The Gallery Inn

Hotel · San Juan

The Gallery Inn

Hotel · San Juan

204 Calle Norzagaray, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico

3 Postcards

Highlights

Nestled in a historic mansion in Old San Juan, this enchanting hotel boasts unique art-filled rooms, lush gardens, and stunning ocean views from its rooftop.

204 Calle Norzagaray, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico Get directions

thegalleryinn.com

@thegalleryinn

$$$

@afar

"Old San Juan is known for its atmospheric and historic hotels, but none quite match the Gallery Inn for personality and creativity. Composed of six intertwined town houses, this endlessly fascinating hotel beckons guests to wander through its nine interior gardens and patios, and seven parlors and porticos. Dating to the mid-1700s, the oldest building, La Cueva Del Indio, is located above Old San Juan’s north walls, meaning the views out to sea are the same ones that captivated the conquistadors. Owner Jan D’Esopo, is a well-known sculptor and her works dot the hotel’s meandering interior, which has enough comforts and homey character to avoid feeling like a museum. Equally unique are the 25 rooms, decorated with everything from silk screens and watercolors to sculptures and paintings. Some even feature elegant, four-poster beds and balconies with views of the ocean. Just don’t expect to watch TV—one, there are no TVs, and two, the views out over the old fortress walls are better than anything on Netflix."

The Perfect Weekend in San Juan

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@vogue

"An art gallery, studio, and boutique hotel rolled into one, The Gallery Inn is full of paintings, bronzed statues, and intriguing ephemera fashioned by artist and lady of the manor, Jan D’Esopo, who discovered the long lost building in 1961. The onsite Cannon Club has a candlelit concert series with dueling jazz pianos (where you can catch a descendant of the D’Esopo family, Nico, joining in on his violin). Live parrots nibbling on mint leaves grace various perches throughout the space.It’s a total fantasy and the room decor reflects this. Heavy wine-colored drapes and gold details, along with lush tropical greenery, hold court in the 27 rooms."

An Insiders Guide to San Juan, Puerto Rico: Where to Eat, Stay and Play

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@afar

"Old San Juan is known for its atmospheric and historic hotels, but none matches the Gallery Inn for personality and creativity. Composed of six intertwined town houses, this fascinating hotel beckons guests to wander through its nine interior gardens and patios and seven parlors and porticos. Dating to the mid-1700s, the oldest building, La Cueva Del Indio, is located above Old San Juan’s north walls, meaning the views out to sea are the same ones that captivated the conquistadors. Owner Jan D’Esopo is a well-known sculptor and her works dot the hotel’s meandering interior, which has enough comforts and homey character to avoid feeling like a museum. Equally unique are the 25 rooms, decorated with everything from silk screens and watercolors to sculptures and paintings. Some feature elegant four-poster beds and balconies with views of the ocean. Just don’t expect to watch TV—one, there are no TVs, and two, the views out over the old fortress walls are better than anything on Netflix." - AFAR Editors

The Best Puerto Rico Hotels and Resorts for a Relaxing Getaway - AFAR

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lucky L

Google

This hotel is a hidden gem! Its artistic vibe and beautiful decor truly capture the charm of old San Juan. If you’re looking for a unique stay that combines history with modern comfort, this is the place to be. The atmosphere is both inviting and inspiring, making it a perfect retreat. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to experience the heart of San Juan!

Andrea Leo

Google

This hotel felt so magical. It felt like a real getaway from normal life. Everything was beautiful, old, full of character and charm. It is a historic building with tropical plants and lots to discover around every corner including parrots, an old pool built in ruins, a bar with live music, and even a roof area with views of all of old San Juan. The location was perfect too. You can leave your “apartment” (that’s what it felt like to me) and explore old San Juan on foot or hop in an Uber to head to nearby beaches. The only potential downside (for some people, not me) is that the hotel is near night clubs so you will most likely hear music late until the night. Like I said not an issue for me, I liked sitting on the balcony and listening to all the life happening around me. I also got to meet the owner. She is the artist who designed the building and has her work throughout. This felt more like staying in a cool hose than a cookie cutter - might as well be in America- hotel. (We stayed last October and used the wading pool every day and night. I read one recent review that said you can’t do that anymore. Hopefully that’s not true!)

Kim Delgado

Google

Just the most beautiful place I have ever stayed at. I’m looking at my photos a year later and still unbelievable ! The pool was empty when I went and so peaceful. Every inch of the space is rich in character and just feels magical. I loved wandering around, looking at the art and watching the sunset from the rooftop. Great location in central San Juan close to all of the main sights. The staff was also very nice. I was also surprised at how affordable it was so such a beautiful place! Only thing I will note is to be careful when it rains since it’s partially outdoors, the floors can get slippery. I ended up slipping and falling on my way back to my room one morning, but the staff was sooo kind, apologetic and attentive to me making sure I was alright. They had someone come right away to make sure it was dry. I stayed by myself and felt so at home here, would absolutely stay again!

