Casa Condado Hotel

Casa Condado’s boxy, three-story exterior may be uninspiring, but inside, its tiny lobby looks quite smart with its slate-colored tiled floors, white walls, and antique-style furniture. Polished wooden floors, bold artwork, and big windows make the interior hallways bright and appealing. With no common areas, aside from one compact terrace, this isn’t a property that invites much interaction between guests. Rooms are sparsely-furnished and there’s nothing to do on-site, so guests have little reason to linger around the quiet property during the day. (All rooms have Queen-size beds, which means they’re really only equipped to accommodate couples or solo travelers.) The hotel is a decent, affordable choice for guests looking for one-night stays pre- or post-cruise, as well as thrifty travelers seeking good value in the pricey Condado neighborhood.  

Casa Condado Hotel is set in the heart of Condado, a two-minute walk from the main thoroughfare, Avenida Ashford. This touristy neighborhood is one of San Juan’s major entertainment hubs, with tons of restaurants, shops, and bars found within walking distance -- plus Condado Beach can be reached in about five minutes on foot. The Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art is an eight-minute walk away, while Old San Juan can be reached in a 10-minute drive. San Juan’s airport is also less than an 11-minute drive away.  

Guest rooms at Casa Condado hotel are simple and spartan, with wooden floors and striped bed runners topping queen beds. Personal safes are mounted on plain white walls that lack any artwork or embellishment. All rooms feature flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi (although it wasn’t working during our visit). AC units are loud enough that they make it difficult to hear the TV. Good-sized windows illuminate rooms with plenty of natural light, but none offer noteworthy views. No-frills bathrooms have wall-mounted sinks with no counter space in addition to basic showers. Bottles of shampoo and conditioner as well as bars of soap by Rusk are provided. Superior Rooms are a bit larger than Standard Rooms (although all are small), but otherwise there’s little difference between the two room categories.

Amenities at Casa Condado Hotel are minimal. There’s a seafood restaurant on the ground floor, called Primitivo Condado, which is nicely decorated with wrought-iron tables, a wood-beamed ceiling, and a chic gray color scheme. The food is decent enough but service tends to be slow. It’s open for dinner only, and the hotel doesn't provide breakfast.The one other public space for guests is a pleasant terrace on the hotel’s second floor furnished with dark wicker furniture. It doesn’t offer much in the way of views, however, overlooking an alley on one side and the lackluster city street on the other. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, but the connection can be spotty. There’s a small parking lot found at the back of the hotel, which offers a limited number of free parking spots. The front desk is staffed 24/7.