Reviews for Ocean Park Vacation Rental - VRBO 943474ha - 2 BR San Juan Area Apartment in Puerto Rico, Condado, San Juan, Literally 10 Steps to Beach, Private Top Roof Pool, Mar

8 days in el Mar

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 04/30/13
Review Submitted 05/09/13

I stayed with 4 friends in el Mar apartment for 8 days. It was perfect and I would definitely stay again. The rooftop has a small pool and grill with plenty of seating. You can see and hear the ocean from the apartment and from the rooftop. The apartment itself was spacious and clean. The beach is about the distance of one house away and very easily accessible. Boogie boards and beach chairs were available for us to use. There are great restaurants within walking distance and downtown Condado is a $10 cab ride away. Old San Juan was about a $20 cab ride away. My favorite was MAM Cafe...a nonprofit restaurant a few blocks from the condo that serves women and children....it had the BEST food and service and was very affordable (a meal plus soup, salad, and a smoothie is only $10!). Isabel and Juan were wonderful. They were available whenever we needed them and were warm and friendly. The housekeeper comes every day and keeps the common areas and rooftop clean. She was my absolute favorite person I met on this trip! I highly recommend staying here!

Owner response: I know, she is so wonderful and always ready to please with this wide smile...I will tell her! thank you

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We are so happy we stayed here!

Guest Kristie Y.
Date of stay 04/13/13
Review Submitted 05/03/13

We absolutely loved this rental! We had an excellent vacation and a big part of it was our stay at "Sol" (that's the name of the rental apartment). Isabel was wonderful! she also rents two other units in the same building ("Mar" is one of them). The apartment was clean, contemporary, and perfect for us! Most of the furniture and even the dishes were from West Elm. The beds & linens were very comfortable and the apartment had everything we needed. We went out for coffee each day because Café con leche became our favorite daily ritual. There are several coffee shops within walking distance. Isabel has a binder with their favorite recommendations - everything from coffee to day trips to salsa dancing. Can't wait to return to Puerto Rico and wouldn't would definitely stay here again. Just a few notes: 1.)the rooftop pool was our favorite spot! 2 apartments share it and the washer/dryer but we had to ourselves most of the week. 2.)When we first walked around the neighborhood, we were a little concerned about safety because all the houses have bars on them (not that unusual for Latin america & the Carribean), but by the end of the week, we felt very comfortable, but still walked as a group at night. 3.) the beach is really nice & just a short walk from the apartment

Owner response: You were party people! how fun seeing you enjoy the two units together...thank you! Isabel

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Great Location

Guest Saruthay Y.
Date of stay 04/09/13
Review Submitted 04/24/13

This house was amazing. The Open layout of the living room / Kitchen allowed us to open up all the windows and truly appreciate the weather while we were in PR. The Location of the house was within walking distance to a lot of nice places to eat. As for driving to some of the more exciting places in PR. It's just a matter of a left or right turn at the end of the street. The Beach was amazing. Great place to just sit and relax or go for a swim. Looking for a late night swim. The rooftop private pool was a great escape. I just want to thank Isabel again for being such a generous host.

Owner response: How wonderful review, thank you, thank you, thank you. Isabel

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Awesome Beach View with Rooftop Pool

Guest Sayan I.
Date of stay 04/09/13
Review Submitted 04/24/13

Great place. Well maintained living quarters and great rooftop pool. Owner is very personable.

Owner response: It was really fun to have you, Sayan. Thanks, Isabel

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A FANTASTIC PLACE TO STAY!

Guest Kim L.
Date of stay 04/02/13
Review Submitted 04/16/13

We had a WONDERFUL time in PR. The apartment location was perfect for a little walking and although we “googled” the location, we couldn’t believe how close the beach actually was. We did rent a car so we could do some exploring, but there really would be no need. The location was about 10 minutes from both the airport and Old San Juan. We really enjoyed the BBQ and the ability to sit outside at night sipping our wine while enjoying the sound of the waves from the beach. Isabel was kind enough to take us to the grocery store upon our arrival and point us in the right direction as to the best places to eat and discover. A FANTASTIC 5 DAYS!!

