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.