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Andalucia Guest House
Category: Hotels & Travel Guest Houses Guest Houses [Edit]
2011 Calle McClearySan Juan, PR 00911
(787) 309-3373
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 8 pm
8 reviews for Andalucia Guest House
8 reviews in English
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Review from R. Mark M.
Dallas, TX
11/17/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I just got back from San Juan (Nov 2011) when I stayed at Andalucia Guest House. The owners Esteban and Emeo were very welcoming and friendly and very accomodating. I decided on Andalucia because I didn't want to stay at a resort or a $200 a night hotel. Andalucia put me in a Puerto Rican neighborhood two blocks from the beach for under $100 night for two beds.
The beds were very comfortable. The room was very clean. The room did not have an iron, but they provided one when we asked. A negative was the shower was weak, but it still worked. The room has a small flat screen TV, although ours had a weak signal and many channels had static. The air conditioner worked great!
They had a great looking hot tub. They provided bug sprays, sun block, sunburn lotion, boogie boards, and beach chairs They have wireless internet in the rooms and a mac desktop in the lobby.
The neighborhood looked a little sketchy, but we had no problems. We had a rental car, and they have parking out front. However, there were two nights when we had to park on the street. We were a little nervous parking it on the street, but we had no problems.
The real treat is the guest house is across from the famous San Juan Bakery and Cafe, Kasalta. YOU MUST GO THERE. In addition, a black down the road is Mango which was a great place for dinner.
I gave 5 stars although it is not perfect. For many people who are use to life in the HIlton, or at a true bed and breakfast (which it is not) it will not be for you, but for me you can't ask for a place with more simple charm. -
Review from Andrew R.
9/12/2011
Not only is Andalucia the cheapest place to stay in San Juan (possibly all of PR), it's also one of the nicest! Sure, this isn't a bed and breakfast, but who needs a big breakfast when you're just going to walk a couple blocks to lay on the beach all morning anyway?
The hosts are warm and welcoming, and they will help you out with anything that you need. There is sunscreen and bug spray in the lobby by the computer, so use it liberally and often! The neighborhood is safe, lively but not noisy, and just a great place to walk around at night. So many wonderful places to eat as well.
No complaints whatsoever. -
Review from Juliet S.
3/1/2011 3 photos
In San Juan, you get one of two options (from what I can tell):
-Glitzy, tacky, ostentatious hotels (and casinos and/or golf)
OR
-homestyle inns
When we travel, we try to avoid the former and look for a more authentic way to experience whatever culture we are visiting. After searching high and low (unfortunately guest houses aren't too searchable using popular sites like expedia, orbitz, and the like), I came across reviews for Andalucia (via http://TripAdvisor.com). All the reviews on there were so glowing, and the prices seemed right, so we gave it a shot.
Andalucia Guest House is run by two SUPER friendly and wonderful guys - Emeo and Esteban. (The other people they have there helping out are less than helpful, but those employees are only there 1 or 2 times per week). Andalucia doesn't look like much from the outside, but there is a lot of heart once you open the gate and enter.
It is small, and not really private. My husband and I had a small room, the only one available at the time of booking, which was right next to the courtyard (where the jacuzzi is located, open from about 5-9 pm - what a great way to unwind at the end of the day!). Sure, we could hear people outside, and there wasn't a ton of privacy on our end either, but that was ok. A guest house is a place to hang your hat at the end of the day - I mean, who comes to San Juan to spend all day (or night!) in their room anyway?!
Room service is daily, and the rooms are kept clean. I think every room has a mini-fridge at the minimum - bigger rooms have full kitchens. Emeo and Esteban also have beach towels, mats, boogie boards and sun tan lotion/aloe/creams all complimentary for your use. There is a bookshelf (modestly) stocked with books, and magazines and board games to help fill your time.
One of, if not the greatest perk of this spot is the location to the beach. No, it isn't beach front, but it is just two blocks from Ocean Park beach which is seriously one of the most gorgeous beaches in this park of the island. It gets full on weekends, but if you happen to be here on a weekday, enjoy a lot of solitude on the golden stretches of sand.
Andalucia is a great way to get a slice of more authentic Puerto Rican travel. See what its like living in a neighborhood, instead of tourist-land. -
Review from Erika H.
Manhattan, NY
6/13/2011 2 photos
Andalucia was an AWESOME guest house!!
Esteban and Emeo are GREAT hosts. So knowledgeable, so friendly, and so helpful. The area also seemed relatively safe.
This place was a short walk to the beach (Ocean Park), to food, and to downtown (well relatively...) and to Walgreen's and USPS! hah!
They have parking area in front too for your rented car (if you have it)
We stayed in the room w double beds and the kitchenette. It was a really nice place. We were able to stock up on booze, drinks,water, snacks and put it in the fridge and what not. it was also a very secure place. the only slight/minor downfall was that this room couldnt access wifi, i guess, bc of its proximity to the center area (i would say, by the jacuzzi) or lack thereof. but that didnt matter to me. I was on vacation, not there to do work emails/personal emails.
They also provided beach towels, beach things, sunblock, bug spray (SO IMPT!!!) and it was just an overall GREAT experience. I want to go back! -
Review from Lori O.