AJ J

Google

Excellent location! This local hotel has a lot of character. The rooms are all unique and contain a lot of art. Lots of pianos. Air conditioning in the rooms and lots of shade in the courtyards. I recommend this place for people who like the quirky and unique, but I wouldn't recommend it for people with any sort of mobility issues or for someone with a young toddler - the place is old so many uneven surfaces, steps, and issues with leaky sections of roofing that could become slipping hazards. And of course lots of objects and statues around that would be hard to keep a toddler from grabbing. I like the place, but rated a 4 instead of 5 because of the water dripping from the ceiling onto the floor into the hallway making it slick and also because my ceiling in my room sprung a leak when it rained. I couldn't be moved until the next day because no other available rooms, but I also noticed stains on the floor when I first arrived that suggested water in the room was an ongoing issue. Despite this, I appreciated the character of the place.

Kiara Alfonseca

Google

I will be recommending this place to anyone visiting San Juan. It's got its quirks -- exotic birds roaming the grounds during the day, a private rooftop for hotel guests, a beautiful courtyard for sitting and grand but cozy kitchen area for eating and reading. It felt like a magnificent and beautiful home away from home. It is so close to the best restaurants and historic sites in the old city but also a short cheap drive away from incredible beaches and other destinations. If you're used to resorts and high end luxury, this isn't for you. My only warning: you likely have to walk through outdoor areas to get to your room so be aware of slipping / water when you're walking around. It also is not very accessible for people with mobility issues. Other than that, please stay here. It's locally owned and newly adored by me and my partner.

Kathleen Moss

Google

Amazing Inn, I would never stay anywhere else in San Juan. We stayed in a King room, the mattress and linens felt like we were sleeping on a cloud. We were blown away by the elegance of our room and the entire property. Service was great, Sam was warm and helpful. This place is a breath of fresh air, there's no other hotel or inn like it anywhere in the world. Such a rare gem on this beautiful island.

Marni B

Google

This place is cool looking, but absolutely filthy. There were roaches in the room and I had bugs crawling on me at night. The air conditioner only cooled one part of the family suite so it was hot. We checked out a day early and they were kind enough to refund the night we did not stay. There is no pool as stated on the website, and be aware there is no coffee or fridge or anything in the room. I don't think anyone cleans the rooms beyond changing sheets.

Ann M

Google

Location & view from the top deck is everything, but the rooms/spaces themselves are dusty with various issues/quirks. The Gallery Inn is no longer connected to the Cannon Room, so there is no pool, outdoor space, or bar access through the hotel. That was not communicated ahead of our visit, and I am disappointed the stay wasn’t as described, with no discount offered. I really appreciate the novelty and eclectic interior, but I’d only stay again if the prices were closer to what it felt like (an upscale hostel) versus what the website advertises it to be (a boutique hotel)

lucky L

Google

Andrea Leo

Google

Kim Delgado

Google

AJ J

Google

Kiara Alfonseca

Google

Kathleen Moss

Google

Marni B

Google

Ann M

Google

hal r.

Yelp

I mean, what a gem. This place is just pure boutique magic. If you want high-end luxury go elsewhere. If you want a unique experience that feels like your sleeping in the hidden rooms of a gardeners tropical home, book immediately before it's sold out.

Samantha S.

Yelp

Beautiful property in Old San Juan, close to nightlife and other attractions. While the grounds were lovely, including a pool, many cute patios, and a piano bar among other things (many areas also containing gorgeous parrots), if you're looking for a newly remodeled kind of a place, the old charm of the Gallery Inn and its eclectic decor might not do it for you. The room my boyfriend and I stayed in was situated atop a narrow stair case, and there was one other door directly next to ours; throughout the night, every time someone opened the other door, it sounded from our room like someone was opening our door, but I got used to it after the first couple jump scares. There was AC to keep the room cool at night and a large window opening onto a patio below, which let in light during the day. The window was made of wood as opposed to glass and didn't close completely, so it was not sound tight, so if you intend to make... sound...;), or you're easily annoyed by outside noise, you might want to be mindful of that. We personally weren't bothered but realized belatedly that we might've been the annoying neighbors. All in all, the Gallery Inn was very cute and unlike anywhere I'd stayed previously.

Yvonne M.

Yelp

Such a treat to stay in this historical haven The location was great snd the staff was so friendly.

Giselle A.

Yelp

Incredibly charming and classy hotel. Beautiful artwork, like a stepping into a magical world full of life, music and culture. Good vibes all around, friendly staff and very accommodating. I'm absolutely in love!

Christie B.

Yelp

Absolutely lovely! A beautiful Inn and art gallery with lots of history. I want to go back and sit in the beautiful quiet gardens and pool. I want to hear the piano playing in the background while the parrots whistle as I walk by. I want to watch the artist painting and look at the sculptures. A dreamy piece of heaven.

Adria W.

Yelp

I do not understand the pouty reviews. We stayed for a few days around New Years with our 7-year-old and another couple - we booked two separate areas. "Rooms" does not really apply here. We each had unique areas that were very satisfying in their own regard with open patios and balconies overlooking the Atlantic as well as OSJ street views. This is an absolutely enchanting hotel with every turn you take looking like an 18th-century portrait. The owner/artist is a very interesting woman who has created the space for over 60 years. My husband and I agreed it was the best view of our lives and we are no spring chickens. Live music and a professional opera performance on NYE was an added bonus! Our child really enjoyed the birds and the art and we know she has been inspired.

Reynaldo G.

Yelp

What an amazing place! I grew up in San Juan but this was my first time after 35 years staying in this hotel and the experience was phenomenal. From the pool, the interiors, the piano bar, the art by Jan the owner and others, and the customer service overall. I will be back in a heart beat. 5 stars!

