Located in the heart of Old San Juan, El Convento is ideal for a short stay, especially for pre- or post-cruise guests, for visitors who want a taste of San Juan’s colorful, historic district. A boutique hotel with only 78 rooms, the property is housed in a former Carmelite Convent right across the street from San Juan’s cathedral, the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in the Western Hemisphere. The hotel provides an ideal location for exploring the streets, shops, parks, and restaurants of Old San Juan.

The hotel’s first and second floors occupy the original convent building and feature high ceilings. New floors have been built on top of the original convent (floors 3-5), and rooms on these levels have regular 8-foot ceilings and admit more natural light. AAA has awarded the hotel four diamonds, and it has the distinction of being Trip Advisor’s #1-rated hotel in San Juan.

Overall

Prices are extremely affordable, and Virtuoso amenities make El Convento a great value. The hotel offers free WiFi, and there is a daily wine & cheese reception for guests from 6-7 p.m. with eight varieties of wine. Guests should not expect five-star luxury here. Rooms are charming but dark, and dimensions are small, about 300 square feet. Tiny bathrooms provide a pedestal sink, toilet, and shower in the tub.