San Juan Marriott Stellaris Resort - any advice/experiences?

[sadiecatie]

This feels like a random request, but here goes! Has anyone stayed at the San Juan Marriott Stellaris Resort and Casino? We’re planning to stay there before our cruise this upcoming May, and I’m trying to make some choices about room type. Any experiences with the Cabana Building vs main tower rooms? I’m also wondering - is it worth paying extra for an ocean view when we’ll be boarding the Magic with a veranda a few days later? (I think the answer for me is yes, why not have three more days with an ocean view, but it’s worth asking lol)

Also just general impressions and experiences! Any restaurants or other things nearby we shouldn’t miss? TIA!

 

[fredandkell]

Take this with a grain of salt since I went 17 years ago - the hotel was nice and I remember a good restaurant within walking distance. I’ll see if I can dig up my TripAdvisor review!

 

[fredandkell]

Ok found it - https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUse...rt_Stellaris_Casino-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

 

[bobbiwoz]

We stayed there, November 2018. Very nice. I enjoyed the quesadilla right at the hotel.

 

[CaseyCruiser]

We stayed there 2 nights before our cruise in January 2020. It was very nice. There is Pannes, an awesome breakfast restaurant right down the street that is reasonably priced. The beach is amazing.

 

[brentm77]

Can anyone tell me about how far this hotel is from where Disney ports? Do you just Uber, or is there a better way to get from here to the port?

 

[dopey617]

I stayed here for a night before my DCL cruise this past year. My room had two balconies facing the ocean and down the beach…. Very nice for when it rained. The breakfast was very nice. Pool had music and games for children. You could rent a chair and umbrella right on the beach adjacent to hotel. Small casino. There was a cvs with alcohol right next door for last minute needs. Restaurants in walking distance including one highlighted on the show diners, drive-ins, and dives. Taxis and Ubers could be used to get to port. The trip was quick and easy. This was the first time I did not have DCL transportation to a port; imo the bag drop was a little chaotic. I am not sure that is typical, so a little patience there before getting in the line to board (and finding the correct line) would be helpful.

 

[sadiecatie]

There was a cvs with alcohol right next door for last minute needs.

This is good to hear (as I’ll be planning to pick up some wine before we board the ship)! Thanks for all the info!

 

[auntlynne]

I agree with @dopey617 - bag drop-off was chaotic. I rank check-in here to be the poorest experience of this for my Disney cruises. DCL or Port’s fault - who knows, didn’t matter.

There was a line to drop off luggage. That was a first.

Then the queue for check-in was outside. Guests were arriving Before PAT. At least they did take you by PAT.

After standing outside (but covered) in PR heat (it was May), a family or two at a time were let through the doors. Into an extremely large, cool area with cordoned EMPTY queues and a row of agents waiting to process guests. While guests were standing outside in the heat. This was not at the beginning of check-in.

My advice: pick a later PAT. Enjoy a nice PR breakfast. Go for a swim. They will have shrimp and crab claws for lunch most days In the buffet. And the rooms won’t be ready til early afternoon.

 

[brentm77]

I agree with @dopey617 - bag drop-off was chaotic. I rank check-in here to be the poorest experience of this for my Disney cruises. DCL or Port’s fault - who knows, didn’t matter.

There was a line to drop off luggage. That was a first.

Then the queue for check-in was outside. Guests were arriving Before PAT. At least they did take you by PAT.

After standing outside (but covered) in PR heat (it was May), a family or two at a time were let through the doors. Into an extremely large, cool area with cordoned EMPTY queues and a row of agents waiting to process guests. While guests were standing outside in the heat. This was not at the beginning of check-in.

My advice: pick a later PAT. Enjoy a nice PR breakfast. Go for a swim. They will have shrimp and crab claws for lunch most days In the buffet. And the rooms won’t be ready til early afternoon.

Good tip! Did you notice if you can bypass the luggage line if carrying on instead? Or were you stuck waiting in it either way?

 

[auntlynne]

Good tip! Did you notice if you can bypass the luggage line if carrying on instead? Or were you stuck waiting in it either way?

If carrying it yourself, I think you would just get in the check-in line.

When we got out of the Uber, I just walked up to where the porters were - and then noticed (probably called out by someone) that there was a line. I definitely wasn’t looking for one of those. And it wasn’t momentary log jam - it was continuous.

Also. Hotel to port is ~ 2.5 miles. Transfer by DCL, if offered, or rideshare.

(There is a port in Old San Juan; that is where day port visits dock.)

You will need a taxi or rideshare from airport to hotel, as it seems no hotel in San Juan offers shuttle service.