Hosteria del Mar is beautifully situated on the beach and features a surf side indoor/outdoor restaurant that gets you about as close to the water as possible.

However, if you're at all discriminating, beware that the apartments will disappoint you. Old, tired, dirtyish and without any views. Perhaps the regular rooms are better, I don't know. Also, beware the rollaway beds -- my son slept on the floor rather than on the old rollaway which was worn out but for which we still were charged.

Lastly, cost is huge here. One night in our apartment plus one lunch and one dinner for five ran us $750 US. The "continental breakfast" is free, but is a joke. I had four rock hard green pear slices, dried out toast pieces and a small cake. My wife refused to eat her cake as there were clearly teeth marks in it. Ugh.

Bottom line -- unless you really value a beach location be careful about this one.

You must read the review 'awful' ? - It is absolutly correct !

We have been looking for a hotel in San Juan - for little money - near airport - at the beach. - And we got it !!
So for us Hosteria Del Mar was a good choise and we had two wonderful days.

You are looking for nice roms - good service - perfect entree - large bill ? - Take an other hotel !

.. beach, lobby, restaurant, location.. you've read the reviews, so if your room means nothing to you stay here.
You're greeted by a dirty hallway carpet on the way to Room 105. Open the door and wow!.. awful sea bass blue - ceiling to floor, trim, shabby closet and all! No pictures on the wall, window view of a wall, exposed wiring (also in blue), no fire alarm, small bathroom, No hot water!, And barely no water pressure... like 2 metal hangers in the homemade plywood shanty of a closet. The room had all the charm of a motel room but smaller. Elevator was broke .. fortunately I was on 1st floor, but I did feel bad for the couple sleeping in the Lobby. They had been upgraded to a suite after complaining but said the suite wasn't much better. OK but the mattress was great .. no kidding .. so drink a bunch of high priced rum and pass out on the mattress till checkout time and you'll be fine .. till you see the bill. But hey its just credit right?

I just stayed in Hosteria del Mar for nine days and it was a very pleasant experience. I did not get a beach front room but one in the second floor which was quiet and very clean and everything worked just perfectly. The room was recently painted and was quite spacious. For $80 per night and a comp breakfast it was the best deal I could get. Even some of the locals were amazed at the deal.
The staff was very friendly and the lunch at the restaurant was fantastic, dinner prices were high.
The hotel is located in a gated community and it is very safe and the beach is a local hangout for the local middle class young people during the weekends. There are free "Bomba" drum performances at the beach nearby on sunday afternoons, which is something not to be missed if you are interested in Puerto Rican Culture. You will need a car to move around and local transportation and shops are a few blocks away from the hotel, but the safety and location makes up for it. I strongly recommend it.