three or four nights in SJ
 

We are looking for a 3-4 night escape from New England in late Jan early Feb. We are our late 50s, prefer not to rent a car, we like to walk to good food, things to see (culture,history, etc) , interesting shops, maybe beaches but need not be the white sand type, want a safe friendly neighborhood and our budget is not an issue. We prefer smaller properties. We have not been to San Juan in many years. We enjoyed the Tides in South Beach as similar escape last Jan. Any suggestions?

St John definitely fits the bill. If you prefer not to rent a car, look into Gallows Point or Grande Bay Condo's. Grande Bay is on a larger scale, Gallow's Point might be right up your alley but has just become out of our price range. Cruz Bay(the main village) is safe and walking distance from both. Check out VRBO.

If you are willing to stay in a non-beach hotel, then I'd suggest El Convento. Plenty of restaurants, stores, sights, and nightlife are within easy walking distance, and beaches are a relatively short taxi ride. However, the better beaches are in Isla Verde, which is not close to Old San Juan, but Condado has several nice beach areas, including a small beach near the Conrad hotel and a nice stretch near the Marriott. You can rent chairs and umbrellas at any of these.

The Conrad is a nice hotel with a few restaurants within walking distance, though it's not within walking distance to Old San Juan. La Concha in Condado is the hotel most like South Beach, and it has a very nice restaurant.

www.waterbeachclubhotel.com
best for me for Boutique vibe
you want close to nice beaches.

www.booking.com best recent honest reviews
elconvneto.com best in Old San Juan for me.

Happy Planning!

El Convento Hotel San Juan. Old San Juan.
directrooms.com/puerto-rico/hotels/san-juan-hotels/condado-price1.htm

Great for boutique hotel but no beach...

http://www.fivestaralliance.com/luxu...asitas-village More remote super nice where several recent Johnny Depp movies were filmed like Parates and Run Dairy.Not cheap
though.

El Convento also has a “beach club” where you can use the pool and beach facilities from their 2 sister hotels, La Concha and the Courtyard in Isla Verde

El Convento has major construction going on in the central courtyard until at least mid Feb. 2011. Check the reviews.

Sorry about the St John advice. I did't realize at the time that you meant San Juan!