CasaBlanca Boutique Hotel in Old San Juan Review
If you’re looking for a charming and intimate hotel located in the historic district of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico the CasaBlanca Boutique Hotel is a fantastic option.
Located on Calle Fortaleza in the heart of Viejo San Juan we chose this hotel for our stay due to its central location, brightly decorated interior and proximity to Old San Juan’s most popular attractions.
We spent over two months living in and exploring Puerto Rico’s towns of Fajardo and Rincon. Check out our other articles for awesome beaches and experiences to see and do outside of San Juan.
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CasaBlanca Boutique Hotel in Old San Juan
The CasaBlanca hotel features 57 unique rooms and suites, each with its own character and style. The rooms are beautifully decorated with Moroccan inspired decor, and modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and air conditioning.
The hotel also offers a variety of on-site amenities, including a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city, comfortable loungers and stone soaking tubs that provide a unique way to relax and sunbathe.
The CasaBlanca Hotel Location Old San Juan
The Casablanca Hotel is a perfect retreat for those who want to immerse themselves in the rich culture and history of Puerto Rico. Nestled in the heart of Old San Juan, one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Puerto Rico, with cobblestone streets and brightly colored buildings.
The hotel’s prime location provides easy access to the many attractions in Old San Juan, such as the famous El Morro fortress, Calle Fortaleza street with changing street art, and the vibrant nightlife of the city.
If you’re embarking or disembarking on a Caribbean cruise in Puerto Rico, The Casablanca Hotel is a great option for accommodations. It is conveniently located just three blocks away from ports one and four, and can easily be accessed by taxi or Uber for a quick ride.
Balcony Queen Room Casablanca Hotel
We chose to stay in a balcony queen room. The room provided us with a view of San Juan’s vibrantly colored colonial architecture of the narrow street. The balcony and window served as a source of fresh air, making our stay even more enjoyable. Which is nice especially in the Caribbean heat.
It is important to note that the balcony is a bit narrow, and you will be sharing it with your neighboring guests. Although during our stay we had it all to ourselves.
Workstation
If you’re needing to get some work done during your stay the room is equipped with a compact workstation. The workstation has enough room for your laptop and tablet.
Wifi was a Letdown
The hotel provides free Wifi included in the price of the room but it wasn’t very fast. We couldn’t even stream a show on our tablet. This wasn’t too big a deal during our stay since we were not trying to get much work done.
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Bathroom
The bathroom was quite small, which is understandable given the boutique lodging size. This didn’t really impact our stay, however when showering, the water took a few minutes to heat up.
Comfy Queen Bed
The queen size pillowtop bed was quite comfortable. The nightstands even included a convenient outlet extension complete with usb ports to charge all of your devices.
Additional Room Amenities
There is also a flat-screen TV with a hdmi port, air conditioning, and a small chair on the balcony.
Noise
The only real negative for us outside of the slow wifi, was that the rooms don’t keep out all of the noise. Old San Juan is vibrant and noisey town and it can be hard to find quite. The charm of staying in centuries old buildings also comes with quirks like noise.
During our stay we could hear the street noise even with the windows shut. The noise from other guests in the hallways was also quite obvious too. If you’re sensitive to noise we would recommend our number 10 travel essential, earplugs.
TIP: We recommend booking a room with a balcony and request one of the remodeled suites for a more comfortable stay.
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Casablanca Hotel Amenities
Check in was easy for us and the staff was friendly and multilingual. This is greatly appreciated as our Spanish is no bueno. If you need directions or anything you will appreciate the 24/7 concierge service.
The hotel also provides daily housekeeping and in-room porter services if you’re in need of assistance to get your bags to your room.
When arriving, check in begins at 4pm and check out is 11am. Although if you have an early flight like we did you can still check out by dropping your keys at the front desk.
One of the highlights of the CasaBlanca hotel for us was the unusual rooftop terrace. To get up to the terrace, take the brand new panoramic elevator with views of the lobby and the Capitol of Puerto Rico in the distance.
