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SJU facilities - a warning #42634
03/01/2015 07:35 AM
03/01/2015 07:35 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 316
UK
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Jakehound Offline OP
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UK
Beware SJU facilities after you go through security. Last week returning from BVI we found no daytime restaurants open (only 2 takeaways), no shopping except for one small Dufry, an inconvenience store and that's it. Takeaways have a monopoly on food: result, overpriced with limited choice (tiny hot dog $5, small pack of salted nuts $6, less-than-average tuna club sandwich $10).

No SJU staff available to whom to address concerns (I wonder why). SJU is undergoing 'refurbishment', so hopefully these arrangements are only temporary. Next time we'll buy our in-flight food downtown before travelling to the airport.


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Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Jakehound] #42635
03/01/2015 08:37 AM
03/01/2015 08:37 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
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Manpot  Online Crying
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Sounds like the SJU of old..maybe the worst food and service of any airport I have been in..

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Jakehound] #42636
03/01/2015 09:13 AM
03/01/2015 09:13 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 850
Manhattan Beach, CA
calsail Offline
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Posts: 850
Manhattan Beach, CA
Stopped traveling thru San Juan decades ago for the same reasons plus "inspected" bags missing little things. Perfume mostly. Has never happened to me at STT.

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: calsail] #42637
03/01/2015 09:28 AM
03/01/2015 09:28 AM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 375
now - or when ?
C
CGB Offline
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CGB  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 375
now - or when ?
Yeah... SanJuan, and Miami - both notorious for things vanishing from checked bags - especially (from a guy's perspective) bottles of rum when northbound
I find that stringing a small locking tie-wrap thru the zippers - has stopped this nuisance.

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: CGB] #42638
03/01/2015 12:05 PM
03/01/2015 12:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
HillsideView Offline
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HillsideView  Offline
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Ya never know...
Yup, pretty much any half decent options are before security. There was a fancy looking restaurant in Terminal B about to do a "soft opening" when we walked by on Thursday. Didn't pay much attention to the name, but I believe it to be Italian.
They had portable food kiosks by the gates where you could line up to buy a 16 ounce bottle of water for around $4, a couple of sandwich choices (found leave it to be the best choice)and some $8 burgers or $10+ Domino's mini pizzas that most likely had been sitting since before the renovation began.
On a side note, it was rather entertaining watching folks stand in the barely moving line and when they finally made the counter, NOW it was time to read the signs and ask 101 questions and figure out what to order. The woman who ranted about wanting swiss cheese and bacon on her premade burger was priceless.


My foot fits right into my shoe and my shoe will fit right into your...
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: HillsideView] #42639
03/01/2015 12:45 PM
03/01/2015 12:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 320
TAMPA BAY, USA
lookinatfifty Offline
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lookinatfifty  Offline
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TAMPA BAY, USA
We'll be flying into SJU in the wee hours on May 30, flying out to STT at 7a. Hopefully they're finished with the reno by then! Thanks for the info on this issue at SJU, we'll be watching it closely...

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: lookinatfifty] #42640
03/01/2015 12:55 PM
03/01/2015 12:55 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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It's not that bad. Not too good either. The lousy margarita ville was open a few weeks ago


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

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Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: warren460] #42641
03/01/2015 01:20 PM
03/01/2015 01:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545
Here and There
rita_irvine Offline
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We will be coming through this summer. Hope the upgrade will be done by then!! We have less than a 2 hr layover both ways so we will not be exiting security.


Rita
It is better to be happy than it is to be right

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Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: rita_irvine] #42642
03/01/2015 02:41 PM
03/01/2015 02:41 PM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,450
Napa, California
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Teammac Offline
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I understand the "warning", but somehow I can't remember when airports transformed from airports into airports with shopping malls and first class restaurants? What's next, movie theaters and live entertainment in our airports?


It's not what you've got, it's what you give, it's not the life you choose, it's the life you live.
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Teammac] #42643
03/01/2015 02:45 PM
03/01/2015 02:45 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Online crying
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Some airports have very good food..SFO..LHR..Miami..surpised by Charlotte..if you are travelling many hours a good meal and service can make a world of difference..

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Manpot] #42644
03/01/2015 03:03 PM
03/01/2015 03:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,450
Napa, California
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Teammac Offline
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Napa, California
Agree. Just look at Dallas Ft Worth! I just can't remember when this all happened? I remember vending machines in airports and then wham.....full service restaurants!


