33 Best Hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan prides itself on its plentiful clean and comfortable accommodations, and hoteliers, by and large, aim to please. Big hotels and resorts, several with casinos, and a few smaller establishments line the sandy strands along Condado and Isla Verde. If you want to do little but relax on the beach, enjoy ample resort amenities, and partake in lively nightlife, either area is a good option. Between them, the Ocean Park neighborhood has homey inns, as do Miramar and Santurce, although the latter two areas aren't directly on the beach. They're likely to be more popular with independent travelers, artistic types, and anyone who wants to stay a little bit off the beaten tourist track. Old San Juan has fewer lodging options, only one of which has a casino, but most of the city's best boutique hotels are here. If you’re a history or architecture buff or looking for a unique romantic experience, definitely stay in one of these colonial inns; many of their structures date back several hundred years, and you'll feel as if you’ve been transported to another era (even though most have flat-screen televisions and Wi-Fi). Keep in mind, though, that these buildings are old and Puerto Rico's climate is tropical, so minor inconveniences like room mustiness or ongoing repairs are possible. Also consider Old San Juan if you’re in town for a cruise, since the main cruise piers are within walking distance. Wherever you stay, keep in mind that all guest rooms are now no-smoking.
Staying in a self-catering apartment or condo has advantages over a resort, especially for families, mainly due to the considerable autonomy of more residential lodging. For example, the option to cook for yourself means you can eat when and what you want. Several companies represent such properties in San Juan. When booking, be sure to ask about maid service, swimming pools, and any other amenities that are important to you.
AirBnB rentals are abundant in San Juan (and throughout Puerto Rico) and have become very popular with travelers. You can rent everything from from low-budget apartments to mansions near the beach to colonial homes in Old San Juan—the options are varied. If you decide to rent through AirBnB or any other online service, ensure that you complete your rental through the company; you run greater risks and do not receive any buyer protection by making side deals with home or apartment owners.
Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
The rooms have a modern look (with shades of blue, white, and cream), but elsewhere, this hotel's classic appeal remains, including in the lobby, which has intricately carved mahogany walls. Beneath a coffered ceiling are three bars, among them the iconic Chandelier Bar, down a few steps from the lobby and set below a massive oval, two-ton chandelier. The pool area has a trio of poolside cabañas with indulgent amenities like televisions and four-poster beds draped in curtains (some guests opt for breakfast in these beds). Rooms are larger than most on the island and have modern furnishings.
Hotel El Convento
There's no longer anything austere about this 350-year-old former convent: all the guest rooms are lavish and inviting, with wrought-iron and hand-hewn wood furniture, shuttered windows, and mahogany-beamed ceilings joining high-tech amenities like Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Room 508 has a view of the Old City and the bay; rooms 216, 217, and 218 have private walled patios. Guests gather on the third floor for the lovely view over the nearby cathedral and for complimentary wine and cheese served before dinner. Relax in the gorgeous interior patio, which also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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La Concha—A Renaissance Resort
Not only does this property epitomize the chic Caribbean resort, but it's also an icon of tropical modernist architecture—from the undulating ceiling in the sprawling lobby to Perla, the shell-shape event space. As a result, it's the center of social life in San Juan for both travelers and locals (including politicians and celebrities). The open-air lobby is a hive of dancing, drinking, and socializing most nights. If you're looking for respite, head poolside for comfortable chaises, umbrellas, and a surprising amount of privacy. Although La Concha hums with activity, the luxurious rooms offer a good night's sleep, not to mention exceptional amenities and extraordinary views.
O:live Boutique Hotel
Tucked away on a quiet street overlooking the lagoon, this luxurious, all-suites boutique hotel recalls the south of France, with artwork from Italy, Spain, Morocco, and France. Photographs from the private collection of the owners, many from travels that helped shape their concept of O:live, also decorate the property. In the rooms, earth tones, restored wood furnishings, see-through bathrooms, and white drapes create a feeling of luxury and intimacy. Head to the rooftop terrace for a cocktail overlooking the city, take a dip in the plunge pool, or schedule a message. Sage, the on-site restaurant by chef Mario Pagan, is an excellent dining choice.
Andalucía Guest House
In a Spanish-style house, this friendly little inn evokes its namesake region with such details as hand-painted tiles and ceramic pots filled with greenery. A kidney-shape hot tub in the central courtyard is big enough for you and four or five of your closest friends. The individually decorated rooms are bright and clean. Owners Roberto and Jaime provide the warmest welcome imaginable, making you feel that their home is yours. Feel free to borrow beach chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards. And if you forget your sunscreen, grab a bottle from a table near the door. One of the prettiest beaches in the city is a five-minute walk away.
Caribe Hilton San Juan
Not many hotels can boast about having their own fort, but Fortín San Gerónimo del Boquerón, which once guarded the entrance to San Juan Bay, is on the grounds of this 17-acre sprawling resort. It has a private beach, a multilevel pool with a swim-up bar, and a luxurious spa. The airy and iconic Oasis lobby bar makes one of the more legitimate claims to having invented the piña colada; it holds an official government certification.
