Bóveda, San Juan Antiguo

The Boveda apartments in Old San Juan are the BEST! I had the pleasure of being one of the first guests in the Garden Suite with my girlfriend visiting from Germany. We were both impressed. We had a cool, quiet room with all the amenities, and felt like we were living in an Island Villa with our very own black and white marble patio outside our door overlooking lush tropical plants and trees, with over sized wicker furniture to sink into, and a large kitchen where we could concoct a frozen rum drink (hint - the locals prefer Don Q gold ) before trekking out to the fun and nearby night life. Not having to rent a car or struggle with parking was a huge time and money saver. We could walk the Old City, enjoying the cultural heritage, and even fly a kite on Sunday with the scores of locals at nearby El Morro, or take a bus to the beach. My girlfriend went wild in the boutique downstairs and I was even able to find a pair of inexpensive sunglasses for myself. I was able to do all of my gift shopping between Boveda, the outlet stores right on the block, and the supermarket in the plaza, where they sell excellent Puerto Rican coffee and rum at non tourist prices, and if you ask, they'll pack the bottles in those cardboard carry ons. I've returned twice - once with my present girlfriend who LOVED the room and location and again with a family reunion, where 6 of us spread out in the luxurious Gallery apartment, in the front of the building, with the balcony over Cristo St. Having our own apartment, as opposed to staying in a hotel, gave us a closer sense of history: the feeling that we were in a very special place.