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Travel to Phoenix on Southwest Airlines was seamless. The flights were about 75% full so there was plenty of room to stretch out. There should not be a concern about the new advance check in policy as long as you check in 24 hrs before flight time. You will get the seats you want. We changed in Vegas and got in early so the lay over was a little longer than expected.

In Scottsdale, the weather was very mild and pleasant. Tempuratures were 70’s during the day, 50’s at night. Travel day was a long day and with the change in time zones, it seems even longer.

We used a great airport transfer company-Arizona Horseless Carriage, 602-485-4280. They cost about $35 each way. Ask for Vince.

The Marriott Suites, just off Scottsdale Ave (a major thoroughfare), is a good place to stay because of its convenient location. When vacationing in the Phoenix, Scottsdale is where you want to be.

The Marriott is very basic. It is modern and in good condition but has no outstanding facilities. It is a good meeting or business hotel. The pool is small and isolated. The workout room is small and full with 6 people. There is a business center. The restaurant and bar are standard hotel style. The meeting rooms and break services are done well. The rooms are larger suites with a wet bar and refrigerator. No free internet. Internet costs $13 a day. Food at the hotel is expensive but not anymore than most big cities.

The best part of the hotel is its location. You are a few blocks from everywhere you want to be Scottsdale. You are near the Nordstrom Mall, the Fifth Ave shopping district and all of the restaurants that are in that area.

I recommend 3 restaurants: Metro Bistro-a French restaurant with a modern menu and average prices. The décor is very upscale. Next door is a new Italian restaurant-Tutto. Again the menu offers traditional Italian items with a new twist. The chef is half Spanish and half Italian. Dinner for 2 with a drink and tip was about $80. A cool lunch place is Stax. The offer a wide variety of burgers. They are small so get 2. Cost about $10. Try the turkey burger. Nearby is Olive and Ivy. This is a popular and famous restaurant. You should try it once. Our last night there we wanted a good steak so we went to the popular Saddle Ranch Chop House. The steaks are good and of average price. They are less expensive than the steak houses near the Nordstrom Mall. The atmosphere is casual and appeals to a young crowd. In the middle of the restaurant is a mechanical bull. Every once in a while an obviously inebriated patron gives it a try. It is worth going to dinner here just for that.

On Thursday, we flew from Phoenix to San Juan for another meeting. Our flights were arranged for us. We flew on Continental, changing planes in Houston. The flights all operated on time, but once again the airlines have a way to go to provide an adequate product. People are crammed into their seats. An average sized person literally cannot move once buckled in. God forbid the person in front of you wants to lower his seat back.

While the flight staff seemed attentive and pleasant, the lunch was bad. I am in favor of bringing your own food on board the plane or buying something on board if it is quality. The barbecue turkey roll offered was not good. We brought our own food.

American Express Vacations provides a first class operation. They met us at the San Juan airport as soon as we arrived in the baggage claim area and advised us as to how things would work. We identified our bags and porters took them for us from there. The next time we saw them was in our room.

The ride to the Gran Melia, Puerto Rico was about 30 minutes. The property is located in the Coco Beach area, east of the airport. The entire Coco Beach area is beautiful and still under development. Next door is a Trump Resort and Golf Course. Soon to be built is a Marriott. The complex that is the Gran Melia covers many acres. The main buildings are to the west and consist of large ballrooms, reception areas, 3 restaurants, plenty of area to sit and relax, a bar area which is active in the evenings with live music, there buildings off by themselves where we watched at least 2 destination weddings. The hotel has a small shopping area and of course a casino. Behind the main buildings is the large pool area. There really isn’t one pool, but instead a series of pools surrounded with foliage and occasional beach chairs. Closet to the beach is a pool bar and beach restaurant. The restaurant is small and crowded at lunch time. The food is good but lunch for 2 will cost you $40+. Finding pool chairs could be a challenge if the hotel is full.

Next to the pool is a hut where all kinds of water sports can be arranged. This is where you get your towels, floating devices, etc.

There is no beach to speak of. There is a strip of sand walled off by rocks, then the water. I was told a proper beach would be in place within a couple of years. Since the existence of a beach was not a concern of mine, I didn’t mind, but if you go to lie on the beach and frolic in the beautiful blue, then this isn’t for you. The sleeping quarters are east of the main buildings and a good walk away. There are many golf carts scooting back and forth to bring you between your room and the main buildings. Each cottage holds may 10 or 20 rooms. Some rooms have ocean views some have garden views. Don’t be disappointed if you get a garden view. The garden areas have many ponds and lush foliage so you feel like you are in the jungle. There is plenty of local wildlife in the gardens for you to watch.

We arrived at night so we were unable to get the full effect of the property, but the way it is lighted at night creates a great atmosphere. The many floor lanterns create a Spanish villa feeling throughout the property.

Because we were at a meeting, all of our meals were in buffet or banquet format. Food served that way is generally average and that is what we encountered. I would have liked to try the restaurants because I heard the food was good. The cost of everything there was Caribbean rates, so if they offer an all-inclusive plan, I would take it. Drinks, however, were reasonably priced.

I have to commend the staff for outstanding service plus they were very friendly.

Some spa services and golf were included in our stay, so again I can’t give you exact prices but was told golf was about $125 per person and spa services cost what you would expect to pay at a resort. I was told the spa was one of the best ever experienced.

We played golf on the Trump Championship Course. It is a beautiful layout offering great views of the sea and the mountains. The white tees play about 6500 yards. Beyond the white tees, you will be challenged by blue, gold and black tees. The Puerto Rico Open, which attracts PGA pros, play the black tees. The course was very soggy because of all the rain prior to our arrival, so there was no roll on your drives which made the course longer. The greens were very tricky. There were many sand traps.

We had lunch at the course too and the food is very good. You need to be driven from the hotel to course. It is about a 10 minute drive.

Check out at the hotel was handled expertly. We had our bags outside our door an hour before it was time to leave and went to have breakfast. After breakfast, we went to the main entrance and our bags were there as was the bus to take us to the airport. We identified our bags and they were put on the bus for us.

We left San Juan on a Sunday around the same time the cruise ship passengers were leaving so the airport was crowded and it took along time to get through security. Again, I recommend you bring food with you because US Airways charges for food (and baggage). It is not cheap.

The flights were close to on time and operated as expected. The seating was cramped but manageable.

I am a big fan of Puerto Rico as a vacation destination. The island offers everything you could want in a vacation. The hotels are first class; there are many flight options; cost is very competitive to other destinations; the people are friendly and welcoming and it is a U.S possession so you can anticipate the quality and sophistication expected by American travelers.

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