Kris C.

Yelp

It's beautiful and unique. I will stay there again. It is truly amazing - the rooftop view was incredible. We loved everything about it. Beautiful and very comfortable bed.

Carlos P.

Yelp

We booked a Top Suite with patio & full view of the ocean or Old San Juan four months prior. They put us in a family room with a partial ocean view. No explanation/refund/credit given. It felt like I had reserved a sports car rental then went to pick it up months later only to be issued a family van. We would have been returning customers but instead of memories of the hotels beauty, I'm left with feelings of just being another sucker of a bait and switch.

Gregory T.

Yelp

Only getting two stars for the look of the building. It's a very beautiful hotel . Sadly, None of it is worth the NOISE! Sometimes you want to just have a good night sleep. Located in and around a night life district (which actually wasn't an issue) until all the bars and restaurants close at midnight. And then the street traffic and noise begin. Music blasting from cars until about 4-5 am the first night we stayed. (Not kidding) And currently 2am on our second night and as much as I love reggaeton I don't want it at 2am while on vacation. (Sorry bad bunny) This should be disclosed when reserving vista or any outside facing rooms. (I guess you can always get an inside or court facing room). We wanted to change rooms for our second night (first night was THAT BAD) which was accommodated thanks to some staff members. We got a better room which we thought would be better on the noise. It's not. You have no control over the street noise. it is now 2am and noise is pretty bad due to the after hours bar in la perla across the street. Just don't do it save yourself the hassle. Please seriously. Just don't. Poor choice on our end not knowing the neighborhood and impact of the neighborhood on a venue. Don't let the pretty pictures sway your choice. If you book Bring ear plugs. Or stay on a Tuesday night? Seriously. If you made it this far. Again. Don't. Coffee is ok at best. And thinly sliced muffins and toast in the morning is also nice. But not worth the price. I guess the juice is good? Pool is nice in pictures but a tad grungy.

C J.

Yelp

Beautiful but a biohazard. I stayed here two different nights a week apart in both the Blue and Brown rooms. My family also stayed with me, so I saw a lot of the available rooms, including Nico and Bianca. The hotel is gorgeous. It is occupied by a few tropical birds that are fun to talk to and take pictures with. The hotel is eclectically decorated with paintings presumably painted by the owner (I say this because you can't go anywhere in the place without her eyes staring at you from the wall). The staff are also extremely friendly and very helpful! Not to mention, The Gallery Inn happens to be located in the perfect location for sightseeing. The problem with this hotel seems to be upper management. The most grievous of inconveniences were the horde of mosquitos that seemed to occupy ONLY the hotel. I slept with my raincoat on, hood drawn tight, and long pants/ shoes on. My family and I were eaten alive. Some of us barely slept. Additionally, the hotel seemed to be understaffed at many times during my stays. Upon arriving my second night, my room was over two hours late. The one person behind the desk was frantically running trying to help other customers... Parts of the hotel also seem run down. Many of the rooms my family stayed in didn't have bathroom doors that closed all the way. Some of the bedding seemed sparse. The floors looked dirty, and I showered in my flip flops (and was bitten by many mosquitos in the process). The doors to the rooms themselves also seemed questionable. I slept with my big suitcase pushed against the door for extra security. Overall, it might be worth a visit to the piano bar via entry in San Sebastián just to get a peek at this beautiful place. Just be sure to bring bug spray and to never, ever sleep here!

Shane E.

Yelp

I would be compelled to leave five stars had it not been for an unfortunate interaction with owner's assistant. As two gay men enjoying an after-party in the pool she threatened to call police and had her Karen moment. It was NOT our party or our noise/music.

Marcela P.

Yelp

Amazing music, amazing talented artists playing the piano and the drums... so happy we walked in and experienced it

Claude G.

Yelp

This place is a dump, period. A dark, dusty, disorganized, shambles. Bag storage a catch all room full of junk. Reception clerk about as personable as Lurch. The accommodations a gigantic room that Columbus might have slept in, with sand on the floor, zero hooks and towel racks, soap nothing in the bathroom, did I say dark? Lay on the bed and booked a room elsewhere. Save your cash for a campfire.

Rhiannon E.

Yelp

Such a beautiful place. Me and my partner loved our stay here. The pool was lovely, and the Canon club restraunt connected was fantastic and very romantic.

Thomas A.

Yelp

The live pianist is the draw, but we were anticipating a little more than Queen's Greatest Hits. Try the Tapas menu, a drink or two, but don't bother with the wine list. When I owned a restaurant, I chose quality and it worked well. The $4.50 bottle marked up to $30 was a clear signal. The dinner service was disjointed but polite, but by the third apology, we were already checking what else was still open. The food came eventually. The place needs renovation and probably a better eye for decor. There's a big difference between colonial charming character and unmaintained.

Amanda L.

Yelp

This is a secret jem hotel and bar! I came here with a local friend to get drinks at the down stairs bar right past the pool. The decor is out of this world filled with beautiful paintings, statues, pottery and architecture. The parrots add an extra flair to the already out of this world ambiance. The have unique rooms and are well located.

Alisa R.

