My family and I stay at this hotel each time we visit PR for one or two nights before heading into the island. We have been staying there for over twenty five years. We have stayed at several other hotels in San Juan - El Convento, Hilton and etc. but always go back to Excelsior. The accomodations have changed with time ( the kitchenette suites are smaller and you can't cook in the room anymore), but the main features have stayed the same. The rooms are large, comfortable and clean. The staff is unobtrusive, but helpful when needed. The restaurants are ok if you don't want to leave the premises, but we prefer to find restaurants with local flavor. The hotel is located in a mixed business and residential area. They have on site parking and nearby bus service. The view of the laguna from the higher floors is stunning. We highly recommend the Excelsior to anyone who doesn't want to stay at a touristy type place and desires convenience, peace and quiet.

My boyfriend and I were afraid to go there after we read the reviews. To our surpise it wasn't so bad at all. The area is not bad, the hotel was clean and the staff was very friendly.

I was afraid to go there after I read all the bad comments here, but happily I found the opposite. It was easy to find and is located in one of the main avenues of San Juan. It was clean and it had helpful friendly staff. The pool was very clean and a little small, but who goes to the caribbean to swim in a pool?? They have nicer hotels in the area like the Hilton and Windham, but you'll have to pay at least 3 times more than at the Excelsior. There are no ghettoes around like some said and it's a safe area. Now one thing, I criticize heavily those tourist who go to a place and don't get out of the hotel out of fear of someting bad happening. This hotel offers a great place to stay in a great island...go out and explore...go to the beach, el yunque, take a day and drive around the island, go eat to a local place, try to go to a local club of bar, go scuba diving. etc ect. Have fun!!

At the time we stayed there, the hotel was undergoing renovations; however we found the lobby decor (the remodeled part) quite pleasing, had very good service from the desk staff at check-in and they also helped us find our way around a little bit. Two restaurants on site, both quite good. The room was comfortable - neither dirty nor immaculate. The neighborhood is fair, but you'll certainly find other hotels in more "touristy" areas. The bus to Old San Juan runs right in front of the hotel, it's only a few quarters and a few minutes away to OSJ.

Met many people on our cruise who stayed in San Juan prior to our embarkation, and NOBODY had a better experience than we had, even for MUCH MUCH more money. I heard complaints on everything ranging from noise to comfort to towel size to price. But I can honestly say that the only disappointment that I had at the Hotel Excelsior was the fact that the renovation closed the main elevator, and the only ride up and down was a rickety service elevator. But other than that inconvenience, I would have no problem staying there again. It's not the Ritz, but it's not the pits. :)