jld23

Sounds like a good plan jkloni. I am planning on doing the same. Watch priceline and hotwire in the coming months and if I can do better, great, if not, I can settle for an unuseable balcony for a night. The Marriott still sounds like a great hotel.

I booked the Marriott on 10/15 also. After reading about the contruction on some various travel sites, I'm thinking worst case you may get a room with the balcony closed and some noise during the daylight hours. I'm wondering if I end up in a room with a useable balcony , whether or not I will still get the credit. Also, The "confirmation" I received after booking the "facade redo" rate did not say anything in regards to this special rate or the $50 credit. I am not too concerned as I am only staying 1 night precruise and will not arrive until late afternoon. It does look like a great property.

I booked it for $159 on October 15. I have some concerns about a room with the balcony closed. Here is what was posted on the Marriott site: Hotel facade under renovation from 05/30/05 through 11/30/05. Some noise is expected from 9am-5pm M-F. During this time some rooms may not have access to their balconies. which is a little different from the Expedia info. You are right about it being fully cancellable and it is a good backup plan at this point. I will continue to watch these boards and if something better comes up, I'll jump on it. This is a special trip for my Wife and I, and although I am cheap, I want everything to be as nice as possible. I think $109 for this hotel is great as I'm sure I can spend the $50 F&B credit. Thanks for the advice Thereuare. I'll be back.

Thank you Thereuare. I will follow your instructions. I am going on my first cruise for a anniversary with my wife on the AOS. I have read most of your posts regarding San Juan including the info regarding the restaurants. Thank you for that interesting information. I hope to try The La Casita Blanca. For my precruise stay; 10/15/2005 - 1 night I was concerned about the list because the original date is a few years old and their is not much recent activity in this thread. However, I understand their are no guarantees regardless. I am willing to take a chance to save some $$. I like most of the "resorts" listed, although I am concerned about the Marriott. On their site they are offering a rate of $144 for an advanced purchase room. They also offer a rate of $159 for a "facade redo" room with a closed balcony. This rate includes a $50 credit for food or additonal reward points. I understand their is a lot of construction at this motel. I am afraid if priceline awards me the Marriott, I will get stuck with one of these "balcony closed " rooms. I would really like to stay at the Caribe Hilton, second choice would be the Sheraton OSJ - which shows no availability on this date on their site, third would be the Intercontinental, fourth would be the Normandie. Lastly would be the Radisson if I got a great rate. Maybe I am doing this too soon for either priceline or hotwire.

I am going to San Juan for a precruise stay 10/15/05 and a post cruise stay 10/23/05 - 1 night each. Hotwire seems expensive and the Sheraton Old San Juan doesn't look to be available precruise. Post cruise seems to be cheaper but with a different selection of hotels. I am thinking of bidding a "resort" for the precruise stay on priceline, do you think the priceline "resort" list is still accurate?