Yelp

I enjoyed my stay at The Gallery Inn! It's definitely a unique hotel and my boyfriend and I occupied the Brown room (which does not have windows). There were a few holes in the blanket and the bathroom was all the way up some stairs. There were some small bugs crawling about, but my biggest gripe was the door situation. They are these thin, brown doors so you can hear everything! Couples having sex, people talking in other rooms, etc. I had to buy earplugs. The light also kept flickering in the Brown room and room service never turned over the room despite the envelope for room service gratuity Besides this, we both had a great stay. It's a very unique hotel and I'd say you either really love it or really hate it. The rooftop is charming, but I didn't happen to visit the pool.

Caitlyn E.

Yelp

Two stars is generous. My husband and I checked into the Gallery an hour ago. It's the last night of our honeymoon, we've had a long day and have an early flight tomorrow, and we are exhausted. So, that's the context. The AirBNB pictures look stunning and the location is great. Once you walk inside, though, it's a shit show. The front desk staff was unprofessional and, much worse, there are multiple screeching parrots. Have I mentioned that we are exhausted and just want to rest in a beautiful, clean environment? Our room is right off a lobby in which someone is playing piano, loudly and poorly. Again, screeching parrots are forever in the background. The bathroom is pretty gross - reminded me of a college dorm bathroom. Literally piles of dirt in corners. The water pressure stinks. There's also a fee for everything. Wanna bring booze into the space? $20 corking fee. Parking? $25/night. The decor is dark and dingy. Another reviewer put it well as either the best or worst acid trip you will ever have. I'm a pretty endlessly optimistic and positive personality and I am seething with dislike. PS - people with allergies, beware. My husband has legit respiratory issues and found it quite difficult to breathe in our room due to must/dirt.

Lisa D.

Yelp

The only thing I am sad about is that I did not discover the Gallery Inn until my 6th trip to PR. This place is hands down amazing!! It really is difficult to put into words how unique and beautiful it is. Old San Juan has so much to offer and see but one could literally spend days in the Gallery and not get bored. The staff is super friendly and helpful. This is not your traditional hotel. if you are expecting elevators and cable tv go stay at the Intercontinental. Actually they may offer cable tv but we never noticed it

Rini R.

Yelp

This place is really beautiful and very ethnic. I loved the ambience and the way it has all the late Spanish styles. However, service is awful as compared to the price they charge you for room. There space is too narrow to drag your luggage, so people (especially senior citizens) be aware of that. Blankets in my room had big holes in it and the flush wasn't working. Well they fixed it after I told them, but aren't they supposed to fix it before I checked in? There flush has an issue, as it does not really flush the used tissues. It takes a lot of time. I still don't understand that why they have made a bedroom for people to stay in the piano room. Piano room is to enjoy and chit chat (one of the spots in this Inn to enjoy), but they have made one guest room there. People get disturbed and you have to leave. This really is a stupid idea of making a guest room there. The roof top and the bar is just very very beautiful and amazing view. I think that's why they charge so much. Please improve your quality and remove the guest room from the piano room. That's really a very silly idea. Though, I really enjoyed my stay.

Heidi Y.

Yelp

Beautiful to visit and go to the restaurant, horrible to stay in. No WiFi, AC in rooms doesn't work. Extremely unfriendly & not helpful staff. Boasts being a boutique hotel with breakfast, there is no breakfast. Music blaring until 5/6am outside, no soundproofing. If you decide to stay, get some earplugs.

Kim U.

Yelp

My new favorite hotel! Old, quirky. Like staying in a museum. I found it charming but get why some don't. I found the staff lovely and feel like people who say offensive things about the level of friendliness were probably rude. If you're looking for something modern and sleek go somewhere else. Every room is different. Gorgeous gardens. So many places to hide and just breathe. Bar is fun. Food is good. Rooms are noisy though! It's located directly across from La Perla. Gorgeous view of the ocean but be aware of the nighttime noise and plan. They do provide earplugs for guests. My husband stayed in Dec and my daughter was planning to join him. When her flight was cancelled at the last minute the hotel offered us a credit (without being asked) as it was too late to get a refund. We came back in March and they honored the credit. There's no housekeeping during the stay but they will provide towels, etc if you ask.

Vio B.

Yelp

This is for you if are looking for a place with a history and a soul. Even more than the rooms themselves (and the regular-only breakfast), I would recommend it for a night drink while enjoying the multiple patios and music at the bar.

Paul M.

Yelp

Five star location with an undeniable charm that can both warmly envelop and occasionally suffocate. If you adore quirky inns, historic b&b's or haunted manors, than The Gallery will no doubt provide you with endless delight. But if you are the sort who would rather rewatch a big studio blockbuster than endure 10 minutes of a period costume drama, than this place may not be your cup of over-steeped Earl Grey tea. Tortured Analogy Alert: Imagine that you've just taken a triple dose of your favorite hallucinogen. If you had to spend the next eight hours tripping balls at The Gallery Inn, you'd either have the best or worst trip of your entire life.

Sean L.

