Dub M.
Yelp
After reading the Yelp reviews, my wife and I selected this small, locally owned hotel over the large corporate ones. We enjoyed our stay with no major hang-ups. This review is for people like us, who are looking at the different options.
-This is a truly Latino/Tropical style home with all tile floor and indoor/outdoor living. It reminded me of upper to middle class homes in Brazil and Guatemala. This is a real Caribbean experience. If you are like me, it's a necessity.
-There is a pool, which I didn't visit, but considered jumping into from the third floor since I found a ledge leading right to it. But, my wife says I'm too old for that stuff now... The pool is basic, probably more for sun bathers who dislike beach sand.
-I took full advantage of the small hot tub on the third-floor outdoor patio that overlooks the skyline of hotels and condos (can't see the beach). The patio is large and could host a moderate party of 25 - 35 people if necessary. The place is not policed and smoking is allowed in that area (if you dig that Caribbean cigar). The tub is tiny but it does the job. I think I saw like seven Germans in there at one point. Ya Ya Gutentag!
-Also on that third floor is a kitchen area/living area, several large couches (indoor unconditioned/open window), a pool table, a bathroom, and another balcony. The kitchen was closed, which was a disappointment, but if it were up it would have been used for my first attempt at mofungo. I used this area to read in the mornings because I wanted to feel the weather (and also make sure the Germans weren't up to anything sneaky).
-The rooms were fine. I was in Penthouse 3. The tub was a little dated, but worked fine. We had cable, a nice window, a desk, a bed, AC, yadda yadda, no problems here. The wifi worked very well.
-The breakfast was decent/basic but the real joy of my life was the coffee machine that ground the beans and made a fresh cup with the click of a button! IT GRINDS THE BEANS RIGHT THERE FOR YOU! Also, there are juices (including my fav Maracuja) available at all times with the coffee and other snacks. Breakfast ends at 10; I suggest you get there before the Germans.
NOW FOR OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:
-The restaurants nearby are horrid, and that's no matter where you stay. Really do some yelping before you eat anywhere on the main strip because I was disappointed nearly every night of our stay. It was sad. Places worth eating at: Casa Dante, El Jibarito, and Latin Star (please read the Yelps before you go to Latin Star. It is a risk).
-You can walk to the beach and the bars will serve you on the beach.
-You have fast access to a huge Walgreens with groceries and a Subway if you need (only one block).
-You cannot walk to Old San Juan. It's possible, I did it, but it's better to taxi there. The average rate is $15 to and from. If you're slick you can talk them down to $10 or $12. Generally, everyone speaks English.
-Some people said that driving in Puerto Rico is scary or impossible. They are wrong. Get a rental and drive around; it's fine. In fact, it was better than in most downtown areas of typical US cities (especially Chicago). Target rental is down the road and the front desk will help. Go to the rain forest and check it out! However, I would not recommend driving into Old San Juan.
-The block is super safe with a cop on every corner. After you get out of the neighborhood it's another story. I walked around pretty far in land and I had no problems. On a safety scale of Latin America I would give Puerto Rico a 3.5. 1 being mega dangerous like Brazil and 5 being almost too tranquil like Costa Rica.
SO WHY NOT 5 STARS?
I only gave four stars for mostly circumstantial things. We ordered a queen bed but got a twin. They put us in the penthouse and gave us a free bottle of wine for that booboo. The kitchen area on the third floor was closed off. The pool table costs 50 cents. And, they had building construction right outside our window during a few days which was really loud. I was doing work in my room. I don't mind that so much, but I should have been informed.
Overall, great place though! I recommend it, especially if you have a large party who will need several rooms and you want the place to yourself.