Dream Inn

Despite its location on a busy street in the middle of San Juan's sprawl, the Dream Inn has a quiet and tranquil vibe throughout the hotel. The open-air lobby -- a sharp and contemporary space -- is filled with the sounds of a small stone koi pond and the smell of rose incense burning throughout the day. The peaceful vibe continues, with three waterfalls flowing in a steady stream into the pool located at the back of the hotel. With a handful of lounge chairs and a wooden cabana, the small pool terrace has plenty of privacy -- a lovely aspect of this hotel. Guests also have access to the two-tiered rooftop deck where there are plenty of places to sit and socialize on wooden benches, or at tables and chairs. Access through the front gate requires keys, while visitors and those just arriving have to be buzzed in, increasing the sense of a home-like stay. With limited kid-friendly options and plenty of quiet areas, it's more common to see couples and pairs of friends at the Dream Inn than families.

Dream Inn Guest House has an enviable location on McLeary Street in San Juan's Ocean Park neighborhood. It's a mostly residential enclave, and one of the more upmarket districts that line the city's Atlantic coast. Dream Inn is a five- to seven-minute walk to popular restaurants like Kasalta Bakery, Pirilo Pizza Rustica, and Mango’s Ocean Park, as well as a 24-hour Walgreens. The beach is only four blocks away, or five minutes on foot. Those wanting to explore destinations farther afield will need to hire expensive taxis or rent a car. The posh Condado neighborhood, which is home to tons of boutiques and high-end restaurants, is a 10-minute drive west, as is up-and-coming Santurce (home to the always lively La Placita). It will take about 20 minutes to reach historic Old San Juan by car depending on traffic. The hotel does not provide an airport shuttle, however, Luis Munoz Marin Airport is 15-minute drive from Dream Inn Guest House.

Across all categories, rooms a simple, cozy charm that blends urban-chic details with homey accents. Colors throughout tend towards whites, blues, reds, and grays, with a few pieces of abstract art for additional splashes of color. The glazed-concrete details keep things looking sharp and modern, and some rooms feature small Buddha statues that keep with the hotel's tranquil vibe. Rooms have full or queen-size beds with mahogany headboards, reading lamps, and wooden bedside tables. Some rooms are compact -- as was the aptly named Cozy Room that we visited -- while others have a bit more floor space and small balconies overlooking the pool area. Writing desks, wardrobes, and powerful air-conditioning are in all of the rooms, as well as ample outlets for phone and laptop charging. Mini-fridges with soft drinks, free WI-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and "sound flow" MP3 players are nice additional touches. Bathrooms are spacious, with some vanity space and standing glass showers, though we did spot a bit of discolored grout and wear. All bathrooms have plenty of towels and toiletries plus make-up mirrors.

As a boutique property, Dream Inn Guest House offers a pared-down list of amenities. The hotel has a spacious lobby where coffee, tea, and water are available throughout the day. There are plenty of places to sit and a few games -- including a mini pool table -- plus magazines and books for guests to use while socializing or hanging out. A small pool terrace is set at the back of the hotel, ensuring quiet and privacy. It's not exactly made for swimming, but is well-suited for a quick and cooling dip. There are a handful of gray and beige lounge chairs scattered around the pool, and a wooden cabana that's adjacent and nice for couples to relax.

Overlooking San Juan, the Dream Inn Guest House has a two-tiered rooftop deck with plenty of shaded space for guests to kick back away from the sun or during rainy weather. With a hammock, plenty of tables and chairs, and a few benches, there are lots of options for seating. Guests receive a voucher for a free breakfast at Kasalta Bakery -- a three-minute walk from the hotel -- where guests can expect eggs, ham, and toast. The free parking provided at the front of the hotel is welcome, but limited. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.