Yelp

Truly an Amazing Place. Why would you come to Old San Juan??? For the History and Art right?? That is EXACTLY what Gallery Inn is all about. It embodies the spirit of Old San Juan. Just to let you know, I am 40 years old, and I stayed here for 3 nights with my wife and toddler. We are both professionals and artistic. We pride ourselves in being somewhat bohemian and have a strong sense of ascetics. I only write the above so you may see where I am coming from. that being said. We absolutely LOVED our stay at the Gallery Inn. I see from other reviews on this site that some people said this place is "Creepy". I didn't feel that at all. We thought that is was Charming and Curious. I guess that there are some people that just "Get it". I will agree with another poster when they said' "What do you want from a 300 year old building" (It actually 6 buildings all combined which gives it its meandering indoor/outdoor feeling.. but that is a good thing) Yes, the bathrooms are not modern, Yes, the doors are hard to shut. Yes the stairs up to the roof are a bit rickety, No, there is no TV, But it all has a feel of something wonderful or out of a movie like f "Great Expectations". Not only the half a dozen parrots inhabit the Hotel, but the Owners and staff are intriguing and are all part of this wonderful piece of living art. The restaurant was good and we were treated to an amazing live solo Classical guitar player who was very friendly (Felix Rodrigez) If you are willing to sacrifice top of the line amenities in trade for a bit of Adventure and Magic this is the Place. Additionally you are steps from some of the greatest attractions in Old San Juan. If you want a bit of low stress relaxation, I would recommend doing a day or two on the beach at a resort in Isla Verde or Condado. Then staying at Gallery Inn and Old san Juan for Adventure

Yana C.

Yelp

I really loved this place because of the central location (walking distance to both forts, old town, view of the water from the rooms) and because I love unique, quirky hotels, which also feel more personal. I hate staying in plain chain hotels and love a place with character, and this certainly has it! Not only is it historic (17th century Spanish officer quarters) but is filled with beautiful decor and birds birds birds - both real and fake ones! If you don't like birds you won't like this place, I had one moment where I was looking at one in the lobby I thought was a statue and then it made a noise and I realized it was real. The fountains, the tile, the gardens, all the other statues - this place was truly beautiful. Other good factors - 24 hour gated security, kind employees who will share fun facts with you about Puerto Rican history, super-comfy memory foam mattress, and decent breakfast. Certainly pricier, but enough good factors to make it worth the price, especially if you really want to stay in the heart of old San Juan and be able to walk or take the free trolley to everything. Factors that would have made me upgrade this to 5 stars: a coffee maker in the room (we had to leave at 6am for an early flight and the 24-hr guard wouldn't make any), being able to control the temperature of the room (the AC was blasting and we were really cold), and not having so much noise outside.

Brandi M.

Yelp

Can't wait to go back!!!! Lovely owner and history. We felt right at home and enjoyed the room more than any other hotel!!!

Daniel H.

Yelp

So I took a business trip out to Puerto Rico recently and was booked at the Gallery Inn by my client. It was an interesting experience to say the least and I definitely got my introduction to Old San Juan and how things work there. First off, let me say the reason why this isn't 1 star is because the staff is incredibly nice. They were all very friendly, helpful and recommended restaurants and things to do in the area. Manuel (I think?) in particular is a great guy. The property is beautiful and it was fun to explore and see all the different amenities. And also...being that this is Old San Juan, it's an extremely old building. My room (Ocean) was up a very narrow and steep flight of stairs. The room itself was very lovely. The air conditioner was right by the bed and kept things very cool at night, the Wi-Fi worked fine and the bathroom is large and accommodating. Unfortunately there were some problems. The first night there was a heavy rainstorm that hit the area...and my room flooded. Water poured in through the wood on the ceiling at the windows and in the bathroom, came down the shelves and pooled on the floor. I had to move all of my gear and clothing off of the floor in the nick of time so they didn't get drenched. It was a good thing I was in the room at the time. I called the front desk about it and they responded with some towels and mopped up the floor, and blamed it on the gutter being clogged, which they said they'd clean out. I wasn't so sure about that because the next night it did sprinkle again and there was more water by the window. But at least it didn't pour like that again. Also, I did come back in the evening the next day to find a couple cockroaches skittering around the floor. I took care of them, and I understand it's Puerto Rico, a tropical climate, and things like that do happen, but come on guys, there are ways to take precautions for that. And it wasn't a very comfortable sleep after discovering that. No discounts or anything were offered for either problem. Just a "welcome to the tropics." Like I said, I can't punish these guys completely because they were friendly and did try their best minus the roach issues. But this place isn't very safe to stay in. If the rooms flood like that during one rainstorm, I worry about other safety issues, and overall it's just not worth the stress. I understand it's an old place, but there is a level they should adhere to to make sure it's not going to pose any health risks to the guests staying there. Unfortunately in my case I had some pretty serious issues, and I won't be staying here if I ever return.

Chris F.