CasaBlanca Hotel
Mere steps from some of the best dining in town, this boutique hotel not only adds Moroccan-themed panache to Old San Juan but also offers real value. The lobby makes a big splash with its silk pillows, Asian antiques, and blood-red sofas as counterpoints to dramatic, contemporary, photo-realist pop art by noted painter Carlos Mercado. Individually themed guest rooms blend the same mix of modern art with antique and ethnic pieces such as gilt mirrors, Moroccan tea sets, mirrored cushions, and queen beds framed with gauzy drapes. Quirky and fun, the overall effect is smile-inducingly stylish. An elevator takes you upstairs, perhaps for a soak in one of the rooftop's five stone hot tubs.
Condado Ocean Club
This adults-only hotel sits right on Condado Beach and has rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows facing either the Atlantic or the lagoon. The interior is awash in hues of ocean blue, white, and light gray. Take a dip in the infinity pool, and book a massage at one of the oceanfront cabanas. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at the on-site SOCIAL.
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
The onetime home of the Vanderbilt family has been restored to its grand, early-20th-century, Spanish revival style and transformed into this luxurious hotel. The marble lobby—with its original sweeping staircases, graceful arches, and striking chandeliers—exudes elegance. The rooms are spacious, and the service is impeccable. Take advantage of the hotel's several pools, cabanas, hammam spa, and fine-dining 1919 restaurant.
Coral Princess Hotel
This affordable boutique hotel is a good choice for a quiet, romantic getaway: the hotel is only a block from the neighborhood's main drag, and the beach is a three-minute walk away. The guest rooms in this art deco building—one of the few left in Condado—subtly reflect the hotel's heritage with crisp lines, modern furnishings, and marble floors. The attention to detail is wonderful: jetted bathtubs, pillow-top mattresses, blackout shades, and even—shockingly—an affordable minibar. You can also take advantage of the small swimming pool on the palm-shaded terrace or the hot tub on the rooftop.
Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort
This 12-story resort tries to be all things to all people—and succeeds to a great degree. Harried business executives appreciate its location near the airport and its high-tech offerings. Families prefer the many dining options and the fact that a particularly peaceful section of the city's best beach is just outside. It's not as glamorous as its neighbors, but for the price you get almost all of the same amenities, including multiple pools, a swim-up bar, and hammocks on the beach.
Decanter Hotel
Tucked behind the cathedral, this restored 19th-century, four-story colonial mansion boasts spacious and modern guest rooms with iron wrought balconies. The location is unbeatable, and the rooftop Cathedral Bar, open Thursday to Sunday evening, has great views of the city.
DoubleTree by Hilton San Juan at Gallery Plaza
Slightly geared to business travelers, the DoubleTree offers attractive rooms and an excellent value for anyone who doesn't need to be in central Condado or on the beach. It's across the street from a 24-hour supermarket and wine shop, near the on-ramp to a major highway, and within walking distance of lots of main attractions and restaurants. The immaculate rooms are modern yet warm, decorated in rich reds and browns. Some also have a Murphy bed (of the same mattress quality as the main bed). There's a coffeemaker in each room, ergonomic desk chairs, warm cookies at check-in, and a free shuttle to the beach. There's clearly an emphasis on comfortable details that make a hotel stay more pleasant.
Dreamer's Welcome
The owners of The Dreamcatcher have expanded their portfolio to include stunning properties throughout San Juan as well as the rainforest.
El Colonial Hotel
Formerly the Da House Hotel, El Colonial is a 33-room adults-only boutique hotel that mixes modern with historic charm. This renovated property is located in the heart of Old San Juan steps away from shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Most rooms are bigger than you'd expect in a former convent, though the amount of natural light varies depending on the room. The original tile floors have been preserved, and many of the furnishings are antiques, contrasting with sleek, modern accents. If you're an early-to-bed person, you'll probably want to request an interior room; if you plan on staying downstairs until the last encore, it won't matter which room you take. The friendly staff are eager to please with advice on what to do and can be reached via Whatsapp. The hotel is pet-friendly and has a 24-hour open bar.
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Juan Hotel & Casino
Minutes from the airport, this hotel is known for its friendly staff, its perks, and its glass elevators that rise amid a plant-filled atrium with a pond and waterfall. Outside is a lagoon-style pool and an adjacent bar. The suites are not luxurious, but they are spacious enough for a family. The location makes the hotel popular with business travelers. Note, though, that although the beach is nearby, you have to cross some busy streets to reach it.
The Gallery Inn
No two rooms in this 200-year-old mansion are alike, but all have four-poster beds, handwoven tapestries, and quirky antiques; indeed, every nook and cranny here is adorned with owner Jan D'Esopo's paintings, bronze sculptures, ceramic busts, and plaques. You can view the coastline from several rooms and the rooftop terrace. Enjoy a daily wine happy hour on the poolside patio, or head down to the Beach House in La Perla to watch the sunset and take in the ocean breeze. The Obamas stayed here in 2008; don't miss sculptures of the former President and First Lady created by Jan in their honor. The hotel's cocktail bar, Cannon Club, is a magical place to sip the night away.
