San Juan hotels

Whenever I need a dose of wellness or to reconnect with nature, I head to La Botanica. This former home turned boutique gem is one of the best hotels in San Juan. It’s also one of the most unique—all the rooms come with outdoor showers, scent diffusers with oils, homemade teas and an Ayurvedic-inspired vegetarian breakfast.

Some rooms also have quirky amenities to encourage self-connection and inner peace, like indoor hammocks or vintage soaking tubs. You’ll find nature and serenity in abundance here, with plants indoors and outdoors, private gardens and daily yoga.

I particularly like relaxing in the hotel’s living room, a communal space that doubles as the lobby. I always aim to work a Friday into my stay here, as that’s when the hotel opens its pop-up restaurant that hosts local chefs and entertainment.

Condado Vanderbilt Hotel is one of the best hotels in San Juan for any occasion. The hotel caters to couples, families and business travellers by offering guestrooms as well as one-to-three-bedroom suites for utmost flexibility.

That being said, I prefer travelling here for a romantic getaway, because I find the hotel so luxurious and inviting. From 300-thread count Italian bed linens and marble bathrooms to French doors and windows that open up to sea views, everything feels wonderfully picturesque here.

I also appreciate the focus the hotel puts on cuisine. Here you’ll find a range of upscale dining options like STK, AVO Lounge (a cigar bar) and the Veritas Wine & Cognac bar, as well as breezy oceanfront spots like Tacos and Tequila (no prizes for guessing what they serve here) and Ola, a seafront joint that dishes up local Puerto Rican delights.

Hotel El Convento is one of the best hotels in San Juan if you want to stay directly in the Old San Juan district. This hotel's history has always intrigued me. It was a Carmelite convent nearly 400 years ago before it was converted into a hotel in 1962.

I love how you can still feel the history in its wooden-beamed ceilings, Juliet balconies and mahogany wood, but also enjoy modern comforts like cushioned mattresses and updated technology.

Although the hotel’s plunge pool and hot tub are small, I love dipping in while enjoying the gorgeous views that overlook the San Juan Bay and the colonial centre. And I never miss the daily wine reception, which includes a complimentary wine and cheese tasting for guests on the La Veranda Terrace.

Located near the San Juan Cruise Port Terminal, the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino is one of the best hotels in San Juan, especially if you have a cruise planned. All the guestrooms come with expansive city views, king beds and marble bathrooms, though I’d highly recommend splurging on a room with a view of San Juan Bay.

My preferred hangout spot here is the rooftop infinity pool, which is a truly glamorous spot to soak up the sun (pro tip: you can still get a day pass here, even if you stay at another hotel in San Juan).

Although this is one of the best hotels in San Juan for families (there are a number of different categories of guestrooms and suites of varying sizes), I usually stay here with friends. The on-site casino and numerous dining options, from Texan-Brazilian-inspired steakhouses to Nikkei cuisine, provide endless entertainment.

One of the best hotels in San Juan for adults, you’ll only be able to stay at the El Colonial Adults Only if you’re 23 years of age or older. Located in Old San Juan, this boutique colonial hotel is more than 150 years old, but has been recently renovated with all the modern amenities you might need.

However, due to the age of the building, it may not be the best choice for those who are less mobile, as the hotel has many stairs and no elevator.

There are several room options to choose from, but my favourites are the queen rooms with private terraces. These come with outdoor showers and tubs, sun loungers and a table and chairs, so you can maximize your time outside. If you don’t manage to snag one of them, you can still enjoy views from the hotel’s rooftop terrace.

The only person who might enjoy the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino more than me is my son, who loves whooshing down the waterslide into the kiddie pool. Meanwhile, I’ll be parked poolside too, enjoying the sea views at this beachside Condado hotel. One of the best hotels in San Juan for families, there’s something here to please those of all ages.

Adults will love the on-site Stellaris Casino, wellness center and daily yoga and water aerobics, while kids can enjoy arts and crafts and the children’s pool.

Everyone will appreciate the newly renovated guestrooms, which come with balconies featuring panoramic views of the city or the ocean. You won’t have to leave to dine either, as the hotel has eight different restaurants, including an Italian eatery, coffeehouse and beachfront dining options.

I book a stay at The Royal Sonesta San Juan when I want that quintessential beachfront resort experience. One of the best hotels in San Juan, the resort is in Isla Verde, a short drive from the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJO).

It’s also an ideal hub if you want to explore the history, architecture and cuisine of Old San Juan, as well as head further afield to visit the El Yunque Rainforest or beyond. The lowest-category rooms come with city views, while the ocean-view rooms offer those postcard-perfect vistas I dream about during chilly Midwest winters.

Your biggest decision here will be whether to relax at the lagoon-style pool or opt for a chair on the beach. I also love that the hotel gives me a little taste of home at the Ruth Cris Steakhouse, before sipping cocktails at Ocean Breeze, the resort’s oceanfront bar and restaurant.

The La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort’s sea-inspired rooms offer exactly the sort of serene escape I look for on vacation. The decor here features crisp white lines, green and blue design touches and rattan wood, drawing inspiration from its beachy Condado surroundings.

Trust me when I say this is a hotel where you’ll want to upgrade to an ocean-view room—all the better to take in the turquoise emerald hues of the sea from your private balcony.

Swimmers can take their pick of outdoor pools, as this property has a few. The hotel’s beach is also ideal for swimming, as a small breaker of rocks keeps the waves in check. But the beachfront Loft bar and restaurant is my favourite place to hang out, home to local rum cocktails and rum tastings.

One of the best hotels in San Juan located on Condado’s beachy hotel strip, the Condado Ocean Club brands itself as not just an adults-only hotel but an exclusive club. This is where I stay when I want a truly sophisticated and chic experience.

Spend the day lounging at the infinity pool, soaking up the sun on the hotel’s semi-private stretch of Condado Beach or dining directly on the beach (yup, with your feet in sand) at the aptly-named Sandbox restaurant.

There isn’t a bad room at this hotel. All have dazzling water views you can admire from the floor-to-ceiling windows (some of the Condado lagoon and some of the ocean). Although there are plenty of cute shops in Old San Juan, I love popping into this hotel’s Wildside Boutique to pick up stylish gifts for friends or some new swimwear for myself.

One of the best hotels in San Juan (and perhaps one of the largest), the Caribe Hilton sits on 17 acres of tropical gardens and charming beachfront. Located steps away from Luis Muñoz Riviera Park and just minutes from Condado Beach and Old San Juan, it also overlooks the historic Fortín de San Jerónimo del Boquerón.

The hotel claims to have invented the piña colada. Whether that’s true or not, who knows, but I love sipping the frothy drink at the Caribar terrace while taking in the stunning ocean views. But it’s not all about the cocktails here, with so many on-site amenities to enjoy.

Hang out at the pool complex, the spa or the beach, or play tennis day or night at the hotel’s lighted courts. Even working out is fun here, with Yo-lates classes and a fitness centre offering ocean panorama views.