Topic Wiki

Info for the jewish traveler
http://www.chabadpr.com/


Hotels   (feel free to add suggestions)
   Before booking any hotel check the Chabad website they have very good rates for the popular hotels that are close to them

   Ritz Carlton

   http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SanJuan/Default.htm
        DDF'r Hotel Review
        http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg462832#msg462832
   St. Regis
   http://www.stregisbahiabeach.com/
       DDF'r Hotel Review
       http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg161581#msg161581
   El San Juan
   http://www.elsanjuanhotel.com/default-en.html
   Gran Melia
   http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/coco-beach/gran-melia-puerto-rico-golf-resort/index.html
         DDF'r Hotel Review
         http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg927319#msg927319


Preferred Car Rental
   http://www.chabadpr.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/2370163/jewish/Charlie-Car-Rental.htm


Kosher food
  Old San Juan
   Kosher in Paradise, Israeli style. With panini, falafel and more.  They can deliver to your hotel for a fee
   261 Fortaleza Street.
   787-244-3399
   Chabad (next to The Ritz and El San Juan)
   http://shop.chabadpr.com/   (please someone add info regarding this)


Things to do

   Bioluminescent Bay
   http://www.pureadventurepr.com/adventure_trips/bio_bay_lagoon_tour_excursion/
 
   El Yunque rainforest
   http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147324-d1448148-Reviews-The_El_Yunque_Rain_Forest-El_Yunque_National_Forest_Puerto_Rico.html

   ATV/Horseback Riding
   http://www.carabalirainforestpark.com/atv.php

   Casa Bacardi Distillery Tour- Rum Factory
   http://www.casabacardi.org/

   Explore Old San Juan-
   Castillo de San Cristobal- Old Forts in Old San Juan

   http://www.nps.gov/saju/index.htm

   Vieques and Culebra
    2 small islands with fabulous beaches that, IMHO are more interesting than the main island. (and Vieques has its own biobay)

  Mini Boat Adventure
  http://www.kayakingpuertorico.com/pages/island_hop_snorkel.html


Trip Reports:

   http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg651144#msg651144

   http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg1063469#msg1063469

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=7995.msg2616327#msg2616327
« Last edited by yelped on August 02, 2022, 04:21:34 PM »

Author Topic: Puerto Rico Master Thread  (Read 233232 times)

Offline prouddanfan

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Puerto Rico Master Thread
« on: June 06, 2011, 10:13:33 AM »
I am going to be visiting the St. Regis Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico at the end of june. Any tips, ideas, or discounts from someone who has stayed there?
« Last Edit: September 27, 2011, 04:38:49 PM by Dan »

Offline rochelliot

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2011, 12:16:11 PM »
Hi...i happen to be going there with my wife next in a few days....can u please give me some good trip advice at and around the st regis bahia beach- Puerto Rico...etc?

Offline AJK

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2011, 04:35:54 AM »
I, too, am interested in PR. How is the jewish community? kosher food availability, etc?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline BrooklynCPA

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2011, 10:30:35 AM »
There is a chabbad house right near the Ritz and El San Juan. Their meals are very good, reasonably priced and they deliver to Hotels.

Offline beny

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2011, 04:08:59 PM »
Going to the st regis in few weeks as well. Can we pls get some tips from those that visited?
How are they with room upgrades to spg gold members? (Does it pay to call ahead and speak to any specific reps at the property?)

Btw there are some really nice reviews at FT, but would like to hear from some in this community..

Also it seems that all the negetive reviews on tripadvisor were written within the first few months since openning, and it did take them some time to get their act together. But I can only confirm from my own experience...

Offline BrooklynCPA

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2011, 04:23:33 PM »
Sounds like there will be a Minyan at the St Regis :)

Offline AJK

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2011, 05:19:38 PM »
I'll be there for an interview on Aug. 16th...
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline beny

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2011, 05:32:18 PM »
I'll be there for an interview on Aug. 16th...
What sort of interview?

Offline AJK

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2011, 12:01:07 AM »
What sort of interview?

