Coqui del Mar Guest House

With its
residential setting and down-to-earth decor, Coqui del Mar appeals to guests
seeking a hotel that’s big on local charm. Arrival is
informal, with guests knocking on the door of the managers’ own unit in order
to get their keys. The managers are on-site most of the time, and they’re
usually available to provide tips and recommendations. Larger units offer
excellent value for families and groups -- particularly the three-bedroom unit
which can accommodate up to 11 people. Smaller units are perfect for
budget-conscious couples and backpackers.There are
few patio tables set on the grounds outside the units, but there’s no real area
for guests to gather and socialize. There’s a sign requesting that guests respect quiet
hours after 11 PM, but a low-key atmosphere pervades throughout the day. All this suits the little six-room property named after a frog native to Puerto Rico that supposedly has never survived outside of the country. 

Coqui del
Mar Guest House is set less than a five-minute walk away from Ocean Park Beach,
which is widely considered to be among San Juan’s best. The location is secluded but not overly isolated, bookended by two touristy neighborhoods, and there are a few restaurant options and a grocery store found within a 10-minute walk. The guest house is
located on an attractive, tree-lined street, where it’s mainly surrounded by
suburban homes. The location is between two of the city’s main
dining and entertainment hubs, with Isla Verde about a 10-minute walk away and
Condado slightly farther around a 12-minute drive away.Old San Juan can be reached in about 20 minutes by car. Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport is an eight-minute drive away. There
are several bus stops accessible within five minutes by foot, and guests also
have access to free bikes with locks. Street parking is free and safe for those who have a car. 

Rooms at Coqui del Mar are private units, each of which is
individually decorated. Board games, cozy sitting areas, and pleasantly
mismatched fabrics and furniture give rooms an inviting, lived-in feel. Walls
are decorated with artwork by local artists. (Write-ups elaborating on the artists' work are also on display.) Rooms have iPod docks, DVD players,
and flat-screen TVs, most of which are Apple TVs that can connect to Netflix and YouTube. Closets of varying sizes store beach towels that are available for
guest use, and most also offer dressers for additional storage.  All rooms
include full kitchens with fridges, microwaves, stoves, blenders, and toasters.
Cabinets are well-stocked with dishes, cookware, and cutlery, as well as a few
basics supplies like cooking oil, salt, and coffee (each room gets a single serving).
Most rooms have dining tables.There’s a
lot of variation in the bathrooms, but most are small, and all include shampoo
and soap dispensers. Most feature simple showers with curtains or glass doors. Some offer a double shower or steam shower. One room includes a wet
shower, with the sink set outside in the bedroom. Bizarrely, another room has a fish
tank set into the toilet bowl.

The small
grounds of Coqui del Mar have the same charming, hodgepodge feel as the guest
rooms, decorated with potted plants of all shapes and sizes, along with cute
hand-painted signs and Adirondack chairs. A few patio tables are shaded by
beach umbrellas, and there’s a tiny hot tub in one corner. The no-frills
outdoor shower is ideal for rinsing off after returning from the beach.Free Wi-Fi
is available throughout, and free self-parking is available on the street in
front of the property. Boogie boards, bikes, as well as beach towels and
umbrellas are all available for guest use. Be aware that the guest house doesn't serve food or beverages of any kind.