Hotel El Convento — Hotel in San Juan

A Stage Set for Magic, but Its Charm Fades Behind Neglect

El Convento Hotel in Old San Juan promises an unforgettable experience. Its stunning location, nestled next to the basilica, and its fascinating history as a former Carmelite convent set the stage for what should have been a magical stay. Unfortunately, the reality was far from the promises laid out in the welcome package and promotional materials.

The welcome package described extensive renovations completed in 2024, including tropical wood furnishings inspired by the Ave de Paraíso flower, new custom marble and clay floors replacing 1960s terracotta tiles, and modern upgrades to provide first-class amenities. Yet, none of this was evident. Instead, I found a neglected property with several closed-off areas, no visible signs of progress, and a pervasive mildew smell that made the stay feel far from luxurious.

Management seems to rely on the building’s historic charm while ignoring the present-day realities of maintenance and guest experience. The result is a beautiful but neglected structure that feels stuck in the past—still catering to 1960s travelers rather than offering the seamless experience expected from a modern luxury hotel. It’s disheartening to see such a storied property treated as little more than a cash grab, where guest comfort and building preservation take a back seat to profit.

While I understood I was staying in an old building and welcomed its history, I was hoping for a charming, thoughtfully curated experience. Instead, I encountered confusion and inconsistency. Breakfast logistics were especially frustrating, with the process changing daily and long waits making what should have been a pleasant start to the day unnecessarily chaotic.

The staff, however, deserve recognition. Rachel at check-in was professional and patient, helping us navigate many unanswered questions. Ricardo at the bar, with his warmth and authenticity, was the personification of great hospitality and good vibes. Yet even their outstanding efforts couldn’t make up for the systemic issues caused by poor management and leadership.

Luxury is not about hollow promises or superficial renovations—it’s about authenticity, attention to detail, and peace of mind. It’s knowing that my stay reflects the charm and history of its location while offering seamless comfort. At El Convento, I felt none of this. Instead, every day felt like gambling on whether things would go smoothly and being let down when they didn’t.

One of the few bright spots was the 300-year-old Nispero tree in the courtyard, preserved during the hotel’s 1960s conversion. It symbolizes the rich history this property represents, but like the tree, the hotel itself needs ongoing care to thrive. Without this attention, its charm will continue to fade.

Old San Juan is a vibrant, beautiful city. Its cobblestone streets and colorful facades reminded me of Cartagena de Indias, and as a Colombian-American family, we felt at home here. We came to Puerto Rico to celebrate the holidays, expecting El Convento to deliver the charm and hospitality this island is known for. Old San Juan did not disappoint—but El Convento, sadly, did.

The management of Hotel El Convento must do better. This property has the structure, history, and location to be a world-class hotel that celebrates Puerto Rico’s heritage while providing modern comfort. Yet it currently operates as an overpriced bed and breakfast, relying on its reputation while failing to live up to it. For this hotel to regain its potential, it needs leadership that prioritizes guest experience and values the building’s legacy—not just profitability.

El Convento could and should be a beacon of Puerto Rican hospitality, where history comes alive, and guests leave inspired. Until its management addresses these shortcomings, it will remain a missed opportunity—one that deserves far better than what it...

I can easily say that Hotel El Convento far exceeded my expectations. In the short time we stayed there (4 nights), it quickly felt like home, and a sanctuary after days and nights exploring the old city.

Old San Juan is a very pretty place, full of life and color, and El Convento sits right in the heart of it. Just about anywhere you decide to walk you're treated to scenic views of old cobblestone roads, colorful buildings and streets, historical architecture, and panoramic views of the bay, the ocean, and castle walls that surround the city.

El Convento has a seriously cool set-up. With just 70 odd rooms, you feel an air of exclusivity during your stay. The hotel is a Spanish colonial building, converted from an old convent. It features an open air courtyard, with balconies to access the rooms, which overlook the restaurant and bar on the main floor. Lush hanging gardens and palm trees line the inside of the courtyard and the inside walls. The common areas are all inviting with ample seating, patio furniture, and gazebos for relaxing. The rooftop features a small pool and a hot tub, which are open at all hours and visually fit the motif of the rest of the hotel. Up on the rooftop you'll also be treated to views of the plaza below, the historic church, a good chunk of the old city, and the bay with the surrounding hillsides.

