1 of a KIND OLD SJ 2ndFl BayviewApt/ Exclusive St

Description from the owner

BEAUTIFUL & PEACEFUL 2nd FLOOR VILLA /APT WITH A GREAT BAYVIEW !

This is a unique property whose special location offers a rural ambience in an urban setting. This villa /apt. in a Spanish Colonial house has a completely private entrance from st on an exclusive & v safe st called "Caleta de las Monjas"- the Street of the Nuns . The property overlooks SJ Bay with a great view of the rocks &pier; below. "Caleta de las Monjas" is one of the most painted streets by artists in PP. The property is located in the oldest section of Old San Juan only 1 block from San Juan Gate - the original entrance through the City wall .

The 3... balconies of this Apt can be seen to left of large tree in right side of photo taken from pier below.The Apt.occupies the entire 2nd floor of tan colored house with brown awnings. The property has a privileged location not more than 40 yds from the PR Governor's Mansion "La Fortaleza".and the old city wall.The 2 living room balconies and street side bedroom/den balcony offer great views of Bay, passing cruise ships, pelicans ,the large "bronze statue known as "La Rogativa" and the fortified Old City Wall . There is a small nonswimming beach below Governor's mansion visible from balconies. The waves from beach can be heard from living room and streetside bedroom /den.There is no noise from bars/discos on this street and little traffic.There are 3 large trees in front of house and tree frogs called "coquis" can be heard at night giving a unique country ambience to this urban property.The patio is shaded by a large mango tree which produces mangos 2x a year.Sun enters patio from mid am to early pm.

Apt has1500 sq ft in a house which dates in its present form from about 1870. There is a large living room &dining; room, a fully equipped kitchen, one bedroom with a/c, another b/r /den with a desk next to the st side balcony , 2 bathrooms and a large outdoor patio where 6 to 8 persons can dine.

The property is directly in front of back entrance to the Governor's Mansion called "La Fortaleza" at the end of a quiet residential cobblestoned street called "Caleta de las Monjas" - There is no other property in front of house which has a clear view of bay and the mountains beyond from the living room , dining room and bedrooms.Directly in front of property is a small and famous plaza known as Plaza "La Rogativa" with a large bronze statue commemorating 17th Century defense of Old San Juan against English navy.

* Cable TV and Internet access & Private entrance.

The property is:

* 3 Blocks from the "Plaza de Armas" -- principal plaza of OSJ with City Hall , a variety of fast foods and restaurants , Old San Juan's only supermarket ,"Walgreens and Puerto Rico Drug store, and a "Marshalls".and trolley stop which is free and covers the city

* One block from Cristo St with many restaurants and shops .

* 6 houses down street from 4 Star Hotel "El Convento" which has a "tapas" bar & restaurant in a former convent . Taxis are available at the Hotel 24/7.

* 1 Block from the "Paseo de la Princesa "walkway which goes to cruise ship moorings , the Hotel Sheraton and Casino ; to a large outdoor parking lot operated by the city of San Juan and to "el Morrto Trail" which is a walkway along the Bay to the mouth of the harbor directly under the fort itself.

* At the beginning of st. is San Juan Cathedral and the "Plaza de las Monjas" --directly in front of the Hotel Convento. There is a Mass celebrated every Sunday morning and weddings about once a month.

* 2nd Fl. apt has a large living room with a sofa and one futon ; a dining room with a view of the bay ; cable tv, One air conditioned bedroom adjacent to patio with one queen bed whose a/c can comfortably also cool the bathroom between the 2 bedrooms if door to 2nd bedroom remains closed. ; a 2nd bedroom /den with desk and also a queen bed that has its own balcony with a view of San Juan bay , a kitchen with a stove, refrigerator , blender and microwave , and large private outdoor patio . There are tables and chairs for up to 6 guests to have meals on patio.The sun enters the patio from mid am to early pm There is a bathroom between the 2 bedrooms and a v small bathroom/shower off the kitchen

* This is also a great apt for a family or group since apt. can accommodate up to 6 or 7 persons. There are 17 foot ceilings with ceiling fans in all room including one bedroom with a/c..

