El Canario by the Sea

El Canario by the sea is about 10 to 20 steps from the Condado beach but don't bother. By the sea does not mean Sea view. In fact the hotel is snuggled between a creepy half pint building housing male prostitutes on one side and a very tall condominium that takes up all of the sea side view on the other. I am female and I traveled alone, they never bothered me but the front desk clerk did warn me to be careful. I never felt unsafe but I will not stay there again for this and the following reasons.

My room, # 20-something faced the back alley where the prostitute hotel was located. No I never heard or saw anything but the smell emitting from the alley was awful. I went during hurricane season, end of September (it rained twice late at night)it was very hot during the day, temperatures in the high 80s but with extreme humidity making it feel more like 90 degrees so the AC had to be on full blast and much to my chagrin pulled a lot of the foul oder from outside into the room. After I complained the hotel manager went and bought me a room deodorizer which helped a lot.

The room was small but clean. The sheets were clean but I didn't trust it and since I always travel with my own sheets when I stay in budget hotels I chose to use my own. The bathroom was small and the water pressure weak.

Before I left for the trip I called the hotel 3 times to confirm that what I was seeing on weather.com was correct, rain, rain, rain. It wasn't! I was told rain is always in the forecast for Puerto Rico but it hardly ever rains and when it does it's quick showers and this turned out to be true. But anyway, I was quoted a $67.00/night rate plus taxes. I wrote everything down and even with whom I spoke. By the time the bill came at the end of my stay that $67/night turned out to be $99.00/night. I was livid! The manager who is featured prominently on the hotel website http://www.canariohotels.com/sea.htm blamed me for hearing what I wanted to hear and blamed me and not her staff for the incorrect information. I couldn't believe I stayed at a $99/night budget hotel with prostitutes for neighbors when the Holiday Inn Express down the street cost the same and walking distance to the beach sans Protitutes.

So go at your own risk or you can just stay across the street at the Marriott, you won't regret it or the Holiday Inn Express.