Musty, dusty, fusty

Posted by Deborah from Washington, DC on 2/26/06

We just returned from a 4-day stay at El Convento during high season (February). We'd been looking forward to the experience, having read the raves. In our opinion, they're selling the sizzle ... but "where's the beef?" No doubt about it, El Convento is unique and its public areas have the "wow factor." Its location in the heart of Old San Juan also works to its advantage. However, the rooms themselves were a major disappointment - and we stayed in the very best, top of the line, "deluxe" category, ringing in at $400/night. For this price, they promised a "view of the bay" and what a view it was! Jockey shorts flapped on a clothesline from the rooftop next door; while their owner dozed nearby. But if you leaned forward and looked to the left, you could, indeed, see the bay. The tiled floors had not been mopped, or even swept. Dust and crumbs were everywhere. And where were the antiques that supposedly filled the rooms? The furnishings were old, in that the smell that wafted from the drawers was wretched. But antique? Hardly. Conquistador period in home furnishings, circa 1968? Maybe. My husband returned to the desk and we were shown a second room. Better, in that the view of the bay less obstructed, but otherwise just as fusty-musty-dusty. Housekeeping left much to be desired. The little complimentary shampoos and things was never re-stocked, the water glasses were never washed, the dust accumulated. But rooms are just a place to sleep, right? So we soldiered on and enjoyed our four days in Puerto Rico to the fullest. Bottom line: We've seen it all, and we're not the kind of visitors who demand everything be just the way it is at home ... but when a hotel charges $385 a night on the basis of views and antiques, if they cannot come through, they could at least "come clean."