There is also a smaller 1st floor apt (750 sq. ft.)in same bldg with a private entrance from st and also a great view which is available for short term rental. A stay with a combination of 1st floor apt and 2nd floor apt is possible. The bay can be seen from every room except bathroom .It has a large living room with 2 futons and a bedroom with a/c , a kitchen and a small outdoor private patio shaded by the same mango tree as the 2nd floor patio. Photos available on request for availability.Read more

Additional Location Information

The house is located in the oldest section of this very old city. The property is located steps away from San Juan Gate - the historic entrance to Old San Juan -on the western side of the Old City. Ships would anchor just off San Juan gate to discharge their cargo which would enter the Old City through the historic gate almost directly below the governor's mansion. Through San Juan Gate you can access the Harbor walkways known as "La Princesa" which goes east and toward the cruise ship mooring, the Hotel and Casino Sheraton and the large parking lots. There is also another walkway to the west called "El Morro Trail" maintained by the National Park Service which goes to the mouth of San Juan Harbor just below the El Morro fort .
. The building which was served as the old city hall for centuries is located at the beginning of the st. along with San Juan Cathedral.; the Hotel "El Convento" and the Puerto Rico Children's Museum which surround the small "Plaza de las Monjas" (Plaza of the Nuns") at the beginning of the st. "Caleta de las Monjas" - translated "The street of the Nuns" is also known as "the street of the statues " . There are 3 large stone statues on the fascade of the Cathedral looking down the st. . There are also 3 bronze statues in the small plaza between the Cathedral. and the Puerto Rico Children's Museum . There is an enormous bronze statue in front of the house in the Plaza Rogativa.
The " Caleta "is a peaceful residential street with great security - there is a small police station attached to the Governor's .Mansion one block from property. The Hotel Convento's security and cameras at beginning of street also help make this area very safe. .Park rangers assigned to El Morro National Park are also on duty during day and contribute to the safety of this area of the city.The back entrance to the National Park EL Morro is only about 70 yards from the property ; the walk to the famous fort itself is about 10 minutes. The proximity to the National Park El Morro contributes to the country ambience of this area. Flocks of small Puerto Rican parrots along with pelicans can frequently be seen. inside El Morro . A group of pelicans can be seen throughout the day from the balconies .There are very small tree frogs called" coquis" which live in the patios and surrounding area.
There is free parking on the streets of the Old City. There are no meters for aesthetic reasons. Parking is competitive but is usually less competitive in the Caleta area since we are located at the westermost point of the Old City. There is also a large outdoor parking lot near the bay which is about an 8 minute walk from the property.There is a pricier indoor lot about 31/2 blocks from property. There is a much larger and less expensive indoor parking garage about 7 blocks from property.
Old San Juan is about 15 minutes traffic free minutes from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and 5 minutes via car to the San Juan Convention Center and the nearest bathing beach called "Escambron" -From "Escambron" it is a short walk to the Caribe Hilton premises. Escambron Beach can also be accessed via a free trolley ride followed by a 10 minute walk or a bus ride followed by about a 5 minute walk. . The small Plaza directly in front of the property called "La Rogativa " is a very popular tourist site and is also available to celebrate weddings with the necessary permit from the city..
You can google this street and also find some nice videos of the Caleta and the surrounding area on Youtube.

Location Type City, Tropical, Waterfront

Rental fees

Additional notes from owner

Additional guests after 2 pay $20.00 each per night .
Longer stays and use of premises for small wedding receptions and other events are negotiable.
7% Tax included. There are no other fees.

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• Crystal
  Brooklyn, NY

  A Beautiful house on a great little street

  Left on 04/28/2013 for a stay in March 2013
  
  

  My husband, daughter (Age 2) and I spent 3 great and relaxing days at #7 Caleta in March 2013. Both the apartment - it's really a complete house - and the street are truly special . The balcony views of the bay framed against the sky and the ancient wall below are just beautiful ...very conducive for contemplation and wine drinking ! The photos do not do it justice! The El Morro national park is just steps further down the street and if you walk up the street you are only 4 blocks from the large plaza with the old city's only supermarket. Lourdes recommended some great restaurants and shops to us for which we are very grateful . The apartment is very nicely decorated in a very eclectic and charming way. We also loved the enormous bronze statue just across the street which is something of a tourist attraction. There was ample ventilation throughout the apartment . There is a great outdoor patio with table and chairs which we made into our dining room . All rooms except the dining room have windows , doors or balconies which open to the outside so it is a very roomy , open and simply charming place to experience Old San Juan .