Yelp

After reading through the reviews here I would say we lucked out. We only stayed one night on a Sunday (which from what I read is the quiet night) it also helps that we had an interior room with its own bathroom and A/C that faced in to one of the courtyards. When the taxi driver dropped us off we were slightly confused to where the hotel was. There is no sign and it looks like a typical house from the road. Which to me just added to the fascination of this place. As we walked we realized this has to be the coolest hotel we have ever had the pleasure of staying in. We arrived here early after getting off a cruise and they held our bags for us and let us explore the hotel as our room wasn't ready (because we were super early) as another reviewer mentioned you can easily explore the hotel for half a day. There are so many cool courtyards/gardens/sitting areas with artwork and statues all around. The Dollhouse room felt like a tree house to me and was very neat. The garden top terrace next to it with a view of the ocean was also very nice. But our favorite spot was the rooftop pergola that we had to ourselves most of the time with an unmatched 360 degree view of all of old San Juan. I guess the reason it was not used as much was because there is about 3-4 flights of steep old stairs that wind their way through the hotel to get up there and the clientele at this hotel is an older crowd. There was also a guitar player staying at the hotel who did a small concert for the guests while we were there in the courtyard by the pool which was very nice. We skipped the included breakfast as I had read mixed reviews and we only had a short amount of time in Old San Juan so tried to find a better place in the area. To Summarize: Pro's -Amazing hotel, very unique, loads of character -Great central and elevated location in Old San Juan -Very friendly helpful staff -Neat interesting rooms that are all different -wireless internet Con's -Steep stairs and our room required hauling heavy luggage up a narrow spiral staircase. As a fit person in their 30s I thought this was cool. Most people will not. -mixed reviews on the breakfast -No TV's in the rooms, wasn't a problem for us for one night, but after a longer stay it would probably be nice. -I do wonder what happens during a heavy rain storm with the condition of some of the building and all the open terraces.

Bill A.

Yelp

Totally awesome old San Juan experience. This is my second visit to PR post Hurricane Marina. I was determined to provide more of my money back into the local economy. I researched local hotels that had a certain charm and character. This was a home run. Initially I thought the price was a little high, but post hurricane room availibility was a little limited. This property has historic an cultural charm that I was looking for. Rooms are themed and no two are alike. There are several small patios throughout the entire complex. There are 4 pianos located throughout along with a pottery wheel and several painters easels. They hold classical performances by local and international artists at various locations in the building. I very nice touch. What you WONT find, television, refrigerators, microwave or even a room phone, or much parking. They have WiFi of limited signal strength. But this is why I choose this location. After working 12 hour days a break from the chaos of life. There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby in close walking distance. If you want a small taste of Old San Juan I would recommend you place it in your consideration list.

Qing Z.

Yelp

The hotel is very old so the walls in the bedroom were leaking every time it rained. The breakfast included in the contract is horrible, they also don't provide you free water so that they charges you 3 dollars per bottle. If you return to the hotel late then you will probably not get hot shower. The hotel and their service is beneath the price. One night might be ok, but don't suggest more.

Leah S.

Yelp

We booked this place for our honeymoon. We were beyond excited to spend the first night of our honeymoon here- enjoying the garden rooms and beautiful property. A WEEK before our honeymoon (during wedding craziness) we received an email stating that many portions of the property would be closed during our stay due to a show being filmed on property... With no extra accommodation. I replied back to this email with no response from the Inn. We arrived to find a noisy place crowded with film crews, cords, streets closed and vans all over the place.The staff acted as if they could care less about inconveniencing us. They were unapologetic and not pleasant. We left the inn to stay at El Convento where we were very, very pleased.

velma v.

Yelp

We love quirky and refuse to stay at chain hotels...so there is quirky and there is run down... we made reservations here and they tried to put us in 3 different rooms that had no windows! Like dungeon type rooms... they said there was a pool...uh fountain w leaves floating in it where we stood by 2 other guests and all said "no". Great potential space, comfy bed, across the street from the fort in old San Juan

W B.

Yelp

OMG!!! This place is amazing!! Hidden gem DOES NOT describe it! If you are looking for modern, not your cup of tea. Looking for a memorable place...where passion and love come together...THIS IS the place!!

Kevin F.

Yelp

My wife and I stayed 10 days at the Gallery Inn and loved our experience. This is a quirky place, but very charming and unlike any accommodation experience you can have in Old San Juan. Be aware, this is an old facility (when we checked in, the front desk staffer joked that the "new" building was only 400 years old) and many of the creature comforts modern travelers have come to expect (in-room internet, cable television, alarm clock/radio) are not in the room. They've been replaced by actual creatures (the hotel is home to a collection of exotic birds) and a one-of-a-kind environment. We stayed in what the hotel terms a "vista room," so we had a nice view of the ocean, but some of the vista rooms overlook the colonial streets of Old San Juan. The hotel is close to a wide variety of restaurants and bars. While at the Inn, we spent many of the evenings watching the sun set over the Santa Maria Magdelena cemetery and El Morro Castle from the Inn's beach house in La Perla. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Jan, the owner, is a gracious host who made us feel very welcome. We plan to stay at the Gallery Inn again when our travels take us to Old San Juan.

Spoonie L.

Yelp

Wow. Beautiful, comfortable, friendly. The place is FILLED with art and lush plants. Birds, too! Our room was small, but we still loved it. Tempur-pedic bed, private bathroom (the room across the hall from us was much bigger, but their private bathroom was in the hall). No TV - which was great - and a nice view of the water. The staff was great, and the owner was friendly and accessible. We swam in the pool while she worked on a sculpture and her bird walked around talking. the only cons: -the room doors don't seem too secure (although there is always someone at the front desk) -there are no safes in the rooms - but you can use the one at the front desk.

Joshua F.

Yelp

Nothing more beautiful in old San Juan, inside the room and outside in the lobbies and passageways leading to roof top balconies and reading rooms and pools and cafes. Birds and staff both kind and gracious and the music of the coqui frog in the courtyard is a fine evening vocalist to fall asleep to

Andrea L.

