We stayed at Da House for only 1 night. I would have liked to have stayed longer but we moved on. This was a neat European-like place. Yes, it is noisy since you are near a bar and in the center of the town but I did not mind it. We stayed in room #4 which is in the interior part so we heard nothing. I imagine the outer areas are louder. I would definitely stay here again. It is reasonable, clean, and fun. The staff is great too.

I want to echo earlier reviews: Da House centrally located, inexpensive, and beautiful. The staff are friendly and helpful. It is, however, LOUD. There are interior rooms that are quieter, but they do not have windows that open to the outside. Da House is not for people who want to go to sleep before 3 am.

Being typical American tourists, my wife and I nearly wound up in a typical resort or chain hotel in San Juan proper. Luckily, I stumbled across a google hit for Da House.

We only stayed two nights in November, but we loved the old-town ambience. Our room was on the top floor but we didn't mind the walk. In fact, if you don't like to walk or have to use a wheelchair or other device, don't bother with Da House or Old San Juan in general. The sidewalks are as narrow as a balance beam with lots of obstacles from all of the rehabbing going on. You don't want to drive or be driven in Old San Juan either. Perpetual logjam on these super-narrow streets and parking spots only for gold-medal parkers. This sounds like a negative comment but we loved every aspect of this remnant of colonial Spain. Even the forts (Da House is a 5 minute walk from St. Cristobal, the "newer" fort guarding the east side of the old walled town) don't seem like tourist traps in November. Anyway, this review is about DaHouse, right? Don't expect a lot of electronic amenities (no TV, thank God!) or big closets for your clothes (ok, a closet or even an eensy hanging bar would have been nice). Do expect very clean, luxurious and comfortable beds, clean rooms that do not smell like a typical hotel, nice HVAC system, cool (old) tile floors and a fantastic rooftop view. In the morning, make sure to walk down the street 100 feet or so to a great local place called Mallorca. All home
-made breads and pastries and great hot breakfast choices. Cheap too. Close to many bars, restaurants, etc. Lots of walking, but no great distances. We felt safe too. DaHouse Rocks!

Upon booking two weekend nights at Da House, my counterparts and I thought how bad could it really be?

Living on a somewhat busier street in Chicago, I thought I would be (somewhat) immune to the noise. It was tolerable, but LOUD. We stayed in a room on the top floor, facing the Callejon de la Capilla, the narrow, brick-paved alleyway containing the Nuyorican Cafe entrance and chinchorro (hole-in-the-wall bar) where people congregated and socialized all night or prior to entering the Nuyorican.

The best way to explain staying at Da House on a weekend is like throwing a party for 200+ of your closest personal friends, with music and conversation flowing at high decibels… it was fun, but all you want to do is graciously go to sleep. You can put up with the noise, because of course, it is your party.

I must say that the price and location couldn’t be beat. The staff was extremely personable and helpful (with the exception of the gentleman who approached us while having drinks in the alleyway and told us he owned the hotel as well as the chair that a friend was sitting on and proceeded to take the chair and bring it to his table, even though there were other unoccupied chairs available). The accommodations, albeit small, were fine for our needs and our room did not have a television, if that is important.

We decided that if we ever came back to Old San Juan we would probably stay at Da House, knowing what we know now. (Even on the fourth floor, the music and conversation floated upward.) We would be leery of the wake up call though, as we never received one as requested. Luckily we set our cell phone alarm clock.

Also, make sure to check out the rooftop deck with great city views and hot tub!