Fortel Hostel — Hotel in San Juan

The hostel has some positives, such as a beautiful common area and a central location in Old San Juan. However, I had a troubling experience that potential guests should be aware of.

During my stay, there was an incident involving a disruptive guest who was intoxicated and made death threats to other guests. While such situations can occur anywhere, I believe the hostel could have handled it more effectively. Even though the police were called, the individual was still present for nearly an entire day afterward. I would recommend that the hostel improve communication in such scenarios by informing guests about the incident and the steps taken to ensure their safety. This transparency would help guests make informed decisions, feel more secure, and know to report if an individual is on the premise who shouldn't be.

Additionally, I had a very unsettling encounter with the owner which I don't feel comfortable sharing details of on a public space, but overall I felt subjected to unnecessary verbal and physical intimidation by him. The owner’s response to my concerns was dismissive and condescending, which significantly impacted my comfort and sense of safety, which led to me leaving early.

While I appreciate that the hostel did partially refund my stay, the overall experience was marred by poor handling of the incident and uncomfortable interactions with the staff. If you're looking to prioritize safety, or you're a solo female traveler, I recommend considering alternative hostels in the area. Juliette Hostel, for example, offers a much safer, cleaner, and more welcoming environment.

I hope this feedback helps others make an informed choice about their stay. I want to mention that another guest who'd stayed at Fortel in the past said she had never experienced anything like what I experienced, so if you do decide to stay, hopefully you don't experience what I did and instead get to enjoy the prime location and relatively...

A termite swarm straight from hell infested my room in the middle of the night. I felt something touch me while I was sleeping, jumped up, turned on the light. Millions of termites were everywhere: in my bags, on the beds, covering the floor, flying at me from all directions. When I opened the door, half of them swarmed into the hallway taking over both spaces for quite a while. After they finally cleared out, they left behind a mess of wings and carcasses.

I contacted the hostel and got no reply. Three other guests told me this happens regularly and the owner blocks or ghosts anyone who complains or asks for a refund. I even have audio of them saying the owner said "That's your problem, not mine" in videos I took. When I asked why they were still staying there they said they couldn’t afford to leave. Most guests don’t speak up unfortunately. But I’m more than willing to expose how the hostel takes advantage of its guests and hides behind 'kind' automated messages.

Booking.com, where I booked, only heard from the hostel after I opened an investigation with them. That’s when they responded with a string of fake excuses implying I didn’t know anything about termites, tropical climates, or San Juan. I have vast experience with all three and never experienced anything like this. They said they’d issue a refund but based on other reviews I’ll have to keep fighting until I get it. And I will.

This place needs new ownership that actually cares about its property and guests. I do not recommend...

Location: 309 Calle Fortaleza - 2nd Floor San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901

Important Information About Your Stay:

• The day before your arrival, expect an email or text with crucial check-in details. • Reception hours are from 3pm to 9pm. We do not offer 24-hour service. • Check-in is strictly between 3pm and 9pm. Please note, late arrivals post-9 pm might not be accommodated. • For multi-night stays, a "Late-Self Check-in Process" is available upon request, at least 24 hours prior to arrival. • Regrettably, we cannot offer luggage storage before or after your stay. During Your Stay:

• Keep your key card with you and use the front desk "drop off box" for key return upon departure. • Late check-outs are not available to ensure thorough cleaning of rooms. Additional Information:

• For pre-check-in luggage storage, we recommend Farmacia Luma (Contact: (787) 722-0335) and Costazul (Contact: (787) 722-0991), both just a short walk away. • Guests are advised to bring their own locks, as we do not provide them. • Each guest is provided with a towel for perso nal use, intended for...