Costa Bahia Hotel Paseo Caribe

Isabel was friendly and helpful, and the beachside view was nice. The room was comfortable and had a balcony, though it could use an upgrade. The beds were so uncomfortable my back hurt every day. Housekeeping didn’t come daily, so I had to ask the front desk for towels and garbage bags, and the toilet paper was the cheapest ever. Breakfast was continental, with the same bagels, croissants, cereal, muffins, and fresh fruit each day. Getting around to shops, supermarkets, restaurants, liquor stores, and smoke shops was convenient, generally 10-15 minutes away, and Condado was close. But traffic was heavy and drivers were really aggressive. Parking was absolutely horrible at $15/day, across the hotel from our room, and there was no working elevator to the main level, so we had to carry our bags down 21 steps. I loved 🇵🇷, but I wouldn’t stay at the Costa Bahia again.

We got a great view, and the customer service was positive, but the room itself was only the bare minimum. We booked one night while waiting to board our cruise, and it did the job of giving us a bed and shower. We didn’t complain, though based on reviews from people who did, others might have a different experience. The room smelled strongly of mold compared with the fresh air outside. Under the bed, our bed bug check turned up a “male performance enhancement” wrapper, which made us doubt how clean the mattress was. The floor or carpet was dirty enough to turn our feet black, so wear sandals, especially before showering. Towels and washcloths weren’t in the room, and we had to call the front desk for them. The tub drain was clogged with someone’s hair, leaving me standing in a puddle, so the shower clearly hadn’t been cleaned properly. You’ll get the basics to tide you over, but don’t expect a Hilton experience. If that’s what you want, book with Hilton.

The staff were nice, which is the only reason this gets two stars. We didn’t get into room 733 until well after 4 PM, despite booking the presidential suite. Walking in, we were hit by an overwhelming mold smell. There was visible mold on the walls, ceiling, drapery, and furniture, plus dust and hair everywhere that definitely weren’t ours. I was scared to sit on the bed. I even laid my clothes down to feel a bit more comfortable, but still felt disturbed. For any hotel, let alone one advertising a presidential suite, that’s unacceptable. I wish I’d taken the bad reviews more seriously. The room was shocking, nothing like advertised, and felt dirty, unhealthy, and neglected. Friendly staff can’t make up for that.

The room was comfortable enough, and the strong air conditioning kept it cool in the Puerto Rican heat. Breakfast was modest, but enough to get the day started without immediately having to find food elsewhere. Costa Bahia is convenient and easy to reach, with a useful location for getting around San Juan, especially if you’re planning around a cruise or the airport. Our itinerary changed, so we got less value from that advantage than expected. The place has a touristy feel, though the price seemed fair for what it offers. A sensible budget choice if location and practicality matter more than luxury or atmosphere.