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Old San Juan is and always has been alive. On each wall and under each step is a colorful celebration infused with an emotional passion, dancing to a beat unlike anywhere else in the world. And that dance is la rumba. La rumba captures the energy of not only today’s Old San Juan, but the entire Caribbean flair for generations. Through this dance right on Calle Brumbaugh, our property lives in the moment while celebrating San Juan’s rich history.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Hotel Rumbao, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, stands out for its prime location in Old San Juan, with guests frequently praising its convenience to local attractions. However, the value for money has been called into question due to hidden fees.
While many travelers appreciate the hotel's varied amenities and commend the friendly staff, there are reports of service delays. The stylish and modern atmosphere is well-liked, yet room cleanliness and functionality have received mixed reviews.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Chic
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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As the William Shakespeare’s play reflected the theme “All’s Well That Ends Well.”
So as my wife and I checked in for our stay at the Hotel Rumbao, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, we started out with the problem that the room we had designated by our travel agent, was to have a bathtub and shower combination. However, we were advised by the staff at the hotel that the room did not have a bathtub and shower combination, but they could accommodate us with another room, which was smaller in size, but was satisfactory for us.
The initial room mistake was not caused by the hotel, but was probably caused by our travel agent, as the rooms had been remodeled and did not contain bathtubs but only showers.
Well, the new room we went to had a bathtub, but the bathtub had problems insofar as the tub’s drain would not close when filling the tub. The hotel staff tried to accommodate the problem that night but needed another day to do so.
The problem was solved with grace the next day and complete attention to our bathtub problem was resolved to our complete satisfaction.
In addition, we needed an office type chair for the desk, which was subsequently furnished by the front desk.
The front desk shift when checking in, and other front desk shifts, were very understanding and accommodating and responsive to our requests.
Such front desk people included, Cordero (Front Desk Supervisor), Juan Pimentel (Front Desk Supervisor), and Josephina (Front Desk Supervisor).
In addition, the Service Experience Manager, Iralys Sanbria, visited us the next day to solve the problem and accommodate us, as well as the General Manager, Juan Urrutia, who was also very helpful and understanding and was able to locate an office type desk chair.
Francisco, the bellman, who initially checked us in, was very helpful and concerned that anything we needed would be provided to us.
The maid service was excellent, and the restaurant was very good!
The morning buffet was complete with a big variety of food at a very reasonable price and the evening dinners were very good, which included a corn dish that was unique and chips homemade made from a vegetable, called Malanga, (similar to a potato chip).
My wife and I dined at the restaurant more than four times.
The location of the hotel is across from the seaport (where all the cruise ships come in) and with a good view of the water and the ships from the dining room. The hotel was only a short walking distance to Old San Juan, and a short distance to taking the ferry across the water.
In short, when we return to Puerto Rico for the next vacation, we will definitely stay at the Hotel Rumbao, which in our opinion is a very fair value and a very satisfactory experience.
Again, “All’s Well That Ends Well”.
William Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Armando Emanuelli, Sales at Hotel Rumbao, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Responded Jan 28, 2025
Dear William, Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful review. It was truly a pleasure to have you and your wife as our guests, and we’re so pleased to hear that despite some initial challenges, your experience with us ended on a positive note. We’re especially grateful for your kind words about our team members, including Cordero, Juan, Josephina, Iralys, Francisco, and our General Manager, Juan Urrutia. They will be thrilled to know their efforts made a lasting impression. It’s also wonderful to hear you enjoyed our restaurant offerings and found the location convenient for exploring Old San Juan. Your patience and understanding mean a great deal to us, and we’re honored that you plan to stay with us again on your next visit to Puerto Rico. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
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The Hotel Rumbao is a beautiful hotel in an excellent location in Old San Juan, walkable to many tourist areas, stores, and restaurants, and right across the street from the cruise ports. There is a Walgreens next door which is convenient as well. Everyone we met that worked there was pleasant and accommodating, and check-in was quick with no issues. Our room was very comfortable, and nicely updated. Overall, a very nice experience.
Pros: Safe area, very clean, wonderful on-site restaurant, walkable to most of Old San Juan. We loved the rooftop pool and view.