Owner response: It is a real pleasure for us to host our clients! thanks so much for your review. Isabel

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Oasis

Guest Carolyn R.
Date of stay 03/23/13
Review Submitted 03/31/13

Our week long stay at Isabel's apartment was pure bliss. The bohemian chic decor is uncluttered and simple, an airy space filled with natural light and beauty. As soon as we walked in I was transported into a stress-free zone.Through the open windows you can see the beach and listen to the omnipresent harmony of the waves rolling onto the shore. Close the sliding glass doors at night and there are no mosquitos.The furniture is perfect for lounging, the kitchen has everything you need, the beds are comfortable, the bathrooms are great and everything was spotless.So luxurious to have a private roof deck with a pool ! A block or two walking you can find good cafes and restaurants. A 5 star stay all around. Thank You Isabel. We will come back soon ! Carolyn, Bruce, Charlotte and Raewyn

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GORGEOUS apartment!

Guest Elise C.
Date of stay 03/11/13
Review Submitted 03/18/13

My 3 friends and I shared this apartment and we absolutely loved it! The pictures do not do it justice - we were all so impressed with how luxurious and beautiful it was. The living room and kitchen are beautifully decorated and the open windows are a nice touch. You can close the sliding glass doors at night to keep the mosquitos out, though we did get some bites during the week. We had everything we needed in the apartment and it was in perfect shape when we arrived. The rooftop pool is easily the best part, with amazing views of the ocean. We were able to walk everywhere, including the beach, convenient stores and bars/restaurants. Isabel & Ivellise are both so sweet and I definitely recommend taking Isabel's 8 a.m. yoga class on the beach! Will definitely be coming back!!

Owner response: You were our first client to take advantage of the yoga class! and I am happy you like it. Thanks so much for staying with us and please, come back! Isabel

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Simply Breathtaking

Guest Victor R.
Date of stay 01/21/13
Review Submitted 01/26/13

There isnt enough word that come sum up my stay at this appt. when we walked in we were shocked at how much more beautiful it looked than in the pictures. it was much better than i had expected. There was absolutely nothing disapointing from my stay here. everything from the Beach, Roof top view and pool was beautiful. Isabel was great and always available when needed and she even had a book with near by restaurants, beaches and activities that we may do during our stay which was very helpful. You were able to open the balcony and hang up a hamak and while we had that open it seemed like no mosquitos even existed which was great and when we did start to feel them we easily closed the patio. Everything that we thought we needed was already there for us waiting. i cannot wait to return

Owner response: Thank you so much Victor for your wonderful review. I am so glad you could enjoy both the open and close set up of the living room. This was the most difficult decision of the renovation, how to close it to protect from mosquitoes while not losing the option of enjoying the openness and tropical feeling. We are looking forward to having you some other time (:

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Can't wait to come back, this condo rocks!

Guest Terry T.
Date of stay 01/14/13
Review Submitted 01/26/13

The pictures are gorgeous, but being there is better. We came to San Juan with our two 20+ year old sons for a wedding and extended our stay. Isabelle provided great instructions for our arrival and was waiting for us upon arrival. The neighborhood is in a bit of construction right now with new places and restorations going on, so at first I was a bit nervous--there was no need to be. We walked in and fell in love. The living area has a set of sliding glass doors (6, I think) that all slide to the side so you get the beautiful ocean breezes into the living room (which included a hammock which we fought over). You are on the second floor so the windows can stay open day and night without fear. The pool area was private and awesome--while the other condo had guests, we never saw them. And the description is correct, you are steps away from the beach. Being January, it was a bit windy on the beach but we all loved the pool area and the "Brazillian" fire pit. The bathrooms in this place are nicer than the ones I have at home--very jealous. There was night life for the boys and quiet for us, it was GREAT. If I can't say anything else, let me say that this stay has me dreaming off my own November-April condo in Puerto Rico, but I only want it if I can have the view and ocean breeze that we had here. I highly recommend Isabelle and this condo to anybody who will be in the area. If I can't have my own condo, I will be going back to this one.

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It is a MUST stay!

