Long colonial hallway with yellow walls, black ceiling beams, potted plants, and outdoor seating area with tables and chairs.

Hotel El Convento 5th floor hallway

El Convento Hotel History in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Celebrate more than 360 years of tradition at our luxury old San Juan hotel in Puerto Rico. As the first Carmelite Convent in the Americas, it housed the nuns for 252 years until closing a few days before Christmas in 1903. Vacant for a decade, the abandoned building served as a retail store, a dance hall, and, for the next 40 years, a flophouse without running water, sanitary facilities, or electricity.

Opened on Jan. 27, 1962 as El Convento Hotel, it offered a tranquil, European-style alternative to the glitzy hotels lining the Condado strip. Since that time, we've maintained a high standard of luxury and style - constantly improving our amenities and recreational services.

Memorable Moments of El Convento Hotel

Black and white image of an old church with two bell towers and a grand entrance.

1646

Construction began on the Carmelite convent, through a petition by King Phillip IV of Spain.

Black and white image of a street with several people walking near a church and other buildings.

July 1651

The convent was inaugurated as the Monastery of Our Lady Carmen of San José -- and was situated across the street from San Juan Cathedral, the Western Hemisphere's oldest cathedral.

Sepia-toned photo of an old street scene with Historic Hotel El Convento and a person walking.

Dec. 9, 1903

The convent was closed by the Archbishop of San Juan.

Black and white image of old buildings, with a store named

1959

Under the auspices of Operation Bootstrap, Robert Frederic Woolworth - heir to the Woolworth fortune - began converting the convent into the El Convento Hotel.

Black and white image of El Convento building with people and cars on a cobblestone street.

Jan. 27, 1962

El Convento Hotel opened.

1990s & 2000s

The property was renovated again and rechristened Hotel El Convento.