Numerous attractions are located in San Juan, the well-known capital of Puerto Rico, where visitors can have a good time. This city stands out due to its historical significance and diverse artistic and cultural offerings. Various hotels are available for one person, a couple, or a family to select from. Some are the epitome of comfort, art, culture, and elegance. To choose from the best hotels in San Juan, we scoured top travel expert reviews to make your travel planning easier.
Having a nice place to stay during your vacation can enhance your relaxation, which a lot of people struggle with. A recent study reveals that two in three Americans admit they feel too much pressure during their vacation to actually enjoy it (65%). A survey of 2,000 adults delves into the topic of “vacation pressure,” with almost a quarter saying they haven’t physically relaxed on their getaway in two years or longer (23%). To do away with some of the added pressure, nailing down the best hotel to stay in might take a little bit of the stress off.
Sometimes it’s hard to narrow down hotel research with all the misinformation posted online today. In fact, a recent study from Iowa State University shows luxury hotels post fake online reviews to compete with competitors such as Airbnb. When seeking out the best stay, it’s important to hear approval from multiple sources to avoid being led astray.
All that said, we’ll lead you in the right direction. In our search for the best hotels in San Juan, we examined 10 expert websites and sought the most suggested hotels. We also considered where these hotels ranked on each source’s list. Of course, you may entirely disagree with this — and that’s fine! Let us know which one is your favorite hotel or the one that is on your bucket list.
The List: Best Hotels In San Juan, Most Recommended By Experts
1. Fairmont El San Juan
Culture Trip ranks it at the top and writes, “A Puerto Rican institution, the Fairmont is 10 minutes from Old San Juan on the Isla Verde Beach, voted the Best Urban Beach in the USA. Pampering is paramount here, with four pools, a three-level fitness center and a lavish spa, where treatments include a heavenly Alpine arnica deep-tissue massage. You won’t go hungry either: restaurants include a family-run pizzeria and the renowned Caña by Juliana Gonzalez, serving authentic Puerto Rican dishes.”
“The hotel features four outdoor swimming pools, poolside concierge service, a swim-up bar, and beautiful luxury cabanas. Guests can also enjoy activities such as parasailing and jet skiing,” says Travellers Worldwide. “The sundeck is the ultimate spot to get a tan for those who want to rest. Former guests loved the hospitality and attention to detail of the staff.”
“The property offers several dining options and bars as well as the famed BRAVA nightclub and The Shops of El San Juan. Customize your stay with variety of spacious guest rooms, suites, pool and beachfront villas. All accommodations are well appointed with a modern bathroom, flat-screen TV, iHome docking station and WiFi,” says Luxury Hotel.
2. San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Oyster adds it to its list of the top 10 hotels. “San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is an upmarket, four-pearl resort located in San Juan’s chic Condado neighborhood. The resort’s guest rooms are tasteful if somewhat chain-like, with all offering private balconies with city, pool, or ocean views. There are lots of on-site amenities, including a pair of lovely pools, five diverse dining options, ample meeting space, as well as a solid spa and fitness center.”
“Singles, couples, and families will find their hotel room prices worth every penny with the stunning ocean panoramas that you can indulge in from your room’s windows. This hotel is among the amazing hotels in San Juan with a view of stunning Condado Beach, after all. Besides the scenery, you’ll also have an easy time navigating around the city since you’ll be close to Old San Juan and its many attractions,” writes Family Destinations Guide.
“The resort’s 527 guest rooms and suites come equipped with minifridges, flat-screen TVs, private balconies and Wi-Fi access (which is one of several amenities that’s part of the daily resort fee). Though many recent visitors were satisfied with their cozy digs, some encountered minor inconveniences like broken dresser drawers and no hot water. Despite these drawbacks, previous guests said that the overly accommodating staff and delicious (but pricey) cuisine at the property’s three eateries made their stays particularly memorable,” adds U.S. News. “After you refuel, arrange a hiking, sailing, snorkeling or golfing expedition through the resort’s concierge. Or, unwind with a massage at the Ocean Club Wellness Center.”
3. Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
Travellers Worldwide ranks it at number three and mentions, “Each room in this hotel comes with air conditioning, a TV, and a seating area. Guests love how connected this hotel is to the beach, and many also commended its restaurant. One of the best features of this hotel is its location. Aside from the beach, you’ll also easily access the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico, which is only 1.2 miles away. The museum houses 24 galleries on the third and fourth floors. Also, the Old San Juan city center is 3 miles away, and the airport is only 4.3 miles away.”
