WHERE TO STAY IN SAN JUAN

Old San Juan: Across from Old San Juan's Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista, Hotel El Convento is an eye-catching accommodation inside the walls of a former convent. The interior is stately, with arched doorways and polished tile floors. The rooms, many with wood-shuttered windows, are among the most comfortable in the area. There are two restaurants and a sun-soaked small pool area.

On a narrow street in Old San Juan, El Colonial is ideally situated if you want to explore this 400-year-old city. Tripadvisor readers rave about the location and the views from the rooftop, giving the place a Travelers' Choice award. The more moderately priced lodging seamlessly blends the building's old-fashioned architectural flourishes with modern design touches.

Condado: One of the closest resort hotels to Old San Juan, the beachfront La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort couldn't have a better location. The scale of this accommodation sets it apart—there are three outdoor pools and six different dining options on the property, meaning you never have to leave if you don't want to. But with the dining and drinking options of Condado close at hand, you will want to check things out.

Situated on Condado Beach, the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino lets you stroll from your room to either of the two palm-shaded outdoor swimming pools or directly to the ocean. Not only are you close to the restaurants of Condado, you're also a short stroll from the nightlife of Santurce.

S&L