Howard Johnson Hotel - Isla Verde

"Not Impressed"-POOR SERVICE

Service was poor and very delayed. It was after several calls that someone finally brought the much requested clean towels and a operating TV remote control. Hotel has roaches and the employees were NOT friendly and welcoming. No one to help with questions and or directions of any kind. Pay the extra money and stay at a better rated hotel like San Jaun Hotel and Casino when staying in the Isle Verde area- much luck!!!!!

Enjoyable trip to San Juan - thanks to Howard Johnson staff

At check in we had a lot of questions, and they had great answers regarding public transportation and excursions. Their help steered us away from expensive taxis and we had a great time on the bioluminescent tour they suggested.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

If you don’t have a tight schedule, the city bus system is great. Just make sure you have exact change ($.75 per ride). The old town trolley is the best way to see downtown for free.

Would recommend

The stay was comfortable with no frills. It’s an older hotel that has been updated. Our only complaint was the complimentary breakfast - it was either a bread choice OR muffin and a cup of coffee and a cup of juice; other items can be purchased. Also, only 2 tickets for breakfast are given per room. We would recommend this hotel and would stay there again. Although it is not right on the beach, you just need to cross the street. The view from the restaurant (on the 10th floor) is beautiful!!!

tips for families

I would not recommend staying at this hotel for more than one night,not family friendly

for the price, okay

rooms are small. staff not very helpful. excellent view of city at the restaurant. if you have a rental car, perfect location to get in and out of isla verde. 100 yards away from the beach. close to grocery and drug stores.

Stinks!

The service at this hotel was great. Friendly and fast and so caring, but the hotel itself was a not comfortable. The room smelled terrible. The AC leaked onto the carpet, the tv didn’t work, the remote control was missing, the lights didn’t work, and the deadbolt broke. The front desk took care of all that, but the maid was very late every day and kept forgetting to replace our towels. We had to request fresh towels 3 times. Other rooms were in better condition, so it’s not totally a loss, but I don’t think I’d return to this hotel or this section of the island.

it was okay.

the hotel was very comfortable and the pool was verygood but the breakfest was very cheap.so dont get exciting about the breakfest.But i like it and my kids enjoy their stayed.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

you can save a few bucks just going to the super market and getting some snacks for your room.

I little bit disappointed!!!!

Everything was pretty good except the parking lot. The hotel has a parking lot that is not only for his passengers but also for people who are not staying there. There were a few day I could not find parking for that reason. They should assign an especific area only for his pax. Thanks

OK if you are a tourist

Location was bad for a person on a business trip. Hotel was OK but I have stayed at nicer for the same price.

Great accomidations for a fair price

This hotel turned out to be nicer than I thought. The staff was very friendly and helpful and the hotel was always clean. Dont be fooled by the breakfast that they mention though, you get a muffin OR a crossaint and orange juice OR coffie. That’s it. Its sort of a ploy to get you to buy more from the restaurant that they have a contract with. Dont expect to get full. Also, make sure your room has a window. Ours didnt and no one on expedia or in the hotel previouly told us that we were paying for a jail cell. We never knew the weather or the time of day (luckily the rooms have clocks). Other than that, enjoy! Oh yea, the hotel is right on a popular strip so the beach and clubs are in walking distance.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

There is a taco bell, burger king, and wendy’s all in walking distance-USE IT. The food at the restaurant downstairs in the hotel has AWFUL food.

Ok. To spend one or two night no more

My room was confortable but the TV does not work. No microwave. The continental breakfast was only two slide of bread, coffee and juice, nothing more.The staff is very attentive.

Traveler's tip

Not long distances to others hotel,near to the beach,easy access to go any where.

Good Hotel

This hotel has reasonable prices and is located near the international airport. Friendly staff and clean place.

Very Nice

The room was very nice and clean. Housekeeping staff did a great job. Check in was fast and easy. Very close to airport, restaurants and the beach. The view from the restaurant on the 10th floor was beautiful! The pool was beautiful. I would definitely come here again.

pleasantly surprised

Hotel was only a block from the beach, and room was very nice. Free internet was a bonus. Continental breakfast was just ok-we were seated at a table and then had to wait quite a while for our waitress. We were offered our choice of 1 drink and one bread choice. Resturaunt was on top floor which afforded a wonderful view of the ocean.

Recommended!

Was initially a little weary but was very pleasantly surprised. About 7 minutes from airport. Clean, comfortable but no window in our room. Right across the beach. Easy walking distance to several restaurants and casinos. The farthest, the Ritz was only about a 20 minute walk (one way). Would stay here again and would definitely recommend this place to anyone wanting to save a few bucks. Great value.

good

good

Impressed

The room was clean and staff where very polite. The only issue was there was work being done on the road in front of the hotel, which was a pain to drive in and out of. And the noise actually woke us up in the A.M. The hotel had an excellent view of the beach from our room, which was great.

Traveler's tip on dining

Mi casista was an excellent stop to have an cultural dinner for a very inexpensive fee. Staff where great and food was excellent. And it’s very close to the hotel.

Okay for the price

The hotel doesn’t look exactly like it does on the picture, but for the price, it did us fine. We only stayed there overnight, before we boarded our cruise. The beach is directly across the street, and you are walking distance to several restaurants. The hotel itself was a bit run down, but the room was clean. It just needs a facelift.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

There are several different food choices that are close to the hotel, in which you can walk to.

Was pleasantly surprised.

I actually picked the wrong hotel while making my final reservations - but decided not to try and change it -- but once I got to HJ - it was very convenient - close to all - and very comfortable. Would definitely stay there again.

Not Very Accomodating

My flight was cancelled and we had to stay the night in Puerto Rico and they wouldn’t let me apply my night that was paid for to that location; I was still charged and had to pay out of pocket for my own hotel accommodations. Will never use this hotel again.

Good Value and Location

Good value and location for the price. The staff was friendly, responsive and flexible in giving us a late checkout so that we could get more beach time in.

OK

It was OK for an overnight stay as I flew into San Juan on Saturday and only stayed one night before boarding a 7 day cruise.

poor service.

Hotel is overprice, last day no hot water.

Traveler's tip on nightlife

music every where Isla verde.

Basic lodging as long as you don’t use hot water

I don’t have a comparison base for this hotel in San Juan, but I’d try something else next time. The room was okay. The hvac system worked well. Beds were comfortable. The floor needed vacuuming, and there was no hot water in the bathroom for our overnight stay. Hot water was barely warmer than cold. The continental breakfast was a big, sweet muffin and a small cup of coffee served in the top floor dining room by a surly waiter itent on being as unfriendly as he could be. The people at the front desk were nice.

Mediocre Experience - but nothing to complain about!

Hotel was maintained mostly well. Hotel staff was helpful in answering our questions and made for a good trip altogether. The room we had faced the ocean and gave a nice look at the beach as well. The room did have, however, a small leak from the air conditioning unit in the closet area. Aside from that - everything went great!

Traveler's tip

Depending on what you are in San Juan for, Isla Verde may not be the best option for you. It has many appealing attractions nearby, but most tourist-type activities in San Juan are more focused around Old San Juan and Dorado. Public transportation isn’t reliable, and taxi trips between these areas run about $25 - so do the math on what you are traveling for before deciding area in SJ to stay in.