The Aloft San Juan in Puerto Rico is next to the convention center and adjoining the Distrito T-Mobile, a multi-function space with restaurants, bars, a performance space, movie theater, and a game arcade. While you’ll need a shuttle or a long bike ride to get to beaches and Old San Juan, it’s not far from either and is a great spot for being walking distance to convention activities.
That’s why I was here, for one night during a conference before I got moved over to the other hotel in this complex, the Sheraton Puerto Rico. The two properties each have certain aspects where they win out, with the Aloft being the hipper-looking, more contemporary hotel that’s likely to appeal more to younger travelers. It’s more of a self-service property than its sister one, with that translating to somewhat lower prices for rooms and incidentals.
Both of the hotels are Marriott Bonvoy members, so you can check the redemption levels to see which is more attractive if you’re able to pay with loyalty points.
Dining, Drinking, and Fun at the Aloft
Since this hotel is located right next to an entertainment center, the owners seemingly decided to outsource the real dining options to there. While there’s a restaurant here in the expansive lobby lounge area, it’s really just a grab-and-go set-up. You order from the person behind the bar, who also doubles as barista and bartender, then take your food to one of the dining tables when it’s ready.
This is true for all three meals, though breakfast tends to get a lot more action than the other meals. Later in the day there are more options next door at the Distrito, as well as another dining spot by the lake. With those places you can enjoy fine dining, Mexican, Spanish tapas, and more. The Sheraton presents more choices on top, including a nice coffee shop with pastries and a sit-down restaurant for breakfast or lunch.
The bar gets hopping in the evenings, especially since most guests have gotten a food and beverage voucher as part of their resort fee. There’s a selection of local beer, wine, and cocktails. The lounge areas feature modern furniture, interesting light fixtures, and an array of varied sitting areas. There’s also a pool table in the lounge that’s complimentary.
There’s no bar at the pool a few floors above, however, which is just one reason why the swimming pool here is far inferior to the full-on resort experience one at the Sheraton. If you’re dreaming of lounging by the pool with a cold drink in hand, you’ll be much better off at the sister hotel (though there is a 24-hour pantry that sells sodas, beers, and snacks). The swimming pool here is a rather awkward-looking triangle with a limited amount of deck space, in shade half the day.
The gym is spacious and well, equipped however, with plenty of cardio and weight machines.
You can book area excursions with the staff here to explore beaches, the rainforest, or museums. If you’re in a gambling mood, the Sheraton has a casino a five-minute walk away.
Rooms and Suites
The finishes in the rooms at the Aloft San Juan are rather basic, with laminate wood floors, generic artwork, and a tiled shower-only bathroom with some kind of plastic composite vanity. The “closet” is just a wide-open space with some wooden hangers on a bar and the desk chair isn’t meant for long work stretches. (The same chairs are used for the dining table in the suites.) The only real storage for your clothing is a cushioned low dresser with two drawers.
They make up for the minimalism in other areas though, like with the Marshall amp Bluetooth speaker that’s superior in sound to what you get in most hotel rooms. You also get a mini fridge, a basic coffee maker, safe, and refillable toiletries in the bathroom. The bedding and pillows are quite comfortable and there’s a sectional sofa (king rooms) or armchair (double bed rooms) for relaxing.
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My room looked out on the stage in the T-Mobile Distrito, which made me worried about light and noise, but neither turned out to be much of an issue. The double or triple glazing on the windows kept things relatively quiet and the blackout curtains worked well. Others look out toward the fountains in the artificial lake you see at the top, as well as the Sheraton and convention center.
If you want to upgrade, there’s a “Savvy Corner” junior suite with more room and more natural light, or a regular suite with a separate living room and dining area. The suite also has a kitchenette with a full refrigerator, which would be handy for families that are forking out a fortune on eating out all the time at island prices.
Booking a Room at Aloft San Juan
Rates at the Aloft San Juan in Puerto Rico are in line with what you’d expect on this rather expensive Caribbean island, starting around $200 in the low season and topping $400 on some nights January through March. This includes a hefty $35 per night “destination fee” but the one here is not as annoying as most: it includes a $35 food and beverage credit, so if you manage to use all that it’s a wash.
Check for the latest rates online at Hotels.com, Booking.com, or Expedia.
That fee also includes shuttles to a beach and Old San Juan, complimentary bike rentals, and complimentary use of laundry machines. The included Wi-Fi was faster than the norm and worked well during my stay.
See more information at the official Marriott website and compare rates online at other booking sites if you’re not a Bonvoy member.
Review and photos of the Aloft San Juan by Tim Leffel. He was hosted by Discover Puerto Rico while speaking at a tourism conference hosted at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. As always, all opinions are his own.
