Sandy Beach Hotel, Santurce

clean, inexpensive, comfortable bed. staff very pleasant

I stayed with my parents and brother at El Canario by the Sea over Christmas. They had just opened a week before under new ownership. The hotel was old but inexpensive and well located. By old, I mean, ledges to step over when entering rooms, which my mother stubbed her toe on repeatedly, and a faulty elevator. When 3 people get in the elevator, it stops 3 inches below the landing. I gashed my toe open stepping out of the elevator on the ground floor, and the hotel didn't even have a first aid kit. My family had to go to Walgreens a block away themselves to buy first aid supplies while the receptionist watched. Needless to say, an open wound ruined the rest of my beach vacation... and not even a word of apology from the owner/manager., never mind offering to pay for the medical supplies or even my room. We were first told the owner didn't speak English, then that their insurance company said it would be an admission of guilt, which would be a problem in getting the elevator company to fix it. Not that we cared what they did to the elevator company. I just wish they had waited an extra week to make sure their facilities were up to scratch before opening. It wouldn't have ruined my vacation.

In order to use frequent flyer miles to get to San Juan for a Royal Caribbean cruise I had to fly in two days early and fly out a day after the ship returned. I needed a cheap hotel just to crash in for the extra nights. I am very happy I found El Canario by the Sea. This hotel is as close to the beach as you can get without actually being on it. The hotel is clean. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The continental breakfast is just OK but considering how expensive San Juan is, the breakfast was a nice complimentary start to our days there. If you are looking for a good deal in a great location This is it.

Stayed 1 night march 1,2008 very clean inside and out extremly friendly staff rooms rather small but accomodating. morning breakfast very nice and more than enough. We would stay there again in a heartbeat. The desk people were very friendly and helpful and spoke excellent english, if you are spanish challenged

It is right next to the beach as promised, but we had to go buy a bottle of Febreaze to spray the room as it smelled so bad. The stairway smelled like chlorine the whole time we were there. And you can hear every single noise in neighboring rooms.

I just stayed here in june 2006 for 4 nights. The hotel is very clean and accomodating. If your looking for resort and all out lavish ammenities...This isn't the place for you. Rooms are very clean and neat. Simply decorated. Staff is wonderful and willing to answer questions and give advice on where to go. Breakfast served each morning in a beautiful outside patio! Centrally located near everything you'd want to see in Condado. Perfect for the price!!!