Millerweb - Galaxy

San Juan, PR

Friday, Saturday November 17/18, 2000 - Westin Rio Mar Beach

Arrival Westin.

After landing at San Juan, getting the Avis car, and driving for an hour to this resort, we were happy campers to arrive. Unfortunately, there was no valet service since the main hotel was full with convention bookings and unfortunately there was some inconvenience before we were settled in to the Villas. No big deal, but not as smooth as we had wished. This is a BIG convention destination, so you might want to ask beforehand.

View of fountains in front of Villas. Beyond is golf course which was well groomed and had awesome views. View from elevator lobby deck, 5th floor.

This is a beautiful resort. Rooms in the Villa are about $160US. Each room has a deck overlooking either beach or mountains. Villa just opened the week we were there. The main hotel has been there for some time. Shuttle bus is a 3 minute ride.

View from the beach to the Villa.

Red roofed structure slightly right of center is the restaurant. This was still under development so the selections were just breakfast, and brief at that. No grill. This is supposedly being upgraded. Very pleasing environment however with screened porches affording breeze and view.

The service was excellent. Escorted to room, shuttle to main hotel, your every wish.

Very brief stay, so this review is inconclusive.

Rain Forest

Fully recovered from Hurricane Hugo. Long drive up the mountain, about 45 minutes, if you are behind a tourist bus. Beautiful views. Worthwhile only if you wish to trek on trails with Rangers and get explaination of flora and eco-detail. Basically a full day event, but we only had a few hours and no oppertunity to tour with Rangers. A good time, but didn't do it justice.

Above - road below, looking at mountains ahead

Right - Steam in forest.

Embarkation, San Juan, Pier 4.

Arrival - Pier 4

Jan with CC representive.

Note crowd in background.

Arrival Pier from Westin.
1. Was able to park rental car at pier and unload luggage, left view is from parked car!
2. Janet found a porter and we loaded 8 bags. She took the porter to the Captains Club representive past crowds.
3. Since she had all documentation ready, we were wisked to the CC desk and 5 minutes later on-board... Flawless!
4. I then drove rental car to airport/Avis (20 minutes). Took shuttle to Airport (10 minutes). Took Celebrity Shuttle from airport to pier (15 minutes).

Summary - If we had drove directly to Airport/Avis (before pier) we would have had to schlep all those bags from the car return lane to shuttles and then cabs to get to the pier. I was far smarter for one member to drop off bags and passengers at the pier.

Keep in mind that we chose to use a rental car because we were in PR Friday. We did that to be mobile and free. You can use cabs, but they charge per baggage (albeit small at $.50 per bag over 4). Fare to/from Airport is $16.00, fixed.

Pier 4 is very poorly marked. Actually, to get there is not logical, it's on a circle and it's confusing. So, driving from "sight lines" to the big ships is very interesting. Unless you need a car, take a cab!

Feedback? Greg Miller, www.millerweb.com - greg@millerweb.com

	View of fountains in front of Villas. Beyond is golf course which was well groomed and had awesome views.		View from elevator lobby deck, 5th floor.
	This is a beautiful resort. Rooms in the Villa are about $160US. Each room has a deck overlooking either beach or mountains. Villa just opened the week we were there. The main hotel has been there for some time. Shuttle bus is a 3 minute ride.