It's not what you've got, it's what you give, it's not the life you choose, it's the life you live.
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Teammac] #42645
03/01/2015 03:29 PM
03/01/2015 03:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
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love DFW, they also have a very nice Admirals Club

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: sail2wind] #42646
03/01/2015 04:28 PM
03/01/2015 04:28 PM
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Posts: 896
SeaSeaRider Offline
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As mentioned above, the new SWA terminal B in SJU does not have a casual sit down restaurant, but a short walk over to terminal A gives a lot of options. There's a large food court and a decent sit down restaurant between gates 4 and 5. Did that on Friday.


Rob
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Manpot] #42647
03/01/2015 05:13 PM
03/01/2015 05:13 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545
Here and There
rita_irvine Offline
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Seattle has wonderful options for food though most are inside the security gate.


Rita
It is better to be happy than it is to be right

[Linked Image]
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: rita_irvine] #42648
03/01/2015 06:49 PM
03/01/2015 06:49 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,429
Villa Euphoria Leverick Bay, P...
mdoyle9999 Offline
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Villa Euphoria Leverick Bay, P...
We go through San Juan three or four times each year - round trip. It has improved enormously over the last 25 years. The new Terminal A is very functional with many food options and a pretty good bar. Concourse B was the worst and is now being reconstructed. The other concourses are more easily accessible to each other and there are many food options within easy walking distance.
The best terminal we have ever been to is Terminal 5 at Heathrow. The British Air Lounge is spectacular and has a wonderful spa to boot. Gordon Ramsey's restaurant is first rate.
While SJU will never meet that standard, it's a lot better than many other airports we have been to and it is getting better every year.

Last edited by mdoyle9999; 03/01/2015 09:34 PM.

Mike
"The journey is the thing." Homer
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: mdoyle9999] #42649
03/01/2015 08:15 PM
03/01/2015 08:15 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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Massachusetts
Haven't had any problems with missing items in our bags on all our trips through SJU *knock on wood*..

And haven't been in any terminal besides A recently and as Rob said above, they have some good options. I imagine the other terminals will improve when finished.


Matt
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: maytrix] #42650
03/01/2015 09:02 PM
03/01/2015 09:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925
Michigan
rhans Offline
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Michigan
Had the opportunity to join the breakfast brunch at the Tamarind a few weeks ago with the owner of Island Birds. Over one of their fantastic specials we found ourselves discussing SJU. He indicated that a group from Mexico had acquired control of SJU airport and things where changing. Maybe good or bad.
I know from recent experience it’s a real pain in the butt. Old design = walk thru the main entrance and continue straight for LIAT, Cape Air, ect or veer slightly and end up at the majors. Fast forward and the majors are next to the hotel and the regionals are a half a mile away. Progress?

Side note – Sundays at the Tamarind are not to be missed.

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Teammac] #42651
03/02/2015 11:27 AM
03/02/2015 11:27 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta Online content
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Woodstock, GA
Atlanta has finished a MAJOR renovation of all concourses that includes some very fine dining options in addition to the usual fare!

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: SeaSeaRider] #42652
03/02/2015 01:13 PM
03/02/2015 01:13 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,392
Maryland
Kirk Offline
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Maryland
Quote
SeaSeaRider said:
As mentioned above, the new SWA terminal B in SJU does not have a casual sit down restaurant, but a short walk over to terminal A gives a lot of options. There's a large food court and a decent sit down restaurant between gates 4 and 5. Did that on Friday.


Yup...we went back to term A both ends of our trip a couple of weeks ago. That bar/restaurant certainly isn't one of my favorites by any stretch...but it beats the heck of of that old one at STT!


Kirk in Maryland
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Kirk] #42653
03/02/2015 01:54 PM
03/02/2015 01:54 PM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,450
Napa, California
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Teammac Offline
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Napa, California
Something I do think about......I can't take even a small jar of jelly into the secure area of the airport, right? But I can buy a small jar of jelly inside the secure area. So where are the hundreds of TSA inspectors checking every little bit of food and such that end up in the secure areas in the stores and eating establishments? Do they open up each jar of food and check it? If I wanted to get something through couldn't I simply put a jar of such and such into the load going into a store inside the secure area they buy it on the other side? Inquiring minds want to know!


It's not what you've got, it's what you give, it's not the life you choose, it's the life you live.
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: lookinatfifty] #42654
03/04/2015 09:04 AM
03/04/2015 09:04 AM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 781
British Virgin Islands
Uschi Offline
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British Virgin Islands
Quote
lookinatfifty said:
We'll be flying into SJU in the wee hours on May 30, flying out to STT at 7a. Hopefully they're finished with the reno by then! Thanks for the info on this issue at SJU, we'll be watching it closely...


