Hotel El Convento
http://www.orbitz.com/hotel/Puerto_Rico/San_Juan/Hotel_El_Convento.h78465/
Hotel Overview
Old San Juan- huge yes to stay here
We were looking for a convenient hotel to match the Old San Juan experience with the comforts of...
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Scooter N
- May 7, 2013
Best in Old San Juan
El Convento is the epitome of Old San Juan. It is old, beautiful and staff is top notch. Stayed...
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newmusicleesa
- Apr 24, 2013
Old San Juan hotel sets the standard for historic elegance
The historic Hotel El Convento was opened as a convent in 1651 and reopened as a hotel in 1963 by an heir to the Woolworth fortune. Rita Hayworth and Ethel Merman are among its famous guests. The hotel sets the standard for luxury in Old San Juan. This gem of Spanish Colonial architecture was meticulously restored with handcrafted tiles, thick mahogany beams, velvet settees and hand-carved chairs. A lushly landscaped interior courtyard is lit by Old World wrought-iron lanterns. Modern conveniences include a rooftop plunge pool, sundeck and free Wi-Fi.Highlights
- Historic character and architecture in luxury AAA Four Diamond setting
- Rooftop sundeck and pool
- Footsteps from Old San Juan hot spots
- Complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres nightly
- Three on-site restaurants
Location
Hotel El Convento lies in the center of Old San Juan, across the way from the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista and two blocks from La Fortaleza, the governor's home.
Rooms
Hotel El Convento has 58 finely appointed guest rooms, each more luxurious than the next. These warm, charming rooms include ornate handcrafted furniture, Andalusian terra-cotta tile floors, fine linens, goose-down pillows and elegant marble bathrooms. Captivating views of San Juan Bay and the city are enjoyed from every room. Expect a spacious desk, Bose radio and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Features
The small, luxury Hotel El Convento is the oldest member of the Historic Hotels of America and is rated a AAA Four Diamond property. Extras include a library with high-speed Internet access. Spa services and personal trainers are also available.
Dining
There are three on-site dining options at Hotel El Convento including El Picoteo, overlooking the hotel's courtyard. The restaurant offers tapas and paella for lunch and dinner. Nuevo Latino Caña is the posh spot to see-and-been-seen under a high, wood-beamed ceiling. Caña is open for lunch and dinner. Patio del Nispero is named for its open-air courtyard setting shaded by a historic fruit tree. Breakfast and lunch includes refreshing menu choices such as the Jibarito salad, mixed greens with avocado, fried local farmers' cheese and red onions.
Recreation
There is a plunge pool and Jacuzzi on the bougainvillea-draped fourth-floor rooftop deck with breathtaking views of San Juan Bay and the city. The El Convento Beach Club offers beach and pool privileges at sister properties. The fitness center is free.
Transportation
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (7.5 mi/12 km)
Attractions
- El Morro Fortress (0.3 mi/0.4 km)
- Isla Verde Beach (0.6 mi/10 km)
- Fort San Cristóbal (0.6 mi/0.9 km)
- Puerto Rico Convention Center (2.3 mi/3.7 km)
- Condado Beach (2.7 mi/4.4 km)
- Museum of Art of Puerto Rico (3.6 mi/5.8 km)
- Plaza Las Américas (4.2 mi/6.7 km)
Business
- Business center with printing, copying and faxing available
- Seven meeting rooms
- Executive board room
- Full catering available
- Audiovisual equipment and support available
- High-speed Internet access in all meeting areas
Policies & fees
A major credit card will be needed at check-in for incidentals.
This is not a comprehensive list of fees. Any amounts listed above may not include taxes and are subject to change.