Guest oceanluv
Date of stay 12/22/12
Review Submitted 01/03/13

What a PERFECT home away from home. There were four of us for the week. The condo was exactly as described in the write-up. Everything we needed for the week was there. It was clean, comfortable, and decorated very nicely. It looked brand new inside. Isabel (owner) even had Christmas decorations up for us. We fixed Christmas dinner there and had everything we needed in order to do it up right. The rooftop deck was the absolute BEST! We spent every night after coming "home" there for at least a couple of hours. The changing colors of the pool lights, the views of the city, the sound of the ocean - couldn't have been any better. The beach was beautiful and clean and it was so nice to just walk across the quiet street and be right there. Forget something? Just go right back to the condo and get it. Back in just a few minutes. All beach towels, chairs, etc. were available in the condo, including sun tan lotion which I had forgotten! Isabel was fantastic. She and I kept in touch through e-mail throughout the process of scheduling and arriving. She was at the condo to meet us when we arrived and gave us good suggestions on restaurants, grocery stores, and things to do. She did not neglect a thing! What a fun, sweet lady she is. We felt the location was perfect for getting out and seeing the sites of wonderful Puerto Rico. We visited El Yunque rainforest, Old San Juan, Baccardi distillery, several golf courses. Everything was within easy driving. Loved going to Condado also and just walking in the evening. There is so much activity everywhere we went. What a wonderfully friendly and vivacious environment that area of Puerto Rico is. I would highly recommend this condo to anyone. Family with children or couples. Isabel also showed us the condo above ours and it was just as nice. Hint: she does have a couple of parking spaces available. She has three units and only two spaces so you would need to check with her when booking condo to see if you can reserve one of them. We were lucky and one was available when we got there. Big Plus. However, there is street parking if needed.

Owner response: This is our best reward, that your vacation was a blast! Thank you for your support, thank you, Isabel

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Fabulous Condo!

Guest Treva L.
Date of stay 11/13/12
Review Submitted 11/25/12

This condo was absolutely delightful. Nearly every amenity and detail exceeded our expectations. From naps on the hammock to morning sunbathing on the rooftop by the pool, we thoroughly enjoyed our week in paradise. Isabel was easily accessible and provided us with useful information about the area and possible activities. She insured that we we comfortable in every way. The condo was beautiful upon arrival and from day one, it was hard to ever want to leave. I would not only recommend this vacation rental for anyone traveling to San Juan, but am already planning my next trip back to Puerto Rico and hoping I can book this condo again. I cannot overstate how much I enjoyed being here. The beach is only steps away from the condo, we were walking distance from the bustling Condado area, and located in the middle of the exciting Ocean Park area. It doesn't get much better than this lovely condo- it is a superior and ideal vacation rental! Thank you Isabel!

Owner response: How happy I am when my clients enjoy their stay! this is the most wonderful reward. And now with the new sliding doors there are not even a single mosquito inside! Please, come back and thank you. Isabel.

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Great Home, Perfect Location, Great Caring Owner

Guest Cameron C.
Date of stay 10/02/12
Review Submitted 10/22/12

This place is so great! The location could not be any better, and the rooftop pool is a bonus. There are some issues past visitors have commented on. I will brush over those briefly, as some are very over exaggerated. 1. Construction: Yes, there is some construction going on across the street. Most of it is close to complete. If you plan on sleeping past 7-8am every day, this may cause you a little issue. Earplugs would do the trick, cause it is really not that loud at all. The open plan makes it seem that way, but its not as bad as others have said it was. 2. Security: We never once saw anything that was a concern for us. We never once felt unsafe. If you are worried about anyone getting in your room, they would have to climb concrete walls like Spider Man, or use explosives to get through the 3 doors you have to get through til you are in your room. It is very very very secure. Nobody can get in the street door without you letting them in via buzzer. Then you have 2 more doors to get through. It is super safe. 4. Mosquitoes: If you have never been around mosquitoes before, and this is a concern, just dont go to the tropics. Stay somewhere cold. They are the worst at dawn and at dusk. Other than that, we never saw any in the room. If you just use the citranela candels, and incense they have, and make sure you use them every day at dusk and dawn, keep the bedroom and bathroom doors shut at all times, you will not have an issue at all. We used the candles and incense everyday and we were just fine. So dont let that worry you, just use the proper tools to protect agains them and you have nothing to worry about. 5. The Owners: The place was extremely clean when we got there. Isabel met us out front and even tried to negotiate with our taxi driver on price. She was very very friendly, and truly cared about us being very happy while we were there. She asked us a bunch of questions about our stay and what could have made it better. We told her a few minor things any homeowner would like to know and she promised she was going to take care of those things immediately. We met her and her husband Juan, and you could tell that they were so proud of their place and just want all guests to have a great time. 6. Parking: If you ask Isabel to reserve a parking space before you arrive, Isabel will make sure of it. We had an open parking spot during our entire 5 days, it was never an issue. You will love this place, promise. We will be back for sure! Thx Isabel!

Owner response: Again thank you for staying with us. We are really glad you enjoyed your stay in our place. Also, we are very grateful for your honest review and for addressing one by one the concerns other customers may have. We really appreciate it and we will be waiting for your next visit. Isabel and Juan

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We had the best time in San Juan !!!

