Hampton Inn & Suites San Juan

Given the location near the airport, most guests stay at this chain hotel just a night or two before heading home from a cruise or vacation elsewhere on the island. Business travelers and flight crews also make up a big chunk of the clientele. It's typically not a place one would choose for a full holiday, and yet some still do. That is because this airport hotel has more than immediately meets the eye. Not only is there an outdoor pool, bar, and sunny terrace, but guests can walk for five minutes -- with borrowed coolers and beach chairs -- to a white-sand beach. The hotel offers plenty of freebies and helpful amenities (such as guest laundry) that make it suited for longer stays.Three flag poles and the brand's recognizable logo with red lettering make the hotel easy to spot from the busy road. When pulling in, guests will take take a ticket from the machine for parking, which is not free. The covered entrance leads to glass doors and a contemporary lobby that is big and bright with several seating areas. Free breakfast is served daily here until 10 a.m. (guests should arrive early to avoid crowds); when crowds dissipate, the lobby is a convenient place for business travelers to work. A pretty color scheme incorporating soft yellows, blues, and corals looks good under contemporary lighting fixtures. The lobby becomes a busy spot again in the early evenings when most take advantage of the free snacks and drinks, three nights a week; there is live music as well. The pool area has modern lounge furniture accented by turquoise cushions. The pool bar closes down pretty early, though -- quiet hours are instituted, if necessary -- so those looking for nightlife should take a taxi to Condado or other buzzier parts of the city. 

Hampton Inn is just a five-minute drive from Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, and airplane noise can be heard. It’s hardly a typical airport hotel though, and the Ritz-Carlton is among its neighboring hotels, an indication that this area is also suited for leisure travelers. For one thing, guests can walk five minutes (across a busy road) to Isla Verde Beach, which is public, for swimming and long walks on the sand. The hotel is also walking distance to a few local restaurants and bars (especially at the Ritz-Carlton), a Walgreens, and a cock-fighting rink (next door). As for city destinations, it takes about 20 minutes to get Old San Juan — the 500-year-old historic district within Puerto Rico's sprawling capital. This is a medieval walled city that is as old as the Spanish conquest, and history buffs will be spoilt for choice on things to see and do here. Condado, on the other hand, is a newer part of town with several restaurants, shops, hotels, and nightlife options. Parking is a challenge in both areas and taking a taxi cab is recommended. There is a bus stop near the hotel -- cheaper than a taxi yes, but this mode of transportation will take longer. Guests will pay a daily fee for parking ($10 at the time of our visit). 

Room decor is more traditional than in other parts of the hotel, with carpeting, wooden headboards, and tropical, green-and-white patterned drapes and dust ruffles. However, white duvets, contemporary lamps and accent walls add a touch of freshness. As for bathrooms, certain aspects are newer, like the spacious countertops and shelving units, but tub/shower combos could use some upgrades, especially some of the older tiles and shower heads. There are 201 rooms and suites (148 rooms and 53 two-room suites, to be exact) in two sections of the building. Standard rooms come with either one king bed, or two queen beds, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, work desks, chairs/ottomans, coffeemakers, and Neutrogena toiletries. There are lap desks for those who want work in bed. Wi-Fi is free throughout. The suites are larger two-room units and include separate seating areas (with pullout sofa beds), larger 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and microwaves (frozen meals are sold in the lobby area).

Buffet breakfast is served in the lobby, and during peak times, this area is busy and hectic. There are cold and hot items typical of chain-style hotels including cereals, toast, pastries, fresh fruit, eggs, and waffles. Service ends right at 10 a.m. but coffee, tea, and drinking water are offered all day long next to the front desk. American-style lunch and dinner -- mostly sandwiches and salads -- can be ordered by calling room service or directly from the pool bar called Guacamayo. Hamburgers are a standout. Children of all ages are welcome, and the pool grill offers a kids' menu, cribs, and high chairs.The hot tub and kidney-shaped outdoor pool (with swim-up drink service) has a nice terrace for sunbathing with white umbrellas for shade. There are palm trees and potted plants to help give the space a tropical feel, despite its location away from the beach and near a busy road. A trellis covers lounge-y areas accented with bright blue cushions — this is also great at spot to enjoy drinks in the evenings.A shop off the front desk sells cold beverages, snacks, microwaveable meals, pharmacy items, and SPF. There’s also an ATM machine. Beach chairs, coolers, and towels for day trips to Isla Verde are available at no extra charge. There is a two-hour afternoon reception from Monday to Saturday with free snacks and drinks -- such as beer cocktails and beer -- by the pool. Three nights per week, guests can enjoy local live musicians.   Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness center with cardio and weight machines. There is a large business center with several large-screen desktops and printers, and a conference room with audio/visual equipment can hold up to 20 people. Laundry facilities are available, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.