Hotel El Convento Rooms
- Queen Deluxe Room
- Queen Deluxe Room includes: One queen bed and City view from French balcony (no step-out space). Open-air-corridor seating facing interior garden courtyard. Spanish-antique and antique-replica furniture, including desk, dining set, reading chair. Tile floor. Small marble bathroom with pedestal sink, shower/tub, bathrobes/slippers, telephone. 32-inch LCD HDTV. Bose CD player, radio. Complimentary high-speed wireless internet access. Compact refrigerator with complimentary bottled water. Smoking not permitted in room. Rollaway bed needed for a 3rd person in room ($35 extra nightly charge).
- Vista Room
- Vista Room includes: One Queen bed with full view of San Juan Bay from French balcony (no step-out space). Open-air-corridor seating facing interior garden courtyard. Spanish-antique and antique-replica furniture, including desk, dining set, reading chair. Tile floor. Small marble bathroom with pedestal sink, shower/tub, bathrobes/slippers, telephone. 32-inch LCD HDTV. Bose CD player, radio. Complimentary high-speed wireless internet access. Compact refrigerator with complimentary bottled water. Smoking not permitted in room. Rollaway bed needed for a 3rd person in room($35 extra nightly charge).
- Double Deluxe Room
- Double Deluxe Room includes: Two double beds with City view from French balcony (no step-out space). Open-air-corridor seating facing interior garden courtyard. Spanish-antique and antique-replica furniture, including desk, dining set, reading chair. Tile floor. Small marble bathroom with pedestal sink, shower/tub, bathrobes/slippers, telephone. 32-inch LCD HDTV. Bose CD player, radio. Complimentary high-speed wireless internet access. Compact refrigerator with complimentary bottled water. Smoking not permitted in room. Rollaway bed not allowed in room.
- Superior Room
- Superior Room includes: One queen bed or two twin beds (run of house)and limited view from French balcony (no step-out space). Open-air-corridor seating facing interior garden courtyard. Spanish-antique and antique-replica furniture, including desk, dining set, reading chair. Tile floor. Small marble bathroom with pedestal sink, shower/tub, bathrobes/slippers, telephone. 32-inch LCD HDTV. Bose CD player, radio. Complimentary high-speed wireless internet access. Compact refrigerator with complimentary bottled water. Smoking not permitted in room. Rollaway bed needed for a 3rd person in room ($35 extra nightly charge).
Amenities
- Wireless internet
- Pool
- General
- Concierge
- Activities
- Pool
- Health club
- Spa services
- Dining
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Services
- Conference facilities
- Internet
- Wireless internet
- Accessibility
- Handicapped rooms/facilities
Hotel Map
- Area served
- Old San Juan, Condado, Hato Rey, Rio Piedras, Guaynabo, Bayamon, Isla Verde.
- Nearby airports
- Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU): Approximate driving time is 20 minutes and distance is 9 miles.
- Area description
- The hotel's location in historic Old San Juan makes walking the best way around to the numerous shops, restaurants, and historic sites. Hopping on and off the district's open-air trolleys is free. Nearby attractions: San Juan Cathedral - across street / San Juan Gate - 1 block / Puerto Rico Indian Museum - 1 block / La Fortaleza (governor's mansion) - 2 blocks / Casa Blanca museum & garden - 2 blocks / African Heritage Museum - 3 blocks / Pablo Casals Museum - 3 blocks / San Felipe del Morro fortress - 0.5 mile / San Cristobal Castle - 0.5 mile / Plaza Las Americas (shopping, dining) - 7 miles / Pinones forest (bicycling, hiking, surfing) - 12 miles / El Yunque Rainforest - 31 miles.
Nearby points of interest
- Bacardi Rum Factory: 0 mi
- Castillo San Felipe del Morro: 0.5 mi
- Port of San Juan: 0.6 mi
- Arecibo Observatory: 42.5 mi
Meeting facilities
- Meeting Info
- Hotel El Convento offers superb meeting and banquet facilities. With close proximity to the financial center in San Juan, and 7 multi-use meeting rooms of varying sizes, the hotel is the perfect venue for banquets, charity events, and high-level corporate affairs. The 2700 sq. ft. Salon Campeche is a spectacular ballroom and can accommodate from 250 - 300 people for classroom/banquet seating. For smaller gatherings and corporate functions, choose from Salon Oller which accommodates 75 people for a seated event; Salon Paoli, perfect for a group of 50; Salon Zafiro, for a group of 35, the Executive Boardroom which seats 12. Two additional rooms are available for up to 40 people. The hotel has every amenity the business traveler needs to assure a successful trip from audiovisual facilities, computer ports, dual-line data port phones in each guest and banquet room, Internet access, and valet parking. Restaurants are located within the hotel and we also provide expert catering services.
