Howard Johnson Centro Cardiovascular San Juan

Given Howard Johnson’s hospital setting, the initial tone is naturally medical, but once guests find their way up to the fourth floor (ideally through the side entrance), there’s nothing remotely clinical going on. The hotel belongs to the Wyndham Hotel Group, which brings in chain hotel elements (mostly in rooms), although decoration is sparse if not lacking in common areas. A basic office-like desk greets guests for check-in right opposite the elevator, and the wellness center just down the hall offers a spa-like atmosphere with its aromatherapy scents and calming music. There’s nothing fancy or stylish going on here -- but the primary purpose of this hotel is to offer rooms to families of patients being treated within the medical center, so those with a vacation mindset should stay somewhere more suitable. 

This hotel is located on the fourth floor of the Cardiovascular Center of San Juan (a hospital) in San Juan’s medical district. It’s a 20- to 25-minute drive from Old San Juan and around 20 minutes from Luis Munoz International Airport. There are two ways to access the hotel: The first is through the main hospital entrance, which involves finding an elevator hidden at the rear of the lobby. (Guests should ask security for directions so as not to get lost.) The second most direct access is the hospital side entrance located on the building’s western side. From here, elevator access delivers guests directly to the hotel’s front desk. There’s a huge paid parking complex that neighbors the hospital building, right opposite the side entrance. A number of casual eateries and take-out options are scattered along the main road that runs behind the hospital. 

Rooms are available in Double and Queen categories either side of a wide hallway, across the entire fourth floor. Some rooms are larger than others, and decor is fairly generic and dull. Matching blond wood furniture and white bed linens are paired with bright points of color in accent walls, bed runners, and sofa fabrics that add a somewhat cheery touch. Bathrooms are fully tiled in all-white, featuring walk-in showers, wall-mounted hairdryers, and a standard selection of toiletries, but sink basins are tiny. Practical touches include coffeemakers, cable flat-screen TVs, in-room temperature control, and free local calls. Guests do report the odd cleanliness issue, but rooms are otherwise comfortable.

Given that the Howard Johnson is located within a hospital, features here are not synonymous with a typical hotel. However, a cafeteria is located in the same building, and a vending machine on the same floor offers ready access to snacks. Also located on the fourth floor, Parakina Wellness Center offers Reiki and aromatherapy in addition to a range of massage and skin treatments, such as microdermabrasion. A fitness space neighbors the wellness center, with a basic selection of cardio and weight-lifting equipment. Regular yoga classes are also offered here. Three meeting rooms are available for events, free Wi-Fi is provided, and paid self-parking is available in the hospital’s multi-level parking complex.