The Gallery Inn, San Juan Antiguo

This is a charming hotel with unique rooms and very pretty common areas. The location is good for sightseeing in old San Juan. The service is spotty - some staff were great, but others not so much. When you check in you need to ensure that they give you a room in the rate category that you reserved. We were given a lesser category room, but still charged the higher category rate (an additional $50/night). We were tired after traveling, and did not notice until it was too late. Also, our room was very noisy.

I've never stayed anywhere as memorable as this. It was fantastic, in the purest sense of the word. I'm very struck by the handful of negative reviews here that seem to revolve around 2007. I wonder if the hotel was under different management for a time, or if the owners were having some difficulty then, or if these reviewers were just the wrong kind of folks for this incredibly unique place. This will sound strange, I'm sure, but I went to The Gallery Inn on the honeymoon of my ill-fated first marriage, and I can't see bringing my current wife here, or I would surely return. Keep in mind: this is a 400-yr-old house; if you're used to enjoying skyscraping hotels with 300 identical rooms, THIS PLACE IS NOT FOR YOU. But if you're an open-minded, creative, different-drummer type who's ready to be thoroughly charmed by an eccentric, perfectly-located, romantic boutique hotel that offers an absolutely one-of-a-kind sensory experience ... I wouldn't miss it.

We have stayed in the Gallery Inn twice now, both times before we sailed out of Puerto Rico for a 7 day cruise. Both times we were made to feel very welcome and received a lot of personal attention from the staff. Their recommendations on places to eat were the best. The last time we were there we were given a tour of the entire property and were even treated to a piano concert, as well as a personal introduction to the owners. Our rooms both times were very comfortable and beautifully appointed with amazing art work. We had no issues with any of the plumbing or odors or anything that you might expect would be issues in a place that is 400 years old or so. The breakfasts were very tasty and the coffee was some of the best I have ever had. The honor bars were well stocked and we never felt like we lacked for anything. Quite the opposite, I felt like we cheated ourselves by not spending more time there. Old San Juan is a wonderful and magical place, and the Gallery Inn is absolutely the best place to stay while you are there. However, I must admit that if you do not like artsy, unique and different types of places with a lot of culture and music, you might not feel the same way I do. To be precise, I love this place and I cannot wait to come back and spend more time there!! As a side note, it is very romantic ;) go there with someone you love.

The building has a charm of its own that is infectious. I like to climb to the roof top deck, sit with a glass of wine at night and unwind. A walk away are all the resturants and shops. Jan and Manuco are like family to me and you feel like it your home. You want a dink from the lobby bar just reach for it unless Manuco is there first then you never have to ask. The new pool is amazing as is the resturant. Wednesday can be nochi nite but every nite there is something happening with food there. I have been in and out of every nook and cranny over the last 2 decades. I can even give a decent tour of the place. Watched it grow and met many guests who appreciate the Inn's charm. When I read the negative reviews I have to think either staff problems or they were expecting the Hilton. I have never seen rudeness from the staff and owners but I have seen guests being rude, extra demanding and thinking they are the center of the world. This place has had guests that are well known, clebraties, was features on MTV real world/road rules, senators and many more that you can see in the guest book. If you like real charm, want to see real history and meet interesting people. Then this is the place for you. If you visit expect the parrots to be part of the experiance. There was one at first but I think more than a dozen now. As far as music from the street the Inn is near an area that people play music and enjoy life. It isn't Iowa where at 8pm the night shuts the streets down. In Latain America the cars play loud music and so do the people, they dance and enjoy it. The weekend starts thursday nite and runs till sunday. If that isn't what you enjoy then puerto rico isn't for you. If you want to enjoy life, relax and be part of the culture then come on down and grab a seat. Ask Manuco for a San Juan Special, it is his drink concoction. If you want a mainland type hotel (like one in any state) then try the Condado Hotels. They have beach and tourists. Gracia Jan and Manuco for a lot of years and friendship. Hasta h PS I just had to write this when I read the negatives, it is so frustrating that if they did have a problem they didn't just tell you and solve it.

The location is great, very near to El Morro and we enjoyed walking all around. The staff is helpful, friendly and willing to accommodate individual needs. The hotel itself is charming and fun to explore. Our kids enjoyed the birds. But the noise is unbearable. There must be a club across the street that BLARES music and it happens every Friday night until 3 am. Every meal is the bare minimum to be considered a meal. The breakfast rolls are hard and burnt. And when the food runs out, it runs out. No extra. The stairs are dangerous, uneven and without rainings. The bedrooms are crowded, dark and dank. The shower head is clogged and the water does not remain at a constant temp-either scalding or cold. This hotel might have been a gem in days past but now it needs some serious upkeep and reality on the room prices. We could have dealt with the actual hotel but the music blaring until 3 am after we asked for a quiet room is very unacceptable. They serve a Friday night dinner, which might be a way to experience the charm without all the downsides of the hotel.

