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  5. Reviews of The Balconies Studio, The Marilyn Suite & The Crystal Apartment at Casa of Essence in Old San Juan

Review score

Based on 52 apartment reviews

9.1

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.4

  • Comfort

    9.3

  • Location

    9.7

  • Facilities

    9.4

  • Staff

    9.5

  • Value for money

    9.2

  • Free WiFi

    10.0

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 24 May 2024

    10
    A plus recommendation.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Studio with Balcony
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No complaints for us. We applied mosquito repellent on at night. Just to be safe because balcony doors are open. Noises at night is expected due to location. Sunday night was the most quiet night

    Breakfast was local on same street. Get my local coffee for less than $3 Room very clean and bed comfortable. The hostess was great.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 30 April 2024

    10
    Memorable
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Studio with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beautiful and very fun, unique place with lovely balcony in the city. Such a cool place- we loved all the little touches! The decor was so pretty and wish we would have had longer here. Would stay here again.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 April 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio with Balcony
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Multiple codes to get in.

    Location was excellent for getting around old San Juan, and prime pick up location next to plaza de colon for tour pick ups!

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 8 April 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The elevator was a little scary but it did the job

    Everything was neat and clean. Great location!

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 3 April 2024

    8.0
    We had a great 2 night stay and for a short in town stay well worth it. Would have stayed on the beach or resort if stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Bathroom shower and bathroom wall opening to the stairwell. That was awkward. Street noise - bothered some of us- otherwise did not mind the festive city vibe.

    Location was perfect! La O restaurant next door was excellent- great bar too. Apartment was comfortable and clean.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 16 March 2024

    10
    We had an amazing adventure-Just perfect!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    We loved everything! Location is central to walk everywhere! Property is historic and beautiful! People are so nice!

    This is just a great place to stay! We stayed in The Crystal Apartment! Beautiful crystal everywhere! So pretty! And not only a balcony, but 3 balconies! Overlooking the beautiful street where something is happening all the time! A nice grocery store and a nightclub below! Lots of fun on the weekend! Music, food, just a great city! And the owners- phenomenal! Great family who just made us feel right at home! We loved everything about Old San Juan and her amazing inhabitants!

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 13 December 2023

    10
    fantastic room and location
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The size of our room was huge. Liked the separate shower room from toilet room. The kitchen was big and clean.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 6 November 2023

    10
    I knew it would be noisy due to location, but we knew that when we booked. I love that the owners responded asap if you
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It did not have TVs in bedrooms. But not a deal breaker because we had cell phones with Wi-Fi given to guess.

    Location and in the middle of everything.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 24 October 2023

    10
    Nice place
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio with Balcony
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    If you have balcony suite, it can be a little noisy friday and sat nights. Other nights are fine.

    Excellent location and facility. Every thing you need.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 30 September 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The apartment is charming, and location is perfect for exploring Old San Juan.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 July 2023

    8.0
    having never visited PR this place is located in the center of town walk everywhere,good food near
    • Business trip
    • Group
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 4 nights

    english speaking staff very helpful always answer phone, felt comfortable

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 25 July 2023

    10
    Comfy and convenient
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nice host

    The apt was clean and convenient to everywhere

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 7 July 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Studio with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Location was excellent and the views of Old San Juan were great.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 11 June 2023

    10
    This was one of our best stays in Puerto Rico - we will be back!!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 2 nights

    There was nothing NOT to like about this place.

    The property is located right in Old San Juan...can't get any closer to great restaurants and bars - all in walking distance. After a disappointing 3 day stay at one of the larger $$ hotels it was a pleasure to find this hidden gem in the heart of the old city. The charm of staying in an older building right on Francisco Street was even enhanced by the sheer size of the accommodations - Three balconies overlooking the street were allowing great photo opportunities at different times of the day/night. Super clean and the host was great to communicate with and also accommodated our early check in request with no problem. This place is real!! No false pretense and you find everything just as promised and advertised. We need to return to San Juan in a couple of weeks and look forward to staying at the Crystal Apartment again. Living on St. Thomas - I definitely will recommend this place to friends who are looking for a nice place to stay on their next San Juan visit or weekend getaway!

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 5 June 2023

    10
    Location! Location! Location!
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great place! Within walking distance of everything in Old San Juan. Next to some great restaurants that served vegan and gluten free food too. Loved the balcony.

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: 2 June 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very accommodating staff, very clean room.

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: 30 April 2023

    9.0
    Loved it
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Maybe a little loud because we were on the main strip but that was OK

    Historical,

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 30 April 2023

    8.0
    Short 4 day stay; beaches at Escambron and Pinones.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio with Balcony
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    Right in the heart of Old San Juan. Nearby parking: Las Puntillas. Have breakfast at La Mallorca and supper at Jibarito. Both a few minutes away walking.

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 15 April 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I like the location, close to everything.

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 19 March 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Studio with Balcony
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    A little street noise at night, but hey it’s Puerto Rico during spring break! Enjoy the atmosphere!

    Location was excellent. Very clean and comfortable. Host was responsive via messages. would definitely stay again.

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 19 February 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was noisy at night. There was a lot of street noise and from nearby bars.

    Outstanding location just a few steps from the Plaza and close to everything. It was nice to find a place with an elevator.

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 10 February 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    no coffee at least for the first morning

    location

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 6 February 2023

    10
    Perfect 2 bedroom in the middel of Old San Juan
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The location was great right in the center, balconies were a great feature.

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 10 October 2022

    9.0
    The building is great, great accommodation, has a fridge/microwave/stove good enough for the weekend and everyth
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The only thing I dislike was the people in the streets were so loud on a normal Saturday night till 3am. I can’t imagine what it can be during a festive weekend, you would have to be awake in a party till 3 for you to be so tired that you could pass out

    Property is great, near the parkings and has a pharmacy/market right next to the building which is great for last minute errands if staying for the night

    Stayed in October 2022

  • Reviewed: 10 September 2022

    9.0
    Excellent
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Two-Bedroom Apartment
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The apartment and the facilities are excellent, good control and security . The only think is located near a bar for young people and is noisy. Its safe its only noisy you have to adapt for sleep.

    Stayed in September 2022

Showing 1 – 25

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