Guest Sharon F.
Date of stay 09/22/12
Review Submitted 09/27/12

Hello Isabella and Juan Nick and I enjoyed our stay so much. You where very kind to us during our stay. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience. We loved the condo and the rooftop was amazing!!!! We lived up there in the mornings till afternoon !!! The condo was close to everything. We enjoyed our mornings sunbathing and swimming on the rooftop , our afternoons swimming in the beautiful ocean across the street from the condo, and our evenings in Old San Juan and Plaza Las Americas. Thank You so much for the hospitality. The condo was equipped with everything and anything we needed. Such a great option compared to the crowded resorts !!! Would love to come and stay with here again. Thank You Sharon and Nick Fulginiti Sept 22nd - 26th 2012 PS If you are bothered by skeeters due to the open air windows in the living room area just use Cheese cloth ( found at the Super market usually under $ 2.00 a 2 yard pack ) on the windows in the living room. If you use masking or painters tape for the sealing it will remove easily with out damaging paint on the wall around the windows... !!! You will need approx. 8 yards of cheese cloth its usually can be found in 2 yard sheets that open wide enough to fit the window perfectly. Cheaper then buying mosquito netting... We did this and had no problems what so ever with bugs!!! We loved the breezes coming in from the open air windows...

Owner response: It was a pleasure having you and serving you. We are very happy that you have such a wonderful time in our island and in our apartment. Isabel and Juan

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beautiful but unfunctional

Guest IrisMarie N.
Date of stay 07/23/12
Review Submitted 08/01/12

The apartment was beautiful, tastefully decorated, great location with the beach steps away, San Juan close, roof top pool refreshing after a long day on the beach, we grilled many nights and Marta was pleasant and always available. BUT, the "'open air'" living area is completely unfunctional. If you advertise that the living area sleeps 4 u would assume that u could sleep, NO, impossible with mosquitoes chewing you up. Thanks to the reviews written prior to our arrival, we came prepared with screens to cover the windows, any other way would of been impossible. No parking but Marta did allow us to use her parking spot till the street emptied out .There was construction which did not bother us much, a lot of foot/car traffic below making it difficult to sleep. Isabel, please screen those windows or cover them with glass, great concept but impractical. Would love to return.

Owner response: Greetings and thanks so much for your review; yes, we are aware of the inconvenience of having the ´open tropical terrace´ concept. Trying to balance the style and the practicality of being ´mosquito-almost-free´ has been very difficult as we did not want to sacrifice the nice atmosphere completely. But this has been our priority since we came back from vacation and have just decided the best of the three proposed solutions, with large 6 by 9 feet glass doors, preserving the view of the corner window and keeping as much room available for the dinning area. Will be completed sometime in the last two weeks of september (the especial glass for hurricanes we ordered need to come from continental US). As for the parking, as we mentioned before we need to know in advance and yet sometimes puerto ricans do not respect the `no parking´ sign. Yet, at least 90% of the time is available or there are plenty of other spots within one block. Last comment: in response to the unfortunate event with the pool with another customer, we also have changed the pool purification system and increased its capacity. Thanks again, and looking forward to show you the changes. Isabel and Juan

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It was a dream vacation

Guest Carlos N.
Date of stay 07/03/12
Review Submitted 07/11/12

This was one of my favorite vacations ever. The house is beautifully decorated and perfect for a vacation stay. We spent most of our vacation on the roof-deck pool, cooking barbeques or crossing the street to go to the beach. The property is clearly configured by someone with fine understanding of architecture and decorating a dream vacation home. Thanks for a lovely stay. I hope to be back soon. Sincerely, Carlos Nunes, Boston, MA

Owner response: I'm so glad you enjoyed your vacation and the setting! When we renovated the apartment we designed it as we would like our dream home to be, so it's great to see that other people like it as much as we do! You're welcome back any time:)

