Reviews for San Juan Vacation Rental - VRBO 207437ha - 2 BR San Juan Area Apartment in Puerto Rico, Breezy & Quiet in San Juan

Great Spring Break

Guest Alysha M.
Date of stay 03/13/13
Review Submitted 03/30/13

I had a great stay at this location! We managed to fit 8 girls in this apartment for 6 days and 5 nights with one bathroom and never felt crammed or had any issues. Lydia, Paloma's mother, was our contact in PR since Paloma is in New York. She was more than helpful and anytime I had any questions I could call her. She even drove us to the grocery store when we first arrived. My only reason for not giving this place 5 stars is strictly location. It was only a 15 minute drive to San Juan, however taxis in PR are expensive and to have to use one a minimum of twice a day definitely began to add up. If you can afford it, I definitely recommend renting a car. Overall, I loved the condo! We all had an amazing time in PR and definitely plan on returning in the future.

Owner response: Thank you so much for your feedback. I'm really happy you and your party had fun. Yes, this unit is great if you have a rental car as is near most main exits and big xpways; I'm pretty this issue is specified in either the web or the contract ;) To future visitors: Please understand this is a unit for 4 occupants maximum (6 if there are children in the party). This is also a private residential building, not a hostel or a hotel/villa, and we ask for all activities in the hallways to be minimized to the usual in and out of the building. Neighbors do complain when there's noise and we do get a fine. In the event we get fined, you will be responsible and charged through Homeaway.

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Working with owner was a pleasure

Guest KARIMAH W.
Date of stay 03/28/12
Review Submitted 04/04/12

I initially booked the apartment to stay March 28, 2012 - April 3, 2012. The owner notifiied me that construction was taking place outside of the unit (at the time of booking there was no construction). I expressed my concerns at the possibility of noise interefering with my sleep. Paloma was WONDERFUL, she allowed me to cancel my reservation and refunded the money promptly. I am looking forward to another trip to Puerto Rico, and will DEFINATELY stay at this property. From the beginning to the end, working with Paloma was an absolute pleasure.

Owner response: Thank you Karimah for your kind words. June and July are still open!

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Affordable, Clean, and Spacious!

Guest Belinda R.
Date of stay 03/07/12
Review Submitted 03/15/12

This rental was a great find!! There was enough space 5 adults and more than enough linens and towels! Paloma and Lydia were so helpful and accommodating throughout the entire process. The apartment located by the U of PR so a car is a must if you plan on visiting other parts of the island. The Obrero restuarant (about 5 min) drive away has phenomenal food!! Make sure to stop there to eat. Although this was not walking distance to the beach, it was nice to stay in a more "local" area not filled with tourists. Just for your information, there is no oven...not a big deal but after buying a few frozen pizzas found this out unexpectedly. No air conditioning but plenty of fans and the elevation of the apartment kept it cool entirely!! The bathroom not so much...so ladies planning on doing there hair and makeup in the bathroom will have to find another way (the master room has a huge closet and more than enough mirrors)!! Overall, if you can settle for driving to where you need to go instead of walking and you are not looking for profound luxury this condo is perfect!!!! Would def recommend to others! Thanks to Paloma and Lydia!

Owner response: Thanks for your feedback Belinda. Isn’t the Obrero awesome? I love visiting the restaurant for an affordable humongous lunch! About the bathroom: Youre right, it can get pretty steamy in there! I will be working on the bathroom situation during the summer. An extractor is in the works. It was great having you over and I hope to hear from you in the future.

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Great location for budget, group travelers!

