For over 500 years, San Juan in Puerto Rico has hosted travelers from around the world to its beautiful, atmospheric streets. Historical plazas are well-suited for relaxed afternoons of people watching, cobblestoned alleys beg to be wandered, and the beach with its warm, blue Caribbean waters frame the city.
Hotels in San Juan are among the best in Puerto Rico, and run the gamut from high-end historic to business travel properties and intimate properties steeped in romance.
I've stayed in many of the best hotels in San Juan during my frequent travels to the island and compiled the following list ranging from modest budget stays to opulent luxury and many other lovely places in between.
Browse all the best San Juan hotels below, or jump directly to a specific area here:
- The best hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- FAQ: San Juan hotels
- More of the best hotels in the Caribbean
These are the best hotels in Puerto Rico, sorted by price from low to high:
Coral by the Sea
Book Coral by the Sea
Coral by the Sea is one of San Juan's best budget offerings when you want to be by the beach and price is your deciding factor.
There are 68 rooms with tiled floors, upholstered headboards, flat screen TVs, and minimal design. There are a few on-site dining options, and the location is highly accessible. From the hotel, it's just a quick walk to Isla Verde Beach and Pine Grove Beach, as well as the neighborhood's restaurants and bustling nightlife.
This is not the most luxurious hotel, but if you're looking for an easy, efficient place to stay while you're off exploring the city or chilling at the beach, this is an excellent option.
Mood Haus
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Mood Haus is an escape from they every day, with just four kid and dog-friendly units that include two studios, a one-bedroom, or a two-bedroom apartment.
Each room is named after disco legends and comes with a fully equipped kitchen, King size bed, outdoor space, a disco ball, and enough vinyl records for an all-night dance party. Or, just tune into the in-house Mood Haus Radio station.
Naturally, the rooms are designed in gloriously retro 70s style. The Donna Studio has orange, yellow, and red decor, macrame plant holders, and an outdoor soaking tub, while the Gloria One-Bedroom Apartment has a glorious avocado green theme with a rain shower, soaking tub, front porch, and a washer/dryer.
The hotel is located in San Juan's fun and funky Food & Art District and is only a few steps from the beach and a 10-minute car ride from Old San Juan and the airport.
The Gallery Inn
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This 200-year old mansion sits high aloft the old city's north wall and is filled with cloistered gardens, exotic birds, wood-beamed ceilings, fountains, and arched doorways. Adding to the extraordinary ambiance, the hotel hosts chamber music performances, tapestries line the walls, and the staircases, terraces, and hallways are filled with sculptures, antiques, ceramic busts, and art created by the owners.
There are 27 rooms and suites and almost all of them have four-poster beds with Tempur-Pedic mattresses, however, that is where the commonalities end as each room is unique in its own eclectic, antique-filled design. Some have kitchenettes, others come with garden views or balconies, and some rooms don't have windows at all (ideal for folks who like to sleep in the dark).
Head to the rooftop deck for great views of the ocean and mountains alike, and save time for live music at the hotel's venue, the Cannon Club. There is also a stunning plunge pool and beach service in nearby La Perla.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Palacio Provincial
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This former government building has been transformed into an affordable and approachable hotel for travelers looking for a comfortable place to sleep in a great location.
The rooms, particularly on the second floor, are large, bright, and airy with high ceilings, exposed beams, and Juliette balconies that open to offer unfettered views of the historic streets below.
The on-site restaurant offers standard breakfast fare (eggs, waffles) with a local twist (mallorcas, quesitos) before transforming into a pizza-and-sangria destination later in the day. The hotel is very much about business travelers with conference rooms and meeting spaces that are equipped with all the necessary tech, and a location plum in the center of Old San Juan. However, couples will also appreciate the rooftop pool and beach club access at Condado Beach, just a short taxi ride away.
It's worth noting that this hotel is for guests 18 and older only, so families with children will need to stay elsewhere.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Olive Boutique Hotel
Book Olive Boutique Hotel
Puerto Rico is a long way from Portofino, but it won't feel like that way when you stay at this Mediterranean-inspired hotel that combines European and Moroccan antiques with simple concrete, stone, and wood.
Sip a Coquito in the garden for the perfect combination of San Juan and Salerno, or dine at the on-site Puerto Rico-meets-Tuscany-inspired steakhouse. The rooftop terrace and bar-cafe come with breathtaking views and a grown-up pool party ambiance.