Right by the pool you'll also find a catering/dining area, which they have self serve coffee and tea out all day/night. Every night they'll also do a complimentary wine tasting here, with fruit, cheese, and crackers served as well. It was really nice to experience, especially sitting on the rooftop and enjoying the cool night air while listening to the hustle and bustle from the street below.

The hotel's restaurant is not to be missed. While the bar serves tasty cocktails and wonderful bar bites, the restaurant serves up really great food. The menu is small but that certainly has to help with the consistency of the food. I highly recommend the risotto! All of the staff in the bar and restaurant were very friendly by the way, and very happy to make recommendations.

As far as the room accomodations, we booked the Garden Terrance room. This featured high ceilings (15-20 ft???) and a nice little private walled off balcony (no view) with a table and chairs. The room had a Bose radio, equipped with an aux cable, that I made good use of. The walls appeared to be concrete, so there was no noise from the outside or neighbors. There were also blackout curtains and folding wooden doors to completely block out the sun if sleeping in late was on your agenda. The central air conditioning system worked wonderfully, with my only nitpicks about the room was that our unit seemed to have a noisy HVAC main vent running through it and also the wifi was a little spotty. Super liveable though, very minor nitpicks.

Overall El Convento has a tranquil atmosphere, and boasts an antique beauty and a timeless classiness. It's quirky, and neat, and it embodies Old San Juan as a whole. I give high compliments to the staff and management of the hotel for the accomplishment for how they both carry and maintain the place. Thank you for the experience.

Also as an added bonus, if you're looking to hit up the beach, El Convento partners with La Concha Resort in Condado (a very short ride from the hotel). You'll be welcomed as a guest there and be able to use their beach and pool facilities, with access to towels, chairs, and umbrellas. Just make sure to get the pass at...

Positives: It is mostly beautiful. Seriously. That's what led me to choose it for our one night of luxury in San Juan. The courtyard is green and filled with singing birds and coqui. In it's prime it would have been the most beautiful hotel I'd stayed at. The bed is really nice and the towels are nice.

Negatives:

Room: It was a complete waste of our fancy night on our Mother's Day trip. We each got the Queen Vista suite because we wanted the view. Thw view of the ocean is beautiful. The rooftops leave a lot to be desired. The Queen Vista claims to be able to sleep four people. They are not suites (as described) and there is no reason to try to squeeze four people into the room. It was spacious for one, but certainly not as big as the name implies.

The shower head is old and calcified. It wasn't even as good as my home shower and nothing kept the water in the tub. The toilet took multiple flushes every time. The toiletries are cheap and I didn't understand why they'd be in a $400 a night room. I was expecting lovely smells and thick products. Nope.

The furniture is the room was stained and tattered. The chairs all looked like they were straight from a rummage sale. Rubbed and worn. It all needed sanding and re-finishing and new upholstery.

The freezer in my room was thick with ice. I couldn't open the door. My mom's remote had dead batteries. The light just outside her room was out. The hotel is lit like an alley. So with the light out her doorway was really dark. Which was hard with her visual disability. All three rooms were similarly ill-equipped.

Service: We chose it because we hoped that the similar price point to Condado Vanderbilt or the O:LV hotel meant similar service, but the distinct and historic interiors distinguished it. The service is non-existent. The hotel is woefully understaffed. There was no bellhop or concierge. Just a very young staff of front desk people who could not and did not describe the amenities

We carried our own bags in and out of the hotel and to our transport. We never saw a bellhop. Our tip was in our pocket. No one to give it to.

We tried to book massages via the hotel, but the clerks don't know the prices. So by the time they were able to report back that the price was exorbitant we couldn't make time to book our alternative.

We booked with the expectation of room service. Nothing indicated that actually existed. No menu. The front desk didn't say it either.

Food: The upstairs restaurant was full of frozen imports. And the oysters from Mexico made me super sick. Literally one of the worst dishes I've ever eaten and utterly boring cocktails. Also the server over-explained as if this was the first restaurant we'd ever visited. Overpriced and unpleasant. We left and went downstairs. Super friendly and attentive bartender. Good drinks. But the food was just previously frozen stuff and the cocktails relied on bottled citrus and sours.

Final:

We spoke to a manager with super fair excuses. But the prices have to match the experience. This was a complete waste of $1200 and our only evening in Old Town. Total bummer because we really save for those luxury moments. Nothing at all to indicate a $400+ price point. If you think it's pretty grab a drink and wander. Don't spend your night there. Maybe in a cheaper room. But you can't get you money's worth over $250. Not even for the...