Clerking for a federal judge.
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Offline beny

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #9 on: August 17, 2011, 02:38:32 PM »
Would any of the previous commenters care to share their experience? upgraded?
is a car rental worthwhile there? if yes, where did u rent from?

Offline BAHayman

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2011, 04:32:43 PM »
Would any of the previous commenters care to share their experience? upgraded?
is a car rental worthwhile there? if yes, where did u rent from?

+1, and kosher etc?

Offline AJK

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Re: Puerto Rico
« Reply #11 on: September 27, 2011, 04:34:43 PM »
Was only there for 8 hours, but AFAIK, there is no kosher restaurant there, but there is a chabad that has kosher food.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline es21729

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2011, 10:25:40 PM »
Hi I just posted separately, but can any of you that visited the St. Regis Bahia Beach share your experiences? Is the hotel/area nice? How were the rooms and is it possible to get upgraded there?

Offline Dan

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2011, 10:27:41 PM »
Hi I just posted separately, but can any of you that visited the St. Regis Bahia Beach share your experiences? Is the hotel/area nice? How were the rooms and is it possible to get upgraded there?
ROFL'ing right now :D
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline es21729

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2011, 10:39:44 PM »
:-)

I did do some research on my own, I see some decent places out there (this St Regis being one of them) but wanted to know of people's experiences as far as flights, rentals, deals, upgrades, food, what to do etc.

Offline seemorehabs

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #15 on: October 31, 2011, 11:51:04 PM »
any 2 days getaway deal in PR from NY area?
Hows weather in PR usually in Jan or FEb?

Offline karen

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #16 on: November 01, 2011, 09:11:46 PM »
any 2 days getaway deal in PR from NY area?
Hows weather in PR usually in Jan or FEb?
It was around 80 degree when I was there during Christmas and New Year week last year.

Offline seemorehabs

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #17 on: November 02, 2011, 09:44:08 PM »
which airport in nyc  to and from  PR is usually the best $'s to fly into

Offline beny

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #18 on: December 25, 2011, 06:39:10 PM »
Would like to share my experience at the St. Regis Bahia Beach in short.

property is superb. very unique. private (good for the frum community). beach is 2 miles long, all private, so you can comfortably take a stroll without bumping into many ppl. the hotel has only about 140 rooms in 12 separate "casa's" or buildings, only 3 floors tall at most.

staff was great. you really get driven around in a golf cart every time you wanna go somewhere. we did it many times a day, and they did it every time gladly.

rooms have extra large fridge, so we were there for 4 days, and were able to store all our food in the fridge. - the food from chabad is very far and would cost like $80 just to taxi it over. we froze meat and milk and stayed good for our flight from NY. also worth it to stop off and stock up on fresh food and water at Ralph's around the corner from the hotel.

we were there during hurricane Irene this summer, but we still had a great experience. got upgraded to a beautiful suite after the hurricane. but even before that the regular room was very spacious with a separate kitchen room.

the hotel is only a half hour from the rain forest which seems to be the only major attraction IMHO. otherwise the hotel can really keep you entertained for your whole stay. between biking, gulfing, tennis, boating etc.

anyhow, that's it for now. for more info please reply or PM me. I'll be glad to help.

Offline es21729

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Re: Puerto Rico Master Thread
« Reply #19 on: December 29, 2011, 09:31:33 PM »
Hi I saw your post. I'm looking to take my wife for 3-4 days sometime in February (flying from NY as well). We've never done an island before as we were always hesitant with the food situation, so we usually just end up in Florida because it's easy. Did that work out well for you? I have plenty of starwood points to spare so I'm looking for a really nice resort. I checked out the website for this hotel it looks nice but doesn't blow me away...is it really that nice, maybe the pictures just don't do it justice? What about the surrounding area, is it decent, or do I not even care? I'm not one that needs tons of activities on my vacation, the pool/beach/spa should keep us busy most of the time, but over 4 days I would need something else to do not to go nuts. Is there any nightlife? What else can you tell me I'm clueless when it comes to this. Thanks!