Cons: The buffet breakfast was just adequate, but for the level of hotel could have been better. While our room was clean and comfortable, my one dislike was there was no closet, just hangers on the wall. If I had someone come to my room for whatever reason, I wouldn’t like them seeing my clothes hanging on a wall. The door to the bathroom was a barn door (which I loved), but there was no way to lock it (which I did not love). Finally, there was a “destination fee” tacked on to the bill, which was not disclosed when we booked – what the heck is a “destination” fee anyway? I know many hotels are adding this to the bill (and not disclosing the fee up front), but can’t they just add it to the price of the room so people are aware of the total price?
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Armando Emanuelli, Sales at Hotel Rumbao, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Responded 4 weeks ago
Thank you for your detailed feedback! We're thrilled that you enjoyed our beautiful hotel, prime location, and the warm service from our team. It’s great to hear that you loved the rooftop pool and your overall experience was positive. We appreciate your thoughts on the breakfast, room layout, and destination fee—your insights help us improve. We hope to welcome you back for another wonderful stay in Old San Juan!
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A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
My husband and I spent 2 nights here before boarding a cruise. The hotel is nice and new after a revamp, about a 15-minute drive from Luis Munoz Marin airport without traffic.
The location is great, it's waterfront, and conveniently located next to a Walgreens, as well as a few minutes walk away from C. Recinto Sur Street, where you can find restaurants, cafes, and shops, if you continue walking, you're essentially exploring Old Town San Juan. We initially had difficulty with securing the same king room for both nights while booking on the app and speaking to customer service but upon check-in, the gentleman kindly resolved the situation and offered us the same king room. Our room was colorfully decorated, with a nice view of the water and arriving cruise ships, and a well-lit bathroom featuring nice amenities from Ritual of Jing. There's no closet but there's plenty of racks to hang clothes, which is an efficient use of space. They have a buffet breakfast with a standard selection of breakfast food.
Throughout our stay, we noticed the blankets were on the thinner side, housekeeping did not show up until I followed up at around 2:30 PM, and both the shower and sink water smelled like chlorine.
It's a nicely maintained property and we'll most likely return to Hotel Rumbao on our next trip to San Juan.
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Armando Emanuelli, Sales at Hotel Rumbao, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Responded 2 weeks ago
Dear Guest's, Thank you for choosing Hotel Rumbao for your pre-cruise stay and for sharing such a detailed review of your experience. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed our location, the waterfront views, and the vibrant décor of your room. It’s also wonderful to know that our front desk team was able to assist in ensuring you had the same king room for both nights. We truly appreciate your observations regarding housekeeping timing, bedding, and water quality. Your feedback is invaluable, and we will share it with our team to enhance our guest experience further. We’re so glad to hear that you’d consider staying with us again, and we look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to San Juan! Best regards,
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Our stay at Hotel Rumbao for five nights last week was, without a doubt, one of the worst hotel experiences I have ever had with the Marriott brand. As a Titanium Elite member, I expect a certain standard of service and accommodations, and this hotel completely failed to meet even the most basic expectations.
First off, the rooms were tiny and lacked even a simple closet – hangers were just placed on an open wall. This setup felt cheap and made the room feel even more cramped. The cleanliness throughout the hotel was abysmal. The carpets in the elevator were filthy – vacuumed but not clean – and the overall state of the hotel was just dirty.
What made the experience unbearable was the elevator situation. For the first three days, only one elevator was working, leading to 20-30 minute waits just to leave our room on the 7th floor. The hotel assured us that a service elevator would be operational – it never was. This wasn’t communicated to us before our arrival, and it wasn’t resolved during our entire stay. The only relief came as other guests started leaving, making the situation a little more tolerable, but even then, only one elevator was functional.
Another serious issue was the noise. People from the street wandered into the hotel, causing a lot of unnecessary commotion and noise. It was alarming that anyone could just walk in and disrupt the environment, making us feel uneasy about our security.
The maid service was possibly the worst I’ve encountered. Rooms were not fully cleaned – we would find strands of hair left in the bathroom, paper on the floor that was missed, and we even had to request basic amenities like towels, washcloths, and soap multiple times. Wednesday, we returned to find that our room hadn’t been cleaned at all. When we informed the front desk, we were told no one was available to clean the room since it was after 5 p.m., and they sent only a few towels and soap. We had to go back to the front desk to get the remaining items ourselves. It was clear that the hotel staff just didn’t care.
To top it off, we were promised the manager would reach out to address our complaints, but that never happened. It felt like the hotel had no concern for customer service or addressing the issues at hand.
The only saving grace of our stay was the restaurant, where the servers and hostess were friendly and efficient. But that is not enough to compensate for such a disastrous overall experience.
