Aleli By the Sea - Puerto Rico

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We will never stop going back. Visited: October 2006 Posted by rayarroyo I have been staying at Aleli by the Sea for the past ten years. I have sent many friends and family members here, and they love it. It is small, clean, and quiet, and you don't need much when you are looking to get away fast from the winter. The staff is nice, they always welcome you with a smile. Also, the location is great. You don't even need to rent a car. You can get around by bus or cab. You are not far from Old San Juan and other locations like El Moro and popular shops. It is also easy to get to from the airport. The best part is - you are on the beach. This is the best place for a fast get away! 11 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? It is small, hidden, and on the beach - but no beach access. Visited: December 2005 Posted by mecham We stayed here because of reviews we had read from previous guests - it was small, right in the heart of Condado, and right on the beach. However, you may get a window overlooking the beach, but you cannot get to the beach from the patio. You will need to be able to negotiate small, steep stairs if you get a second floor room. Also, don't expect spacious, motel-like rooms. We stayed in what was someone's bedroom that had a small bathroom squeezed in the corner. We had to step up to go in, it was very small, and the amenities were dirt cheap (bring your own from other motels you have stayed at). In addition, there were no comfortable chairs, and the bed was older and saggy. For the price, I think I'll stay at a bigger place. There were other accommodation options nearby I would just as soon try next time. 8 users found this review helpful. 4 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? big disappointment Visited: March 2005 Posted by katinka263 We planned a weekend in St. Juan for shopping and relax.Since we decided last minute we could'nt find room in the place we used to stay so we decided to try this guest house. On our arrival the person was very friendly,but wanted that we pay for the two nights in advance before we had even seen the room.We thought it was strange but so happy beeing in puerto Rico we didn't think anything bad and payd the total in cash. After that the story began,the concierge told us that the mainentrance lock was broken so if we wanted to return to our room at night we had to use the backentrance through the garage passing by the sea terrace. We didn't really feel very comfortable doing that late at night,since there is no security and the concierge is leaving over night. The room was dirty in the bathroom still hairs in the shower,even the bed sheets were not clean. I know what to expect from a guest house in this price range,(i live in the caribbean myself)but this was too much.After a quick look we decided not to stay ,they at first refused to give us the money back,and after long discussions they reimboursed us one night(from two payd in advance)!!! Now we knew why they asked to pay before taking a look at the room! There are so many hotels and guesthouses in St. Juan which are a few $$ more expensive but really nice. I want to warn future travellers about this place and would like you to take a look and update this place! 12 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was perfect for us. Visited: February 2005 Posted by northeaster I was a bit nervous to book here, because the price was so reasonable and the location was so good...what was the catch? There was no catch, it was a great find. The rooms were small, but clean and open. We stayed in room four, with a big picture window looking out to the ocean. Our little kitchenette was perfect for quick meals, and the big and very clean kitchen next to us was just what we needed. We went to the market in Santurce for fresh fruits, veggies and fish, then cooked them up, and ate on what "seemed" to be our private patio oceanside. What could be better? The staff was so friendly and helpful, and we like that we could walk everywhere. We will go again. 6 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Diamond in the rough Visited: February 2005 Posted by achakra1 This little hotel was a complete gem of a find. It is small like a bed and breakfast but there is no breakfast. However, once you experience the "oceanview" room, you will not want to leave. My girlfriend and I went to PR for Valentine's Day weekend and we were both thrilled with our room (#9 - they only have 9 rooms)!! We went to sleep with the gently sound of lapping waves every night! The waves literally come up to the hotel patio (raised) during high tide at night. The rooms were clean and the bathrooms cozy but clean. They have limited parking in their own driveway (locked) so that's convenient. The location is perfect for walking around to find places to eat. For the price I paid (103/night including all fees/taxes) it was a fantastic deal since any other place of even comparable size was 180+. The lady at the front desk is friendly and nice and even let us park our car in the driveway on the last day since we checked out but didn't have street parking till we left. We both loved this place and woved to stay at Aleli if we come back to PR again! 5 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Aleli By the Sea is a diamond in the rough. Visited: February 2005 Posted by achakra1 This little hotel was a complete gem of a find. It was small - like a bed and breakfast, but there was no breakfast. However, once you experience the "oceanview" room, you will not want to leave. My girlfriend and I came here for Valentine's Day weekend and we were both thrilled with our room (#9 - they only had nine rooms!). We went to sleep with the gently sound of lapping waves every night. The waves literally came up to the hotel patio (raised) during high tide at night. The rooms were clean, and the bathrooms were cozy but clean. They had limited parking in their own driveway (locked) so that was convenient. The location was perfect for walking around to find places to eat. For the price I paid ($103/night including all fees/taxes), it was a fantastic deal since any other place of even comparable size was $180+. The lady at the front desk was friendly, and even let us park our car in the driveway on the last day since we checked out but didn't have street parking untll we left. We both loved this place and have vowed to stay at Aleli if we come back to Puerto Rico again! 