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Was disappointed

Guest Tina D.
Date of stay 06/22/12
Review Submitted 06/29/12

WE THOUGHT THE APARTMENT LOOKED NICE BUT HAD SOME PROBLEMS. UPON ARRIVAL THE POOL WAS GREEN AND WE COULD NOT USE IT FOR 3 DAYS. WITH CHILDREN WANTING TO SWIM IN THE POOL IT CREATED A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM. ON SUNDAY WHEN I ASKED WHEN WE'D BE ABLE TO SWIM IN IT I WAS TOLD “WELL THERE IS A BIG OCEAN ACROSS THE STREET.” I DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS THE PROPER WAY TO HANDLE IT. THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS SAID THEY DIDN'T SWIM IN IT AT ALL DURING THE WEEK THEY WERE THERE BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. WE HAD 5 CHILDREN AND 4 ADULTS AND THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH SHEETS, PILLOWS, OR BLANKETS. WHEN WE ASKED FOR SHEETS WE WERE ASKED WHY WE NEEDED THEM ITS SUMMER TIME. SO IF YOU ARE SLEEPING ON THE FUTONS IN THE LIVING ROOM YOU WILL HAVE TO SLEEP AND PUT YOUR HEADS ON THE CUSHIONS THAT PEOPLE SIT ON. IN THE “OPEN” LIVING ROOM THE MOSQUITOS ATTACKED AT NIGHT INTO THE MORNING. WE BOUGHT AN AIR MATTRESS AND CRAMMED EVERYONE INTO THE BEDROOMS EXCEPT MY HUSBAND WHO DOUSED HIMSELF WITH INSECT REPELLANT AND BOUGHT MOSQUITO COILS AND STILL WAS BADLY BITTEN. THE BATHROOM DOOR STUCK EVERY SINGLE TIME. MY MOM CUT HER ARM ON IT AND I HURT MY TOES ON IT. MY HUSBAND WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD FORCE IT OPEN SO HE HAD TO BE ON STANDBY EVERYTIME SOMEONE USED THE BATHROOM. I MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM A FEW TIMES AND WAS TOLD SOMEONE WOULD COME LOOK AT IT. NO ONE CAME. THE PARKING WAS BAD, ESPECIALLY ON THE WEEKENDS. WE PARKED BLOCKS AWAY MANY TIMES, MY FRIEND RECEIVED A TICKET ALSO. THE BEACH WAS CLOSE, BUT THE FIRST DAY WE FOUND A CONDOM IN THE WALKWAY, AND THE NEXT DAY HYPODERMIC NEEDLES IN THE SAND ON THE BEACH. WE MENTIONED TO THE PEOPLE RENTING UPSTAIRS FROM US SO THEY COULD WATCH WHERE THEY WALK AND THEY SAID THEY ALSO FOUND SOME NOT FAR FROM WHERE WE SAW THEM. WE STAYED IN LUQUILLO THE LAST 2 TIMES WE WERE IN PUERTO RICO AND PAID HALF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY. THE CONDO WAS NOT AS NICE AESTHETICALLY, BUT EVERYTHING WORKED, THE BEACH WAS CLEANER, THE AREA WASN'T AS CROWDED AND WAS CLOSER TO ACTIVITIES LIKE THE RAINFOREST, KAYAKING, AND SNORKELING.

Owner response: Greetings, we sincerely apologize for your bad experience. Yes, unfortunately the pool purification system broke down during that time, affecting both customers in SOL and MAR at the same time. We did communicate with Marta the moment we were notified and the maintenance guy came several times until he solved the problem, which usually takes 3-5 days to fully operate. However, we did agree to compensate you for the inconvenience, and we will do as soon as we return from our trip. Not sure what happened about the sheets, pillows and blankets as there are enough sets for everyone and a washer/dryer to clean them if needed; we appreciate you letting us know as we will definitively take it into account when hiring somebody next time we leave. However, it would have been great that you let us know via email when this happened so we could have taken action immediately. We do review our mail daily for that purpose. AS ADVERTISED, the apartment MAR has an open tropical terrace, and depending on the time of the year there might be mosquitos as in the rest of PR. Not much we could do about it and while nobody has complained so far, we will consider ways to close the terrace in the future though. Thank you. Also, we apologize for the bathroom door; we do not understand what happened as both the door and the lock are 6 months old; obviously we will need to replace it; again, the handy man we hired for maintenance should have come earlier. Sorry about that. Ocean Park is a popular place with the best urban beach you can find and a very lively and safe location close to everything (restaurants, shops, old san juan...); this is why it is such a popular location and therefore, in summer, parking can be complicated especially during weekends; yes, there are more beautiful natural beaches in Luquillo as you say...but 35 km away. It is a great option if your main purpose is going to beach, but in summer it is also crowded anyway. Finally, same as the other customer, you both seem to have found the same needles and condoms in the alley to the beach; as we mentioned, we have lived in this corner for 10 years, raised our two children there, and walked to the beach every single day with them and barefoot...and haven´t found one yet. This is truly bad luck. We are sorry for it. So...thank you for the feedback, we will take all this incidents in consideration and fix them. It is our commitment to make your stay a really enjoyable one, not a disappointing one.