There are just 15 rooms that feature distressed wood, flowing fabrics, chandeliers, antiques, and some have all-glass bathrooms, so leave your modesty at home.
Lay back on a private floating deck on a lagoon or head to Condado's beautiful beach, which is just a few minutes' walk away.
COVID-19 procedures arehere.
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Book San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Set in the heart of the lively Condado district with easy access to restaurants, attractions, and the beach, this Marriott hotel combines the best of resort and city life. There are multiple pools, tennis courts, a spa, a buzzing casino, and a kids' game room offering something for everyone.
The rooms are well-kept, modern, and comfortable with large bathrooms and some have balconies, sitting areas, and patios. Thanks to a recent remodel, the rooms are now upgraded for modern travelers and digital nomads with large desks and speedy Wi-Fi.
For those wanting to explore Puerto Rico's natural wonders, the hotel's friendly staff can arrange snorkeling, horseback riding, sailing, or hiking trips to nearby spots or set up walking tours of Old San Juan or the vibrant street art scene.
COVID-19 procedures arehere.
Hotel El Convento
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It's hard to miss the bright yellow Hotel El Convento in Old San Juan, a landmark of the city since the 17th century.
While it has been a hotel since 1962 (Gloria Vanderbilt was its very first guest), the Spanish Colonial building maintains some of the spirit of its former life as the Carmelite convent, with towering arched doors, mahogany-beamed ceilings, and antique furnishings that add reverential feelings.
While the building is 400 years old, the rooms and suites are all tastefully modern with Wi-Fi and a plunge pool on the roof. Eating in the courtyard is serene and a welcome respite from the busy streets outside the convent walls.
While El Convento doesn't have a beach, the hotel does give guests access via a nearby resort, meaning there's no reason to skimp on history or beach time.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Caribe Hilton
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Puerto Rico is the birthplace of the pina colada and there is no better place to sip one than at the Caribar at the Caribe Hilton where the famous cocktail was invented back in 1954.
History (and cocktails) aren't the only thing to love about Caribe Hotel, though. The rooms soothing with the occasional pop of color, along with contemporary furnishings, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. Families may opt for one- or two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes and living and dining areas.
The hotel is tucked between Old San Juan and the Condado neighborhood but doesn't feel urban thanks to its isolated location on a green peninsula jutting out into the ocean. There is an oceanfront pool, hammocks, gardens, and activities hosted on-site as well.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Fairmont El San Juan
Book Fairmont El San Juan
When the El San Juan opened its doors in 1958, the idea was to offer a glamourous destination for sophisticated jet setters — and they succeeded. The hotel has a dramatic lobby anchored by an enormous chandelier that lends the place an aura of classic glamour that was only emboldened by a recent $65 million renovation.
The sophisticated hotel is still very much a beach resort with multiple pools and excellent ocean amenities, and the rooms are spacious with comfortable beds and mini-fridges. For a splurge, opt for a suite with a Steinway piano or a terrace.
While Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr. may no longer be playing at the nightclub, there are plenty of entertainment options, including an on-site dance club and more bars and restaurants than you could visit on a weekend.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
Condado Ocean Club
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Formerly known as the Serafina Beach Hotel, the newly-minted Condado Ocean Club was the first hotel to debut in San Juan after Hurricane Maria swept through the island.
It's an excellent addition to the scene, especially for those seeking a refined, quiet stay as an adults-only mandate means there won't be throngs of rowdy spring breakers.
As expected, the feel is intimate and romantic with rooms done up in dreamy white and aqua hues, many with floor-to-ceiling windows, terraces, or ocean views, and all come with large bathrooms.
A photogenic infinity pool overlooks the beach, and if you can manage to pull yourself away from the cabanas, the hotel is situated in the bustling Condado neighborhood with all its restaurants, shops, and cocktail bars.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
La Concha Resort
Book La Concha Resort
La Concha is a retro-chic beach hotel blending vintage architecture with sophisticated furnishings and modern comforts like pools and bars.
Nestld on the beach, the views are appropriately stunning, but the real draw is the architectural marvel attached to the hotel, known as the Perla. Designed by architect Mario Salvatori, an undulating shell is perched on the water is the ultimate statement piece with eight Murano glass lamps.
The hotel itself is equally alluring with several restaurants and bars, an on-site casino, three outdoor pools, and a location facing Condado Beach, which is considered to be the best spot of oceanfront in San Juan.