I doubt you will find anything open. Reached SJU one time on a delayed flight at 2.00 AM with flight to EIS at around 7.00 AM, didn't even leave the airport and was on my own for the entire time, was kind of scary. I am sure I wasn't even supposed to be in there but nobody caught me smile

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Uschi] #42655
03/04/2015 09:16 AM
03/04/2015 09:16 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
For sure. We came through there at like 8 PM fairly recently. All the bars and restaurants closed at like 9 PM..


Carol Hill
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Carol_Hill] #42656
03/04/2015 09:59 AM
03/04/2015 09:59 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,169
Rincón PR
casailor53 Offline
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casailor53  Offline
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Rincón PR
The Mexicans have really played hardball. At least according to my pilot friends on Island Birds, Fly BVI and Caribbean Wings.

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: casailor53] #42657
03/04/2015 10:51 AM
03/04/2015 10:51 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Central Florida!
Huh?


Carol Hill
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Carol_Hill] #42658
03/04/2015 10:56 AM
03/04/2015 10:56 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 787
Calgary
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bonefish Offline
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Calgary

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: bonefish] #42659
03/04/2015 11:25 AM
03/04/2015 11:25 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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OK, thanks for the link. To ME, you would think that it wouldn't make sense from an economic standpoint, to close all the bars and restaurants when there are still a ton of people in the airport? Especially the bars. Honestly, the price they charge for drinks in airports is robbery, but people pay it anyway.


Carol Hill
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Carol_Hill] #42660
03/04/2015 12:59 PM
03/04/2015 12:59 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,035
Buffalo, NY
LauraTheTshirtGal Offline
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Buffalo, NY
I never understood why SJU had such great food options outside of security (we didn't even know they were there for the first bunch of trips).

ps if you ever have to sleep at JFK go to their International terminal 4, one of the nicest terminals I have ever seen, there were actually benches there!! not those stupid seats with arm rests between lol.

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: LauraTheTshirtGal] #42661
03/04/2015 01:08 PM
03/04/2015 01:08 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,392
Maryland
Kirk Offline
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Maryland
SJU is starting to look nice...I guess you could say it's got potential. That new (still un-opened but looks done) restaurant looks nice. Of course it'll probably be like the other bar/restaurant that serves you an over-priced beer in a really cheap plastic cup.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />



On the way down we got lost a couple different times while going from the SouthWest gate to the Cape Air gate. We got a porter on the way back just to figure out where we needed to go but we didn't need him to carry our bags. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


Kirk in Maryland
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: LauraTheTshirtGal] #42662
03/04/2015 01:54 PM
03/04/2015 01:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Boy, I'm with you on that one, Laura! I don't know how much airports I have been in, that there is NOWHERE to sit that you can even put your feet up! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" /> We don't travel often enough these days to pay for an airline hospitality room membership.


Carol Hill
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Carol_Hill] #42663
03/04/2015 02:09 PM
03/04/2015 02:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
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if you drink at all, the monthly Admirals Club is only $100 for two people for all flights. Two Bloody Marys in a packed bar would be $25. For $100 you get lounge chairs, high speed internet, free liquor, free munchies, and this is for all flights within a months time. If your layover is more then 2 hours it's a no brainer.

Last edited by sail2wind; 03/04/2015 06:37 PM.
Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Carol_Hill] #42664
03/04/2015 05:50 PM
03/04/2015 05:50 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,901
Maine
Breeze Offline
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Quote
Carol_Hill said:
OK, thanks for the link. To ME, you would think that it wouldn't make sense from an economic standpoint, to close all the bars and restaurants when there are still a ton of people in the airport? Especially the bars. Honestly, the price they charge for drinks in airports is robbery, but people pay it anyway.


Well, compare and contrast this sort of policy to having a stranglehold on folks in transit. If SJU committed to keeping international travelers inside the airport and NOT encouraging curiosity and the seeking of services outside the airport boundaries, established hotels, restaurants and tourism/hospitality venues would be screaming bloody murder.

Sound to me like the new airport administration is seeking a sweet spot that will have staying power over a long range contract, and NOT hose either the traveler or the exisitng hospitality infrastructure of San Juan.

Breeze

Re: SJU facilities - a warning [Re: Breeze] #42665
03/04/2015 09:36 PM
03/04/2015 09:36 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,169
Rincón PR
casailor53 Offline
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Long travel day today with a 3h layover at SJU. A Cuban sandwich a Medalla Light was $24.99 + tax + tip in the secure area on concourse D. Currently enjoying sushi at CLT with a 4h layover.


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