The Hotel Pierre was a great stay for someone on a budget (as we were). The lobby was nicely redecorated (according to other reviews), and although the room was small and needed some updating, it was nicer than a Motel 6 in the states. The staff were all fantastic - very helpful, spoke great English, and were ready to help us with our needs. There were always taxis out front if needed. The main drag in Condado was a two block walk to the north and a turn towards the west - the longer you walk, the more you find. It's not like a typical tourist strip - the restaurants were interspersed with houses and local businesses, but if you're willing to walk (or take a taxi or bus), you will find something to eat - or a casino to lose some money in! There are multiple beach access points - we enjoyed walking the beach closest to the hotel, but sunbathing down nearer to the Mariott. Although people will rent you beach chairs here, we were able to find free ones outside of beachside hotel areas. This part of San Juan doesn't seem like the most tourist-y part of town, but I always felt safe, and the frogs kept us company with their calls when we walked back to our hotel at night. One last note - the front desk helped us rent a car from a local company - Target - which was cheaper than some of the national chains, and they were some great people, very helpful and friendly, to rent from. We enjoyed the rainforest and eastern coast for a day, and returned the car that evening so we didn't have to pay or mess wtih parking a car overnight.

Stay here one night (2 double rooms) last Dec 31st..

The hotel is being renovated. The beds are good, the carpets were stained, the bathroom was clean, the furnitures were very old, the elevators need to be changed, but the staff was incredibly friendly.

Did not eat at the restaurant, but saw many people enjoying the buffet.

Valet parking was convenient and location was far from everything but easy acces by car to major streets and highways.

Will probably be back once they finish ALL renovations

Thinking this would be the usual standard of a Best Western hotel, I was disappointed. While the beds were very comfortable, the overall look of the room was shabby. The pool was okay, but the water was not clean, and the pool deck was littered with cigarette butts. The continental breakfast did not provide great selection however it was nice to be able to eat outside. The biggest disappointment was checking in on a Sunday after a cruise and finding that the bar and the restaurant were closed after serving a buffet lunch. Therefore, to get a meal, I had to go out, which I had hoped to avoid as I was travelling alone at that point, and I was tired. The hotel is located in a residential area away from Old Town, and taxis were expensive. While some of the staff were friendly and helpful and the price was reasonable, I would not stay there again.

I stayed with four couples at the Pierre for two days after a cruise.

The hotel is basic, but fairly nice. The rooms are decked out in horrific oranges and tans, a bit of fake bamboo - you've seen the look before. They are spacious, and clean though.

We didn't try the restaurant - it was very expensive - $25 entrees, and Sunday brunch was $32. Kind of strange for a budget hotel.

Staff was friendly, but not exceptional. The pool is quite nice, although the hot tub looked like a big helping of man soup.

Temper your expectations for the continental breakfast - cold cereal, toast and some pastries. One day a hotel guest decided to grab about 50 pastries, cram them into a shopping bag, and leave with them. Free, indeed.

Now the bad part. The elevators have clearly seen better days. They always seem to stop short of the floor, and are slow and jerky. One night, nine of us were in the elevator, and it got halfway to the second floor and then just stopped. I've never been stuck in an elevator before, and man was it scary. Hot, crowded, and not a bunch you can do. After what felt like 10 minutes, but was likely more like 2 or 3, the elevator limped up to the second floor, and we got off. We took the stairs for the rest of the trip. Staff was suitably apologetic - no idea if any action was taken though. (FYI - listed capacity on the elevator is 2000 lbs, my quick estimate was that we were at 1500 or so)

Last year we stayed at the Coral Princess Inn which was better in all respects, but they seem to have cranked up the rates due to all the good reviews.