STAY: A 15-minute hop from San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, the grand Hotel el Convento makes an ideal hub for a weekend getaway in the Old City. Each of its 58 romantic rooms is a charmer, though we’re partial to number 510. Formerly a Carmelite convent dating back to 1648, the hotel also offers a rooftop pool and a terrific tapas bar.
FRIDAY: Plan to arrive in time for a long lunch at the hotel’s open-air tapas restaurant, El Picoteo, then laze away the rest of the day by the outdoor pool on the fourth floor.
SATURDAY: Wake up ready for strolling and shopping, two pursuits offered in abundance. Pay a visit to the eclectic Ole, on Calle Fortaleza, and walk out with a pair of comfy Chilean alpargatas. As the daylight fades, head across the bridge to the tony neighborhood of Condado and the very happening Bar Gitano, Iron Chef veteran Roberto Trevino’s latest creation. It’s a lively Spanish-style tasca where the sangria flows and an inspired assortment of tapas, pizzas and paellas sails from the kitchen.
SUNDAY: Join locals for breakfast at La Bombonera before packing up to head home. —Matt Phenix
Hotel el Convento
100 Cristo Street
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
800-468-2779; elconvento.com
Olé
105 Calle Fortaleza
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
787-724-2445
Bar Gitano
1302 Ave. Ashford
00907 San Juan, Puerto Rico
787-294-5513; bargitano.com
La Bombonera
259 Calle de San Francisco
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
787-722-0658
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