Guest Cristina N.
Date of stay 02/28/12
Review Submitted 03/08/12

Our group of 4 had a great time in this roomy, breezy apartment that had a central location to everything. We rented a car and found ourselves never more than 20 minutes from main points of interest (Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde etc). But just a word of caution: as of this writing, there's construction going on immediately next to the building so if you were intending on sleeping in during the weekdays you will be sorely disappointed and rudely awakened. Since we were often up early to start our day it wasn't a huge deal but unless you're a remarkably heavy sleeper, expect to be woken up at about 7am. The apartment is quite clean, nicely furnished and had tons of maps and brochures for all kinds of attractions. There were plenty of linens and towels and having the kitchen stocked with dishes and some staples (sugar, salt, pepper, knife set) was really helpful. Lydia (Paloma's mother), was sweet and patient, even after we got lost looking for the apartment. She explained everything to us and also showed us around the apartment. Everything was easy and checkout was painless! I would definitely recommend this apartment for other groups looking to stay in a decent area on a budget! It's rare to find a place to stay in Puerto Rico that doesn't tack on fees for cleaning and parking!

Owner response: Thank you for your feedback, Cristina. Im really happy to know that you were comfortable and enjoyed your stay at our unit. I apologize for the noisy mornings, I wasnt aware of it as no one has mentioned it before. I will make sure to inform my future guess about it. Hope to hear from you again in a near future.

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Good Place to stay at a reasonable price!!!!!

Guest Felicia J.
Date of stay 01/13/12
Review Submitted 01/24/12

My stay was good although i did not spend much time in the apartment since i was driving all over in PR. There is no air conditioning but the apartment is on the forteen floor and is very breezy so if you open the windows and turn on the fan that's all you need. There is no wifi so dont bother bring your PC unless you have a hot spot connection. The apartment was clean and it has a washer, dryer and a full kitchen where you can cook as well. it is a two bedroom apartment one of them with a full size bed and the other wiht two twin size bed. There is a sofa cama in the living room but dont count on it because as a sofa is a lot more comfortable. the cargo elevator which is the closest to the parking and apartment is old but functional i preferred the main elevator even though is not the closest. I was please with the service and if anyone is looking for a reasonable place to stay this can be one of their choices.

Owner response: Thank you for your feedback, Felicia. I will sure take into consideration your observations to upgrade the rental's agreement document. Understand tho, that my unit is not promoted in its profile as a unit that offers WIFI nor a unit that sleeps 6 comfortably. My apologies if it led you to understand otherwise. I will do the best I can to make these points as clear as possible.

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Big space, amazing view, great customer service!

Guest Johanna
Date of stay 07/14/10
Review Submitted 07/27/10

My friends and I loved staying at the apartment in Rio Piedras. It was spacious and simple with everything we needed for a great trip (including an amazing view-- we spent many evenings watching the skies!). We made great use of the washer/dryer and the coffee pot especially. And it was nice to be able to cook and eat meals without going out every night. The owners of the property are laid back, friendly and helpful, very prompt in responding to questions, and met us at the property to show us around. Great value and a great experience. One thought: Don't worry about the unit not having air conditioning-- when they say its "breezy" they are not kidding! We were completely comfortable sleeping and hanging out in the apartment. That said, the kitchen and bathroom can get very warm because there are no windows or fans in those rooms (the ceiling fan in the kitchen was not working when we were there). Finally, a car is a must to get the most out of this property. It is located in a largely residential area near the university and while there are many shops within walking distance, you will need a car to get to most attractions and restaurants on the island. Assigned parking at the building was free, simple and convenient.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, girls getaway.

Owner response: Hi Johanna! Great to see you got the most out of the place and thank you for your feedback. I'll be leaving to Puerto Rico today to upgrade the unit with the help of all your (and everyone's suggestions! Thank you again for choosing San Juan Rental and I hope to see you again some day! Paloma & Lydia

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Excellent hosts, excellent stay!