I strongly discourage anyone from staying at this hotel. It is a far cry from the Marriott standards, and I cannot recommend it under any circumstances. Stay away!
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
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Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Armando Emanuelli, Sales at Hotel Rumbao, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Responded Oct 22, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback with us. I sincerely apologize for the disappointing experience you had during your recent stay at Hotel Rumbao. Your experience is certainly not reflective of the standards we strive to uphold, and I deeply regret that we fell short, especially given your loyalty as a Titanium Elite member. The elevator situation you described was undoubtedly frustrating, and I apologize for the long wait times and inconvenience you encountered. Unfortunately, one of our elevators was under renovation, and our service elevator experienced an unexpected malfunction that took longer than anticipated to repair. I understand that this created a significant disruption to your stay, and we should have communicated this issue more effectively during your stay. I am also genuinely sorry for the lapses in housekeeping and the lack of attention to detail you experienced. Cleanliness and service are areas where we should excel, and it is disappointing to hear that we did not meet your expectations. Please know that I have already shared your comments with our housekeeping team to address these concerns and ensure they are corrected moving forward. I am especially concerned to hear that you did not receive the follow-up promised by our team. Your concerns are important to us, and I apologize if you felt dismissed or undervalued. Rest assured, we will address this internally to ensure that every guest feels heard and respected. Thank you for recognizing the efforts of our restaurant staff. I am glad they were able to provide some comfort during your stay, but I know that does not make up for the overall experience. We value your feedback, and I hope you might consider giving us another chance in the future as we would like to make this right and deliver the experience you are entitled to. Warm regards
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I can't imagine another hotel being in the best location for pre-cruise passengers in terms of location - it is literally across the street from the pier. It was about a 15 minute taxi ride from the airport, the room was great with coffee-maker, fridge & microwave. Bathroom was spacious (but lacking a vanity table for toiletries, though) with bathtub/shower.
There's a Walgreens store on the ground floor for last minute needs (& souvenirs) & the area is very walkable. Their bar/restaurant, Keuros, is conveniently on the 2nd floor with a good menu.
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:The Concierge on the ground floor entrance will store bags after the 11 am checkout, before a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Armando Emanuelli, Sales at Hotel Rumbao, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Responded 4 weeks ago
Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled you enjoyed our prime location and comfortable accommodations. It’s great to hear that you found the room well-equipped and appreciated the convenience of nearby amenities. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another stay soon!
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We stayed here for 3 nights before a cruise. I specifically picked this hote for its proximity to the port. My stepmom has mobility issues and being close to port made everything so much better. The hotel was great, and most of the staff were amazing. The beds were very comfortable and our room was pretty quiet, ver little outside noise could he heard. The Kueros restaurant on the 2nd floor was really good. I definitely recommend the corn ribs. We had a waitress in Kueros who was delightful. She was very attentive and friendly. One of the staff in Kueros was a little sluggish and seemed like he was bored with serving. The staff in the market was great, and the crab wonton tacos are amazing! Will definitely stay here again!
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Checking in late is much easier than checking in right at check-in time.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Armando Emanuelli, Sales at Hotel Rumbao, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Responded 4 weeks ago
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're so glad our location made your pre-cruise stay more convenient and that you enjoyed the comfort of our rooms and the delicious offerings at Kueros. We appreciate your kind words about our team and will certainly share your comments with them. We look forward to welcoming you back for another great stay!
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We had the most wonderful weekend at Hotel Rumbao in Old San Juan! From the moment we arrived, the service was absolutely outstanding. Every staff member we encountered was warm, helpful, and genuinely welcoming.
The hotel has been recently renovated, and it shows! The rooms are stylish, clean, and comfortable, with thoughtful touches that made our stay even better. The location is unbeatable—just steps away from all the fun, including restaurants, shops, and the vibrant culture of Old San Juan.
Our family felt right at home, and we appreciated how accommodating the staff was to our needs. If you’re looking for a fantastic place to stay in Old San Juan with a mix of history, luxury, and top-notch service, Hotel Rumbao is it! We can’t wait to return!
