My brother and his new wife now have a one night stay at the end of their October honeymoon in San Juan, due to changed flight schedules. As my wedding gift to them, I wanted to put them up in El Convento for one night. They will have just finished up an AI beach vacation in the DR and I'd really like to have them stay in Old San Juan. There are just two catches, somewhat contradictory:

1) The AAA website tells me that El Convento is undergoing extensive renovations, due to be completed in December of this year.

2) El Convento website tells me nothing of said construction, but does inform me that that they now have two night minimum stays on the weekends. The night my brother and his wife will be there is Friday, 17 October.

Now, it seems to me that it's a little odd to require two night stays in October of all months, not to mention to require that during a time of extensive renovation. So, my questions to you, dear readers, are these: What can you tell me about the type of renovation going on? Is it construction? Or just redecorating? And do you have any suggestions for getting around this somewhat silly two night minimum in the lowest of low seasons? Perhaps just calling them in person?

Thanks!

I'd call them, but I know a lot of the hotels in Old San Juan do sometimes have stay minimums. It may well be related to the arrival & departure of the cruise ships as well. I'd give them a call & that certainly IS where I would want to stay in OSJ.

We just stayed at the El San Juan last month. They are doing interior renovations. They are working on updating the guest rooms and are doing this floor by floor starting at the top floor (the 5th floor) and working their way down. While we were there the 4th floor was closed.

It was NOT a problem and was not very noisy since most of the renovation work is painting and updating the interiors of the guest rooms. We did on occasion (in the middle of the day when most people are out sightseeing) hear a little noise (maybe a power tool) but for only a short while (maybe 15 minutes at a time).

We were given a newly renovated room on the 5th floor (which was an upgraded view from what we had booked). It was lovely. But I don't think unrenovated rooms are a poor choice either, I don't think the hotel let them get rundown.

I would not hesitate to stay here during the renovation process. In fact I wouldn't like staying in any other Old San Juan hotel because you cannot beat the location of El Convento. The nightly wine and cheese party is wonderful and the view from the pool and lounge decks is just great.

You can see my photos (and many others) on tripadvisor.com. We were in room 515 and had a bay view.

Bring bug spray as it's a buggy hotel because of the indoor courtyard. Interiors definitely need an update.

I want to stay there next May for 1 night, and was also informed by their website that there is a 2 night minimum. Please report back what they said! This is my backup choice, which looks great...

http://www.thegalleryinn.com/homepage.htm

Check out www.cervantespr.com It's called Chateau Cervantes in Old San Juan.

THanks for following up on my post, y'all. Becky, the Gallery Inn is also my second choice! I sent a detailed email request to El Convento and didn't hear from them. I may give them a call to see if I can get a response I like, otherwise it will be the Gallery Inn.

PandyB, I didn't find the need for bug spray in the courtyard at El Convento for either of my two visits. And I did see the Chateau Cervantes over on Trip Advisor and I felt the reviews were too mixed for me to book it for my brother & his fiancee. I probably wouldn't mind taking a chance on it for myself, however.

I'm normally a magnet for mosquitos and I didn't have a problem at El Convento (was eaten to bits at the Horned Dorset but not at El Convento). On the other hand Puerto Rico is known for being buggy so it is always a good idea to bring some sort of repellent no matter what part of the island you are staying.

I liked the old world style interiors (but I was in a newly renovated room). Be sure and ask for a renovated room.

FYI, Puerto Rico is not a long distance call from your cell phone since it is part of the U.S. (at least not on my AT&T plan) so don't hesitate to phone to get answers to your questions. They were very helpful when I phoned prior to our arrival.

ej

Is this the same brother that didn't get married last year?

You are a wonderfully thoughtful sister.

You and I both loved El Convento so I know why you would want to encourage them to stay there, but the renovation changes everything - Did you call them ? What did they say? it does sound strange to have a 2 night minimum - we only stayed there because the flights between Nevis and Aruba were inconvenient and San Juan looked like a nice town to stay - It was, they had a food festival and we ate and drank until we couldn't move

Best wishes to the happy couple.

Hi EJ -

I am curious what ever happened with your brother's trip to San Juan. Did El Convento work out for just one night?

Thanks!
Becky

Hi, Becky--

I should have posted the follow-up. I called the hotel directly and spoke with the reservations manager. I told him that I was a devoted but infrequent customer who wanted my brother to be able to experience the beauty of El Convento on the last night of his honeymoon. He was happy to accommodate me--it was actually more difficult to provide payment than to ask for a one night stay on a weekend! I had to fill out a form with photocopies of my ID and credit card, front & back, and then FedEx them to his attention. (Pretty standard procedure when the person staying at the hotel isn't the one paying for it.)

That is great! I am glad to hear it worked out. I haven't called to book mine yet as I have to get a new job before we can afford Anguilla/San Juan hotels, sigh. Wish me luck - I really want to go on this trip!

oh, becky, I hear you! It's been very tight around here, too, and it breaks my heart to think we might not be able to take our usual summer escape trip.