Yelp

Love this place! The Gallery Inn is a magical, tropical oasis rooted just beyond the fort dividing Old San Juan from the historic community of La Perla. Step inside and be swept off your feet by stunning, fragrant gardens, colorful parrots, and an array of old world charm. Everywhere you look is a feast for the senses. Every wall is filled with artwork! There are numerous sculptures created by owner and host, Jan DeSopo, who takes the time to greet and chat with all her guests, accompanied by her Social Director, Campeche, the talking Cockatoo. The entire staff was friendly and accommodating, and seem to be more of a small family who take pride in their work and are happy to be working for Jan. The room was lovely with a very comfortable bed, and each night we were lulled to sleep by the sounds of coqui frogs just outside. To start your day off right, a Continental breakfast bar awaits each morning of tropical fruit, cereal, muffins (with the most delicious homemade guava and rum spread), coffee, and OJ. After exploring the city make sure to come down for happy hour to the oceanfront Beach House just down the hill on the edge of La Perla where Jan and Campeche will join you. Relax and watch the sunset and chat with her other hotel guests, while sipping $5 happy hour wine by the glass. The bar there and back at the hotel is an honor bar, so you mark down what you drink and pay later. At twilight head back to the hotel and enjoy a tasty meal prepared by chef Danny which you will enjoy under the stars on the garden terrace amidst many beautiful orchids and other tropical plants. Take an evening or morning swim in the artistically-designed swimming pool or relax with a book in the one of the many seating nooks. There's also a computer available to guests in one of the common areas. This is a very special place where artists, writers, celebrities come to escape. It's far superior to corporate hotel chains, and if you want an experience to remember you've come to the right place!

Jorganna P.

Yelp

Where do I even start, One of the best hotels I have ever been to. First I will start by saying how kind the owner and employees are. They have trained birds that are very nice and cool and they will have a conversation with you. Now I will talk about the hotels decor. I felt that I was living hundreds of years ago with statues that are very interesting and artistic also there are paintings around the whole building that are made by the owner. I felt I was in a museum. The roof is so nice with an amazing view of San Juan. The room was small but nice with a very comfortable bed. Next I will talk about the pool. AMAZING. You have to go swim at night because the lights in the pool come on and its so beautiful. The pool is surrounded by statues. The water is cold but refreshing. Next is the food. Absolutely amazing. I had the Filet Mignon and the Garlic Shrimp and the steak was so flavorful and juicy. The shrimp might be the best I ever had. Wifi was free and good. Its very surprising to me that people rate this hotel very low. If your looking to enjoy your time in Puerto Rico come here and dont listen to the other reviews. Overall I give this place a 15/10 I would and I will come back to the Gallery Inn.

Wendy B.

Yelp

This place is definitely a love it or hate it type of place. The owner is a sculpture artist and her work is all throughout the inn. They do happy hour at the patio area every night from 5-6:30 and offer $5.00 wine and the owner is there if you have any questions about the Inn. It's actually 6 houses she acquired over time and has made it into what it is today. The buildings were built in the 1600-1700 era and it is in a historic area so do keep that in mind. The 'wine deck' is actually like going up 3 different levels and through halls and rooms and is a total of 52 stairs (lol its a quirk I have counting steps) with that said I am not sure I want to walk down 52 stairs, through a few rooms and a few hallways after having wine to get back to room. They have a beach house I was informed of on my last day there and wished I had known about it earlier as I would have went for sunset. There are 6 exotic birds. We arrived at 1am and the man was extremely nice and even took our luggage. We stayed in the Blanca room and we had to go down 3 steps once we go to that area (I see other had to go upstairs to their rooms) We had our own bathroom, an ocean view, a balcony and our own A/C controller. The trim surrounding our door window they replaced a piece of it and it was a different type of wood and a different color. I took this as they no longer make the type of trim the historic door had. Some might view this as sloppy, not bothering to match color etc. My room had clay or ceramic wall tiles as baseboard so it did not match up completely. The linens were crisp and white and clean, however the comforter and pillows kept the 1700 century feel too it. (I have seen people review this as them being old) Breakfast is 3 types of bread, bananas, and apples and they had homemade pineapple yogurt my first day. The coffee was semi-warm and the milk was on ice. The 2 of them once mixed was not good. Not cold enough for iced and not warm enough to be enjoyed hot. After day one we went out to eat. Bottom line. If you want to stay someplace different and like no other place you have stayed before and do not mind the quirks that come with an old building (flooring is not even, cobblestones and bricks have settled etc) then this is the way to go. If you want 5 star modern shiny floors, vaulted ceilings, and updated decor stay elsewhere. We personally loved our stay, and the pool is a work of art as well.

Eric H.

Yelp

Visiting San Juan and not staying here would be a huge mistake. The hotel is pretty easy to find, the driveway is right off the main road on the north side of Old San Juan, along the wall. The hotel is actually a collection of six building from the 1700s (I think). The woman that owns the hotel is an artist and has filled the entire place with weird sculptures, paintings, murals, and plants. There are plants growing everywhere. Also of note are the owner's parrots, which are super friendly (you're not supposed to touch them, but the birds will present their backs to you anyway, I guess they don't know the rules). If you can't make it up and down stairs this place may not be for you, as there are stairs everywhere. There's a really neat pool in the back, surrounded by high walls & plants. There is also an honor bar in the kitchen that they keep stocked with beer and wine. The hot water in some of the rooms can be finicky, but all the rooms have ice cold A/C. The staff are all really friendly. Loved this place!