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very disappointed

Guest Jennifer K.
Date of stay 06/15/12
Review Submitted 06/26/12

For as much money as we paid, I was expecting more.The place is nice, very modern and for the most part clean. The swimming pool was green with filth upon arrival and unusable for our 1st 3 days. There are no screens in the living room windows so the mosquitoes are out of control and is apparent they have been with all of the dead ones squished to the walls.There are no sheets or covers for the futons in the living room.One of the bathrooms doors stuck shut every time it was used and the person trapped inside needed help to get out. The power went out 2 times during our stay due to a circuit breaker popping.If you are driving you apparently have to ask for a parking space even though not specified in the ad or you don't get one. The on street parking is hard to get and I had a $75. ticket on my car. The beach is dirty, we found used syringes and condoms among the other trash which is very upsetting. The ad stated there was a bicycle, we didn't see one or wasn't shown where it was even after asking. There is much construction around as well which makes is hard for anyone having to sleep in the living areas. I honestly wouldn't suggest renting here to anyone as it seems very overpriced. We didn't meet with the owners personally, they did offer a small refund for all our troubles. We dealt with a friend of theirs who at times made us feel as if we were a bother, ie: when asked for extra sheets, she said that it was summer and they weren't needed.

Owner response: Thanks. Please see our responses above related to these problems. Sincerely, Isabel and Juan

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Beautiful Views

Guest Ms
Date of stay 06/05/12
Review Submitted 06/20/12

Thank you Isabel. The apartments were just as beautiful in real life as in pictures.Our family rented both the 2nd and 3rd floor units. They were very clean as I had expected. When we arrived, the housekeeper was cleaning our units..She was quite friendly and helpful when it came to matters of the apartments. The hammock in the living area quickly became a favorite spot. And the rooftop pool in the evening was also a favorite location with the ocean breezes and the beautiful ocean view. I was worried we would wake up to large winged insects in the living area because of the open air set-up..Thank goodness that was not the case. However, every morning we did awaken to both bathrooms teaming with mosquitos due open air living area. Combine that with the moisture from the showers and louvered doors to the bathrooms.(even after we kept the windows in the bathroom closed).We had to keep bathroom visits short and sweet or risk being eaten alive..all the nearby shops including Walgreens, were out of cintronella candles, which would have come in handy. Isabel, I would like to suggest maybe placing a solid door between the living area and bath/bedroom areas to keep the mosquitos out...or maybe even a drapey curtain of mosquito netting would have helped and added to the Island feel.. For ME, that would have made a NEARLY perfect stay..PERFECT. But overall we did enjoy our stay..Oh and I don't want to forget the beach was less than a 1 minute walk from our front door..and the lawn chairs, water toys, sunblock, insect sprays and colorful beach towels were nice extras. Unfortunately, we did not meet Isabel but in her place was her neighbor Marta,who became our contact person . She was also very pleasant and helpful. Thank you Marta

Owner response: Thank you. We will meet you next time!

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Paradise

Guest Sarah M.
Date of stay 04/20/12
Review Submitted 04/23/12

We had a woderful stay, this place is heaven on earth. The apartment was clean and everything was new and very modern. No detail was missing, from the beach towels to the cooler by the pool. Will defenitely recommend to all my friends.

Owner response: Thank you for your support. Isabel

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The PERFECT place to stay

Guest Noreen Z.
Date of stay 04/12/12
Review Submitted 04/25/12

Everytime I use homeaway, I have this fear that I will show up and the house doesn't actually exist. I'm always proven wrong. Isabel was incredible from the first e-mail exchange and was such a joy to meet upon arrival. She sent us a map with pins showing the location of local food spots, bars, beaches, etc. It was extremely helpful :). Now on to the best part - the apartment. The pictures do not lie, I actually think it's better in person. It was clean, airy, modern, had a fully stocked kitcen, no windows in the living room (which we thought might be a probelm with the rain, but it wasn't!). The roof / deck was surreal - a pool, grill that we used many times, a view of the ocean and a nice table where we ate our lunches. There are beach towels and nice beach chairs for your use, which came in very handy. We will definitely be returning to Puerto Rico and staying here.

Owner response: We are in love with the open windows overlooking the ocean too! Isabel

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Clean, comfortable & an all-around terrific time!