Guest Jersey Jaunters
Date of stay 05/26/10
Review Submitted 06/15/10

This apartment exceeded my expectations. The building itself is really nice as well: clean hallways, elevators and common areas, courteous staff; excellent security and on top of all this, Paloma and Lydia (Paloma's mother) are such excellent hosts. The apartment is impressive because it is bright, airy, clean and cool, with plenty of space for 4 people. Fans There are ceiling fans in the living room, kitchen and master bedroom, as well as, an oscillating fan in the guestroom. I found that just by having the windows open and the fans on, the apartment was quite comfortable - even on the hottest days. Living room The living room/dining area has plenty of comfortable seating, including a rocking chair and a hammock chair. Whenever my cousin visited, she most enjoyed sitting in the hammock chair or the rocking chair. Kitchen The tile design in the kitchen is really eye-catching. And the kitchen has everything you could need, including a fridge, coffee maker, toaster, microwave and best of all, a washer/dryer. Plates, drink-ware, silverware, utensils and pots are also provided. Bathroom The bathroom has a really useful feature: a dispenser containing shampoo, conditioner and bodywash that is mounted on the back wall of the shower. No fumbling about with tiny bottles! Bedroom The master bedroom is my favorite room. The bed is so comfortable and there's a large walk-in closet with floor to ceiling mirrored sliding doors. There's also a 22" flat-screen TV with a built-in DVD player for those moments when you just want to veg out. Overall, what a great place. I was sad to leave after spending a week. I know already that this is where I'll stay the next time I come back to Puerto Rico. Way better than a hotel! One last note: Tren Urbano (commuter train) The apartment is not far from one of the the Tren Urbano train stations. In fact, you can see the UPR (University of Puerto Rico) station from the apartment. If you take the Tren Urbano for one stop to the Rio Piedras station, you can check out the Paseo de Diego pedestrian-only shopping area. There is also a large indoor public market right off of Paseo de Diego, where you can find the most interesting (as well as the freshest) fruits and veggies on the island. One thing to remember if you do take the train - keep your train ticket because you will need it when you have to exit the station. No fare is charged on exit, only on entrance.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, tourists without a car.

Owner response: Thanks Ivonne! It was great having you over and we deffenetly welcome you back to our place anytime. Thank you for all the tips. I will be looking into them on my trip to PR this August. Mom says thank you for the note!

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Nice condo in a convenient location

Guest Dan
Date of stay 04/15/10
Review Submitted 04/23/10

This apartment is very clean and well-stocked with everything you need. Beds available for up to 5 people, but only one (full-sized) bed is comfortable. The couch (queen) and bend (twin) are tolerable but not comfortable. Would be ideal for a couple. The location is fantastic. Fifteen minutes to the airport, Old San Juan, Candado, Bayamon, Isla Verde, etc. Very central. Rio Piedro (where the condo is located) is a little ghetto but the people were nice and we didn't have any trouble. The condo is right off PR 1, which means its easy to get back to no matter where you're coming from. If you're a rock climber, make sure to spend some time in Nuevo Bayamon. Avoid Caliche (in Ciales) but try out the place in San German. If you're not a climber, be sure to spend some time in Old San Juan, and check out the big fort at the west tip. Also try out the Bio Bay tour in Fajardo and the El Yunque rain forest, and the Arecibo Observatory about an hour to the west of San Juan. Have fun, and enjoy!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thanks Dan! I'm glad to see you explored places other than beaches and thanks for all the tips on rock climbing and San Juan! I will look into it more to post more info about it on our Facebook page. It hurts that you called Rio Piedras ghetto when its really just an really old student town. My unit descriptions state clearly that there is only one full size bed and the rest are a sleeper sofa and a small futon :) I will definitely look forward to make changes to our place to make it more comfy for our clients. It was great having you over and thanks for leaving the place in great shape!!

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Perfect Location

Guest OJ
Date of stay 04/06/10
Review Submitted 06/29/10

This property is located by the University of PR in Rio Piedras, which is area of no crime and presents a great opportunity to walk around and explore the culture. The property tenants are mainly college students which were right up my buddies and I alley being college grads. The location is about ten minutes from every popular location. A rental vehicle is a must if you are going to be there 4 or more days. The landlord is very generous and will assist in evey manner. The property has three room and can sleep 4 individuals. It is clean and comes with all appliances, utensils, and all others amenities you need to make you stay confortable. I would recommend this rental to everyone.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thanks OJ! Glad to see you had a good time over in Puerto Rico and we hope to see you back some day!

