How do I book directly?

Visit /properties, pick the studio or penthouse that fits your trip, click into its page, and use the calendar to select your dates. Payment is processed securely on our booking engine — same protection as an OTA but without the service fee.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) and Apple Pay / Google Pay. Direct bank transfer available for long stays (30+ nights) — message us for details.

Is direct booking really cheaper than Airbnb?

Yes. Airbnb adds a 14-18% service fee that you pay on top of nightly rate. Booking direct on this site has zero service fee. Typical savings: $50-200 per stay, depending on length and unit.

What's your cancellation policy?

For direct bookings: full refund up to 14 days before check-in, 50% refund 7-14 days before, no refund within 7 days. Bookings made through Airbnb / Booking.com / Vrbo follow each platform's respective policy.

Do you charge a security deposit?

Yes — a refundable security deposit is pre-authorized on your card at check-in and released within 48 hours of check-out, assuming no damages. $150 for studios, $300 for penthouses.

What time is check-in and check-out?

Check-in: 4:00 PM. Check-out: 11:00 AM. Early check-in / late check-out available on request based on availability — just ask Rosemary in advance.

Is check-in self-service or in-person?

Self check-in via smart lock + key code. Rosemary sends you the door code and detailed instructions 24 hours before arrival. Available 24/7 — no waiting for a host to arrive.

What if my flight arrives late at night?

No problem. Self check-in works 24/7. We'll have everything ready for you whenever you arrive — even at 2 AM.

Our building does not have on-site parking. The closest paid option is Normandy Park, a short walk from the building. Most guests skip the rental car altogether — Uber is cheap and parking in Condado is expensive.

How many guests does each unit fit?

Studios sleep 2-4. Penthouses sleep 5-6. Each unit page shows exact capacity. We strictly enforce guest counts — misrepresenting headcount voids the booking.

Are all units in the same building?

Yes — all units are in the gated Paseo Caribe complex on Calle Vendig, eastern Condado. Shared building amenities: pool with hot tub area, gym, doorman, gated security, elevator.

Do all units have ocean or lagoon views?

Yes. Every unit has either a lagoon, ocean, or dual-view balcony or window. Specific view details are on each unit page.

What's included in the kitchen?

Full kitchenette in every unit: full-size fridge, induction cooktop, microwave, coffee maker, kettle, full cookware and dishes set, basic spices, dish soap. Suitable for cooking breakfast and light meals.

Yes — fast fiber Wi-Fi (100+ Mbps) included free. Suitable for Zoom calls, streaming, remote work. Each unit has its own router.

Are the units air-conditioned?

Yes — central AC in every unit. Set your preferred temperature on the thermostat.

Is there a washer and dryer?

Yes — in-unit washer/dryer in every studio and penthouse. Detergent provided.

Yes — outdoor pool with lounge chairs, open from 7 AM to 10 PM. Towels provided.

Yes — hot tub located in the pool area, open daily. Free for all guests.

Yes — small fitness room with cardio and free weights. Check posted hours at the building.

Is the building safe?

Yes. 24/7 doorman, gated entry, security cameras throughout common areas, secure key code at every elevator floor. Eastern Condado is consistently rated among the safest parts of San Juan.

Yes — we welcome pets in all our units. Please let us know at the time of booking so we can confirm details.

No smoking inside units or on balconies. Designated smoking area available on the ground floor near the pool deck.

How close is the beach?

Condado Beach is about a 10-minute walk from the building. Calmer-water beaches like Escambrón are also nearby and easily reached by foot or short Uber.

How far is Old San Juan?

15-minute Uber ($8-12). Or 25-minute bus on the T3 route.

How far is the airport (SJU)?

15-minute Uber ($20-25). No shuttle service — we recommend Uber over taxis for transparent pricing.

Do I need a rental car?