2 users found this review helpful. 3 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? What a great find! Visited: April 2004 Posted by emrambus We were hesitant to book a reservation at Aleli since the on-line reviews were so mixed. We were drawn to its description of being right on the ocean, and decided to give it a shot. We (my husband, 16-year-old niece, and I) stayed in room four, which was outside of the main hotel and opened up onto the patio (which was like having our personal patio right on the beach). This room cost a bit more, but was well worth it. We woke up and fell asleep each night to the incredible sound of the waves and smell of the ocean, which was only steps away. Our room was clean and adequate, "rustic" would best describe it, although it did have a microwave, small refrigerator, AC (and one of the smallest bathrooms I've ever seen). Clearly, the lure was the ocean, which was exactly what we were looking for in Puerto Rico. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and the community kitchen was a nice touch (having cold, filtered water at our disposable was great). The location was good, away from the noise of the main drag (Ashford Avenue) and within walking distance of many restaurants, shops, and other hotels. We really enjoyed our stay at Aleli and would definitely return here in the future. If being right on the ocean is more important than the appearance of the room, the amenities, and many of the other "perks" that come with a big hotel, Aleli is a good choice. 4 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is a great tranquil getaway! Visited: April 2003 Posted by evelyn_gonzalez62 If you are looking for a place to stay where you can have the luxury of the wonderful beach of Puerto Rico and not spend a fortune, this definitely is the spot to hang. While you don't have the luxury of a five-star hotel, you do have a clean bed, television and AC in your room, which meets your basic needs. Walk out back and the beach is readily available to you. Also, if you'd like to delight yourself in some home cooking, feel free to rattle pots and pans in their simple, but fully equipped kitchen. I stayed two nights and would do it again. 1 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Great location, not so great space Visited: May 2002 Posted by demaria The best thing about this hotel is the location - right on the white sands of Condado Beach, a block from Avenida Ashford and the bus, and next to the Atlantic Beach Bar (a fabulously fun little place). Also, the staff was really friendly and helpful. The worst thing was the actual hotel itself. While our room was "neat", the floor was so dirty that we were afraid to walk barefoot from the bed to the bathroom. Our ocean front room was really stuffy with tiny windows that did not open enough to let in fresh air. It felt kind of like being in some tiny cabin on a not too nice boat or something. The bathroom was a whole other dingy experience. Neither my girlfriend nor myself are very high-maintenance people. We both just like a place that we can look forward to relaxing in at the end of a long day/night. This was not the place to do that. 5 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? A pleasant suprise. Visited: March 2002 Posted by RT32913 I decided to go to San Juan a day early when I took a cruise in March. I found Aleli on the net, and booked a room. Although I was only there one day, I can say I was pleasantly suprised. It was nothing too fancy, but it was nice.The staff made me feel welcome. You are right on the beach and I don't think you can beat the prices. I am definitely going to give Aleli my business again (I recommend the oceanview rooms). 3 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Great view, clean and friendly. Visited: April 2001 Posted by riccamx If you’re on a budget, this is the place to stay. I would recommend staying in the oceanfront room. It is located off to the side so that you feel like you have the place to yourself and you can walk right onto the deck. You can see the beach right from the room and you’re just steps away from it. The rooms were clean and could use a little decorating, but overall it was a nice stay. It had a little kitchenette in it, but there was a main kitchen area, too. They have laundry facilities for a small charge. The staff was very friendly and helpful. It is located near restaurants and public transportation. I would definitely stay here again. 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Cozy, comfy, excellent location and a good price. Visited: November 2000 Posted by patzke We really liked this cozy, comfy, reasonably priced "homestyle" hotel. It was also right on the beach, 2 blocks to a 24-hour Walgreens convenience store and public transportation. There was a big kitchen available for use, if required. I would definitely return again. 4 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is a wonderful find in the big city. Visited: December 1969 Posted by mapyak Three couples stayed here for the first part of our Puerto Rico "around the island" trip. It is an older guest house. However, it is very clean, and the location on the beach is terrific. The staff is very helpful, and the price of the rooms can't be beat. We would stay here again. 1 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful?

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