i stayed there in april 11-14 2006 and it was nice. there is a strange smell indeed but it's bareble the staff in lovely. the breakfast needs some help a little cheese maybe, but above all i enjoyed my stay i will go back there

i stayed here for 8 days the first room the plumbing was bad water didnt go down in the shower quick but did eventualy and the toilet had a mind of its own and flushed when it wanted too so i asked for another room and they assisted me and got me another room other then that the staff was very friendly and helpful and always was there to assist in my needs this isnt the ritz its a place to sleep and keep ur stuff safe cause i spent most of my time sight seeing ive been to pr 3 times and if you dont want to pay 200 or more a night this is the best bang for your buck im going back for 8 more days in may and yes i booked it here the 8 floor breakfast deck is so nice in the morning great views and good sweets and juice milk and coffee and cereal toast well worth the trip up to start your day off close to everything from old san jaun to clubs, beaches and reasturaunts to a 24 hour walgreens for all your needs food,medical stuff to picture needs thats worth it in it self all rooms have fridges and cable tv and its in the heart of everything cant beat that if your on a budget or just looking for a safe place to keep your stuff and sleep this is it and the maids cleened and made up my room everyday and assisted me with all my needs as well thanks

Stayed for two nights here. Seemed like a decent place for the money from the descriptions etc and i thought they would have cleaned it up after previous comments. Also i thought the roof deck would be nice to relax on - until i booked in and they told me it was only open for breakfast!!! even though their web site advertises it as being available all day - is that false description?
My Room had a strange smell. Especially after turning the aircon off which was previously set at "very cold", maybe to disguise the smell. The carpet was sticky, i thought maybe cos of the cold damp air but it never got any better.
The windows behind the closed curtains were absolutely filthy - i was able to draw a line in the dirt on the glass.
The bathroom shower didnt drain properly - when i first used it the floor was slippy then after i realised why - it leaves a load of scum in there cos it drains so slowly.
Also the shower was hot hot hot then cold cold cold (as previously described) without rhyme or reason. I thought it was the tap moving on its own but it wasnt - just bad plumbing i think.
Cheap but not cheerful.

After reading 2003-2004 reviews about the El Portal Hotel, I was worried but I took my chances anyway.

The Hotel was a lot better than what people say. I stayed in room 702 and it was a nice clean room. The room had one large bedroom and a decent size bathroom. There were a total of two rooms that were clean. The two rooms were seperated by a small hallway (which was nice and clean). Being on the seventh floor, I had a great view of the San Juan Area.

The only small problem that I noticed is the beach is 3 blocks away from the beach (which is a 5 minute walk) and there is a small private middle school school across the street, if pre-teens bother you. Also the maids only speak Spanish , but they clean your room everyday from 11am-2:30pm depending what floor you are on. The maids were extremely pleasant and they clean good.

The hotel is in the right location close to Walgreens, Burger King, Subway, a Private Dance Club, A Gay Bar, Church's Chicken, Ponderossa, Pizza Hut, Local Music Store and so many other things.

They offer a contential breakfast which is ceral, toast, two types of donuts, coffee, or orange juice on the 8'th floor balcony (which has a nice view and a great place to relax).

I just wish I took a decent pictures of my hotel room (sorry my thumbs were in the way).