Dining
- Pizza E Birra
- Pizza e Birra offers a taste of classic Italian and American-Italian dishes, but the main attraction is definitely Pizza perfection. For the perfect combination Pizza e Birra features over 20 different craft beers from all over the world. The Pizzeria embodies all the eclectic elements that characterize the cobblestone city, with a cool modern spark
- Patio del Nispero
- Shaded by Hotel El Convento's famous 300-year old nispero fruit tree, Patio del Nispero is located on the ground floor of the stately open-air courtyard in the hotel. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, Patio del Nispero is a welcome culinary treat serving international gourmet fare in casual yet elegant surroundings. From the best banana nut pancakes,to creative and hearty sandwiches and salads, with even traditional Puerto Rican dishes, alfresco dining has never been more tasteful!
- El Picoteo
- There's something cooking in Old San Juan where the food is inventive, the service never misses a beat, and the wine list is exceptional. The atmosphere at El Picoteo is all about food and mood. Hot or cold, tapas warm you up for mas tapas de picotear. El Picoteo offers a cornucopia of choice without parallel on the island. After a sampling of delectable tapas, try the paella - voted best on the island! The gazpacho, tortillas, empanadillas, croquetas, specialty pizzas are all fantastico. The wine list fills classic bistro slots with imaginative producers and delectable desserts round out the eclectic menu. This is the place that defines the tapas and paella experience.
Hotel Policies
- Check-in:
- 1500
- Check-out:
- 1200
Terms and conditions
Rates quoted in currencies other than the hotel's base currency are subject to the rate of the international exchange. Rate may change throughout stay. Rate may reflect average nightly rate. Extra charges may apply. Incidental charges, such as room service, are not included in the rate.
The amenities and/or facilities may not be located at the hotel, but within a reasonable distance, and additional charges may apply for use.
Guest Reviews (120)
Ratings and reviews for Hotel El Convento
- All travelers (120) 4.5 / 5
- Business (5) 4.4 / 5
- Couples (76) 4.5 / 5
- Families (18) 4.7 / 5
- Friends (13) 4.7 / 5
- Singles (6) 4.3 / 5
- L.G.B.T. (2) 4.5 / 5
- Amenities:
- 4.4
- Room cleanliness:
- 4.7
- Hotel staff:
- 4.7
- Room comfort:
- 4.5
- Location:
- 4.8
- Value:
- 4.3
96%
would recommend to a friend.