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:We loved that the hotel offers both valet and self park!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Armando Emanuelli, Sales at Hotel Rumbao, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Responded Jan 29, 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you and your family had such an amazing weekend at Hotel Rumbao. It’s great to know that our team made you feel welcome and that you enjoyed the newly renovated spaces, prime location, and vibrant atmosphere of Old San Juan. We truly appreciate your kind words and can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable stay! 😊✨
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Where do I start? The crazy check-in process or the noise? Or the price I paid for all of it? This a convenient place to stay if you are cruising. I stayed for 2 nights after I got off a Virgin Voyage. It's right across from the port and right in Old San Juan. That is the only pluses. It took hours to get a room. I was told I would get a call when the room was ready. After wasting a day wondering around in the heat and not being able to freshen up, no call. Finally when back to front desk and was given a key and told how to get to the room. Was not told about the breakfast, welcome drink or food voucher. No other information given about anything. Room was super noisy. Constant door slams and elevator traffic and noise. Also no security for hotel at all. Anyone can come into the hotel and access the floors and show up at your door. Someone I had met on the cruise was coming to store her luggage with me until her flight left later in the day and she was able to come straight to my room with no questions asked or anything. Room was small. I expected that. I did not expect no closet space at all. Just hangers for you to put things on outside. Bathroom was nice however. The refrigerator was unplugged and had mold in it. Very expensive stay for motel amenities.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Armando Emanuelli, Sales at Hotel Rumbao, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Responded Dec 13, 2024
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We truly appreciate your honesty as it helps us identify areas where we need to improve. I am genuinely sorry to hear that your stay did not meet expectations, particularly regarding the check-in process, noise levels, and lack of communication about amenities. This is certainly not the experience we aim to provide to our valued guests. I apologize for the inconvenience caused by the wait for your room and the oversight in sharing important details about your stay, such as the breakfast, welcome drink, and food voucher. I also want to acknowledge your concerns about security. While we have CCTV coverage throughout the property, including elevators, I’m pleased to inform you that we are in the final stages of implementing key access for guest room floors to enhance safety and security further. This upgrade will be completed by the end of December. Additionally, I am deeply disappointed to hear about the refrigerator condition and lack of attention to detail. This is not reflective of our standards, and I will ensure this is addressed with our team immediately. We truly value your feedback and the opportunity to improve. Should your travels bring you back to Old San Juan, we hope to have the chance to deliver a much-improved experience. Warm regards,
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This has been one of favorite places to stay in Old San Juan but we had not returned since it was renovated. We were a little hesitant secondary to previous reviews but decided to take a chance because the location is so lovely and he doesn't love a recently renovated home. We did not have any issues with check in process. The staff at the front desk were very welcoming and professional. Our Bonvoy membership was acknowledged and we were made to feel at home. This is such a lovely location right in front of the water and within walking distance to all that makes Old San Juan so special. I loved the hotel even before the renovations but now...Wow! Rooms are so bright and cheerful and the decor so tasteful and with good homage to the location. Staff were all friendly. Don't miss the opportunity to stay here.One of my decisions in staying at hotel that has recent poor reviews is that negative reviews are addressed. You will notice that Mr. Emanuelli has addressed the concerns and feel that they are sincerely interested in making things right.
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Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Armando Emanuelli, Sales at Hotel Rumbao, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Responded 2 weeks ago
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and positive review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you decided to return after the renovations and that your experience exceeded expectations. It means the world to us that you felt welcomed, appreciated, and truly at home during your stay. Your kind words about our location, the refreshed decor, and our dedicated team are incredibly encouraging. We take great pride in ensuring every guest has a memorable experience, and feedback like yours reaffirms our commitment to continuous improvement. We truly appreciate your loyalty and hope to welcome you back again soon for another wonderful stay in the heart of Old San Juan! Warm regards,
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We had a great experience at the hotel. Went there for the SanSe 2025 Festival. Even though the hotel was packed, the personnel still managed to treat you very nicely. The security guard at the entrance was there early in the morning and he will give you the first smile and at 11 pm he was still there with the same smile and even managed to make you smile with a joke… The rooms were clean, very comfortable bed and ample bathroom, although I would recommend adding more counter space…
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Armando Emanuelli, Sales at Hotel Rumbao, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Responded Jan 29, 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great experience during SanSe 2025 and that our team, including our security staff, made you feel welcome. We appreciate your feedback on the counter space and will take it into consideration. Hope to see you again soon! 🎉😊
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I just received a notification that the change has officially changed. I'm staying there in May, and the email stated that nothing will change with my reservation. I look forward to my stay, I will write a review once I return.
There are more places to choose from in the San Juan area.
PRICE RANGE
C$418 - C$570 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
CaribbeanPuerto RicoSan Juan
NUMBER OF ROOMS
245
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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