Rooftop Terrace and Stone Soaking Tubs
We really enjoyed spending an evening on the terrace sipping our adult beverages while taking in the breathtaking panoramic views of Old San Juan at sunset.
While you’re up on the rooftop terrace you will notice some unique stone soaking tubs. These soaking tubs caught our attention as a fun activity to do during the afternoon or evening.
Unfortunately it was a bit too chilly and windy for our taste during our stay. Yep we are cold adverse. We didn’t get a chance to use the stone bathtubs.
Since our stay the hotel has spruced up the Rooftop terrace even more. They added three hot spas (jacuzzis), sun loungers, and upgraded the colorful sunshades.
Bright and Eclectic Communal Lounge
Just off of the reception is a bright and eclectic communal lounge area with plenty of seating. The brightly decorated chairs and chaise lounges are super comfortable and perfect for relaxing. There are tables and more seating just around the corner by the entrance to the speakeasy bar.
Speakeasy Style Bar
Another awesome feature of the CasaBlanca hotel is its delightful Casablanca movie themed speakeasy style bar.
The entrance to the bar is somewhat hidden behind fancy red velvet curtains which adds to the vibe. Passing through the curtains we made our way up the stairs where we enjoyed a delightful evening in the cozy bar. The drinks were delicious, and the bartender was incredibly friendly.
It was the perfect way to cap off our night out.
Free Luggage Storage
The CasaBlanca Hotel also offers free luggage storage. This is extremely helpful if your flight is after check out or if your a bit too early to check in. Allowing you to explore Old San Juan in the meantime.
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Pros and Cons of Staying at CasaBlanca Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Staying at the CasaBlanca Hotel can be a great experience but there are a few pros and cons to consider.
PROS
- The hotel is centrally located in the heart of the Old San Juan
- The hotels decor is smart and stylish
- Relaxing on the Rooftop Terrace
- Plenty of restaurants and shopping can be found in a few minutes walk
- Close to numerous historical attractions and surrounded by lovely architecture
- The rooms are well maintained, clean and comfortable, making it a great place to rest and relax
- The speakeasy style bar was charming and cozy
CONS
- The biggest drawback was the slow internet speed we experienced
- No breakfast offered at the hotel. However we found breakfast options within a block of the hotel
- It can get noisey both from outside along the narrow streets and the interior hallways
Should you Book your Stay at the Casablanca Hotel?
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Casablanca Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It turned out to be a great end to our two month stay on the island.
It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a convenient location and easy access to the best attractions in Old San Juan.
Whether you’re planning a Caribbean vacation or a romantic getaway, this hotel offers comfortable accommodations and friendly service to make your stay enjoyable.
With its proximity to the cruise port terminal, you can easily explore the city before setting sail on your next adventure.
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FAQ
Is there Public Parking at The Casablanca Hotel?
No. Old San Juan is mostly pedestrian.You will need to park in Paseo Portuario, a light yellow multi level parking garage. Hotel guests will be granted a reduced rate if you show your stamped ticket and reservation print out at the front desk. It is recommended that you drop your bags prior to parking.
Does Casablanca Hotel have a pool?
No, they have individual stone soaking tubs on the rooftop terrace and also three jacuzzi tubs.
How Far Away is the Casablanca Hotel from the Beach in Old San Juan?
The closest beach is Playa del Capitolio, which is a ten minute walk from the Casablanca Hotel. If you’re looking for a bigger beach consider Balneario del Escambrón, it’s a thirty minute walk or ten minute drive from Casablanca Hotel. You can rent kayaks or snorkeling gear at Balneario del Escambron.
How Far Away is the San Juan Airport (Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport)
from the Casablanca Hotel?
The Casablanca Hotel is about a 24-30 minute ride from the San Juan Airport depending on traffic. A rideshare will cost $20-$30 but prices can go higher during busy times of the day with price surging. A taxi should cost around $21 and add $1 per bag.
Can You Drink Alcohol on the Streets of Old San Juan?
Even though Old San Juan is pedestrian friendly you cannot drink alcohol out on the streets. All alcohol must stay inside the bars.
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