Beautiful 1st Floor Apartment with Private Patio

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Apartment

Bedroom - Doors open directly onto patio

Bedroom and living room separated by arch

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

Kitchen
Outdoor space

Explore the area

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Port of San Juan
‪8 min walk‬
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
‪11 min walk‬
Pan American Pier
‪3 min drive‬
San Juan (SIG-Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci)
‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed and 1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Full 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Charming one bedroom, one bathroom furnished ground floor apartment in historic Old San Juan, located in the residence of the late Master Puerto Rican painter Alfonso Arana.

This beautiful building of restored Spanish Colonial architecture is characterized by thick walls and brick-stone floors; all doors of the apartment open to a private, lush, interior garden. With ceiling fans throughout (no air-conditioning), this lovely apartment has an airy, tropical feel.

This is an “L” shaped, open floor plan apartment with a fully functioning kitchen. The bedroom has a queen size bed, and is separated by an archway from the living room, which can easily be used as a second bedroom. This setting is ideal for individuals, couples, and small families.

Our apartment is on Calle San José, just around the corner from the Cathedral and City Hall and two blocks from the main square, Plaza de Armas, the supermarket and open-air cafes.

Attractions
•San Jose Church (1 block)
•La Casa Blanca, home of Ponce de Leon (1 block)
•The Cathedral, which houses Ponce De Leon's remains (Across the Street)
•Pablo Casals Museum (within walking distance)
•El Morro Fortress (within walking distance)
•Felipe Fort (within walking distance)
•San Cristobal Fort (within walking distance)
•San Juan Cathedral (within walking distance)
•Isla Verde Beach (7 miles)
•Condado Beach (3 miles)
•San Juan Nautical Club (3.5 miles)

Other Puerto Rico attractions include:

•Luquillo Beach (30 miles)
•El Yunque Rain Forest (25 miles)
•Arecibo Observatory (50 miles)
•Camuy Caves (50 miles)

Property manager

Luis Alfonso Melendez

Languages

English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

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Amenities

Kitchen

Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Due to COVID-19, we have relaxed our cancellation policy. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

Parties and events are allowed on site

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

Property Registration Number 141359

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

San Juan

Located by the sea, this apartment is in Old San Juan, a neighbourhood in San Juan. Port of San Juan and Pan American Pier are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Distrito T-Mobile and Plaza las Americas. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum or Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

What's nearby

San Juan Gate - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
Port of San Juan - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
Castillo San Felipe del Morro - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
Pan American Pier - 3 min drive - 2.4 km
Puerto Rico Convention Center - 6 min drive - 5.1 km

Getting around

Sacred Heart Station - 10 min drive
San Juan (SJU-Luis Munoz Marin Intl.) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

‪La Factoría - ‬1 min walk
‪El Batey - ‬2 min walk
‪St. Germain Bistro & Café - ‬1 min walk
‪Pira-Rum - ‬2 min walk
‪The Mezzanine at St. Germain - ‬1 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful 1st Floor Apartment with Private Patio pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful 1st Floor Apartment with Private Patio?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful 1st Floor Apartment with Private Patio?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful 1st Floor Apartment with Private Patio located?

Located in Old San Juan, this apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Statue of Ponce de Leon and Port of San Juan. Condado Beach and Puerto Rico Convention Center are also within 3 miles (5 km).

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Mary S.

22 February 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home in paradise

Coming here is so relaxing it is like coming home. Location is perfect and patio is amazing. The host is a delight.We will certainly be back.

Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jaidy S.

27 January 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very unique experience

The apartment was perfect! The open air floorplan with all of the tropical trees and plants in the courtyard were so beautiful and unique. The apt was incredibly clean and simply decorated. The bed and pillows were very comfortable, and the location couldn’t have been better. This is our third stay in Old Dan Juan and this was the most charming and special place we’ve stayed. The mosquitos were a non-issue (didn’t even need the net). It rained every night and we left the doors wide open. No problems. The sound of the rain, one sweet sounding bird, and some music next door, lulled us to sleep every night. If you are used to quiet Hiltons with AC, TV’s and lackluster style, this is NOT for you. So please don’t book and then leave a bad review because you couldn’t handle the cool factor. Xo

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Raymond C.

26 January 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Lodging in Old San Juan

This property is in a perfect location in Old San Juan -- a short walk to the Basilica and El Convento Hotel. The rental consists of most of the first floor of a historic Old San Juan building . You enter the rental after passing through a large entry hall that evokes the feeling of an art gallery. The rental unit has a very large bedroom with an adjacent sitting area, and a kitchen / dining area, all overlooking a beautiful courtyard. The courtyard is for the exclusive use of this ground floor lodging. We had beautiful breezes that swept through the gallery, through the courtyard, cooling our rental. The lodging provided everything we needed for our two-week stay. TThe host is gracious and responded immediately to our request for a new coffee maker carafe as the one we originally had leaked. Our host could not have been nicer. We had a great stay and look forward to returning to this property.

Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Preeti O.

17 January 2025

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Julie M.

11 December 2024

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2024

6/10 Okay

Kevin R.

