Apologize if this has already been covered ad-nauseum but I couldn't find anything. We arrive SJU Saturday March 14 at 11pm on Southwest and depart for EIS the next morning at 8am on Seaborne. Would appreciate any recommendations for a convenient and economical hotel for what will be about 6 hours - 2 adults and 2 children, will need only one room.

Can't help with a hotel but can say there are no airport shuttles. I looked for quite a while for a hotel with shuttle. Go to TA SJU and read the hotel reviews. There is a hotel at the airport too if you just want to stay there. Sure it is more expensive but no need to cab back and forth.

By the time you figure a cab both ways the Airport Hotel isn't that bad. At that time of the day it's pretty much deadville. There is Wings across the street for a quick bite.

True Rhans. You might want to pick up sandwiches on your layover before SJU just in case the airport restaurants are closed when you arrive.

Change your reservations to arrive in the morning or in early afternoon
Make it as simple as possible.
Simple things in the states can be mind blowing in the Caribbean :-)))

Rhams you're totally correct in general the round trip taxi which is a major rip off ( or a bargain by comparison to the BVI) is close to a third of the nightly airport rate.

Yes unless you are arriving/departing with extra time that you could explore the town or the beach, just pay the extra money for the hotel at the airport. I am flying SWA instead of AA this time because AA flight schedules have made it impossible to arrive/depart without an overnight layover. I believe that it's intentional to force you to stay the night in SJU. I was able to get an early flight to SJU and a late flight out to dfw for years and now it's not an option.

I'd rather fly in a cargo plane full of horse manure then on AA. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Others disagree, but I think that the airport hotel is awful.
Very colse to the airport, a $15 taxi ride, is the beautiful El San Juan Resort.
If that is too pricy, there are many brand name hotels in the same area that cost less but are of much higher quality than the airport hotel.
If you have a longer layover, you may want to taxi to Old San Juan and stay at the very nice botique hotel, The Gallery.

Wow....in my opinion there isn't another choice other than the hotel in the airport! The OP wrote they are getting in at 11PM and leaving at 8a.m. Option one: get your bags and be in your room shortly there after! Next morning walk down to Seaborne and get to paradise! Option two: drag your bags to get a taxi, taxi ride to a hotel (or resort), get checked in and finally get to your room for all of what....5 to 6 hours? Only to have to get up and get back to the airport....what a hassle. IF...IF the hotel were that "horrible" or "awful"(being dirty and unsafe) I may agree! However, it was neither....it was clean and safe. Abeit small - how much do you need for a few hours sleep? (and you are likely flying to paradise to get on a boat where the rooms at the hotel are much LARGER than where you will be sleeping on the boat.) WHAT a headache hauling two kids and luggage outside of the hotel when you can stay right on site. We stayed there last May and enjoyed our one night on the way back! Ask for the "remodeled rooms" (I think we stayed on floor #7.) Oh...the "awful" thing (actually strange) was...we have to take the elevator to the 6th floor and walk up a ramp to get another elevator to get to our floor (at least I think that is what we did...others can correct me on that one because I just remember we had to take an elevator to a floor...get off and get on another one to get to our floor.) Bottom line....2 kids + 11pm + luggage = SJU Airport Hotel

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

You beat me to it Stoney. No brainer.

Stayed at the airport hotel last Oct. Stuck in SJU overnight due to Cape Air problems. It was marginal (not dirty). in at 11pm out early am? No need to take a cab anywhere. You won't be there long -- few hours of sleep and off to paradise. Have fun

Sadly - it seems - each year it is getting harder and harder to get here w/o stress.
Maybe time to think just outside the box...
Add a few days to your vacation - and enjoy 2 or 3 days of San Juan... truly a beautiful place as well

...... and to the Puerto Rican border officials... that continually ask us "Why do you not spend more time here in Puerto Rico ?".... hey... here is a free plug...LOL

I couldn't agree more with Stoney. We have used the aiport hotel several times. Price is right, location can't be better. In the morning you walk up about 8 steps and you are right in the check in area. If you have time you can cab into town for a nicer restaurant. We got in late last time and still got a light meal right in their bar. and yes there is a wing place just a distance down the sidewalk. No brainer <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I guess I can understand the late arrival, early departure rationale. But, I can not imagine four people fitting into one room. They are tiny.
The last time we stayedt there, the thermostat was broken and the room was a meat locker. The bed was lumpy and the bathroom was tiny and in need of an update.
I would still opt for a Hampton Inn and a five minute cab ride. Think hat CGB has a very good idea. We missed a flight recently because of traffic and had to stay in San Juan for a night. We were in a little after 5 PM and had a late morning flight to VG. So we stayed at the El San Juan and turned a very frustrating day into the begining of a great vacation.
At least we can disagree without being disagreeable. That isn't always the case here.

Absolutely....if every one agreed with me there would not be a room for me when I fly through SJU..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

too funny! I think that a married couple and two 11 year old girls can survive in a tiny hotel room for 6 hours for the convenience of staying in the airport. Too bad the hotel is booked anyway.

I just checked your dates - it's not booked and it's a no brainer! Try them again!!

Go to the Kids play section at the airport. The play matts are soft. Bring a blanket and pillow, it will be quiet there. The AC there is blowing and cold. Done this twice. Now I never fly through SJU.

I got stuck there a few years ago. Airport hotel was the best choice. Hotel cafe turned out to be a strangely decent Sushi Bar... Could not be more convenient. Hotel quality about what you would expect at a roadside Travel Lodge.

Agree with Stoney - no brainer

We stayed at an "off airport" hotel on the way down and at the Airport Hotel on the way back. With cab fare, etc. it was cheaper and much more relaxing to stay at the Airport Hotel.