Guest LeeAnn M.
Date of stay 03/29/12
Review Submitted 04/10/12

This was our 1st visit to Puerto Rico. We searched online for places to stay & honestly one of our deciding factors for picking these accommodations was all the rave reviews about Isabel, the owner. Talk about hospitality and an eye for detail! Isabel was so lovely, as was her husband Juan. We loved the pool area, complete with chairs and even a spotless bathroom within steps of sunbathing. Because there were 5 in our party, we so appreciated the living room and 2 bathrooms. Another great feature is that there is an awesome washer and dryer available close to your accommodations and a full size frig in the apartment. The open, airy feeling of the apartment is very tropical- just be sure to ask Isabel if it is mosquito time or not. And if it is, just come prepared for it. We LOVED the hammock and the environment, the pictures of the inside of the apartment are good, but in person- it's really awesome. Also, there are amazing homes being built and restored on the street, they do start with construction about 7 or 8 during the week, so keep this in mind. We actually enjoyed watching the progress and it didn't bother our relaxation. Isabel gives super recommendations for restaurants and we did also rely on the Fodor's Travel Guide book of Puerto Rico. We ate 3 times at a super mexican restaurant called La De Burro (check my spelling). This restaurant is within walking distance of the apartment. We did end up renting a car. The Antons have parking for their guests (which is a big advantage) and we drove to the rain forest and LaQuillo beach one day- fabulous. I believe a car is necessary at least for part of the time you are in Puerto Rico. We also got to look at the other space available in the same building, which you can find on Trip Advisor. Lovely, but not quite as large as the space we were in. We talked to the family staying there & it is a bit quieter than the open apartment we stayed in- fyi. All and all we rate our time as 5 stars. The weather, the closeness of the beach, the cleanliness, the food, the non-touristy feeling. But most of all- the hospitality of the Antons is really 10 stars- we just loved them both.

Owner response: LeeAnn, I feel overwhelm, thank you so much for your review. The restaurant is B de Burro (:

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Visit to PR

Guest Juanita P.
Date of stay 03/17/12
Review Submitted 03/25/12

We loved our stay. We found the place comfortable and very nicely decorated. It was nice to have the pool as part of the amenities. The view from the pool was beautiful. I also liked being able to have a place to park since the area gets busy.

Owner response: Happy your kids liked Mango´s to hang out!!! Isabel

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Great Property!

Guest Kim W.
Date of stay 03/07/12
Review Submitted 03/16/12

This unit has everything necessary and was clean and nicely furnished with all the amenities listed. If you like to prepare your own meals, the kitchen is well equipped. I appreciated the nice refrigerator with ice maker and the washer/dryer. The sounds and breezes from the ocean made the stay very relaxing. You can lounge around (and barbecue) at the private pool on the roof, or go to the beach across the street. The central location made it easy to walk everywhere. The owner, Isabel was very accommodating. I would stay here again and recommend this over a hotel, especially if you like privacy over crowded hotels! Thank you Isabel!

Owner response: Thank you very much!!!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

A perfect vacation!

Guest David R.
Date of stay 03/01/12
Review Submitted 03/21/12

From the minute we met up with Isabel to be shown into our condo, we felt at home. The condo is located in a nice neighborhood that is away from the hustle and bustle of the high-rise tourist area. However, it is a nice short walk to everything you may need, whether it is to stock the full kitchen or to get ingredients for cocktails on the rooftop pool deck. The condo was SPOTLESS. It has an open air living room which makes you smell the ocean breeze while rocking in the hammock being lazy. The bedrooms are well acquainted with comfy beds and their own air conditioning units, the flat screen tv's are nice too. If you want to shop and do the tourist thing, Old San Juan is only a $15 cab ride away. Old San Juan is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to and you can easily spend 1 day shopping, and 1 night trying out the nightclubs at a minimum. The best part of our trip wasn't San Juan though... It was our pool deck and the beach next door! Every morning started with a dip in the pool upstairs, then to the beach for a few hours, and then back to the rooftop for grilling out and evening drinks. The pool area was also spotless (the sweet housekeeper came by every day and straightened up the common areas). The grill and provided coolers encouraged cooking while lounging by the pool. The beach is calm and relaxing, except Sunday. Sunday is a busy day for the locals at the beach. It may be slightly noisey for some, but the best thing is to play along. Go get some empanadas, play some volleyball and you will fit right in and have a great time. Overall, one of the best vacations I've been on and nicest places I've stayed!

