Posada San Francisco

The terrace and location are the best parts. The front desk woman was kind, but that couldn't undo the rest of the stay. The elevator felt like an adventure, the place wasn't very clean, and the bed was small for two, hard, and uncomfortable. The air conditioning smelled bad and barely cooled the room, while the shared bathrooms smelled of urine. For a youth hostel with all that going on, it felt overpriced.

The balcony had a pretty nice view, and the place was clean. I hadn't realized this was a religious hostel when I booked a quick, cheap stay through Priceline. Expect shared rooms with several beds, a shared bathroom and shower, plus a common living area with a kitchen and balcony. Bring your own towels and toiletries, since they aren't provided. It was a pleasant stay.

The view was amazing, and I felt safe as a young woman traveling alone. The hostel was clean and friendly, and this first hostel stay turned out great. Getting there was a little tricky, and parking a rental car was nearly impossible. Everything was walkable, so renting the car and paying to keep it in a garage felt like a waste. Check-in was confusing at first because I couldn't find anyone, but the guy who works at the bar downstairs had the hostel's direct number and helped me reach them. The rooms have air conditioning, but the rest of the hostel felt like it was 90 degrees. They say no cash. There was hot water, a refrigerator, and a vending machine. Book ahead: I couldn't get a room for one of my nights and had to find a hotel. I'd also bring a blanket, because the single thin sheet they gave me was uncomfortable. I had a wonderful time overall.

Old San Juan is a handy starting point for exploring Puerto Rico, and the hostel offers some tours. The AC was great, and the customer service was surprisingly good for a hostel. You'll need to be okay sharing a bathroom, and bring shoes. Speaking Spanish will get you a lot farther in Puerto Rico.