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Great experience!

Guest Ryoga
Date of stay 03/24/10
Review Submitted 04/03/10

Upon arrival, the apartment was spacious and clean, with access to a open plan kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom and dining/lounge area. The main bedroom has ample of space to store your luggage, with access to clean sheets and bathroom towels. On the side dressing drawer, there is information on what to do in and around San Juan. There are two fans - a ceiling fan over the bed and a floor fan. There's a DirectTV PVR box, which allows you to record a mixture of free-to-view English language and Spanish channels. No subscription channels are available, unfortunately. There's also no DVD player. For those who rather sleep in the dark during the mornings, should ask for instructions to the metal blinds prior to arrival. The 2nd bedroom was smaller, fit for 1 adult or 2 children. Also has a compartment to place clothes and baggage. This room has no television or any form of entertainment. Unfortunately, there's also no ceiling fan, so borrow the floor fan from the main bedroom. The lounge can also be used as a bedroom, with it's sofabed, but again, there is no form of entertainment for those sitting/sleeping in that area. There is a nice hammock to sit in, as well as an armchair and a rocking chair. The dinning table is provided for those who wish to eat like a family. There is also a ceiling fan above the sofabed. The kitchen is situated between the bedrooms, with access to a large fridge, washing machine/dryer, stove, microwave, sink, 2 piece toaster, coffee machine and sandwich toaster. While there was ample cutlery, there wasn't much utensils like can openers, which we had to buy ourselves from the store located on the ground floor. A larger selection of pots and pans would be good also. Bathroom has the standard sink, toliet and bath with shower. While gels and shampoos are provided for you, you will need to buy other amenities like toothpaste. Cleaning utilities can be found next to the bathroom to clean basins, etc after use. Door lock didn't work, but that should be fixed by the time the next occupants arrive. The owners were very helpful and communication was excellent. Advice to those who wish to get that 10% discount. Pay within 24 hours, as the owners are true to their word - discount and deposit are paid back via PayPal. For those who wish to travel to the tourist areas of San Juan, rent a car. Parking is cheap in those areas and only about 20 mins away from the area. Will definitely rent again when we come back!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

Owner response: Thank you so much for your feedback S.T! Sorry about the can opener. We had one but some things you just can’t control. I will definitely have that on my check list for future visitors. We try to equip our unit as much as we can for travelers on the run but I will look into your feedback to make it better. I try to be very specific on my description about the unit in our HomeAway add but your opinion is very important to us and clients interested in this unit. Thank you very, very much! Hope to hear from you soon! Oh! And thanks for living the place spotless! :)

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STAYING IN RIO PIEDRAS

Guest CR-V
Date of stay 02/17/10
Review Submitted 02/28/10

The apartment was very clean and efficient. I would and will recommend this apartment to all my friends who will be visiting Puerto Rico. The bedroom TV is okay but as a suggestion a second would be nice in the living room(especially for those who have children or older visitors). The price was reasonable and overall we were very happy with the apartment. We have a wonderful stay!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Owner response: Thanks JV! It will be a pleasure having you over again.

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Beautiful and roomy Apartment !!!