10 December 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location

Great location but lacking home comfort

I am attempting to be succinct but this is the most thorough review I've left behind. And I only leave this here b/c this place has soooo much potential but it feels neglected, like a second though. And that's evident by how slow the host responds from abroad.The location is great and the unit has such great bones and outdoor courtyard but it needs a refresh; cheap ac unit, new bug net, new sheets and towels (think of a 17 year olds 5 year old towel), and new rugs. This would all cost a few hundred dollars and completely change the comfort level. Those were the biggest gripes, along with the vicious bugs (which may be addressed with cheap screens or even nailing some netting on the door holes). See below for more detail.Check-in/gettin in and out: Front door requires jiggle, exposed wire you have to squeeze hand through to pull latches. Unit: Could easily have nets or screen doors to allow more ventilation. Desperately needs new bug net, towels, sheets, and rugs. More storage or furnishings would liven up the unit. And a cheap air unit with an exhaust hose would do the place wonders and keep everything from being moist/humid, and importantly would not require unscreened doors to remain open that allows bugs in.I appreciate the stay, the place, and location. But it was a bit heartbreaking to have a place with such great potential have the most minimal of comfort.

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Shlok S.

5 December 2024

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute apartment with excellent location

The apartment is located in the heart of Old San Juan and the location was just amazing. Everything is in the range of 1-10 minutes of walking. The outdoor veranda/garden is very cute and a very good experience to have. The L shape concept of the apartment and the openness is unique.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Aubrey L.

26 October 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

The courtyard was the best thing. Everything was lovely about our stay.

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

2/10 Terrible

Lizza R.

22 September 2024

Liked: Location

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

If you are selecting this apartment for a stay around the time a storm is coming or passing- reconsider. When we arrived, days into our reservation due to delayed and cancelled flights- the lockbox was missing its key. The contact listed for urgent matters seemed annoyed I even called him- but thankfully provided a different code and lockbox for us to try that worked. It was completely different from the box pictures in CI instructions. When we get in the place there is a strong odor of mildew- water stains all over the futon. The host did not answer his messages once we arrive or even prior when I inquired about a refund. A handyman of the host arrived shortly after we did, equally dismayed and disappointed at the stage of the place with no solution for us besides all three grown adults sharing one bed. I appreciate him for his due diligence as he attempted to contact the host several time before finally getting through to his daughter. I appreciate that I was able to get a refund in the end but I had to use my vacation time to book an entirely different place for the same day- incurring unnecessary costs. The host never spoke to me again until the refund was processed where all he said was he is sorry the storm effected us all. He was in a whole different time zone sending me pictures of him on vacation in Belgium instead of having his employees confirm the space was usable for a reservation confirmed weeks prior to arrival. Completely unnecessary experience.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Miriam N.

16 September 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

Disliked: Check-in, communication

Buen apartamento

El apartamento como tal es una joya escondida en el Viejo San Juan. La entrada autónoma personalmente nos costó un poco. Llegamos sin internet; tuvimos que pedir ayuda a gente que pasaba por la calle y nos estamos como una hora para poder abrir. Es un apartamento amplio, bastante desaprovechado para lo que podría ofrecer a nivel de espacio pero bien equipado con lo necesario. El patio es precioso, todas las puertas dan a el. El apartamento NO tiene aire acondicionado, lo único que hemos extrañado, aunque con los ventiladores de podía estar bien. Recomendable

Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Summer R.

26 August 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alesia M.

28 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great as usual

Second time we stayed here and we love it! The host is very very very nice person! I highly recommend the property and the location. Supermarket right around the corner. Places to go. Beach is 10$ by Uber. Wonderful. Experience the true authentic old San Juan!

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

18 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible experience

This apartment is everything that you possibly wish for when staying in Old San Juan. It’s incredibly close to all the towns points of interest. The supermarket, pharmacy and parking garage are around the corner. There are many restaurants and bars in walking distance. Castillo San Juan is within walking distance. Plaza de Palomas is down the street. The apartment was perfect and well appointed. The owners and manager were in constant communication with us. We will be back to Old San Juan as long as we can once again stay in this apartment. It was and incredible experience!

Stayed 8 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristen C.

29 May 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great space, great communication

Thoroughly enjoyed my stay in viejo San Juan! Hosts were good about communicating and the place is a lovely colonial building.

Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Tzu-Jo L.

23 May 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location

Beautiful place, but mosquitos and no WiFi

We recently stayed at this property for five days and unfortunately encountered a few issues. Firstly, the wifi was unreliable. We only had access for one night and the following morning during our entire stay. Despite communication with the host, the problem persisted without resolution. Though it might be a technical issue beyond their control, it was very frustrating, particularly because cellular connection was poor as well. Additionally, the presence of mosquitoes was excessive. Despite efforts with mosquito incense, bug repellent, we were still bitten extensively, leading to both of us contracting dengue fever. There was more mosquito in the rental than any other space anywhere we visited, likely because of the beautiful garden features. Despite these challenges, it's worth noting that the location is amazing and the fans provided kept the temperature comfortable. The property is also beautiful and provides a lot of space. The host is also responsive.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer V.

