El Pequeño Hotel

We came for a few days in April, and left feeling we'd found a real gem. The room was clean and the scenery was beautiful, but the best part was getting to know Joaquin. He's such a kind, fascinating person, and we loved listening to his stories and picking up travel tips. Pepe, his sweet dog, was lovely company too. My husband and I had a wonderful stay and would happily recommend it.

We left after about 45 minutes because we felt too uncomfortable to stay. The room didn't feel welcoming when we arrived, and seeing roaches with the lights on was the final straw. The property looked worn and poorly kept, nothing like the tropical paradise we expected from the photos, which seemed to be a few years old. We had booked through Expedia and were excited about the nature and scenery shown in the listing, so the condition of the place was a huge disappointment. After leaving, we asked Expedia for a refund. They spoke with Joaquin, who said he would not refund us. We texted him ourselves and got no reply. I honestly don't know where to begin.

The room was comfortable, and although it had AC, we didn't need to use it either night. What really stuck with us was the view from the property, looking down over the landscape. Our pictures couldn't capture it, and the memory has stayed with us since we left. Joaquin keeps the grounds beautifully manicured, with lush plants everywhere. When we arrived, he showed us around and pointed out interesting flowers and birds. We had a fantastic two-night stay at the end of our eight nights in Puerto Rico.

The room could use a few extras like coffee, Wi-Fi, a TV, an iron, and a dryer, but those are small things and wouldn't put me off booking. The views from up there are terrific, with forest all around, San Juan in the distance, and the ocean beyond. It was a peaceful, private spot with a swimming pool, lots of trees, and a real sense of being in the forest. Joaquin and his dog Pepe were wonderful hosts, and the location was great. I had a fantastic time and would recommend it to a couple or a small family looking for a romantic or quiet break.