Guest ttfriess
Date of stay 05/09/09
Review Submitted 03/06/10

We were in Puerto Rico in March 2009. It was the first time in the Caribean and one of the greatest experience in our life. The apartment is so beautiful. At night it´s very quiet. All you need is in there, and it`s very roomy and clean too. From there, you have a wonderful view over San Juan and the hole area. The service is perfect and she´s very helpful !! At the 2nd. day we went kayaking with Edwin in the harbour of Old San Juan. Edwin is a very lovely guy and he is very good at kayaking. He`s organizing very great kayaktours. The days after we went on a big island roundtrip to see all the beautiful areas like Punta Las Tunas, the beach of Boqueron, the Lighthouse of Cabo Rojo while the sunset, La Parguera, the city of Ponce, the spectacular scenic higway “Ruta Panoramica” along the mountains, the Rainforest El Yunque, the Bacardi Distillery and much much more. We were at the Island of Culebra with all the beautiful beaches and had a very great catamaran tour. We startet at Puerto del Rey Marina. We were in Guavate and had roasted pig at the weekend with live salsa music it was so funny. Every Friday evening we were at “La Placita de Santurce” in San Juan to here good salsa music and to have party. We had good mochitos, mmmhh.....

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: It was great having you & hope to see you back. Mom says hi!

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good bargain for the price

Guest iljusha
Date of stay 04/25/09
Review Submitted 04/30/09

Me and my friends ( 4 people in total) stayed there 4/25 - 4/29 -This place was acceptable and affordable solution for us. It is located about 10 min from Old San Juan and Airport. Since we had a car it was not a problem.Good thing is that this place comes with secured indoor garage under the building.The location may not be most fancy, but the view from the windows is nice, especially from the panoramic elevators. The apartment is roomy and breezes air. The living room is big, but the TV and cable are located in one of the bedrooms. The second bedroom only has a couch and no fan. Overall, it is a very reasonable and affordable choice for a group of people traveling on a budget.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

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A Great First Experience in Puerto Rico

Guest raffi c
Date of stay 03/28/09
Review Submitted 05/04/09

The building is about 10 minutes from the San Juan Airport. I parked my rental in their gated, underground, private parking spot with elevators to the apartment. The building residents and neighbors were polite and courteous and it was quiet at night. The building had a complete gym on the first floor with pretty new equipment. The building had 24 hour security and was very secure and safe. The apartment was spacious, cozy, and very clean. The furniture, appliances, and amenities were all in good condition and clean, not to mention stylish. The main bedroom had a TV with cable. The location was central to all the major highways, trains, & bus lines making Isla Verde, Old San Juan, Pinones, Santurce, etc. easy and quick to get to. A short walk from the apartment takes you to a strip which offers great eats, cafes, shopping, and fun night life. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Avenida Universidad becomes very vibrant with excellent music, food, and clubs. Also, there's a super market nearby as well as a mini-mart directly beneath the building itself (I believe there was also a salon). Banks & ATMs are very close. The University of Puerto Rico campus is also a close walk and allows free internet surfing in the libraries. Overall, this being my first time in Puerto Rico, I had a wonderful time and experience, as did my friends with me. I sincerely feel the trip would not have been as rich had I stayed in an all inclusive resort or villa in Old San Juan. When I revisit Puerto Rico next year, I will stay in this apartment again... especially now that I know the area so well. Disfruta :)

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Breezy & Quiet in San Juan [#207437ha] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (14)

Great Spring Break

Great Spring Break

Working with owner was a pleasure

Working with owner was a pleasure

Affordable, Clean, and Spacious!

Affordable, Clean, and Spacious!

Great location for budget, group travelers!

Great location for budget, group travelers!

Good Place to stay at a reasonable price!!!!!

Good Place to stay at a reasonable price!!!!!

Big space, amazing view, great customer service!

Big space, amazing view, great customer service!

Excellent hosts, excellent stay!

Excellent hosts, excellent stay!

Nice condo in a convenient location

Nice condo in a convenient location

Perfect Location

Perfect Location

Great experience!

Great experience!

STAYING IN RIO PIEDRAS

STAYING IN RIO PIEDRAS

Beautiful and roomy Apartment !!!

Beautiful and roomy Apartment !!!

good bargain for the price

good bargain for the price

A Great First Experience in Puerto Rico

A Great First Experience in Puerto Rico