TDY Gouge - Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico - Support is non-existent with the Navy at Roosevelt Roads NS (go to San Juan instead),. But if you do RON here, several resort hotels near Rosie Roads will suffice: The Westin Rio Mar, (787)888-6000 is a luxurious resort and hotel, with a beautiful beach, a casino, Greg Norman golf course, gym and spa, plus many pools and hot tubs. The rooms are nice, but everything (food, etc.) is vastly expensive. I've been working with the Westin hotel which is giving us a better rate than the $155.00 rate allowed. The hotel is unbelievable and the folks at Starwood Hotels (Westin, W, Sheraton, etc.) have been terrific. If you're going through San Juan, Puerto Rico I would suggest you contact Lauralee Shapiro at 407-934-1032 or at Lshapiro@tishman.com. I use Westin hotels when I'm on corporate business and these guys are great.

The Westin offers a very expensive buffet and entrees at their restaurants ($20 - 30 per plate). Not to worry, there is cheap food for the Crew Dog nearby. Right after the turn-off from the highway to the side road leading you to the Westin there is a great Chinese Restaurant that serves good (cheap) food. When leaving the Westin on the day of your flight, go straight through the traffic light at the highway, turn right and about 4 blocks down on the right side is a GREAT Bakery / Deli. It opens at 5:00 AM EVERY DAY. Fantastic Cuban sandwiches go for about $1.50. They also serve rotisserie chicken and other good food. Load up for your flight!

El Conquistador, (800)-WYNDHAM is also a fine resort hotel. Although being over the gov rate, it boasts a large casino, great view, golf courses, private island, tennis, multiple pools, and even a disco in the hotel. Rooms are spread out. This place also charges a lot for food/drink - found out the hard way I couldn't afford to drink there. Get booze on base. Bring your sticks and talk to the golf pro. He'll hook you up. If you can, get a van and go into town or San Juan. If you stay at the Westin Rio Mar, and you have a full day off, check out the El Yunque Rain forest. Its only 20 minutes away and offers excellent hiking trails and beautiful sceenery in the only rain forest operated by the US Parks Service. To dine, go to Luquillo, near the Westin. Sandy's is one of many good local restaurants in the town, offering typical, inexpensive Puerto Rican cuisine and friendly service.

NOTES: 1.) ATOC has u-drive-it vans allocated for USAF use ONLY - therefore they must allow you use of them as long as no other transient crews have them. 2.) There is a letter down from AMC dictating that USAF crews MUST stay on base (Navy Billeting) if available - that's bullshit, of course; so instead of relying on ATOC to make your reservations, bypass them and do it yourself. Also, cabs/vans can easily be acquired if no u-drive-its are available - the fees are all reimbusable, of course.

Navy Lodging Update--Apparently they finished the new rooms at the Navy Lodge on base. AMC has designated these rooms (in addition to the 10 they already had blocked out before) as "appropriate" for AMC crews. SO this opens some 140 rooms for us. They all have to be full before the Navy people can issue a non-avail slip. This really sucks! I don't know how we can get around this. AT the very least pass on to the crews to NOT MAKE ANY RESERVATIONS. Just show up; it increases the chances of going to the Westin or EL Conquistador. You probably heard about the crew that refused the Navy lodge, and the Navy guy took pictures of the room (to show that the rooms were "good enough"), and mailed them to AMC. This in essence started the cracking down, since the AMC general saw the pictures and started this snowball rolling. The only guys that have gotten around this that I have heard of are the guard people, since their units pay for anything.

I just returned from a TDY to Borinquen ( the old Ramey AFB) on the North West coast of Puerto Rico. This is a much quieter side of the Island if you are used to the bustle of San Juan. We were put up in a nice Hotel, The Mayaguez Casino and Resort nice view of the ocean and a nice pool, but not on the beach. We were really too far away from San Juan to brave the two plus hour drive in, so we stayed on that side of the Island. Had a great meal at the Oyster Bar in Mayaguez. Also Check out Jobos Beach near the Base great crashing waves and an impressive blowhole, while there eat at Happy Belly's it's right on the beach with outdoor seating and great food at a reasonable price. Overall this was a great TDY. ~Navy Lodging at Roosey Sucks! The beds are slightly wider than cots. The room keys are metal so are easily copied. One room was broken in to and an item stolen. Billeting folks were not surprised. Leave your valuables on the plane, it's safer. Harbor Lights restaurant was overpriced and lame. The new ATOC contractor did a good job. Check max per diem rates before accepting a hotel. ATOC gave us wheels, which are necessary.

San Juan, Puerto Rico - A great time waits for you in this beautiful city. The Coronet Oak guys and the PRANG will offer you great support despite the small ramp space. Once you get off the base, the list of hotels is large. Many opt for the ESJ Towers in Isla Verde. Not bad, since it is located next to the the El San Juan and the San Juan Grand Hotels which are awesome (go to their casinos and clubs if you can), and near the Ritz Carlton (another awesome hotel with a large casino). In addition, there are a few bars and restaurants around. Another popular choice is the Embassy Suites. This hotel is nice and very close to the Airport, but its fairly far from the nightlife. If you go to the other touristy area, Condado, consider the Condado Plaza, located at the heart of the tourist section. Across from Tony Roma's, and with the area's largest casino, four restaurants, a private beach, and a club at the lobby, this hotel will have all that you need if you don't want to leave the hotel. If you do opt to go out, Old San Juan is a ten minute drive from the Condado Plaza (compared to 20 minutes from the ESJ Towers). Go to the strip of bars by Cristo Street. Nono's, el Patio de Sam, and Lazer's are only a few of the nice bars in the area. The hang-out place for locals is in Santurce, at the "Plazita," near Stop 18. If you like to meet university-age people and drink, go there. Its all improvised tailgating - no bars. But lots of people. Other nice clubs include Stargate and Havana Club, all near Stop 18. If you have a full day there, do not miss out on touring Old San Juan! The views around EL Morro are spectacular, and you will meet lots of toursts from the cruises that stop there every day.