Hotel Rumbao, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

The hotel and rooms are nice, and it seems like they were renovated fairly recently. There’s a nice pool on the top floor. Breakfast was just average, so if it isn’t included, I’d suggest trying one of the several nearby places. Some staff were friendly and attentive, while others were less so.

We felt welcome throughout our stay, from Sarah handling our late-night check-in to Francisco’s great suggestions for local places to eat, including cayo caribe. Christian and Rebecca at Kueros, the attached restaurant, deserve a shout-out too. It’s an underrated gem, and the terrace is a great spot to watch cruise ships come and go.

Being able to walk to so much around the coast and downtown Old San Juan (San Juan Antigua) made the location feel right in the middle of everything. The hotel has a great view and plenty of nearby amenities and attractions. I visited Puerto 🇵🇷 Rico for the first time and had so much fun, and my stay at Hotel Rumbao was a big part of that. The staff were courteous and spoke English, though some only a little. Sarah and Melanie from the concierge team were especially kind and treated me like family. One of them even talked me out of drinking unnecessary energy drinks. ¡Dios lo bendiga Sarah! 😅 Nearby Teatro Tapia had an amazing Korean Cultural Festival, where I got to enjoy food and performances, take part, and even bump into some celebrities. Come and enjoy your stay!

Kueros, the main restaurant, was a bright spot. Lee took great care of us over a light dinner after our flight. The Torched Tuna Poke and Boricua Fried Rice were delicious, though the advertised Blue Crab was missing. At breakfast the next morning, Genesis was engaging and attentive, and helpful as a guide to the city. The buffet had local specialties. This historic hotel is right in the heart of Old San Juan, with easy access to the port and sights. We were upgraded to a Jr. Suite, nicely laid out with a usable balcony. The room was let down by missing shower gel and regular coffee, plus a coffee maker that didn’t work. A quick call to the front desk brought hotel staff to sort it out. The bed, unfortunately, needed remaking more than once during our stay. With some fine tuning, I think the hotel could be better than average and live up to what it claims.