- dmiltimo
- First Reviewer
- 3 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 9
- Reviews
good for the price
- March 7, 2009
- Rated 3 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
I stayed at this place with my son. The place is fine but the rooms are in need of some love. Very safe and friendly. Close to everything. The bus system is 1 block away and very affordable. Car rental is also cheep (X). rented a car for the day and was $35. Nice car.
The biggest drawback to the B&B is the floor in the rooms. They are carpet and very dirty. Would be much better with tile floors. Overall I probably would not stay here again but for a week it was fine. The other guests were fun and it was a nice meeting people from all over the country.
Buses were even better deal
- December 16, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
I returned to Casa for my vacation in early November 2008. All previous comments apply, except that the buses were FREE this time (some political deal until the end of the year). I went thru the art museum again - well worth the trip. Also spent time on the beach, and shopping in Condado. As i was there in off season, and had a single room, my rate was under $* - remarkable deal. This time i visited Plaza Carolina, Isla Verde, and San Juan Viejo (3 times) - all by bus. Despite the bargain bus fares, only twice in a week did i encounter crowded busses. As previously noted, if you visit in the fall (Oct to Jan), be careful of the palm trees on the beach and along the roads. The coconuts are ripe then and are falling without warning - sometimes from remarkable heights. And - they are HEAVY! Best not to stand or walk under them. Airport screening for the return flight to the USA was considerably better organized than in 2007 - took about 1/3 the time it did in 2007. Casa del Caribe is NOT a fancy, glitzy hotel with fancy entertainment and features. It IS clean, friendly, well kept, and an excellent value. There is a nice little city park down Caribe away from the beach - about 3 blocks away. A contract post office (for mailing purchases home) is a short walk from the park (5 blocks). A "UPS" store is also available on Ave de Ashford about 3 blocks from Casa. I plan to return in 2009.
great place
- February 4, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
this is not a luxury stay. rooms are modest, but adequate. hot water is slow, but there. what makes this such a wonderful place are the people. they were so nice and helpful. in the mornings we would come out for coffee, donuts, cereal. people would sit around and visit. just say 'where are you from?' and you've made new friends. the little courtyard is so nice. sit outside at night and listen to the coqui frogs. it could not possibly be more convenient to everything. Ashford Ave has excellent restaurants, the beach is steps away, bus B21 goes straight to Old San Juan. Car rental (Charlies) is next to Starbucks and VERY reasonable. Walgreens is a block away and open 24-7. Casinos are fun, but very subdued, you wouldn't know they were there until you walk inside. I ablsolutely loved this charming little place and Puerto Rico. I emphasize, it is not upscale. It is warm, homey, and so convenient to everything.
I tried it twice...
- January 29, 2008
- Rated 3 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
I thought to travel again to my favorite place and stay once more @ Casa Del Caribe. I thought well, maybe it'll be a lil better this time around. I wasn't satisfied at all, and unfortunately, I gave my money twice, the 2nd time was much more than the 1st time, and I even gave them business with another family!! They charged my card without even telling me. I was supposed to be charged on a certain date, and it seemed as though they were just interested in my funds, couldn't wait and swiped without calling me. The afternoon we left, there was no one at the front desk, he said he would "be right back" and we couldn't wait any longer.. Hence I called them once I reached my home and never received a call back, but they sure didn't forget to charge my card, and before it was supposed to be. They have VERY LOW water pressure, (not every place is like that) which is their excuse. After coming from the beach, you want a nice, good shower... NOT! The hot water is always an issue .. they have no idea what to do, or when it will be fixed. The breakfast was left to be desired, I can make toast, that's not a complimentary breakfast!! Some of the staff was very nice. sORRY, BUT I GAVE IT A 2ND TRY.. NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL. I
Quiet, clean, not expensive,conveniently located, near beach
- November 19, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
Pictures look just like it did during my visit. The staff is very helpful, and several speak excellent english and know the area well. One is a Los Angeles native! With their help - i was riding local busses like a native in a day - they are excellent value 75 cents a ride - go all over - see tourist bureau for bus map (free). There are also tour busses which i didn't have time to try. Casa does not have a pool (why would you want one with excellent ocean beaches 1 1/2 block away?) Two affiliated hotels DO have a pool and a restaurant - which you can use for free!. Ashfort Ave (adjoining Casa) has many local restaurants with good food, and not expensive. 3 drug stores within easy walk, as are several banks and shopping. Car is NOT necessary! I was all over San Juan (SJ viejo (old city) to Carolina (quite some distance away) on local busses - which are not crowded and well operated. No chance of getting lost either. Bus drivers are helpful but speak limited english. Excellent street maps cheap at local drug stores. Impressive art museum is short walk (20 minutes away) from Casa. For a quiet, restful, vacation - highly recommended. My room was clean, breakfast was self service - continental. Hot water was a bit slow - but adequate. Air conditioning would make it snow in the room if you turned it up too high. Worked fine if you didn't. TV worked fine - both spanish and englilish programming available off of cable. I'm retired and appreaciate the cost saving as opposed to the high priced hotels on Ashford Avineda. I'll be back!!