El Buen Cafe

Parador El Buen Cafe is a simple budget hotel that manages to serve as something of a meeting place for locals and tourists, perhaps owing its location near the busy highway that traverses northern Puerto Rico. The cafe here is a popular destination for locals and tourists, and often hosts a vibrant crowd throughout the day. The adjacent cocktail lounge provides a quieter and more intimate scene for guests. With the hotel being separate from the cafe, guests can get away to quieter areas within the hotel as well if they want, though there aren't many places to hang out other than the pool. The style throughout the property has a dated tropical look, and its best used as a place to crash within a reasonable drive of the beach. With few kid-friendly activities, the hotel is best suited for business travelers and families that appreciate location over lots of on-site features.

Parador El Buen Cafe is located right on the well-trafficked Route 2 in Hatillo. Unfortunately, there are only a few local restaurants and shops within walking distance, and renting a car is recommended in order to reach the region's attractions. Popular among locals, the golden sands of Playa Poza del Obispo are 20 minutes away by car. For something a little more adventurous, the famous Camuy River Cave Park is a 25-minute drive from the hotel and is home to the third largest underground cave system in the world. Tours are offered in Spanish and English. The Plaza del Norte Mall is a six-minute drive from the hotel, and has over 130 shops and restaurants. Travelers should allow over an hour to reach both the Rafael Hernandez Airport or Luis Munoz Marin Airport, the latter of which is located east of San Juan.

Rooms here are spacious and clean, but dated, with tropical-print bedspreads and bamboo headboards. Furniture is generic, but there is ample space for storage in the beige dressers and rooms are clean. Across all categories, features include flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning -- remotes for both are handed out during check-in. In the main building, rooms feature queen-size beds, mini-fridges, tile floors, red curtains, and some rooms have couches. Villas are separate from the main building and have the same amenities, but also feature kitchens with stovetops, small dining tables, and outdoor sitting space. Some rooms also have microwaves. Bathrooms are moderately-size and include shower/tub combos, plenty of vanity space, and adequate amounts of towels. Some toiletries are provided for guests, as are wall-mounted hairdryers.

Features here are slim, but what's on offer is nice, including its well-liked restaurant, El Buen Cafe, which is a popular breakfast and lunch spot for locals. Traditional Puerto Rican dishes tinclude chicken and rice soups, tostones, and mofongo. Travelers can expect American fare like pancakes, eggs, and burgers as well. The cafe has ample seating and several dining areas plus an adjacent cocktail lounge with wooden high-top tables, a full bar, and a few flat-screen TVs. Room service from the cafe is available. 

The pool terrace is situated adjacent to the hotel and is surrounded by a high concrete wall ensuring privacy. There are a handful of plastic lounge chairs for guests to use while hanging out by the pool, as well as a small cabana and bathrooms. A meeting room with a flat-screen TV can be rented as well. Additional hotel amenities include ample on-site parking and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.