Rob Moore

Review of Hotel El Convento

I can easily say that Hotel El Convento far exceed...

I can easily say that Hotel El Convento far exceeded my expectations. In the short time we stayed there (4 nights), it quickly felt like home, and a sanctuary after days and nights exploring the old city.

Old San Juan is a very pretty place, full of life and color, and El Convento sits right in the heart of it. Just about anywhere you decide to walk you're treated to scenic views of old cobblestone roads, colorful buildings and streets, historical architecture, and panoramic views of the bay, the ocean, and castle walls that surround the city.

El Convento has a seriously cool set-up. With just 70 odd rooms, you feel an air of exclusivity during your stay. The hotel is a Spanish colonial building, converted from an old convent. It features an open air courtyard, with balconies to access the rooms, which overlook the restaurant and bar on the main floor. Lush hanging gardens and palm trees line the inside of the courtyard and the inside walls. The common areas are all inviting with ample seating, patio furniture, and gazebos for relaxing. The rooftop features a small pool and a hot tub, which are open at all hours and visually fit the motif of the rest of the hotel. Up on the rooftop you'll also be treated to views of the plaza below, the historic church, a good chunk of the old city, and the bay with the surrounding hillsides.

Right by the pool you'll also find a catering/dining area, which they have self serve coffee and tea out all day/night. Every night they'll also do a complimentary wine tasting here, with fruit, cheese, and crackers served as well. It was really nice to experience, especially sitting on the rooftop and enjoying the cool night air while listening to the hustle and bustle from the street below.

The hotel's restaurant is not to be missed. While the bar serves tasty cocktails and wonderful bar bites, the restaurant serves up really great food. The menu is small but that certainly has to help with the consistency of the food. I highly recommend the risotto! All of the staff in the bar and restaurant were very friendly by the way, and very happy to make recommendations.

As far as the room accomodations, we booked the Garden Terrance room. This featured high ceilings (15-20 ft???) and a nice little private walled off balcony (no view) with a table and chairs. The room had a Bose radio, equipped with an aux cable, that I made good use of. The walls appeared to be concrete, so there was no noise from the outside or neighbors. There were also blackout curtains and folding wooden doors to completely block out the sun if sleeping in late was on your agenda. The central air conditioning system worked wonderfully, with my only nitpicks about the room was that our unit seemed to have a noisy HVAC main vent running through it and also the wifi was a little spotty. Super liveable though, very minor nitpicks.

Overall El Convento has a tranquil atmosphere, and boasts an antique beauty and a timeless classiness. It's quirky, and neat, and it embodies Old San Juan as a whole. I give high compliments to the staff and management of the hotel for the accomplishment for how they both carry and maintain the place. Thank you for the experience.

Also as an added bonus, if you're looking to hit up the beach, El Convento partners with La Concha Resort in Condado (a very short ride from the hotel). You'll be welcomed as a guest there and be able to use their beach and pool facilities, with access to towels, chairs, and umbrellas. Just make sure to get the pass at the front desk.