Pros

  • Lodging options of dorms with bunk beds or private rooms
  • All rooms have air-conditioning
  • Shared kitchen with toaster oven, microwave, and refrigerator
  • Off-the-beaten path location, near plenty of dining options
  • Common area features a flat-screen TV plus DVDs and books
  • Pleasant terrace with views over the surrounding residential area
  • Lockers available (guests need to bring their own locks)
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
  • Free street parking
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Cons

  • No hot water
  • Cleanliness -- particularly in the shared bathrooms -- needs improvement
  • No breakfast or property features
  • Beds have only a flat sheet with no blanket or duvet
  • Extra charge for towels
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Bottom Line

The Palace Hostel is a two-pearl hotel located in a residential area of San Juan about a 20-minute walk from Condado Beach. The hostel’s nine private rooms and dorms are as basic as it gets, with beds, air-conditioning, and not much else. The atmosphere is welcoming enough and the shared kitchen and terrace are nice features for budget-conscious guests. However, extra perks that one might associate with hostels, such as organized social events and free breakfasts, are noticeably absent. And worse, there isn't any hot water. Budget travelers could consider comparing rates with Posada San Francisco, which is better-maintained and offers fantastic city views from its patio.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet

Oyster Hotel Review

The Palace Hostel

Scene

Budget hostel with kooky wall murals and a gritty vibe 

The Palace Hostel has many scenes that guests are likely to expect from a typical hostel: Utilitarian rooms, shared bathrooms, young staff ready to offer local recommendations, and casual common areas filled with chatting backpackers. But beginning at its gated, prison-cell-like entrance, there’s also something about the Palace Hostel that’s a touch grittier than the average dorm.

The hostel is set in a century-old building and its interior walls are decorated with vivid hand-painted murals that range from a topless woman emerging from a flower to a Dutchman holding a chicken. In a different context these features might add a welcome touch of character to the space, but combined with the aging facilities, they impart a slightly seedy halfway-house vibe.

On our visit, a diverse range of guests was staying in the hostel, from young backpackers in their twenties to forty- or fiftysomethings. From the common area with its single couch to the book exchange with a dozen or so worn-out paperbacks, the attempts to create a fun atmosphere here feel somewhat half-hearted; however, the hostel consistently receives positive reviews from guests who connect well with other guests and staff, but based on looks alone, there are much better options. 

See More Scene

Location

Colorful setting in San Juan’s Miramar neighborhood, within walking distance of dining and entertainment options

The Palace Hostel is located on a quiet side street in Miramar, surrounded by eclectic old buildings. It’s an ideal base for guests who prefer to skip Puerto Rico’s buzzing beachfront party scene in favor of a more low-key, less touristy setting. A number of restaurants, shops, and convenience stores are found within a 10-minute walk. Condado Beach can be reached in a 20-minute walk. The Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art is 10 minutes away on foot. Old San Juan is around four miles away, and accessible by bus from the hostel. Luis Muñoz International Airport can be reached in about 10 minutes by car. 

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Rooms

No-frills rooms feature single beds, double beds, or bunk beds, as well as air-conditioning

The Palace Hostel offers private rooms with a double bed or two single beds, along with two- and four-bed dorms with bunks. Most have brightly painted walls or offbeat wall murals. Beds are fitted with a bottom sheet, as well as a single, thin flat sheet as a cover. All rooms have clunky air-conditioning units with no temperature control -- they can only be turned on or off. Some rooms have closets, mirrors, side tables, or wall hooks, but these extras vary from room to room.

There’s one shared bathroom on each floor, along with an additional half bathroom with a toilet only on the second floor. All bathrooms are in rough shape, with dingy old tiles and rusty fixtures. One bathroom offers a shower/tub combo, while the other has a shower only. Neither had hot water during our visit. Towels are available to rent for an additional fee. 

