene just beyond the mian lobby. It's great to see all sorts of people mingle here. Again, staff are always friendly. It's great to have a nightcap and walk along the path overlooking the Atlantic. Room service was prompt and friendly. Bellhops and valet were also very accommodating. My criticisms are few. There was some construction at the hotel which made nap time for our daughter a bit difficult. Also, there was a charge for renting rafts at the beach which I found to be ridiculous. I would not recommend lunch at the the beachside bar/grill as it is way overpriced and not worth the trouble. A short trip to town will get you more variety. Also, don't get your gifts at the gift shop. These too are overpriced. As I mentioned, this place offers many opportunities for young and old to enjoy themselves. If you get a package, avoid flying American. They were four hours late on the return and being over six feet tall, cannot compare to Jet Blue's roomier seating.

When I checked in, they did not give me the room I had paid for when I called for my reservation. The "manager" said he would comp me for 4 days of breakfast ($20/day value) to accomodate me. I said ok. At check out they tried to charge me for the breakfast. Other than that fiasco, hotel was not bad. Great pool. Great atmosphere. Bathrooms clean and modern. Workout facilities great. Would definitely go again. A+

I thought the hotel was a bit run down and dirty in places. For example, the doors to the rooms per scratched and beat up, also the room had many scuff marks on the walls and in the bathroom someone had written on the wall in pencil and no one bothered to wash it off for our entire stay. I am sure a bit of 409 would have done the trick. It made me think it they cannot take care of these relatively simple things they are not doing the extra work to make sure we have clean towels and a clean shower. The Lemongrass Grill was absolutely horrible. I have never had such expensive sushi that taste so bad. $20 for one roll and I could not eat it. The dirty martini they made was nice though. Also, I live in New York and eat lot's of sushi, perhaps I have an unrealitic standard.

My husband and I went with another couple that are good friends. We were celebrating out 10th anniversary and our friends were just happy to be there. When we arrived around 4pm -ish our room was not ready. They felt bad and gave us an upgraded room..(nice.) We didn't mind once we looked out to the ocean and discovered the gorgeous grounds with the 3 level pool, private beach, "lazy hammock corner" and the pool bar. The latter becoming the place we would spend a decent amount of time. This place is really nice. It screams "put your labtop and cell phone away and let one of the "Hottie" bartenders make you a fabulous fruity drink." So you have to do it!! Yes the drinks are $7.00+ but if you went there to not spend money it won't happen. We had a GREAT time!! We did the Bacardi tour (kinda cheesy.) We took a cab to Old San Juan and walked around the ENTIRE town- down cobblestone streets, through the park where the old men play chess, pass the screaming pastel colored buildings that reminds you of a cross between the french quaters in New Orleans and the streets of Charlston SC. They are beautiful. We also did a tour of the old forts. That was very interesting. We were in San Juan and at the Caribe for 5 days and we had a BLAST!!! We are DEFINETLY coming back because we didn't have a chance to hit the spa!!! PS- The hotel restuarants had good food but if you're looking for a good burger joint, go right up the road to "El Hamburger"... obviously... ENJOY!! We did!!

Great location, private beach, great bartenders and, although many have made comments about it not being clean, I told them at the front desk when I arrived that I wanted a CLEAN room and I got one with a great ocean view. I have been here five times for business over last year and the first few times, due to renovations, was just ok. The italian place sucks. The outdoor restaurant is great. Bar food is great also, private beach and pools superb! Only 20 brisk walk minutes from old San Juan. Must go see Old San Juan if you come. Great for kids. I have wife and 11 year old with me last time for a few days. They were well entertained by the staff and very pleased although the hot tubs were not the cleanest according to my wife....little scummy. Great place. Any problems have ALWAYS been taken card of it you ask for them to fix it. Very attentive staff ANd management. ps sent wife to spa...GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Steve and Catherine

I gotta admit I'm Puertorrican so I'm proud of this beautiful island but also this hotel is fantastic, the facilities, the service, the food,all. I give it a definite A+.