5 Best Hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico

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.

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.

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.

You'll be transported back to the 19th century in this exquisitely restored former mansion with timeworn bare walls, original floral-tile floors, and beamed ceilings. Individually styled guest rooms are split between two levels: those below are in the original house and open onto a narrow Spanish-style courtyard with a fountain and a sour-orange tree; those above are in a modern rooftop extension. All are graced with a mix of original antiques, such as armoires, and retro-theme contemporary furniture straight from the pages of Vogue. Many have canopied beds. Plasma TVs are a nod to modernity.