Da House Hotel

Da House Hotel has urban-chic appeal and is situated on a side street above the famous Nuyorican Cafe -- host to lively salsa nights that keep things hopping here until late in the evening. The style is funky, from the spiral staircase to the spacious open floor plan lobby, the Hotel has an eclectic charm throughout. Expect to see Victorian lampshades, modern abstract artwork, and vaulted ceilings in the lobby and common areas. While there is no on-site restaurant, there are plenty of common areas on offer, including a game room with Monopoly, a lounge with chairs and black-and-white photographs, and a reading area with books and tables. There's also a rooftop terrace with plenty of lounge chairs and stunning views of Old San Juan. Overall, the atmosphere here is eclectic, with couples on vacation making up a bulk of the guests, particularly those looking for a window onto San Juan's vibrant cultural life.

The hotel is located on a well-trafficked route that heads west out of Old San Juan into the more modern barrios of the city, like Condado and Isla Verde. As such, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops all around, many right along San Francisco Street. Several other sights are within walking distance of the hotel, including Castillo de San Cristobal (a five-minute walk), Paseo de la Princesa (a 10-minute walk), and Castillo San Felipe del Morro (a 15- to 20-minute walk). The hotel is located directly above the famous Nuyorican Cafe, which hosts well known salsa and music nights. There are no beaches right in Old San Juan, but Condado and Isla Verde both have them, and take 15 to 20 minutes to reach by taxi depending on traffic. As a predominantly pedestrianized area of the city, a rental car is not recommended for the narrow cobblestone streets, and finding street parking can be difficult. Two parking garages -- Dona Fela and Paseo Portuario -- are located a seven-minute walk from the hotel. Travelers should note that there is a free trolley that circles the city for those who prefer not to walk.

Picking a room at Da House Hotel not only determines your view, but also how much peace and quiet you’ll have during the night. Rooms that are located on higher floors are farther away from the Nuyorican Club and are thus quieter than lower-floor rooms. Across all categories rooms have a eclectic, bohemian charm with Art Deco tile floors, high ceilings, simple wooden beds, and a few pieces of accent furniture. White walls are hung with a piece of bright artwork or two, like the funky tile panels we saw in some rooms, and all have classic mahogany interior shutters (though these do little to minimize noise in rooms near the salsa club). Features are limited to air-conditioning and telephones, and no rooms include TVs or Wi-Fi. Larger rooms have extra beds and armoires for storage space. Rooms with balconies are a nice upgrade. Bathrooms are simple and moderately size, with stall showers, plenty of towels, limited vanity space, and minimal toiletries on offer. 

Features are limited at Da House Hotel, even for being a two-and-a-half pearl hotel. There is no on-site restaurant, though the hotel is located directly above the Nuyorican Cafe, which is known for its live music and salsa nights. The rooftop terrace is spacious and has plenty of blue lounge chairs for guests to use while socializing. Da House has plenty of common areas throughout the hotel on offer for guests with white sofas, books, abstract art, and wooden tables and chairs. There is also a small game room off the lobby with a few chairs for guests to play Monopoly, chess, checkers, and the like. While the hotel is purposefully unplugged, there is a flat-screen TV in the lobby. Wi-Fi is free throughout the common areas of the hotel.