We stayed from 10/26/05 to 10/29/05 at $180/night for cityview room. We inquired about an upgrade to oceanview room, and they were able to accomodate us, which was really appreciated because the hotel faces a busy street. The area in front of the hotel is somewhat rundown. The room was nice, but pretty small. The pool area was nice, water is complimentary where you get the towels. The beach was a little disappointing as their are rundown highrise buildings are in view. However, the water was warm and there were no rocks in the sand. We ate at the metropol one night, food was good and very reasonable. Also, ate at overpriced Ruth's Chris and had mediocor food, and not too much atmosphere. We also ate at the Wyndham El San Juan at the La Piccola Fontana, which was more reasonable than Ruth's Chris and very good. Would also recommend Denny's down the street for breakfast as we paid $45 for breakfast for two one day in the hotel.
The Wyndham El San Juan seems to have more nightlife than this hotel and a bigger casino. Overall, I think the resort is a good value especially if you are interested in gambling and nightlife.

Beautiful rooms and outstanding pool area, great restaurants, exceptional service provided by a very friendly staff, extremely clean. Lobby is adequate, but small. Casino is small but the staff is very pleasant. Little night life, but you can go next door to the El San Juan. I was quite surprised by this hotel. Good value for the dollar, from rooms to facilities to food & beverages to health club to the beach. Being a frequent traveler to San Juan, and having stayed at all of the major hotels, the Intercontinental is the nicest overall beach front hotel in San Juan. Can't go wrong staying here.

I travel a lot for my job and needed to get away for a nice quiet vacation with my husband. Booked a quick trip after reading some reviews to the IC in San Juan. When we got there the San Juan area had a huge DC Summit convention arrive that took over most of the hotel Zone. It was a zoo. People everywhere. I was horrified by the all night partying, drug smoking in their rooms, half naked people (in the lobby's) and Sex on the beach (literally not the drink). We had upgraded to an oceanview room which was fantastic but then due to the crowd couldn't sleep so the hotel went out of there way to accomodate us, treated us to a romantic dinner and moved us to the club level due to my loyatly over the years to them. They were really fantastic to us and saved our trip from a nightmare to a memorable trip. My negatvie is San Juan isn't the nicest of areas to visit. A bit dirty and not a lot of extra things to do other than go to Old San Juan.

We were at San Juan from August 23 - 27, and had a pleasant experience at the intercontinental. We booked a city-view room through travelocity at a very decent price, and asked for an upgrade to an ocean view room when we got there. staff was very helpful and offered an ocean view double-bed room (ran out of king/queen bed rooms), but the beds were big so that didn't matter.

Ask for high floors - very beautiful view from the balcony (balcony very tiny, though)

bathrooms are quite small, but generally clean and well kept.

Rooms are also very decent sized. Nothing much to complain about.

Beach access was very convenient - free beach chairs and umbrellas brought out by staff whenever you request - couldn't ask for a more convenient location if you like to go on th beach every morning!

a side note, though - the ESJ (another hotel we were trying to decide) really had a gorgeous, breathtaking casino and lobby. if that's what you're looking for, ESJ may be a better option. Not sure about the room conditions.

Overall a great bargain - good price, good rooms, good beach access. We liked it alot. Just wanted to offer my experience since the reviews on this list have really shaped my Puerto Rico experience.