Hosteria Del Mar

I'll get the not-so-great out of the way first: Yes, the rooms are no frills. And if you're in one of the two rooms by the outdoor bar, it can be a bit loud between 9 and midnight. Now the great: the location is fantastic, about a $13 cab to Old San Juan, and not far from the airport either. You're right on the beach, and it's a really nice spot. The staff is super-friendly and helpful, from the front desk, to the bartenders and waiters, and the other people working there. The food was great at the restaurant, and they'll bring... more

We stopped at the Hosteria for a day and a night at the end of a cruise. The location, right on the beach, is unbeatable. The Hosteria is in a nice residential neighborhood, though usual caution would seem in order after dark. Check-in time of 4 p.m. was a bit inconvenient, but we had no trouble soaking up a few hours lounging on the sand. The room itself was a bit worn but nonetheless a picture, on the second floor overlooking the ocean, through palm fronds. The restaurant, opening onto the beach, serves excellent Caribbean dishes. At the... more

The hotel is a small place in the Ocean Park section of San Juan, which is a gated community with a maze of one-way streets. The hotel sits on the beach in a residential area. There is only on street parking that can make it a little tough to get a spot nearby on a weekend with the locals hitting the beach or evening when the restaurant gets filled. I've read other posts about the safety and security of the area. We felt pretty safe, as there is a constant police presence in the area. However, the hotel is only blocks away from Santurce,... more

Fabulous location right on the beach but the rooms need some work. Sheets were threadbare, no hot water or water pressure, noisy. Room seemed clean enough but I wouldn't sit on the bedspread.

If you 'must' be on the beach, this is the place to be for the price you pay. Almost all hotels on the beach near San Juan go for almost $200. I paid $125 a night. It may not have a 4 or 5 star atmosphere, but you can relax at this quite hotel with a stretch of beach that seems almost deserted (except weekends). The sea is safe for kids to swim as well. You can't beat having breakfast lunch or diner (very very good food) while watching the ocean almost 50 yards from you. It takes 10 mintues to catch the A-5 bus (.25 cents) for a short ride... more

As a USA registered Family Physician, my thoughts on the accommodation are as follows:-The grey duvet on the bed was stained and unwashed. The bed linen had been used and I requested it to be changed. The room (209) had an awful smell of musty mould, despite the aircon being switched on full and the airslats being opened full as well. As a matter of fact there was direct evidence of rising damp in the following areas:- the corners of the bathroom; the closet and the corner of the bathroom underneath the basin on the left side. I think that... more

The hotel room on the second floor with balcony had a lovely view--BUT the hot water did not work, the room was very small and not very clean, and the sheets were stained and I had to request new bedding. The shower was badly designed as all the water flowed from the bathroom into the bedroom and out the door!! The slatted windows were very difficult to open and generally the room quality was poor for the overpriced rate of $185. However, the food in the restaurant was very good--it's a pity the hotel accommodation didn't match that... more

I had looked at many hotels prior to going to San Juan and decided on this one. We had a great time. The hotel is small and quaint, but very well maintained and the location is spectacular. You are right on the beach and the view is wonderful. The staff was very helpful and friendly. We did not eat in the restaurant, but you are right in the middle of Condado and Isle Verde so you are a quick drive to many bars and restaurants in the area. If you are looking for a great hotel at a reasonable price, you should definitely stay here. Ask for... more

My partner and I stayed at this hotel for two nights in mid-January 2004. Although they are not listed in any publication as gay friendly, we had no problem checking in or during our stay. The staff was extremely friendly and always seemed happy to help whether it was recommending a restaurant for dinner or calling a taxi to take us to the Condado area or Old San Juan. They even directed us to a huge festival we didn't even know was happening... San Sebastian. If you are vegetarian or just interested in what Latin-Asian fusion cuisine is... more

We chose this guest house based on reviews from this website and we were not disappointed in the least. It was right on a beautiful private beach. Our room had a balcony that overlooked the water and we were able to listen to the waves all night long. The resturants were just shy of amazing. We didn't have a bad thing to eat the entire time. And the staff was very friendly. If you are looking for a fun adventurous vacation this place is not for you. But if you want to relax on the beach and just enjoy and unwind I couldn't give it... more