Hotel El Convento — Puerto Rico Historic Buildings Drawings Society

Hotel El Convento

 

El Convento Hotel
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Hotel El Convento is a hotel in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1646 King Phillip IV of Spain started construction on this Carmelite convent. 5 years later it was inaugurated as the Monastery of our Lady Carmen of San Jose. It is located across the street from the western hemisphere's oldest cathedral, the San Juan Cathedral.

In 1903 it was closed until 1959, when Robert Woolworth started the renovation to turn it into the El Convento Hotel. It reopened in 1962 to the stars of the day, including Rita Hayworth. In The 90’s it was renovated again and rechristened as Hotel El Convento, a 4 story, 4 star small luxury hotel with a courtyard, a pool on the roof, and great views of Old San Juan.