“The interesting thing about Condado is that it is not another generic hotel strip but a neighborhood with character, as evidenced by this classic luxury sleep, once the lavish abode of a famous Condado family, the Vanderbilts. Its former clientele – among them Charles Lindberg and President Franklin Roosevelt – highlight the 319-room hotel’s high-end credentials,” writes Time Out. “Condado Vanderbilt’s turn-of-the-century design benefits from a 2014 makeover, and the combination of glam oceanfront situation and historic class, not to mention a spa, infinity pool and reputable waterfront bistro-restaurant, complete the package.”
“On the high end of its offerings, each of the hotel’s 108 suites comes with 24-hour butler service, and there are three first-rate restaurants helmed by renowned Chef Juan José Cuevas, including Ola Oceanfront Bistro. The latter serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, as well as drinks from a picturesque al fresco bar, all focused on Puerto Rican-inspired dishes made from fresh, local products. The revamped Spa at the Condado Vanderbilt is a desirable destination in its own right. Posh and thoroughly relaxing, it offers numerous face and body regimes, from high-touch and technology-infused treatments, to indoor/outdoor experiences, and warm-to-cool therapies,” states Maxim.
4. Hotel El Convento
Frommers rates this hotel five stars and says, “One of the most storied hotels in all the Caribbean, El Convento was constructed in 1651 as a Carmelite nunnery, the first nunnery in the Americas. Though the original building was torn down and rebuilt in 1854, the historic ambiance of the place still harkens back to those early colonial times, thanks to such details as the Tuscan columns that guard the entrance, the exquisite latticed choir and the preserved historic details throughout. The inner courtyard, riotous with bougainvillea and leafy palms, holds one of the oldest trees in the city (it reached 300 several years back). Rooms are sumptuous steps back in time, with high ceilings striped with wooden beams, handmade tiles, pretty balconies, velvet settees and other elegant antiques.”
“Its location off a leafy square next to the USA’s oldest cathedral is beautiful. Fifty-eight rooms are arranged over three floors, replete with hand-crafted furniture and Andalusian tiled floors and enveloping an attractive courtyard. High ceilings, wooden beams and tapestries help evoke a storied Spanish colonial past. There are three restaurants, utilising herbs grown in the hotel garden, and outside the doors is the heart of San Juan’s beguiling Old Town and its striking Unesco-listed fortifications,” explains Time Out.
“Imagine a destination as grand and storied as the Isle of Enchantment itself. Nestled in the heart of Old San Juan, Hotel El Convento has established new standards of luxury, comfort, and service – while preserving its rich, historic character,” notes Five Star Alliance. “A masterpiece of Spanish Colonial architecture and design, this stunning San Juan hotel is the only ‘Small Luxury Hotel’ in Puerto Rico and the oldest member of Historic Hotels of America.”
5. Olive Boutique Hotel
Luxury Hotel rates it 8.4 out of 10 and says, “A unique luxury boutique hotel designed to transport guests to the allure of the European lifestyle in a Caribbean scenario. O:live Boutique Hotel belongs to the small luxury hotels of the world and it’s located in the fashionable Condado area, the hotel has a fabulous rooftop with lagoon views and recently added verandas to all their 15 rooms. Its ultrachic restaurant Sage is one of San Juan’s finest new restaurants.”
“Behind every detail in O:live lies a story. The Boutique is divided into four areas: Morocco, Spagna, Italia, and France. Each floor showcases details that draw inspiration from each country,” adds Five Star Alliance. “All wood furniture is made with over 100 year-old restored woods, purchased from curators of the finest historical design the world has to offer.”
“Olive Boutique Hotel is a chic 4-star boutique hotel a few steps from the nearest beach with stunning views of Laguna del Condado. The heady mix of casual and romantic vibes of this boutique inn makes it a shoo-in for the best hotels in San Juan. Its beautifully designed rooms with private verandas and outdoor tubs will make you feel utterly relaxed and secluded,” writes Family Destinations Guide.
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Sources:
- Family Destinations Guide
- Time Out
- Oyster
- Frommers
- Culture Trip
- Travellers Worldwide
- Five Star Alliance
- Maxim
- U.S. News
- Luxury Hotel
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