Old San Juan, United States
Central location, walking distance to the sights of Old San Juan
Stylish, serene rooms have balconies with views of Old San Juan
A variety of room choices, including spacious suites
Plush bedding and terrycloth robes plus big flat-screen TVs in the rooms
Free trolley stop located outside the hotel
Free continental breakfast in bright, modern on-site restaurant
Free Wi-Fi in the lobby
Noise from the street can be bothersome
Restaurant currently only serves continental breakfast (no other meals)
Some rooms lack natural light and show minor signs of wear
and tear
Parking in the nearby lot is pricey
No ocean views
No gym or spa on-site
Wi-Fi is not reliable in the rooms
**This hotel was impacted by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. We will update our review as soon as we have more information. **The intimate 12-room Cervantes is a contemporary upper-middle-range boutique set along one of Old San Juan's most popular boulevards, walking distance to many cafes, restaurants, and historic sights. Rooms are designed for comfort with plush Egyptian cotton bedding, marble bathrooms, and thick terrycloth robes. Most rooms have double doors that open to balconies trimmed with decorative iron railings and up-close views of the surrounding city. There is a modern, bright restaurant where a free continental breakfast is served. While being in the heart of Old San Juan has its perks, it also comes with constant noise. Those seeking a quieter, yet just as historic setting, may want to head up the hill to La Terraza or El Convento or down toward the bay to the Sheraton Old San Juan, a branded hotel with more amenities. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Upper-mid-range contemporary boutique in Old San Juan
Catering to visitors who want to stay in the heart of Old San Juan as well as those embarking on cruises from the nearby San Juan Cruise Port, the Cervantes is a contemporary upper-mid-range boutique set on one of Old San Juan's most traveled streets. The Spanish Colonial mansion with its pale yellow facade, arched windows, and decorative ironwork blends seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. Inside, guests are greeted by a long, two-story space that houses both reception and the hotel's attractive restaurant and bar, Panza. The small front desk is packed with information and brochures while the cozy reception area with crescent-shaped, tufted leather sofas serves as a comfortable space for a break after walking the hilly cobblestone streets. The majority of the first floor is dedicated to the restaurant, finished with marble floors, a dark wood bar, arrangements of tables set with white table cloths and paired with high-back leather chairs, and a long communal table set beneath a string of ivory box-style chandeliers. The hotel offers little common space or amenities where guests can linger, but it's not missed as the location of the hotel gives guests plenty of reasons to get out and explore. Within walking distance are some of Old San Juan's best restaurants, architecture, and historical sights such as La Forteleza and Castillo de San Cristobal. Guests are mostly leisure travelers who are drawn by the property's central location and contemporary, breezy style.
Location
Located on the bustling Calle Recinto Sur, across the street from a large parking garage, walking distance to many restaurants, cafes, and shops
Cervantes is located in the heart of Old San Juan, close to the cruise port and many cafes, shops, and restaurants. This is an excellent location for guests that are interested in the historical sights of Old San Juan, including La Forteleza and Castillo de San Cristobal. - Six-minute walk to the San Juan Cruise Port
Rooms
Small Standard Rooms and spacious suites with contemporary decor, marble baths, and terraces with city views
Designed by Puerto Rican born fashion designer Nono Maldonado, the 12 rooms at this boutique all have polished contemporary style and furnishings. Expect oversized, colorful abstract artwork by Peruvian artist Carlos Davila, tall leather-tufted headboards, dark-wood furniture, and a neutral color palette that is accented by punchy colors of emerald green, yellow, and terra-cotta red.Standard Rooms are small (200 square feet) with queen-size beds and single vanity baths with walk-in showers (no tubs). The larger Junior Suites offer separate seating areas and sofa beds while the even more spacious Cervantes Suites deliver separate bedrooms with king-size beds and living rooms with sofa beds. The largest and most luxurious room is the Penthouse Suite. Accessed via private elevator, the space occupies the entire top floor of the hotel encompassing a split-level living room and dining room with a table that seats up to 10 guests. A separate bedroom holds a king-size bed with large glass doors that open to the living room and peek into the whirlpool tub in the spacious marble bathroom. The outdoor terrace looks down onto Calle Recinto Sur through a screen of privacy hedges. Arrangements of lounge chairs and a separate bathroom complete the outdoor space.The bathrooms in all of the rooms follow a similar design with polished marble tile work, single or double vanities with white raised vessel sinks, walk-in showers (some rooms with steam showers) with spa-like gadgets and shower heads. Thick terrycloth robes embroidered with "Cervantes," white towels, and Archive bath products add the finishing touches to the bathrooms. The Wi-Fi can be unreliable in the rooms, but works better in the lobby.
Features
A stylish, airy restaurant and bar plus a central location to easily explore the best of Old San Juan
The petite Cervantes is an air-conditioned oasis for travelers returning from exploring the hilly grid and cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. While the hotel lacks amenities such as gym, spa, and lounge found at larger hotels, its restaurant offers plenty of room to spread out. Beneath towering ceilings and neat rows of box-light chandeliers are arrangements of tables paired with high-back leather chairs. A long communal table finished in granite encourages guests to mingle while the L-shaped bar serves as an ideal perch for a cocktail. Wi-Fi is free in the cozy lobby.
