By Condado Beach, with restaurants, bars, and shops in walking distance
Simple rooms with flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning
Open-air restaurant serving all meals
Free breakfast included in room rates
Free Wi-Fi and newspapers
Shared guest microwave
Some guests
report cleanliness issues
Rooms and
facilities are in need of an update
Limited
on-site amenities; no pool
No parking
on-site
Sandy Beach Hotel is a two-pearl hotel located in San Juan’s trendy Condado district, less than 100 feet from buzzing Condado Beach. But it's location is really its only virtue. The hotel’s 25 guest rooms could use a refresh, with drab furnishings and functional bathrooms. And there are virtually no on-site amenities aside from an unremarkable restaurant. The hotel's almost-beachfront location is difficult to beat for the price, but budget-conscious guests might also want to consider the Holiday Inn Express San Juan Condado. It’s a little farther from the beach, but offers a pool, fitness center, free breakfast, and more modern guest rooms.
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Scene
Past-its-prime budget hotel with a fantastic beachside location
There’s no question that location is the main (and perhaps only reason) guests choose Sandy Beach Hotel. With its curved window awnings, vertical “hotel” sign, and yellowish exterior, the hotel immediately looks like an older building and stepping into its dim lobby confirms this first impression.
The peach-colored accent walls do little to brighten the lobby’s dark furniture and lifeless decorations. Beyond the small front desk on the right, there’s a sitting area with a few comfy chairs, but it’s not inviting enough to motivate guests to linger. The terrace and dining area are similarly quiet, dreary, and deserted. We spotted a few couples and groups of friends during our visit, but everyone was either coming or going. The hotel is adequate for budget-conscious guests who don’t mind sacrificing ambiance for easy beach access; however, better value options can be found for those who don’t mind having a slightly longer walk to the beach.
Location
Lively location in Condado, right by Condado Beach
Sandy Beach Hotel is located in the glamorous Condado district, which is home to vibrant casinos, bars, and clubs. The soft sands of Condado Beach are less than a one-minute walk away. A one-minute walk in the opposite direction leads to Avenida Ashford, the main road running through Condado. This street is lined with high-end shops, grocery stores, and a variety of restaurants, ranging from local eateries to familiar chains like Starbucks and Subway. The Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art is a 10-minute walk away. The hotel is about a 20-minute drive from Old San Juan, and 20 miles from El Yunque National Park. Luis Munoz Marin International Airport can be reached in about 10 minutes by car.
Rooms
No-frills rooms offer flat-screen TVs and work desks
Guest rooms at Sandy Beach Hotel are drab, decorated with flimsy bamboo furniture and a few perfunctory pieces of forgettable artwork. Pale blue or red bed skirts and runners do little to liven up the dull beige color scheme found in the floor tiles, walls, and drop-ceiling panels. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, blackout curtains, and basic work desks. Closets offer some storage space and have personal safes, but guests need to pay a deposit for the keys. Bathrooms are equally utilitarian, offering basic sinks with no counter space and showers only. Small baskets hold off-brand bars of soap and bottles of shampoo. Rooms were tidy during our visit, but some guests have reported cleanliness problems.
Features
Modest on-site restaurant, easy access to Condado Beach, and free Wi-Fi
Like the rooms, features at Sandy Beach Hotel are sparse. The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Piu Bello Gelato, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (Breakfast is included in room rates.) One side of this small, open-air restaurant faces toward Condado Beach. It’s cute enough, but better dining options can be found elsewhere in Condado.
The hotel may not offer direct beach access, but it comes pretty close, with Condado Beach located less than 100 feet away. This popular beach is a hotspot for water sports, although the current is typically too strong for swimming.
The hotel also offers a small roof terrace with lounge chairs. One side overlooks the beach, but buildings block the view in other directions. There’s also a slightly shabby dining area with several tables and chairs, along with a microwave available for guest use. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout. There’s no parking on-site, but there are several lots found nearby where parking is available for a daily fee.
