My boyfriend and I decided to try Chateau Cervantes during our recent trip to San Juan. It was our five year anniversary, and we wanted to stay somewhere luxurious.
Our first problem with the hotel was when we booked by phoning them directly. Although my boyfriend repeated the dates numerous times, when we recieved the online confirmation it was for completely diferent dates and months (we realized later that the manageress that we dealt with during the weekend, was the person who made the mistake booking).
We really wanted to love the hotel, we live in the Caribbean and travel to San Juan quite often, and have yet to find a hotel that we love (El Convento has beautiful grounds but the rooms are very basic).
Our room was very small but very nice (we stayed in a superior). I loved the fact that the bed was extremely plush and comfortable, our closet was large, we had a large flatscreen TV with MANY channels to choose from, and a well appointed marble bathroom. The room won me over completely, and if we hadn't had to deal with the lack of professional management, we would return every time to Chateau Cervantes.
However the management was TERRIBLE! We had no hot water in our room. The only person there at night was the restaurant manager (this was at 7:15 and we had 8:00 reservations at a restaurant), who was really sweet but not equipped to deal with hotel guests (and I should point out, is not her job to). She gave me a key to shower in a nearby room. The next morning we complained about our lack of hot water to the lady at the front desk (who I think was supposed to be the manager). She never apologized, just gave us a key to the room next door (which was identical to ours). We then had to pack up everything and move ourselves, no assistance was offered.
The next morning I got awoken at 8:00 in the morning by the construction on the building directly next door to our room. It went on nonstop. It was impossible to sleep through (and I am a VERY heavy sleeper), with jackhammering and drills, and though we had been at the Casino until vey late the night before, we had to get up and escape the noise. Again, the same manager offered no apologies or assistance. Luckily we were checking out that day anyway. I suggested that they put ear plugs in the rooms. The construction noise would only bother people sleeping in the rooms in the back, on similar floors to which they were working on. If we had been put in a front room, we wouldn't have been disturbed by the noise.
We never saw another guest while we there, and while I don't think we were the only guests, I doubt the hotel was more than half booked. We were never offered assistance to our room, in fact when we checked in with manager on our first day, she wasn't even sure what floor our room was on!!!!!! This is a hotel with 12 rooms!
The manager was aware it was our anniversary (we told her on the phone, and she wished us a happy anniversary the first morning). We did feel that with the problems we had, they could have offered to upgrade us, or at least put a bottle of bubbly in our room at some point.
For the price you pay, I expected the staff to be more helpful. We often opted to do things ourselves (like booking dinner reservations or calling cabs) than ask the manager, as we felt we were putting her out whenever we did. Ironically, we went to El Convento for lunch, and when we realized the Tapas Bar was closed, the ladies at the reception desk there were extremely helpful and polite, and phoned around to find out which restaurants would be open. Their level of professionalsim was much higher than at Chateau Cervantes. We are in the hospitailty business in the Caribbean, and are used to service levels here. We felt that Chateau Cervantes should hire new more professional management. If they did, we would return in a heartbeat. The room was plush, the location was great. This is a hotel that could be wonderful.

I booked CC because we tend to like smaller properties and this one looked especially nice in an area of large chain hotels. We were not disappointed. With just a handful of rooms (12, I think) it is intimate. Yet they have a very upscale bar and restaurant which is a great convenience. We were in the standard room - the cheapest available. Although small, it was very well appointed and the bathroom was a good size. The location was great - central to walking around the city and eating at good restaurants. The service was very friendly and attentive. I would recommend CC to anyone looking for upscale, romantic, central location.

We went to Puerto Rico in March 17-24 and stayed at Chateau Cervantes
the 17th through the 21st. Everything about our stay was excellent right from the beginning (when they stayed on the phone to give our taxi driver detailed directions). The staff was extremely responsive to our needs, including looking up phone numbers and recommending travel options. It is a small hotel, so they are able to give personalized attention. It is in a great location in old San Juan. I
would definitely stay there again!

A fabulous boutique hotel in Old San Juan. Recently opened with warm, gracious staff, high end finishes, and an overall attention to detail. We stayed for three nights in March 2007 and were surprised and impressed by this new spot. The room was well appointed --- heavenly bed and linens, marble bathroom with turkish towels and robes, plasma tv, etc. The complimentary breakfast in their restaurant was divine. Homemade breads, jams, fresh fruit, and French and Spanish cheeses. The cafe con leche each morning was comparable to the famous La Bombonera up the street. The restaurant is one of the top in the city. Attentive, excellent staff...we highly recommend! Can't wait for our next visit to Chateau Cervantes.

Dine at the Dragonfly around the corner (call ahead and put your name on the list) and have tapas and sangria at El Picoteo. For a terrific lunch, seek out the Venezuelan Arepas place. Check out the recently renovated art museum near the San Jose church too.

PS Old San Juan is a busy night spot, so bring ear plugs for any hotel you stay at.