Asheville, NC
3/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
This has become our home away from home when in San Juan. Our first stay, a year ago, impressed us so that we didn't have to think twice about where to book this time: Andalucía all the way. A homey, elegant, tasteful, immaculate place to stay, with staff and owners ready to bend over backwards to make your stay as great as possible.
You're a block from the beach. Ah, that lovely, blue-green water. You're also a block (in another direction) from Kasalta, a traditional Spanish bakery/café/mesón, with Spanish imports (cheese and ham, for example) and local favorites (coconut flan or guava pastries). Also, excellent, affordable eateries like La B de Burro are just across the street.
At Andalucía, every room is unique. Each has its own special style: some look more Asian-themed, while others have a more Middle Eastern vibe. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but there is an oasis to be found inside and around the little courtyard area, with A/C and TV in every room, plus very effective fans. Microwave/fridge combos are pretty convenient, too.
Housekeeping is polite, quick, and professional.
What really is the icing on the cake at this place, though, are the people who work here. They will do anything in their power to advise you, to warn you, to help you... anything. There's an iMac in the lobby in case you didn't bring your own laptop for the free wi-fi. There's also a full table of lotions, sunblocks, tan creams, etc. for whatever beach stuff you forgot. They gladly provide you with towels, coolers, ice, sun chairs, and even an outdoor shower so you don't track sand all in your room.
The hot tub is centrally located and on from 5-9 (approximately) in the evenings. What a way to unwind! Also, there are several shelves of books and a selection of games to pass the time in your room in case you get rained in (which never happened to us).
The folks who work there are so knowledgeable about the area and so eager to help. I have to mention Javier by name: he mailed my postcards for me (taking care of the postage himself!), kept us abreast of political events on the island, and took care of us like family. Something went wrong with our room's water heater (not the tank kind, the kind that heats only what you use). No big deal! The "cold" water was a mere lukewarm and actually kind of welcome after a sweaty, sandy day. Even so, he checked with the owners (Esteban and Emeo, who, unfortunately for us, were off on vacation) and issued us a 10% discount after the fact. This is the kind of customer service that brings people back, and.. Oh, we WILL be back. ASAP, as a matter of fact.
Affordable, attractive and very clean rooms, helpful and friendly staff, and a great location. Practically perfect! -
Review from Jackie A.
6/4/2009 2 photos
This was a great place to stay in San Juan. The guest house is small, maybe 11 rooms or so. The courtyard is very beautiful and the hot tub was very relaxing. Our room was clean and nicely decorated. The proprietors were helpful and very friendly. They gave us a map and a quick rundown of things to do in Puerto Rico, directed us to some very cool parts of the city. Our room was a suite with a full kitchen for only $90 a night!
Free wifi, cable, use of beach chairs, umbrellas, sunscreen... all that mess. The beach was a short (and very pretty) two minute walk. The neighborhood was awesome- in Ocean Park- you're surrounded by million dollar homes. Plus a 24 hour Walgreens right around the corner. The bus stops right next to the guest house for easy access to Isla Verde and Old San Juan.
If I ever go back to San Juan, this is the only place I'd stay. We had a great experience and recommend it to everyone. -
Review from F G.
Durham, NC
9/16/2011
Stayed here back in may. It was a perfect vacation/late honeymoon for my husband and I. Andalucia came highly referred by previous guests. Before checking in Emeo kept in constant contact making sure someone would be around during checkin. Upon checking in, I was welcomed with a tour of the house which was cozy and warm. Immediately fell in love with Emeo and Estaban. The MAP was my best friend. They do not serve breakfast but they do have a few snacks and water/juice in the lobby. I went to Kabalta every morning. The food was great. I had a rental car and sufficient parking each evening. The rooms were cleaned daily by the housekeeper who was also very friendly. Stay at Andalucia 4 days and will def. return if I don't purchase my own place in San Juan.
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Review from Cindy B.
Denver, CO
12/21/2009 2 photos
If you're going to San Juan and want a sweet deal on lodging, you can't do much better than Andalucia! Emeo and Esteban have a great set-up here. Upon check-in, they immediately gave us a little map of the area and told us where some of the closest restaurants were. The beach is just a few blocks away, along a lovely little stroll through some beautiful houses. Across the street you have Kasalta, a well-established bakery where you can't go wrong (even if you don't know what you're ordering!). Also across the street is Sushimama, a relatively new sushi bar with amazing drinks. Did you forget something crucial on your trip? You're in luck; there's a Walgreens right around the corner. Are the tiny Puerto Rican coffees not cutting it for you? You can swing around the other corner and go to McDonald's. Seriously - a great location that's off the beaten path and still close to everything you need.
The amenities of the house are great. They've got a computer right by the front desk - swing through the doorway to the courtyard and right over to the hot tub. (Well, lukewarm tub, really, but still nice!) Need to chill your insanely expensive Coronas to take to the beach? Emeo and Esteban have you covered with several coolers and an ice machine.
If you are in one of the upstairs rooms, there's a sweet little sundeck upstairs - a great place to dry off after using the outdoor shower when you return from the beach. The rooms themselves are a little snug but well-maintained - besides, you just need a place to collapse after dinner and drinks at Sushimama!
