Hotel Milano

Good value if you want an inexpensive place in the middle of everything. When we visited, renovation was underway and the space was clean, but the hotel was very basic: just a room and a downstairs check-in desk. Most rooms have no windows. It sounded like a cafe and rooftop were being built, but those weren’t available yet. They let us leave our bags until midnight before our flight, which was handy.

The hotel is in the middle of one of Old San Juan’s main shopping streets, within walking distance of the cruise port and lots of restaurants. It’s been remodeled recently and is still being improved. Our room was clean and the bed was comfortable, though some rooms could use extra chairs. I’d recommend it for a central stay in Old San Juan.

The room was spacious and very clean, but it felt bare and cold, almost like a sanitarium. There were no filtering curtains, so anyone wanting privacy from people on the street or across the way had to keep the blackout curtains shut. We got amenities for just one day, which meant rationing them on a longer stay, and there weren’t enough towels. The room had only one chair. The empty lobby and lack of security added to the feeling that they weren’t interested in the extra details that make guests feel at home. The charm of Old San Juan seemed to stop at the hotel door, and we won’t return. The shower was especially disappointing. It had a rain-shower head, but the water was weak and lukewarm, turning colder in the morning. I asked the front desk to send an engineer, but nothing changed. I was told that was how they wanted it. The place has potential, but as it is, it’s uncomfortably empty and unwelcoming.

The location is fabulous, the receptionists are kind, and the waiting area has comfortable furniture. Our room also had high ceilings, a huge shower, a comfortable bed, and very strong air conditioning. We could store our luggage, too. Still, the modern rooms felt cold and clinical, with no pictures or homey touches. The windows were so high we couldn’t see outside. Check-in time was very strict, lost keys cost $20, and we saw at least six people come downstairs because their keys didn’t work. There’s nowhere on site to buy snacks or drinks.