See More Rooms

Features

Shared kitchen, common area with TV, and modest terrace

Features at The Palace Hostel are minimal. There’s a small shared kitchen with a hot plate, toaster oven, and cookware and plates. The kitchen is tidy enough, and there’s a shelf with a few communal items like cooking oils and salt that guests are free to use. Most of the equipment looks pretty beat up, but everything is functional. There’s also a full-size fridge just outside the kitchen. The lobby features a small dining table, a microwave, and a few board games. There are also lockers that guests can use if they bring their own lock. A common area on the second floor includes a single futon facing toward a flat-screen TV and DVD player. There’s a small selection of DVDs, in addition to a little book exchange area. The common area opens up onto a cute terrace overlooking the residential street below. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout. Staff are on hand 24 hours for security and to assist with recommendations and directions. Free parking is available on the street in front of the property. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

The Palace Hostel

Scene

Budget hostel with kooky wall murals and a gritty vibe 

The Palace Hostel has many scenes that guests are likely to expect from a typical hostel: Utilitarian rooms, shared bathrooms, young staff ready to offer local recommendations, and casual common areas filled with chatting backpackers. But beginning at its gated, prison-cell-like entrance, there’s also something about the Palace Hostel that’s a touch grittier than the average dorm.

The hostel is set in a century-old building and its interior walls are decorated with vivid hand-painted murals that range from a topless woman emerging from a flower to a Dutchman holding a chicken. In a different context these features might add a welcome touch of character to the space, but combined with the aging facilities, they impart a slightly seedy halfway-house vibe.

On our visit, a diverse range of guests was staying in the hostel, from young backpackers in their twenties to forty- or fiftysomethings. From the common area with its single couch to the book exchange with a dozen or so worn-out paperbacks, the attempts to create a fun atmosphere here feel somewhat half-hearted; however, the hostel consistently receives positive reviews from guests who connect well with other guests and staff, but based on looks alone, there are much better options. 

See More Scene

Location

Colorful setting in San Juan’s Miramar neighborhood, within walking distance of dining and entertainment options

The Palace Hostel is located on a quiet side street in Miramar, surrounded by eclectic old buildings. It’s an ideal base for guests who prefer to skip Puerto Rico’s buzzing beachfront party scene in favor of a more low-key, less touristy setting. A number of restaurants, shops, and convenience stores are found within a 10-minute walk. Condado Beach can be reached in a 20-minute walk. The Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art is 10 minutes away on foot. Old San Juan is around four miles away, and accessible by bus from the hostel. Luis Muñoz International Airport can be reached in about 10 minutes by car. 

See More Location

Rooms

No-frills rooms feature single beds, double beds, or bunk beds, as well as air-conditioning

The Palace Hostel offers private rooms with a double bed or two single beds, along with two- and four-bed dorms with bunks. Most have brightly painted walls or offbeat wall murals. Beds are fitted with a bottom sheet, as well as a single, thin flat sheet as a cover. All rooms have clunky air-conditioning units with no temperature control -- they can only be turned on or off. Some rooms have closets, mirrors, side tables, or wall hooks, but these extras vary from room to room.

There’s one shared bathroom on each floor, along with an additional half bathroom with a toilet only on the second floor. All bathrooms are in rough shape, with dingy old tiles and rusty fixtures. One bathroom offers a shower/tub combo, while the other has a shower only. Neither had hot water during our visit. Towels are available to rent for an additional fee. 

See More Rooms

Features

Shared kitchen, common area with TV, and modest terrace

Features at The Palace Hostel are minimal. There’s a small shared kitchen with a hot plate, toaster oven, and cookware and plates. The kitchen is tidy enough, and there’s a shelf with a few communal items like cooking oils and salt that guests are free to use. Most of the equipment looks pretty beat up, but everything is functional. There’s also a full-size fridge just outside the kitchen. The lobby features a small dining table, a microwave, and a few board games. There are also lockers that guests can use if they bring their own lock. A common area on the second floor includes a single futon facing toward a flat-screen TV and DVD player. There’s a small selection of DVDs, in addition to a little book exchange area. The common area opens up onto a cute terrace overlooking the residential street below. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout. Staff are on hand 24 hours for security and to assist with recommendations and directions. Free parking is available on the street in front of the property. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

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.