Puerto Rico Hotels

Easily googled: Guest Houses

by staindesign

I love guesthouses. I guess they could be compared to hostels but perhaps a bit more private. All of the places are easily referred by locals or phone numbers on the front sign. They are like little apartments that range from $40-80 per night. It is probably the easiest and most affordable way to stay in Puerto Rico.

Clean, shared space with locals, and cheap

Esperanza Inn: Private cabanas

by rkearns

A sweet spot just a few buildings down from the beach in Esperanza, this Inn offers a private cabana, a swimming pool and full kitchen for cooking your own meals. The owners are local and friendly Americans, the place is meticulously cleaned and there are even some resident cats and dogs that have been saved by the Inn.

Tradewinds: small hotel and restaurant in Esperanza

by rkearns

Having superb food, this small hotel boasts breathtaking views from the shore of Esperanza, one of the two towns in Vieques. The rooms are simple and small, sometimes noisy from the bustle of the restaurant, but there's access to an outdoor patio from each of the rooms and the ocean is right outside. Friendly owner, friendly service and in a great location to either dine at sunset looking at boats bobbing in a silver sea, or skip to any outdoor sea sport imaginable.

They also have a gift shop of souvenirs, shirts, towels, etc.

ESJ Towers: Stay Away

by Parkslope

We rented condo 170 at the El San Juan Towers in Puerto Rico for four nights from Norgen Management a privately owned condo, managed by Edwin Negron. The management at ESJ is not responsible for this unit, therefore they were not able to assist us or you. Within minutes of our check in, we started to inspect the condo, as we always do whenever we travel. We discovered the following issues with the condo. Therefore I decided to relocated my family to another hotel to salvage our vacation.

• The sofa bed springs were detached from the metal frame.
• The water faucet was leaking water through the side onto the kitchen counter sink.
• The refrigerator/freezer were not cooling or freezing properly.
• The toaster was dirty and rusty.
• The door lock was insecure, the door would shake back and forth when locked.
• The thermostat to the A/C was locked down like Fort Knox, therefore the A/C temperature could not be adjusted.

Two days after our check in date. I returned to the condo to follow up on the repairs hoping perhaps we could return to the condo and save the additional cost for having to relocate. I found a new water faucet on the kitchen counter to replace the damaged one. When I opened the freezer door to dispose the groceries I had purchased for our stay. I discovered the motor to the freezer was removed. On the day four when we were to check out of the condo I entered the condo again, the water faucet and the refrigerator had not been repaired. Not surprising Edwin Negron has refused to refund me the hundreds of dollars I paid Norgen Management months in advance for our reservations. Edwin Negron/Norgen Management now claim they have documentation my family and I were responsible for the damages. Neither has Edwin Negron or Norgen Management have been able to show cause we were responsible for the damages to the condo or provide me with such proof, it’s just another ploy on their part for not returning our full refund. However I did provide them with two videos and numerous pictures of the above issues.

The El Convento: The El Convento

by joiwatani

This hotel was originally a convent but was transformed into a hotel. It's an old building but totally renovated for a nice hotel. Our friends stayed here for a week while we stayed up in the jungles of Indiera at a very modest convent...

This hotel is located at the center of San Juan so it is definitely a plus to stay here. You are at the center where the actions are...

casablanca hotel: nice decorated hotel

by oritperi

Beach front Hotels

by JREllison

In the heart of the upscale hotels off Ashford Avenue there is a small beach known as La Ventana al Mar. or “window to the sea,” a swath of buildings have been replaced by open, public space with a fountain and a walkway stretching out into the ocean. Instead of being lined up along the Avenida Ashford, the businesses here are lined up towards the Atlantic, perpendicular to the street and facing the plaza and the crashing waves The day was warm and the waves cool, we waded in the surf for awhile, sat on the stone benches while we planned the remainder of our day.

Holiday Inn by the sea

by JREllison

An older Holiday Inn but the rooms were clean and the beds comfortable.

The Holiday Inn Express is on a side street off Ashford Avenue. The majority of San Juan's hotels, restaurants and nightclubs are centered along Ashford Avenue in the Condado section of the city. Midway along Ashford Avenue there is a small beach known as La Ventana al Mar. or “window to the sea,” a swath of buildings have been replaced by open, public space with a fountain and a walkway stretching out into the ocean. Instead of being lined up along the Avenida Ashford, the businesses here are lined up towards the Atlantic, perpendicular to the street and facing the plaza and the crashing waves

Hotel Melia: Great Hotel with lots of History and Culture

by theonefisher

We stayed for one night in the city of Ponce. Ponce is full of history and great architecture. This hotel features and open courtyard between the lower floors and clean rooms. The price was very reasonable. There is a free breakfast on the roof that offers a great view of the town. There is a statue garden on the roof as well. The staff was extra friendly and eager to help.

If you haven't seen Ponce, you won't want to miss it!

The El San Juan: Nice way to stay

by plasma800

The El San Juan is pure magic. This hotel has done everything right. First and foremost this is more like a resort than hotel. It's not just beds and room but they have the most magnificent lobby and casino that completely fill up with locals and tourists alike starting on the Thursday night, getting bigger on Friday night and totally full Saturday night.

This lobby though is first class and its not a frat party either. they have two bars, a casino and a full night club for those who want a little more party. It's elegant and everyone is spectacular. no t shirts, no shorts, no flip flops (during the day, beach attire is fine, but on weekends a no no directly in the lobby).. on the weekends in the lobby the hotel is transformed!

On the other side of the hotel .. is just amazing. Out the back door and there is a large outdoor bar connected to the restaurant and the one lavish pool after another after another all the way to the direct beach access.

The back of the hotel drops you right off at the start of Isla Verde beach, one of hte most talked about beaches in Puerto Rico and certainly San Juan. Its kid friendly (i don't have any kids but..) security was everywhere, cops everywhere and all of the water was roped so no one can float off.

The rooms are a bit odd, just not what you are used to seeing and if anyone in the next room even coughs loud, you hear it. Lord forbid you get a room near the elevator deck.. but who's sleeping anyway!

Downstairs they have a whole shopping arrangement where you can get just almost anything you need.
within walking distance is a walgreens, a cock fighting ring and some really good food. Right next door to the cock fighting (walk out hotel front, turn left on ave isla verde, cross street, two blocks down on right) is the best food i had almost anywhere (except for Fajardo Bay)

Isla Verde Blvd is busy and bustly, just walk. Just get out and turn right or left and walk. You will find all kinds of things. Food, Cabs, Cigar store, Cock Fighting just everything.

The hotel is amazing. Anything you want, period, you got it in five minutes. Even a doctor, which we needed, he was there within 20 minutes in rush hour friday!

As long as you do not plan to spend all of your time in your hotel room, everything about this place is magic. This is not a cheap hotel, this is a 5 star resort so take some decent clothes and enjoy!

Ask for a taxi driver named Michael. He specializes in driving to places on the island OTHER than the air port. A tour guide taxi if you will. He's drive you anywhere on the island you want to go, even overnight and guides along the away, and for not a lot of money.

Oh certainly the magical lobby, casino, beach access and location.