Copyright Hotel El Convento

You may not be the beach nuts we are. You may find that it’s a perfectly wonderful vacation if you hit Puerto Rico and never once set foot on some sand. And it’s true, there’s a lot more to this Caribbean island than hitting the ocean. For one thing, with an estimated 400 historic structures, some of which have been around since the 16th century, Old San Juan is a treasure trove of history and Spanish colonial architecture.

Hotel El Convento is but one of those structures. The hotel began life as a Carmelite convent in 1651 and was home to nuns until 1903, when costly repairs forced the then Archbishop of San Juan to give up the building. The building then went through various incarnations including a dance hall, store and outright ruin, until Robert Woolworth of Woolworth’s fame purchased it in 1959 to turn it into a hotel. Now owned by San Juan businessmen, El Convento is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and features Old World styling with New World comfort (think flat-panel TVs with Bose stereos).

Patio el Nispero, copyright Hotel El Convento

The family package on offer is pretty inexpensive and includes:

• Upgrade to Superior Accommodations
• Use of the fitness center
• A Hotel El Convento kite per child
• A Hotel El Covento tote bag
• Admission to the Children’s Museum for 2 children
• Use of Hotel El Convento Beach Club facilities
• Daily complimentary breakfast & lunch for 2 children
• Complimentary afternoon wine & hors d’oeuvres

It’s only fair to point out that some of this would be included even without the package. The hotel offers a daily complimentary wine reception for all of its guests, as well as use of the fitness center and the beach club facilities (which are really privileges at another resort) – so why they’re included in the package as though they’re extra amenities for just for you, we’re not sure. But you do get a stay at a boutique luxury property at an amazingly low price, and we like that they include not only breakfast for the kids but lunch too. Staying here opens a window onto a more historic Puerto Rico – and if you’re really craving some sea salt in your hair, you can always do a few days here and a few days at a beach resort to mix it up.

Front desk, copyright Hotel El Convento

This package is available from now until November 30. Rates are $175 per night and are based on 2 adults and 2 children. For more information, click here or call 800.468.2779.

Related posts:

1. Luxury Romantic Getaway – El Conquistador Resort, Puerto Rico
2. Luxury Hotel Offer of the Week – Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas
3. Luxury Hotel Offer of the Week – Father’s Day Packages
4. Luxury Hotel Offer of the Week – Elbow Beach, Bermuda
5. Luxury Hotel Offer of the Week – Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Miami