Hampton Inn and Suites San Juan
If you don't mind a short walk to the beach, you can get a room at this friendly hotel for much less than its competitors across the road. The palm-shaded pool is so pleasant that you may not even make it to the beach. The guest rooms are decorated in tropical prints with dark wood furnishings. Free coffee and tea are available around the clock in the lobby. The Guacamayo Pool Bar & Grill has a basic menu of hamburgers, quesadillas, ribs, and the like, and also serves as a swim-up bar.
Hotel Rumbao
Hotel Rumbao is a Tribute Portfolio Hotel located along the waterfront, steps away from the cruise port. It has a terrace, 24-hour health club, outdoor pool, hot tub, and rooms that have undergone a multimillion dollar renovation in a recent rebranding and launch. Select rooms have a view of the San Juan Bay and ships as they pass. There is a daily destination fee of $35 per accommodation that comes with a $35 food and beverage credit to be used on-site for lunch or dinner. Self parking is available for $15 a day at an off-site garage.
Hyatt House San Juan
Close to the convention center and popular with business travelers, this all-suites hotel is also a great option for families. It's also convenient to the Pan American pier and within walking distance of the Distrito T-Mobile entertainment complex.
La Botanica Hotel
Owned by Sylvia De Marco and presented as an an urban Shangri-La, this hotel is a vegan wellness center. It is decorated in a Bohemian style, much like its sister retreat Finca Victoria in Vieques. Guests are treated to morning yoga, a daily vegan breakfast, and filtered water, tea, and coffee during their stay. The hotel is walking distance to the beach and feels intimate, for those wanting a more local experience.
La Terraza de San Juan
A stay in this charming, colonial-era boutique hotel on a quiet, residential street is the perfect way to experience Old San Juan like a local. With high ceilings, exposed beams, wooden balconies, and checkered-tile floors, La Terraza is modern colonial living at its best. If you plan a longer stay, opt for a suite, which offers a full kitchen. Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace, and the bar (open on weekends) serves an interesting tapas menu. The rooftop plunge pool is a refreshing perk on hot days.
Numero Uno Beach House
This relaxing inn is so close to the beach that you can hear the crashing waves. Catch some rays on a patio beside the small pool behind a whitewashed wall, enjoy a cocktail at the bar, or dine at the oceanfront restaurant. The simple rooms are decorated in shades of cream, brown, and blue, with custom-made furnishings, including sleek writing desks.
O:LV Fifty Five
Opulent and luxurious, this adults-only Condado hotel has 26 lavish guest suites. Dazzling chandeliers and velvet, marble and gold accents can be found throughout the property. The rooftop has stunning views and a great bar with a Rolls Royce.
Palacio Provincial
Modern design meets colonial charm at this hotel, which opened in 2021 in a beautifully restored, 19th-century building with high ceilings, striking arches, courtyards, and a rooftop pool. Each room is tastefully decorated with local artwork and overlooks the streets of Old San Juan. A curated library and a conference room round out the amenities.
Royal Sonesta San Juan
Although it's somewhat dowdy on the outside, the Royal Sonesta's remodeled guest rooms are spacious and contemporary, done in soothing shades of white, cream, and brown. Some have pleasant ocean or city views; others overlook the palm-shaded pool.
The Royal Sonesta San Juan
This hotel has all you need: a large pool with a swim up bar, stunning rooms, a great restaurant, a coffee and wine shop, excellent beach access, and so much more. Superclose to San Juan's main airport, the Royal Sonesta has an extremely clean, luxurious, and modern feel with amazing service to match the vibe. You'll get a wristband and a key (just in case the wristband doesn't match your outfit) to gain access to your room, the automated towel service, and other parts of the hotel. Make sure to get an ocean-view room for the most beautiful sunsets against the bright blue waters.
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
The shape and color of a cardboard box, this lively, popular hotel doesn't add much to the skyline of Condado, but step inside the impressive lobby—with its stunning coral sculpture carved from wood, chic spots for lounging, and welcoming bar—and you'll feel you've arrived in the Caribbean. The rooms also offer a bit of flair with tropical fabrics and bright colors, and there's a view of the ocean from most of the balconies. The high points are undoubtedly the pair of pools, which add a bit of whimsy with their gushing fountains and swirling mural. Plus, the resort's stretch of beach is arguably the best in the neighborhood.
Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel
Rooms facing the water at this triangular hotel have spectacular views of the mammoth cruise ships that sail in and out of the nearby harbor. Interior rooms, however, face concrete walls. In-room amenities include custom-designed beds, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. On the top floor you'll find a sunny patio with a pool and whirlpool bath, as well as a spacious gym with the latest equipment. It's a good option for pre- or post-cruise lodging.