History
The El Convento Hotel was first built in 1646 as a convent across the street from the San Juan Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the Western Hemisphere. The Monastery of Our Lady Carmen of San Jose stayed open and in use until 1903, when the Archbishop of San Juan closed its doors. For forty years, the hotel served as a flophouse without electricity or running water. The building held several other businesses until 1959, when the building was converted into a hotel. Many famous people stayed at the hotel throughout the years including Rita Hayworth, Lynda Bird Johnson, and George Hamilton. In the 1990's and again in the 2000's the hotel was renovated to meet modern standards.
Ghosts
When Dona Ana de Lansos y Menendez de Valdez husband went off to battle the Dutch which resulted in the loss of his life the noblewoman choose to devote the rest of her life to God. Dona Ana donated her home, land, and all worldly possessions. She was the first to enter the convent and soon was Mother Superior to the other nuns in the convent. Dona Ana and the other nuns who occupied the building for so many years still walk the halls of the hotel. Guests and employees report hearing the eerie swishing sounds of the nun's robes as they travel to complete their daily chores in the convent. The spirit of Dona Ana has even been known to wake up unsuspecting guests if they sleep in too late.
Ammenties
Among many of the hotels distinctions, the El Convento Hotel is named as the only "Small Luxury Hotel" in Puerto Rico. It is rated by the AAA a four-diamond property and is the oldest member of the Historic Hotels in America. Each day the hotel offers a manager's reception with wine and cheeses. Other amenities the hotel offers is a pool with views of San Juan Bay, a fitness center, and a library with Wi Fi Internet. The hotel has four restaurants to dine in with the opportunity to enjoy a variety of meals from tapas to lasagna. The El Convento also offers its guests beach club privileges at two of its sister properties in Puerto Rico.
For more information, contact El Convento at (787) 723-9020 or toll free at (800) 468-2779.
Article Written By Linda Moffitt
Linda Moffitt has been writing professionally since 2007 and has published several books including, "Washington's Haunted Hotspots" and "Haunts of the Southwest." She holds an Associate in Arts degree from Pasadena Community College. Moffitt has been and is often invited to speak across the country about her expertise in travel, history and hauntings.