Romantic, beautiful, relaxing, gracious, charming, artistic and pleasant manor-set in the old city of San Juan. My husband and I spent our engagement trip here and returned for our third anniversary. The Gallery Inn provides such a romantic setting, it's impossible not to fall in love all over again. We actually left wishing we had planned our wedding there. Every room is laid out and designed differently, the entire house is literally an art gallery, the gardens and pool are certainly part of the artwork. The staff is happy and friendly, the honor bar is well stocked and the coffee is fantastic. Walk to a different restaurant every night and stroll home under the stars. It's just lovely from check-in to check-out. Well-checking out is the worst part because your are actually leaving :)

My husband and I stayed a week at the Gallery Inn and enjoyed it thoroughly. The Inn is perched on the top of Old San Juan hill with easy access to good restaurants, shopping and the old fort El Morro. The owner Jan has lovingly restored the place and and you feel as if you are in a mansion from past centuries and that you are part of the family. While you are there, read the book detailing the restoration and showing photographs from the earlier days--fascinating reading. The lobby area consists of a couple of courtyards with fountains, artwork, greenery and even parrots commenting on events. The room are filled with carefully-chosen antiques and each has a tempurpedic bed--we have rarely slept so well. A nice touch is the wine and cheese party each night--a good time to discuss with Manuco, the owner's husband, a good place to eat that night. Also the breakfasts are excellent-great omelets, fresh fruit and delicious rolls. As we left Jan was masterminding breaking through walls to restore and add another building to the Inn and a swimming pool will also be added. Would we return--you bet we will and can't wait to see the new additions!

We stayed for 1 day in the honeymoon suite in Feb 07. It was awesome! Nice ocean view. 3rd floor. The highlight of the honeymoon suite is the outdoor jacuzzi on a PRIVATE open-air terrace-style balcony...and of course the complementary champagne! Pricey at $350+tax...but for one day, its worth it! The remainder of the house is very unique with sculpture gardens, exotic birds, eccentric artwork, mazes of rooms including a music room, and a surreal atmosphere from a far off time and place. Practical points: Walking distance from El Morro and all of Old San Juan. Parking can be difficult.The complementary evening wine hour and breakfast were good.

I love the Old San Juan and everything Puerto Rico has to offer. This hotel really made a bad impression on our overall stay. Where to begin... The first impression was of surprise. The place had an initial charm, because it is so different. However, the charm wore off very, very quickly. Upon given our room (at the staggering price of $425/night) we proceeded to go check in. Now, for $425 you certainly expect a lot more. This is what we got: The stairs to our room were falling apart and had rusty nails poking out- we could not believe how dangerous it was. Our room was moldy, the sheets smelled as if they had not been washed in eons, not to mention how dark it was. It was just very weird and appallingly uncomfortable to the point we did not even want to bother with asking for clean sheets. Not to mention a sub-par bathroom with tiny towels that smelled as moldy as the sheets. Then it was the feeling of intruding and not been wanted there, similar to another reviewer's experience, we had decided not to attend whatever event was happening and we were treated with contempt and rudely. I have never felt so uncomfortable in my life in a hotel ever. We are also very easy going, adventuresome travelers, but this was really too much. The next morning (of our departure) we were called at 10AM to see when we were going to check out. Basically, we felt that we were kicked out. I will never, ever return to that place and certainly will never recommend it to anyone. It is too bad because it really has the potential to be quite an interesting place.

WHAT FIRST HIT ME WHEN I WALKED IN WAS HOW DARK, DUSTY AND CLUTTER FILLED THE INN WAS! A CLEANING NIGHMARE BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BOTHER THEM AS EVERYTHING IS NASTY! IN HORROR I WATCHED A VERY ELDERLY MAN COME DOWN THE DANGEROUS UNEVEN STEPS DRAGGING HIS SUITCASE BY HIMSELF. NO BELLHOPS TO HELP! NOT EVEN THE DRIVER OF THE VAN TO THE AIRPORT OFFERED TO HELP THE GENTLEMAN GET HIS SUITCASE INTO THE VAN! INCREDIBLE, DISGRACEFUL! READ THE RAVING REVIEWS...ARE WE TALKING OF THE SAME INN????? ONLY THE LAST REVIEWS ONES RING TRUE TO MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I QUESTIONED AS TO HOW OFTEN THE BED COVERS GET WASHED AS THEY SMELLED SO BAD IT WAS HARD TO SLEEP DESPITE THE COMFY BEDS! NO ONE SEEMED TO KNOW, MY GUESS IS PROBABLY "NEVER"! WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE UNLESS YOU LIKE DARK, DANK, DANGEROUS AND DIRTY!