We are going to San Juan in May. We would like to stay in some place really neat, But clean with ac in Old San Juan. We would like to also rent scooters to tour the town. We are planning on going to the rainforest. Which is better car rental or taxi? As far as cost? Any must go to restaurants or places other than the usual?

If you can afford it, El Convento offers the nicest and most charming place to stay in Old San Juan. It's in easy walking distance of anything you want to see in the old quarter. www.elconvento.com is their website. If the prices are a little too high but almost within reach, try checking on www.hotels.com or calling and asking for a AAA discount, which is what I did last May.

We dined at Aqua Viva (maybe it was Agua Viva, I can't remember) on Fortaleza Street and it was wonderful. Hip seafood restaurant and with lots of fun drinks--try a pitcher of watermelon sangria, for example. The 3-4 neighboring restaurants on that block all get good reviews here.

Definitely El Convento. It is one of my favorite places. Totally charming. The rates in May should be lower, right now they are running like $365+. I got a $185 rate in Dec, which was nice. If that will not work Hotel Milano is on Fortaleza street kind of in the middle of it all. Very small place. Its nice, clean, breakfast included, not a ton of charm though, but much less $$. There are SO many good restaurants there.
I would take a taxi to the rainforest. The roads can get pretty bad with a lot of rain.

I'd do your own private villa thats affordable in old san juan that's clean, comfy, and secure:
www.thecaleta.com/

The villas are within 5 minutes of great restaurants like El Buren, La Dansa, Venicia(amazing venice food-owners from lido) and those along Fortelza like Tantra...and the new Marmalade--check out their Plum Sake Martini-WOW!

Calle San Sebastian has 4 or 5 great one too,

If you want romantic, very old worls with AC and amazing architecture, art and ambiance...then the ONLY place in old san juan is The Gallery Inn.

here:
www.thegalleryinn.com

check out www.gotopuertorico.com too.

OSJ is quite compact so I would strongly suggest not to do the scooters.

For the rainforest you would do much better renting a car than getting a taxi.

El Convento is nice and I have hear great things about Chateau Cervantes. I have not stayed there so I would not recommend it.

My OSJ restaurant favorite is Drangonfly but in Fortaleza Street you will find many good restaurants. You could go up and down street reading the menus and then decide which one to go. There is not a single one I would tell you to stay away from.

For what it's worth, I had a horrible experience at the Gallery Inn.
Atmospheric and artsy yes.
Rude, dishonest and shady, also yes!
Stay away at all costs.

Tripster - I agree with you about GI. I would not recommend it. Funky, but to the point of being odd...and what is with all the birds, LOL

I have always loved El Convento and for a less expensive option, Hotel Milano, have spent a lot of time there as well.

What happened to the OP?

Sorry you guys had bad Gallery Inn exeprience...but it is very much the exception.

Recommended by Fodors:
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...perty_id=36082

The owner, Jan, is a world class sculptor, her husband runs a equestrian center, and have restored the building the inn is inn.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_D'Esopo

http://www.onepaper.com/virginvoices...p;p=1153544266

If you want stale hotel rooms like hotel milano and plaza darmas go for it...

Convento is great---but somewhat pretentious and expensive.

Dont rent scooters...really...

Gallery Inn can arrange your trip to rainforest.

I'd give Gallery Inn a call and stay.
Awesome sunset rooftop.

i second hotel milano (www.hotelmilanopr.com/) - cleannew when we were there in 2004 and cannot get more central ... if u get the smallest room, it's even under $100 but how long do u spend in the room anyway?