Hotel El Convento
This hotel is what has inspired the entire feel of our wedding. Originally we had something much different in mind, but we fell in love with this place and really want to reflect the history and old world feel in our wedding. We recently visited Old San Juan and stayed at Hotel El Convento to check it out for our wedding reception site. It was AMAZING - it is definitely worth it to pay a little more and stay at such a unique and luxurious hotel in the center of the city.
A landmark monument to the Conquistador Age, Hotel El Convento showcases a timeless aura of Old World charm and splendor. Befitting its origins as a Carmelite convent 356 years ago, this splendid Puerto Rico luxury hotel is a loving restoration of Spanish Colonial architecture and design. Select from 58 elegant rooms -- each adorned with rich wooden beams, handcrafted tiles, carved chairs, velvet settees, and antique furniture.
A landmark monument to the Conquistador Age, Hotel El Convento showcases a timeless aura of Old World charm and splendor. Befitting its origins as a Carmelite convent 356 years ago, this splendid Puerto Rico luxury hotel is a loving restoration of Spanish Colonial architecture and design. Select from 58 elegant rooms -- each adorned with rich wooden beams, handcrafted tiles, carved chairs, velvet settees, and antique furniture.
History of the Hotel
The former convent is located in the walled city of Old San Juan. The Carmelite convent was founded in 1651 and was vacated by the nuns in 1903. Dona Ana de Lansos y Menendez de Valdez was a noblewoman who lost her husband in a battle with the Dutch. She chose to devote herself to God after her husband's death and donated her home, its adjoining land, and all of her possessions to have a convent erected on the site where she lived with her beloved husband.
The convent, The Monastery of Our Lady Carmne of San Jose, was inaugurated in 1651. The convent was better known as the Carmelite Convent. Dona Ana was the first to enter the cloister and became Mother Superior. The property was nearly destroyed in the 1950's, but the Puerto Rican tourism and cultural officials and millionaire Robert Woolworth purchased the property in 1962. The new owners converted the convent into a European-style luxury hotel. In 1995, the hotel was returned to its former beauty with a $15 million restoration. The restoration accentuated the Spanish features of the original convent.
The convent, The Monastery of Our Lady Carmne of San Jose, was inaugurated in 1651. The convent was better known as the Carmelite Convent. Dona Ana was the first to enter the cloister and became Mother Superior. The property was nearly destroyed in the 1950's, but the Puerto Rican tourism and cultural officials and millionaire Robert Woolworth purchased the property in 1962. The new owners converted the convent into a European-style luxury hotel. In 1995, the hotel was returned to its former beauty with a $15 million restoration. The restoration accentuated the Spanish features of the original convent.