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Romantic, Families

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• Jennifer R
  Sevilla, Spain

  Incredible!

  Left on 03/15/2013 for a stay in March 2013
  
  

  We stayed in old San Juan for 2 nights here and were so impressed! The location is perfect! Right by the water, shopping, restaurants and very close to the fort. We walked up to the flat and couldn't get over how awesome it was! The living room and one bedroom opened up to the ocean and had a beautiful view. The living room was so nice with the breeze and the sound of the ocean that we sometimes just sat in there and enjoyed it instead of going exploring. The kitchen and dining room were very big and had all the things you need for cooking. Also, the apt was right beside the governors house which made it very safe because there were always police around. The flat was very clean! There is also a patio in the back (be careful!) because mangos fall out there and they are delicious! Peter was so helpful and nice with everything and if we needed anything he was there in 5 minutes. Long story short, stay here!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Friends, Groups, Families w children

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• vicguido
  Wellfleet, Massachusetts

  fabulous location...challenged accommodations

  Left on 03/05/2013 for a stay in October 2012
  
  

  location was perfect and central to all old san juan...we walked everywhere and it was just right for the 3 of us...we loved the old world feel and charm of the apartment, however; it definitely had challenges - first and foremost, it was dirty...there was a film of dust and old dirt top to bottom. although Peter was nice, helpful and accommodating with taxi's, bedding, towels, etc.; it was extremely hard to overlook tiles falling off the walls in the shower surround while bathing with frighteningly sketchy electrical wiring above the shower head. i stayed in the main, back bedroom where the mattress was the best i had slept in a long time...my bad back was very grateful...the other double bed and the futon in the livingroom were uncomfortable for my 2 friends. previous reviewers were right about the noise at nite, so, if staying in the livingroom be sure to bring earplugs and eye cover (which my friend had the foresight to bring along.) the trippiest detail (evidence that the apt was definitely not cleaned after the previous guests) was the lipstick impression left on the toilet bowl. all in all, it was fine for our short two nites stay before venturing to vieques...in the condition which we experienced it, would not want to be there for any extended amount of time

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• PeacefulSerenity
  Austin, Texas

  Location Location Location!

  Left on 01/08/2013 for a stay in December 2012
  
  

  This apartment was exactly as represented in the description, and the location couldn’t be more perfect. Everything was in walking distance- the forts, shopping, great restaurants. One day there was a wedding just under our balcony and I think that’s great proof that the view is truly amazing. Peter was super helpful as a host. He was waiting for us when we arrived and walked through the house to determine if we needed anything else. The kids (3) decided to spread out and use the futon and couch rather than share beds, so Peter offered to get us extra sheets. We went out to dinner and he delivered them as soon as we returned.
  We left the windows open for air, so we heard all the street sounds at night—people walking to and from restaurants, dogs barking, and motorcycles. If you’re a light sleeper, you should bring a sound machine or earplugs. All the rooms are large and we could have comfortably hosted a dinner for others there, although we chose to go out. I loved the private patio off the kitchen with fresh mangoes.
  It isn't the Four Seasons. Instead it feels very authentic with old wood floors and 20-foot ceilings. The décor is simple and definitely not fancy. The bathrooms are outdated and far from a spa experience. I don’t mean this as a negative, only to help you decide if it’s the right place for you. I suspect if/when all these things are updated, it would also cost twice as much.
  All in all, it was a great place for us. We enjoyed having the room to spread out and loved being minutes from anywhere we wanted to go.

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• Kyle and Melanie
  Hartford

  Exceeded all of our expectations.

  Left on 09/06/2012 for a stay in July 2012
  
  

  The place is amazing. A wonderful Spanish Villa ambience where you can relax, look out over the wrought iron balconies onto the bay, or walk out onto the cobblestone streets to explore enchanting Old San Juan. Well-furnished for a very comfortable stay, and Peter is an excellent, accomodating, and accessible host in the neighborhood. Highly recommended!

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic, Luxury, Families

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  Was this review helpful? Yes