World > The Caribbean > Puerto Rico

Hotel El Convento

• World's Best Winner

COST: $$$

<p>Occupying a preserved 17th-century convent, Old San Juan's most glamorous boutique hotel is filled with Andalusian tiles, mahogany beams, and lavish antiques (like four-poster beds in all 58 guest rooms). Happily, though, these historical details share the space with modern conveniences like plasma-screen TV's, Bose stereos, and a decadent hot tub on the fourth-floor terrace. A complimentary cocktail-and-hors d'oeuvres hour is held every evening in the garden before dinner.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Chat up the staff during the cocktail hour. They'll give you great advice on where to go and what to see around San Juan.</p> <p><strong>Room to Book:</strong> Deluxe Rooms, on floors 4 and 5, have giant gallery windows overlooking the bay; watch sailboats and cargo ships pass by.</p>

AS FEATURED IN...

From Travel + Leisure , DEC 2002

Hotel El Convento, a converted 350-year-old Carmelite convent, has 58 rooms with handcrafted colonial furniture....MORE>>

– 10 Great Places to Spend Christmas

Last updated December 2002