We booked this hotel online, sight unseen except for online photos and upon the good reviews on Trip Advisor for cleanliness and safety. It was clean and it was safe. It was also a few other not so great things. This is an old apartment building that is being converted to a hotel. The rooms were strange feeling, as though renters had just moved out. There was no climate control so although the lobby and hotel hallways were cool the room was so hot that I sweated all night. I would have called down to the front desk but there is no phone in the room. The view from our hotel window scared me during the day and really freaked me out at night. It was of slum inner city housing not visible to tourists on the front block. There were people looking out from small decrepit windows directly across from our room. After falling asleep with a general feeling of creepiness, mind you part of the hotel is still under construction and you can see parts of it that look disturbing from the hallway, I vowed to write this review and never stay at this hotel again after seeing what else was available in the immediate area.

I really loved this hotel, despite some negatives. It's in the center of everything - within easy walking distance of everything in Old San Juan, and some good, reasonably priced restaurants. In all my hotel stays, I've never met a better staff - friendly and always ready to help you. We had problems with the TV and the WIFI, but they were immediately solved after reporting. We had a Queen Deluxe room (404) - very clean, quiet, and with a comfortable bed. The large sitting room was rather a waste other than for using the computer since the TV was in the bedroom, and the view was the worst I've ever had in a room. Because my husband is a volunteer fire chief, I immediately noticed that the hotel was NOT very fire safe. I saw only one way out of the room (unless you jump from the 4th story), and the gates in the hallway were often difficult for me to open which would NOT be good in an emergency. As much as I loved the hotel, I would not stay again without learning more about a fire escape plan from it.

After a 7 day cruise, we stayed at the S&J Suites. I won't tell you the things that the other travelers have told you already. What I will tell you is that San Juan has many hotels, and most are 2 to 3 times the money. This hotel was in one of the best locations... San Juan is known as "the walkable city", and this hotel makes that possible. Yes, it is an older property, which means that it is not like the Sheraton down the street. But, it is clean, and has everything that you want. Ramone is one of the hotel assets. He is such a personable and friendly front desk manager, and is knowledgable of his city. He will do everything he can to accomodate you. I will tell you that we SO appreciated the willingness of the hotel to store our baggage ( we had quite a bit) until check in time. The hotel also did the same after check out, and called a cab for us to the airport. To be able to know your luggage can be stored in a secure location for free.... that is a great accomodation. Ramone also told us to go to the Barachinna ( sp?) 3 blocks down the street. It is the birthplace of the Pina Colada. You HAVE to go and try one.... even though my husband does not like coconut, he LOVED this one!!! It truly was the best I have ever tasted... all on Ramone's reccommendation. Also, there is a small cafe up one street and across from the Pidgeon Park... Cafeteria Mallorca. There is even a letter on the wall from Samantha Brown when she was traveling to San Juan... she reccommends it!! Do not be put off by the look of the cafe... the food is good. It is where the locals dine. All in all, the hotel is one that I would come back to.... there is more to a hotel than just it's looks.

Upon arrival, Raymond, who was extremely helpful with orientating us to the city, met us. He provided us with a map, lots of information about what to see, where to eat, and how to get around the city. The hotel is centrally located in Old San Juan, within walking distance to all of the attractions. Our room was on the back of the hotel, so it was quiet. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable. At check out, Raymond stored our luggage for us so we could tour more of the city before we left. I would recommend this hotel.