Dieter V.

Yelp

A cryptic statue leads you into a rustic art oasis. A historic building that hides busts and parrots arround every corner. A white macaw in the entry way will show you where to itch his neck. Open gardens are throughout the maze-like complex. There is a large, wonderful open air garden that has a wall of orchids, a pool, and a garden. On the roof there is a patio with a great view of both forts and the ocean. The rooms are built out of 300 year old appartments so they have a rustic Caribbean quality, but with air conditioning.

Ginger P.

Yelp

Beautiful and spacious and in the best part of old san juan. This hotel has several spanish courtyards with fountains inside where you can sit in the cool and have a drink. My suite has an enormous private covered patio and a private living room to go with the gorgeous bedroom. Three french doors lead out to the patio - omg! I stayed at the san juan marriot for the first part of my trip and wish I would have stayed here the entire time. Art is in Every corner. Even the pool is artistic. Just steps outside is the old fort in one direction and bars and restaurants in the other.

Daniel C.

Yelp

This is an absolutely beautiful place! Pretty unique. The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. We were even about to watch the sunrise from the rooftop deck! Our room was large, really clean and the view was spectacular! The Inn is located right on the water and just a short walk from El Morro.

Jessica H.

Yelp

The best hotel experience we have ever had! Staff was super friendly and attentive, but the hotel grounds are what blew us away. Beautiful, relaxing, perfectly located. We met Jan the owner and we felt right at home sipping wine in the garden terrace overlooking the pool. Wonderful! We are coming back as soon as we get a chance.

Jay L.

Yelp

Their restaurant is a total ripoff. Instead of giving you rice and beans with your. horrible dinner they charged $8 per person without informing you when you order. There were only 2 items available to order; dry chicken breast and ground pork. In 2 years of yelping this is the worst review I ever gave. Consumer fraud.

Chris G.

Yelp

My wife and I stayed at the Gallery Inn in December and found it to be a very good stay as an ecelctic B&B that had a new mystery room at every turn. The place just keeps winding with gardens and sitting areas scattered around. You should find it a nice place as a unique B&B, but it will be missing many of the things you would expect from a standard hotel... which is exactly why we stayed here. Pluses: + The rooftop view is AMAZING - you can see all of Old San Juan: city, harbor, fort, ocean + Staff was friendly, welcoming, and helpful + Owners were wonderful and loved to talk with the guests + You could spend a half day exploring all the little spaces + Talking birds... gotta love talking birds + Front of the hotel has an ocean view, which is pretty rare in Old San Juan Minuses: - Saturday night was VERY loud - front rooms are right on the street at the top of a hill. There were many cars with music blasting, and all cars going by had to stop at the hill and rev their engines in order to get up. Sunday night was very quiet. So probably avoid the front rooms on Friday and Saturday. - Rooms are unique with great character; however, they need updating. Molding was coming off the wall and the room could have used a fresh coat of paint. Bathroom needed lots of help. - Could not control temperature in rooom - our room was freezing cold at night. Other Notes: = Breakfast was very simple (bread, coffee, juice, fruit) - but after traveling around Puerto Rico that seems to be pretty close to the standard. = Price seemed high compared to other B&Bs or Inns we have stayed in throughout Latin America, but it's probably about right given the prices in Old San Juan

Lissa L.

Yelp

If I could rate it lower I would. I'm perplexed why anyone would give this place a good review. After staying here and speaking to locals, it's apparent this is a tourist trap. They even demand kickbacks from taxi drivers for each booking. People are taken in by the location (which is good) and the fact that the building is old. Let's talk about the friendly yet unprofessional staff and the narcissistic owner who displays her self portraits and sophomoric artwork all over the place, the filthy rooms, the loud birds (all night long), the lousy breakfast (bad coffee and you are in PR) and even running out of sparkling water on a Sunday holiday weekend. The owner is there just hanging out, lounging and as one of the staff told me "doesn't like to be bothered". For $277 a night you can do far better. And oh don't let them put you in a basement with no windows. PS I forgot to add, the shoddy bedding. Cheap and also scant.

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hal r.

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Yvonne M.

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Such a treat to stay in this historical haven The location was great snd the staff was so friendly.

Giselle A.

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Adria W.

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Reynaldo G.

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Kris C.

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It's beautiful and unique. I will stay there again. It is truly amazing - the rooftop view was incredible. We loved everything about it. Beautiful and very comfortable bed.

Carlos P.

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Gregory T.

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C J.

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Shane E.

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Marcela P.

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Amazing music, amazing talented artists playing the piano and the drums... so happy we walked in and experienced it

Claude G.

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Rhiannon E.

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Such a beautiful place. Me and my partner loved our stay here. The pool was lovely, and the Canon club restraunt connected was fantastic and very romantic.

Thomas A.

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Amanda L.

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Alisa R.

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Vio B.

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Paul M.

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Sean L.

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Yana C.

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Brandi M.

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Can't wait to go back!!!! Lovely owner and history. We felt right at home and enjoyed the room more than any other hotel!!!

Daniel H.

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Chris F.

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Bill A.

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Qing Z.

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Leah S.

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velma v.

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W B.

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Kevin F.

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Spoonie L.

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Joshua F.

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Andrea L.

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The Gallery Inn

The Gallery Inn

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