10 May 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A peaceful retreat in Old San Juan

The the entire first floor (apartment and courtyard) was such a gem in the middle of Old San Juan. It was beautiful, well-stocked with all we needed, clean, and so private and peaceful. Just a nice space to rest and feel like you’re unplugging while exploring the city. There is no A/C but we really enjoyed leaving the doors open and sleeping with the ceiling fan on under the mosquito net. We’ve been to Old San Juan many times and stayed in a variety of places, but this was by far the best we’ve experienced.

Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laurence B.

4 May 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing time!

Thank you!

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael R.

15 April 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Stay!

I can’t recommend this property enough! My wife and I just returned and it was amazing. First, the location is incredible. We felt like the entire city was only a couple of blocks away. I can’t imagine a much better location to stay in Old San Juan. The apartment is just so cool. It has such an authentic old city feel to it. The open air patio was perfect, and having the doors of the apartment open up to it is just awesome. It rained all three nights we stayed and it felt like we were sleeping in the rainforest. The combination of the breeze and the ceiling fans made for perfect sleeping weather. We didn’t find it to be loud at all, but we could hear the city around us which added to the ambiance. The bathroom and kitchen are modest, but fit our needs perfectly. Our host Rey was very responsive and we didn’t run into any issues. We would absolutely stay here again without hesitation.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katia F.

4 April 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bien situé et beau jardin

Bel appartement, bien situé, près de ce qu'il y à voir dans le vieux San Juan. Paisible jardin, très tranquille malgré les bars pas très loin.

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julian P.

29 March 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place. Great location.

We had a really nice stay at this apartment in Old San Juan. Our host, Rey, was super responsive and accomodating. The apartment is spacious and it is nice to be able to open all the doors to a private courtyard on hot days. The bathroom and kitchen are modest, but served our needs well. You enter the apartment through two locked gates, which makes it feel secure, and the location - tucked to the back of the building - kept it quiet and shaded from the sun. The apartment is in the middle of Old Town San Juan with all the sights within walking distance. Overall, a great place to stay!

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lyn F.

9 March 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Old San Juan

We stayed here in 2023 and came back this winter because we were so pleased with everything the first time. The second visit did not disappoint. The space is lovely. The location - perfect. Luis other family members communicated with us with warmth and kindness. When there was an issue with hot water- they resolved it immediately. And they brought us an incredible bouquet of tropical flowers. We’ll be back! A few things to know: It is not quiet. The streets of Old San Juan are quite lively well into the night and the courtyard of this home opens up onto the street. We are city dwellers and it didn’t bother us in the least. Similarly, voices from the owners apartment also travel easily into the rental. Again, we enjoyed the voices and laughter of the young children who were visiting but that degree of closeness isn’t for everyone. Were hoping to make this an annual winter trek and wouldn’t dream of staying anywhere else.

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marisa C.

9 March 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Old San Juan charm

Absolutely beautiful place. Description was spot on. The pictures you see do not do it justice. Location was perfect. This was the ideal location for our romantic getaway!

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alesia M.

4 March 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic stay

Right in the middle of old town. 2 min walk to the supermarket, Marshalls, bars, restaurants. clean place. the courtyard is priceless. Highly recommend this place. will come back again!

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katelin W., Albuquerque, NM

17 February 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A gem in the heart of old San Juan

This was my first time to Puerto Rico and I cannot think of a better place to stay than Luis’ property. The architecture, the art, the location and everything in between was lovely! When I come back to Puerto Rico in the future I’ll definitely be staying here again.

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary S.

13 February 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing private enclosed courtyard.

Perfect flavor of San Juan Viejo. Right in the middle of all the places you will want to see.

Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

About the host

Hosted by Luis Alfonso Melendez

Why they chose this property

Luis Alfonso and his two sisters, Rosa and Isabel, spent their early childhood in Old San Juan. Their house was in the Caleta de las Monjas until their departure to France in the early 1970's.
In 1985 their father, the late painter Alfonso Arana, returned to buy this house in Calle San Jose and it became the family home. It is a beautiful building with the patio on the ground floor and beautiful terraces upstairs. Alfonso Arana used to call it "his Palace."
In 2009 Luis Alfonso and his siblings decided to open the house for guests, and furnished the downstairs apartment for vacation rentals. Luis Alfonso lives on the 2nd and 3d floor of the house, and his sisters reside in Massachusetts and in Connecticut. We love our Old San Juan home and hope you enjoy your stay there!

What makes this property unique

Volunteers or Relief Workers working for Non-Profit / NGOs, will receive a small discount (Standard Rate) in recognition for the their valuable contribution to the recuperation effort, after the natural disasters that have affected our country. The three night minimum stay could also be reduced to only two. Please describe the work that brings you to PR and send appropriate documentation to benefit of this offer. Gracias!

Favor preguntar por las tarifas especiales para artistas o residentes de otros pueblos de PR que necesiten un lugar en el Área Metro por razones médicas, de trabajo, estudios, etc.

Languages:

English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese

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Beautiful 1st Floor Apartment with Private Patio

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 bathroom

Full 1

Spaces

About this property