- Most recent
- Highest score
- Lowest score
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Anonymous
Spanish Colonial Charm & Character, but
Great location and the hotel's charming verandas, library and architectural details were an asset and is worth a one-time stay. The "queen size bed" for which we paid extra had the measurements of a double/full size bed. The extra charge for a room with a vista was also NOT a value. The hotel staff was pleasant, but not well informed about the city, directions or events. The restaurants in the hotel were good, but rather expensive, except alcoholic beverages which were poured with a generous hand. Travel to the sister property that provides the beach experience is not provided by the hotel and round trip by taxi was about $20.00. And, the beach was closed due to the weather, which the staff at Gran Convento seemed unaware.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 3
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 3
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 3
Dining tip:
Short walk from hotel
Seek out the local restaurants such as The Cafeteria Bombonera, The Cafeteria Mallorca, Grandma's in the unlikely location of a food court in Plaza Colon and the 150 year old Restaurant La Mallorquina. The Mallorquina on a dark and seemingly unoccupied San Justo, is a great experience. Or get in a cab and go to Marisquiera Altantica (7 Calle Lugo Vinas) for incredible service and seafood.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
RobDry
Great Experience
I went to Old San Juan for the first time and didn't know what to expect. My stay at the El Convento could not have been better. The hotel is located in the heart of Old San Juan just a few blocks away from El Morro fort. Everything in Old San Juan is in walking distance from the hotel, nothing that you would like to visit there is more than a 15 minute walk. The hotel staff was very helpful and the hotel room was clean and comfortable. The hotel is not located on the beach and you have to take a 15-20 minute cab ride to get there. If you are looking for the beach and party in the hotel bar experience then this is not the hotel for you. It is very quiet and relaxing and there is a wine and cheese hour every night. The pool is more for cooling off than it is for swimming, but it does the job. I could not have asked for a more authentic San Juan hotel and highly recommend it for people looking for some quiet time and a stroll around the historic city for a few days.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 4
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 4
- Value:
- 3
Dining tip:
Short walk from hotel
Dragonfly. It is a great asian fusion resturant the had some of the best sushi I have had, which includes NYC.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
H&L
Centrally Located . . .
walking distance to forts, restaurants, & shops.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 4
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Anonymous
Nice Historic Hotel
I really like the historic architecture of this hotel. It is really well situated in the old San Juan.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 4
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 4
- Value:
- 4
Trip purpose:
Business
Dining tip:
In Hotel
The Hotel restaurant (Tapas) is quite good.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
PRFAN
"The Best Cultural Experience"
The hotel is definitely in a class all it's own. It is full of character and charm. The food was amazing. We also took advantage of El Convento's partner hotel La Concha located in El Condado. We were able to lounge by the pool and make use of their private beach.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Alfred the traveler
4th of July weekend
The staff was very attentive and the hotel was right in the heart of old san Juan we walk to museums, boutiques and restaurats in a matter of seconds.our room was on the 5Th floor and we have a beautiful view of the San Juan Bay.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Sightseeing tip:
Short walk from hotel
is very well located right in the heart of attractions, dining and shopping
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Nuyorkrican1
Quaint Hotel, Great Location!
El Convento was a great choice for us because of it's unique history and great location in the heart of Old San Juan. The rooms were very confortable and well kept. The staff kept the room neat and clean. Although the food was pricey the open air ambiance was nice and the service was good. The roof top pool and hot tub were great. I would definitely go back.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 4
Dining tip:
Short walk from hotel
Nice, less expensive restaurants a short walk from the hotel.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Rockwater
Book it!
Great staff, clean room, excellent happy hour, convenient location. Only thing I would have changed is the beds. We had 2 twin beds, too small for 2 single adults.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 3
- Location:
- 4
- Value:
- 4
Trip purpose:
Business
Entertainment tip:
Short walk from hotel
"3 Horns" is about a 10 minute walk from the hotel. Good times had by all.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Two Jays
Nice Long Weekend In Old San Juan...except
Hotel nice. Location great. Excellent wine/cheese reception in early evening. Except...the room service was terrible. It might take hours for coffee. Only one staff person at front desk, clearly inadequate, when you would ask for assistance they said someone would call your room and no one would. Worst of all...NO kidding...a peice of jewlery was taken from the room and no one at the hotel cared much. After going back to the lobby and calling numerous times someone finally (two hours later) spoke with me and kindly refunded on night's stay. But I never felt they really cared about my level of comfort and need for assistance.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 2
- Room comfort:
- 3
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 2
Money-saving tip:
Short walk from hotel
If you want beaches don't take cabs from hotel. Go to main plaza and take trolley or municipal buses. One fifth the price, and easy.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
T. Glenn
Great Hotel, Great Location
Perfect Location. Walking distance from Forts, shopping, & many restaurants. 1st floor bar stays open late night, & the drinks are great.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 4
Money-saving tip:
Not Applicable
Do not rent a car unless you want a headache. Streets are narrow & everyone drives crazy...