Hotel Belgica

Built in 1872 as an elegant home, Hotel Belgica was converted into a hotel in 1987, while maintaining the building's historical integrity by keeping the original floors and stairs. Those familiar with Spanish colonial architecture won’t be surprised by the high ceilings throughout the property, and there are funky antique details like black-and-white checkered tile floors and spiral staircases. The vibe throughout the hotel is laid-back and intimate, with narrow halls, plenty of Old World knickknacks, and lots of secluded common areas. The back terrace overlooks the city of Ponce and offers a handful of wrought iron tables and chairs for guests to use. While rooms have air-conditioning, the hallways and common areas only have ceiling fans, open wooden shuttered windows, and open doors, so it can get warm. With only 20 rooms, no area is overrun with people, though breakfast in the main lobby is the busiest spot in the hotel. Since there is no restaurant or bar on-site, things here are pretty calm -- expect to see couples and and a few families on vacation, most from across North America.

Hotel Belgica has an enviable location just off of Ponce's main plaza -- the historic heart of the city that's home to City Hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Old Fire House Museum. Along the main square's perimeter, vendors sell classic Puerto Rican street food like pinchos, tostones, and piraguas. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants all around, including Lola's Eclectic Cuisine, a three-minute walk around the corner. It's a 15-minute walk to the Ponce Museum of Art, housed in a striking modernist building. Ponce is not on the beach, and those seeking some sand and surf will need a car. La Guancha is a 15-minute drive from the hotel and has a small beach, kayaks, and live music, plus restaurants and food kiosks. Mercedita Airport is a 20-minute drive away, and it takes 90 minutes to reach San Juan, which is home to much larger Luis Munoz Marin Airport.

There are a range of rooms available here, all of which have eclectic decor and twin, queen, or king beds with comfy mattress toppers. Expect to see a mix of antique and modern furniture including sleek black dressers, vintage wrought iron head boards, and whimsically framed mirrors. The amount of space is variable, and while some rooms have roomy foyers, others have minimal walking space around the beds. All rooms have high ceilings, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Wi-Fi is available, but it can be spotty in the rooms. Most rooms include either a mini-fridge or a full-size fridge and freezer combo as well. Some of the outer rooms have small balconies over looking the cobblestone streets of Ponce, while some of the interior rooms either have small windows or no window at all. Those on the hotel's exterior may pick up some street noise. Bathrooms range across all categories of rooms, though all have plenty of towels, a shower stall, and toiletries. Some bathrooms are spacious, with plenty of vanity space, while others are tiny with the sink and vanity outside of the bathroom. It's worth noting that the bathrooms could use some TLC, and look dated and dingy in many rooms (we spotted cracked tiles and dirty grout), which is disappointing for an otherwise quaint hotel.

The features are limited at Hotel Belgica, even for a value-category hotel. There is no on-site restaurant, but the hotel offers a free breakfast each morning, though options are limited. Guests can expect coffee, tea, toast, cheese, and some mini-muffins. A lovely, spacious terrace is situated at the back of the hotel with wrought iron tables and chairs that have nice views of Ponce. There are also several common areas in the lobby and hallways with wooden benches, wicker chairs, and magazines for reading. A small computer station is on the second floor of the hotel, and while Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, it is spotty in rooms.