The hotel's 483 guest rooms are serene and simple with muted color schemes, stylish furniture, spacious bathrooms, and plush beds. The Ocean View rooms are the most desirable, but City View rooms with balconies offer a fun view of the action below.
COVID-19 procedures are available here.
FAQ: San Juan hotels
Where is San Juan?
San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and is located on the North East coast, approximately 1,000 miles southeast of Miami, near the Dominican Republic, and the US Virgin Islands.
It's about a two-and-half-hour flight from Florida or about four hours from New York City.
Where should I stay in San Juan?
If you want to stay somewhere that highlights island culture and history, head to Old San Juan, a cobble-stoned idyll that dates back more than 400 years. If you prefer to maximize your beach time, visit Condado or nearby Isla Verde.
The best part of San Juan is that it's a small enough place that visitors don't need to choose between beach or city. All of the hotels we've listed offer easy access to San Juan's museums, historic sites, restaurants, shopping, art, and beaches.
What is there to do in San Juan?
San Juan is a relaxed, accessible destination that is family-friendly, easily walkable, historically and architecturally interesting. Old San Juan boasts colorful Spanish colonial buildings and the centuries-old fortresses of El Morro and La Fortaleza. There are rum tastings, street art tours, an exploding culinary and cocktail scene, wallet-bending shopping destinations, and museums for art lovers of all stripes.
Check out the museum at Casa Blanca, a house built for the Spanish explorer Ponce de León, pay respects to the island's oldest cathedral, San Juan Bautista, or ogle the art at Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico.
Have a cocktail at La Factoria, sip a pina colada where they were invented at the Caribe Hilton, or kick back at La Placita, a favorite local weekend hang. The Plaza Las Americas is also great for shopping, as is Ashford Avenue, San Juan's version of Miami Beach.
Or just sit on at the beach — Condado, Ocean Park, and Pine Grove are some of the best.
Are San Juan hotels expensive?
Puerto Rico has been a favorite retreat for Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and celebrities since the 1940s, so there are definitely higher-end luxury picks reflected on our list. But despite San Juan's popularity with the well-heeled crowd, you don't need to be a millionaire to vacation here. There are hotels for travelers of every budget and many budget hotels can be even more affordable in the off-season of summer, fall, and even early spring.
When is a good time to visit Puerto Rico?
Crowds descend in the winter, particularly around the holidays, so expect to see the peak prices we've listed for most hotels. The island has summery weather all year, though, so there's no reason to limit yourself to the high season, although it is worth noting that hurricane season runs from June to November.
What are the best hotels near Old San Juan?
El Convento is a historic hotel in the heart of Old San Juan. Other nearby options include the Gallery Inn and the Palacio Provincial.
Which hotels are romantic in San Juan?
It's hard to go wrong with the Olive Boutique Hotel or the Condado Ocean Club when you're angling for romance.
Which San Juan hotels are good for families?
The San Juan Marriott Resort, Caribe Hilton, and the Fairmont San Juan all go out of their way to make families feel welcome.
Which San Juan hotels are on the beach?
Most hotels in San Juan are near a beach, so there are plenty of options, including Condado Ocean Club, San Juan Marriott Resort, La Concha, and Caribe Hilton.
Is it safe to stay in a hotel?
The CDC says it is safe to travel domestically if you are fully vaccinated, and experts we spoke to agree that in most cases, hotels are safe. Additionally, Puerto Rico has strict COVID-19 travel restrictions in place. Still, if you are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unsure about traveling, it is always best to assess your own level of risk while following CDC, WHO, and other reputable organizations' safety guidelines, and to wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and maintain social distancing.
What are Puerto Rico travel restrictions?
If you're traveling to Puerto Rico from the US, you do not need to quarantine or get tested upon your arrival if you're fully vaccinated. However, all visitors need to fill out a Travel Declaration Form on the Puerto Rico Health Department's online portal, which produces a QR code required to proceed. Fully vaccinated travelers need to upload a photo of their official Vaccination Card through the online portal.
International and non-vaccinated travelers must upload a negative PCR molecular or antigen COVID-19 test result to the portal. Tests must be taken within 72 hours of arrival. Otherwise, the traveler must take either a PCR molecular or antigen COVID-19 test on the Island, within 48 hours of arrival, or receive a $300 fine. You can get a test at the airport for $110. If the uploaded result is negative, the quarantine is lifted. If the result is positive, the person must isolate and follow the local isolation protocol at his/her own expense.
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