This beautiful historic hotel, situated right in the heart of Old San Juan, is a true hidden gem in the city. As someone who’s partial to any hotel under the Small Luxury Hotels of the World umbrella, I knew I was in for a special experience at Hotel El Convento. Built in 1646, it’s not only the oldest member of the Historic Hotels of America but also the first Small Luxury Hotel of the World in Puerto Rico. With its blend of old-world charm and modern luxury, just steps away from iconic landmarks and vibrant nightlife, El Convento promised—and delivered—a truly unforgettable stay.

Location and How To Get There 

Puerto Rico, as a U.S. territory, is super easy to reach from the continental United States, with plenty of flight options and often great deals due to fierce competition among airlines. It’s also a fantastic hub for Caribbean island hopping, with many flights connecting to other islands. When you land at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), it’s just a quick 30-minute drive to El Convento. If you’d rather not rent a car, no worries—Lyft and Uber are readily available at the airport.

Check in Process 

I was warmly greeted by the front desk staff, who remembered me from a previous stay at the sister resort—a nice personal touch. After checking in, I was pleasantly surprised with some breakfast vouchers to use during my stay. Although there wasn’t a porter available to assist with our luggage or guide us to our room, we eventually found it. The rooms are scattered across multiple hallways, so it took a bit of searching, but we managed with the help of a passing staff member. We even helped another new arrival find their room too!

Rooms 

The rooms at El Convento are beautiful, spacious, and modern. My room opened out onto the square below—a perfect spot for people-watching! I had two large beds with multiple charging ports next to them, and a large flat-screen TV with a table and chairs underneath. But the real star of the room was the shower—I wish I could bring it home with me! The bathroom itself is modern and compact, featuring a fantastic rain shower and luxurious Molten Brown toiletries.

There are also coffee and tea-making facilities, a mini refrigerator in the wardrobe, along with a safe, iron, ironing board, and those famous white robes and slippers we all know and love.

Food and Drink 

El Convento’s main restaurant, Patio del Níspero, and the Alegria Bar are the heart of the stunning courtyard, surrounded by lush tropical plants. The menu offers a Puerto Rican fusion, combining local ingredients with some familiar favorites. I loved that the menu had allergens noted on it—maintaining a gluten-free diet while traveling can be challenging, but having gluten-free options clearly marked was incredibly helpful.

The bar menu features elegant cocktails and an extensive wine list. The ambiance at the patio bar is truly unparalleled—you’d never guess you were in the middle of San Juan!

Another great perk of staying at El Convento is the room service, which is not common for hotels in the area. You can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner delivered to your room upon request.

Facilities 

The rooftop pool and jacuzzi at El Convento are definitely the highlights, offering breathtaking views of the city and bay. With plenty of loungers and umbrellas, the area is usually quiet and secluded—you might even have it all to yourself! It’s also an ideal spot to catch the sunset.

Another great feature is the coin-operated washing machines and dryers, which were a lifesaver for me during my extended stay. You can buy washing powder and dryer sheets on-site, but there’s no change machine, so make sure to bring some quarters with you.

The gym, located in the basement, is quite spacious and well-equipped, featuring a variety of cardio machines and targeted equipment for different muscle groups. It also has a good selection of free weights. Despite the large space, I rarely saw anyone else working out there. The gym provides fresh bottled water and clean towels, but I was a bit disappointed that there weren’t any disinfecting wipes to clean the equipment.

Activities 

While most of my time at El Convento was spent at a conference, I didn’t have much opportunity to indulge in other activities. However, the staff gave me fantastic recommendations for local attractions and restaurants, which I definitely took advantage of. The location of El Convento is unbeatable—so many attractions are within walking distance, and anything else is just a short taxi or Uber ride away.

Service

This was the only part of my stay that didn’t quite hit the mark. While most of my interactions with the staff were fantastic, with even team members from the sister hotel checking in to see how my stay was going, I had a bit of a letdown on my first evening. The hotel’s coin-operated washing machines and dryers were a lifesaver during my extended trip, making it so easy to refresh my clothes. However, since I didn’t have any coins (like I’m sure most of us these days, I rarely carry cash, never mind coins)  and there were no cash changers in the laundry room, I went to reception to ask if they could help me exchange some dollar bills. I was met with a bit of reluctance and told they couldn’t do it because the manager wasn’t around. When I asked if it could be done at the bar, the staff member seemed unsure and suggested she didn’t know. I then inquired about other options for exchanging my dollar bill for quarters and was told she had no idea. Despite this small hiccup, I’m still focusing on the positive aspects of my stay, which were overall wonderful.

Closing Remarks 

Despite the minor issue with the coin situation, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at El Convento. The personalised recommendations from the staff were a welcome touch, and I loved having access to a modern gym and laundry facilities. My favourite part was definitely the hidden pool off one of the terraces, the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the bay. I wouldn’t hesitate to return! Small Luxury Hotels, you’ve got a gem with this one.

Ready to book your stay at El Convento? Click here!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Puerto Rico 2” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

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