Frommer's Review
Puerto Rico's most famous hotel had came majestically back to life when it was restored and reopened in 1997, and it continues to offer some of the most charming and historic hotel experiences anywhere in the Caribbean. As one observer put it, El Convento "is an exquisitely wrought David on an island of otherwise glitzy Goliaths." Built in 1651 in the heart of the old city, it was the New World's first Carmelite convent, but over the years it played many roles, from a dance hall to a flophouse to a parking lot for garbage trucks. It first opened as a hotel in 1962.
The midsize accommodations include Spanish-style furnishings, throw rugs, beamed ceilings, paneling, and Andalusian terra-cotta floor tiles. Rooms contain king, queen, two double or twin beds, fitted with fine linen. The small bathrooms, with tub-and-shower combinations, contain scales and second phones. For the ultimate in luxury, ask for Gloria Vanderbilt's restored suite or ask for no. 508, a corner room with panoramic views. Although the facilities here aren't as diverse as those of some resorts on the Condado or in Isla Verde, this hotel's sweeping charm and Old Town location usually compensate. A possible drawback for some is that El Convento is a 15-minute walk to the nearest beach. The lower two floors feature a collection of shops, bars, and restaurants. The so-called pool here is accessible via the 4th floor, and it measures only about 6dp X 10dp (1.8m X 3m) -- very small, but personalized, charming, and endearing because of its view over the facade of the nearby cathedral. There's a Jacuzzi immediately adjacent to the pool and a big sun terrace.
Facilities:
3 on-site restaurants; 3 on-site bars; Il Perugino, across the road from the hotel allows guests to charge meals to their room
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
