14 Best Hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.