5 Best Hotels in Old San Juan, San Juan

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.

Formerly the Da House Hotel, El Colonial is a 33-room adults-only boutique hotel that mixes modern with historic charm. This newly renovated property is located in the heart of Old San Juan steps away from shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Sunlight pours in through the front windows of the bright and airy hotel centered on a skylit atrium. Most rooms are bigger than you'd expect in a former convent, especially those with small sitting areas at the front of the building. 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.

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.

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-themed contemporary furniture straight from the pages of Vogue. Many have canopied beds. Plasma TVs are a nod to modernity.