We just returned from a long weekend in San Juan. We chose San Juan because it was a quick getaway and a direct, non-stop flight from Hartford. We stayed at the Marriott San Juan and Stellaris Casino in the Condado section. We have been to several islands and while this was not the best we've ever been to, it was a perfect long weekend. The area seems to be under a sort of rebuilding phase and there are several new hotels being built. The Marriott was extremely clean, which I loved. The rooms were impeccable and the staff was incredibly friendly. Take a cab from the airport - which is 10 minutes away - and it's only $16 or so. Definitely cab to Old San Juan to see the beautiful buildings, narrow streets and old forts.

We stay at this hotel every year for the last 10 years. The people are friendly. We have so much fun! We would never stay anywhere else!!

We stayed at the Marriott from Wednesday May 7 through Saturday May 10, 2008 and had a first floor pool view room which was perfect since we had a 2-year old that napped in the afternoons. We had no significant issues, room was great but we were not there to sit in our room. Bed was very comfortable. Overall the stay was above average and would suggest it to anyone. We were also there during the week when it was not so crowded but did start to get more crowded on Friday and Saturday morning.

Pools and Beach. There are 2 pools and one is 2 to 2.5 feet deep which is perfect for small children that cannot swim yet. Yes, there are problems getting sun in the morning but the beach has plenty of sun in the morning. By the way, I have read all the reviews about the rough surf - it is a beach and there are waves, nothing more than any other beach I have been. The sand is great and clean, plenty of chairs.

Food. We did not eat at any of the hotel restaurants as pricey. We did eat the hot dogs ($6) and hamburgers ($12) from the hotel which were good for hotel pool food. There are plenty of places up and down the street from the hotel including the Gelato place for breakfast - $20 for 2 adults and kid. Danni's and the Itialian wine bar - great pizza and good wine prices. We got pizza from the Itialian place and wine from the grocery store (2 blocks down from hotel to the left) and sat by the pool o eat - best meal of the entire trip. We also bought snacks and beer (Medialia is the native Puerto Rico beer and quite good) at the grocer store.

El Yunque Rainforest. About 3/4 mile hike on pavement to a very cool and refreshing waterfall. Definitely worth the 45 minute drive there.

Old San Juan. We ate at the Parrot Club in Old San Juan. $100 and not much variety especially if you did not want seafood but very good food. Suggest the chicken tamale dish but not the tuna steak.

I was disappointed with the Marriott. The service level was poor and it was not just because of the typical Caribbean service level. The staff does not know how to deal with guests and there is no communication between departments. The elevators in the hotel were not working properly and there were always lots of guests and housekeepers waiting for them. I had more than one housekeeper cut me off to get into an elevator without even waiting for it to empty out. I asked for a late check out the day before leaving and was given it for 1 p.m.. At noon on my check out date I had 2 different housekeepers knocking on the door within 15 minutes of each other trying to get in to turn around the room. When I called the front desk to get them to stop sending people they had no idea. My room was not ready upon check in and they gave me pager to let me know when it would be ready which never went off. I went to the front desk a 1/2 hour after check in time to see if it was ready and it had been for a while. They accussed me of being out of the pager range - which I wasn't - I was sitting at the pool the entire time. They also messed up my bill upon check in and then argued with me when I tried to be honest with them. As for the property itself - it is newly renovated. The rooms are nice and make sure you get a room with ocean and or pool view. A city view will be horrible. The ocean is very rough and there is a bad undertow which they warn you about. The pool area was nice. There is an Italian resturant which didn't look like it was any spectaular so I didn't eat in it. There are alot of kids there and also a lot of business meetings going on. I had to walk through a foyer with one going on to access the business center and was confronted by the person running the meeting. There is no other way to the business center but through that area. The hotel is in a good location. There is a Starbucks across the street and many restaurants all up and down Ashford Avenue. I felt safe walking alone to any of those places. There is a lot of construction in Condado Beach and in a few years it will be much better. They do lock the gates to beach access at 6 p.m. because it is a public beach. There are a lot of police out. Puerto Rico definetly has crime issues and there are alot of vacate buildings. I did find the people friendly and Old San Juan was great. Do recommend going to Puerto Rico but stay at anyone of the many other hotels in the area.