Owner response: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

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

This place is simply AMAZING! A+++

Guest Allan R.
Date of stay 02/19/12
Review Submitted 03/10/12

It's a hidden jewel in Ocean Park. Just 5 minutes from Old San Juan. The apt has been renovated with a lot of attention to detail. The owners (Isabel & Juan) are a delight to deal with and they very well understand how to make your vacation an exceptional experience. The kitchen is fully stocked with all the utensils and appliances you will ever need (and more!). The private rooftop pool / terrace is out of this world. The ambience is unique and something you will not find in many places. The pictures on this profile are great but trust when I say that there is no way the pictures can deliver the feeling and vibe this place gives you when you're actually there. To top it all off, they are not kidding about the beach being "literally 10 steps away"... Not only that but it happens to be the best beach on the Northeastern coast of Puerto Rico. Recognized by the locals as the best beach to go to. There are restaurants & supermarkets nearby, plus a wonderful bakery within walking distance for a great breakfast. I can go on forever about this place.. Do not hesitate to make this place a memorable part of your trip to Puerto Rico. My wife and I (and kids) will definitely go back on our next trip.

Owner response: Thanks so much!!!!!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

Fantastico!!!!!

Guest Dory Q.
Date of stay 10/12/11
Review Submitted 01/31/12

Que barbaridad, que paraiso!! han sido los mejores vacaciones de mi vida! el apartamento esta situado en un lugar maravilloso, cerquita de todo! y la playa al lado!! parecia que estuvieramos en una pelicula... me quedo con un maravilloso sabor de boca, privilegiados los que sigan disfrutando de esta casa que tan bien equipada y situada está.... VOLVEREMOS!!!! xxx besosss

Owner response: Muchas gracias por su comentario, les esperamos de vuelta Sevillanos! Isabel

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/3

Desde Sevilla a Puerto Rico

Guest Dory Q.
Date of stay 06/01/11
Review Submitted 12/29/11

He viajado mucho, he disfrutado de grandes y pequeños hoteles con encanto, puedo decir que lo que me encontré al llegar al apartamento fue muchisimo mejor de lo que esperaba, ya las fotos me causaron impacto pero la realidad mue muchisimo mejor!! la ubicacion increible, el apartamento impresionante, las vistas.. la comodidad, el trato, fuimos 6 personas y estuvimos encantados!! No puedo decir mas que... volvere sin duda, San juan es una playa perfecta para descansar y disfrutar del ocio, y el sitio elegido para pasar esos dias fue inmejorable. GRACIAS!! Dory Q.-

Owner response: Un placer tener gente como vosotros disfrutando en nuestra propiedad ya que hemos puesto mucho esfuerzo y cariño en su renovaciòn. !Les esperamos de vuelta! Isabel y Juan

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/15

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Condado, San Juan, Literally 10 Steps to Beach, Private Top Roof Pool, Mar [#943474ha] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (27)

8 days in el Mar

8 days in el Mar

We are so happy we stayed here!

We are so happy we stayed here!

Great Location

Great Location

Awesome Beach View with Rooftop Pool

Awesome Beach View with Rooftop Pool

A FANTASTIC PLACE TO STAY!

A FANTASTIC PLACE TO STAY!

Oasis

Oasis

GORGEOUS apartment!

GORGEOUS apartment!

Simply Breathtaking

Simply Breathtaking

Can't wait to come back, this condo rocks!

Can't wait to come back, this condo rocks!

It is a MUST stay!

It is a MUST stay!

Fabulous Condo!

Fabulous Condo!

Great Home, Perfect Location, Great Caring Owner

Great Home, Perfect Location, Great Caring Owner

We had the best time in San Juan !!!

We had the best time in San Juan !!!

beautiful but unfunctional

beautiful but unfunctional

It was a dream vacation

It was a dream vacation

Was disappointed

Was disappointed

very disappointed

very disappointed

Beautiful Views

Beautiful Views

Paradise

Paradise

The PERFECT place to stay

The PERFECT place to stay

Clean, comfortable & an all-around terrific time!

Clean, comfortable & an all-around terrific time!

Visit to PR

Visit to PR

Great Property!

Great Property!

A perfect vacation!

A perfect vacation!

This place is simply AMAZING! A+++

This place is simply AMAZING! A+++

Fantastico!!!!!

Fantastico!!!!!

Desde Sevilla a Puerto Rico

Desde Sevilla a Puerto Rico