Aleli By the Sea

As in real estate, location, location, location is what makes the Aleli By the Sea guesthouse in the Condado area of San Juan, Puerto Rico a great deal. Sitting right on the beach, this nine-room property puts you just steps away from the heart of Condado's action. However, its plum spot a block off busy Ashford Avenue creates a quiet respite.

And the prices are a fraction of what you'd pay at the city's major hotels. Spend the extra for an ocean front room. You'll awake to the sound of the surf and swishing palm trees, and you can people watch from your room.

The rooms are clean and perfectly adequate for a budget vacation. They have vinyl tile floors, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, and safes. There are no televisions or telephones in the rooms, but you're welcome to watch the set in the lobby and use the pay phone. The lobby also has a collection of books to borrow for your beachside reading.

There are two efficiency units with microwaves and refrigerators. Guests can use the full kitchen on the main floor of this two-story guesthouse to whip up whatever suits their fancy.

There's a large patio right near the kitchen and facing the beach that's the perfect place to enjoy your meals. But with all this opportunity at your doorstep, you'll probably be out and about. You'll find restaurants close by. Most serve fresh-squeezed orange juice for breakfast, a welcome treat when you're used to frozen.

Aleli By the Sea sits about two blocks from the huge San Juan Marriott, where you'll find casinos, dancing and lots of big hotel action. And the public bus stops right on Ashford Avenue, making it easy to head off to tourist hot spots such as Old San Juan.