For Condado-focused trips: no. Walk to the beach, walk to restaurants, Uber for everything else. For day trips to El Yunque rainforest or Vieques, a rental car helps but Uber works too. Parking in Condado is expensive.

What's around the building within walking distance?

Ashford Avenue dining (2 min), Ventana al Mar Park (3 min), supermercados (Pueblo, Walgreens) within 5 minutes.

Can you arrange airport pickup?

We don't arrange airport pickup directly. Uber from SJU airport to our complex runs $20-25 and takes 15 minutes. If you prefer a pre-arranged transfer, you can browse options on our things-to-do page.

Do you offer concierge services?

We don't offer in-house concierge services. For tours, activities, and restaurant recommendations, see our things-to-do guide, where you can browse and book directly. For anything else, message Rosemary.

Can you celebrate a special occasion?

Yes — we can help arrange small touches for anniversaries, birthdays, proposals, or honeymoons (champagne, decorations, etc). Requests must be made in advance and an additional fee applies.

I have a specific accessibility need. Can you help?

The building has elevators and most public areas are wheelchair accessible. Bathrooms in individual units are standard (not roll-in showers). Tell us your needs in advance and we'll let you know honestly if we can accommodate.

How many reviews do you have?

561+ five-star reviews across the portfolio. Rosemary is a Superhost with a 4.79 average rating and 100% response rate (under 1 hour typically).

Are the reviews on this site real?

Yes — all reviews are pulled from verified Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com stays. We don't write fake reviews or remove negative ones.

What if something goes wrong during my stay?

Message Rosemary directly via the WhatsApp number you receive at check-in. Average response: under 30 minutes during waking hours. For urgent issues (lockout, AC failure, etc), we have emergency contacts.

Still have a question?

Message us directly on WhatsApp or via the contact form — Rosemary typically replies within an hour.

San Juan Festivals and Events: A Local Host's Year Round Guide

Wondering what the top cultural festivals and events happening in San Juan throughout the year actually are? You picked a wonderful city to ask about. I'm Rosemary, and I host waterfront studios on the Condado Lagoon, so I get this question from guests almost every week. San Juan celebrates something in every season, from the biggest street party in the Caribbean to a midnight swim in June. Here is my honest, month by month guide to planning your trip around the fun.

Winter: San Sebastian and the World's Longest Christmas (December to January)

If you want San Juan at maximum energy, come in winter. Puerto Rico is famous for celebrating the longest Christmas season in the world. Lights and music arrive in November, and the season rolls through Misa de Aguinaldo (early morning carol masses), Nochebuena on December 24, New Year's Eve fireworks, and Three Kings Day on January 6, when children traditionally leave grass under their beds for the camels of the Three Kings. If you are curious what that season feels like on the ground, I wrote a full guide to Christmas in Puerto Rico.

Then, in mid January, comes the big one: las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian in Old San Juan. Locals just call it la SanSe. For four days, the streets of the old city fill with live music, artisan markets, cabezudos (the giant papier mache heads), food kiosks, and hundreds of thousands of visitors. It is loud, joyful, and absolutely worth planning a trip around. Hotels and rentals sell out months ahead, so read my post on the San Sebastian Street Festival and book early. Many of my guests stay in Condado during la SanSe: you are about 3 miles from the party, close enough to join every day, far enough to actually sleep at night.

Spring: Music, Salsa, and Food (February to May)

Spring is when San Juan shows off its artistic side, and the weather is glorious: warm, dry, and a little less crowded after the January rush.

The Casals Festival, founded by the legendary cellist Pablo Casals in 1957, is Puerto Rico's premier classical music event. Performances usually run in late winter and spring, with international soloists and the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra taking the stage in San Juan's concert halls. If your idea of a perfect evening is world class music followed by a late dinner, plan around it.

Salsa lovers should look for the Dia Nacional de la Salsa, a huge one day salsa celebration held in San Juan each spring that draws legendary orchestras and dancers from all over the world. Even if you miss the big day, salsa is easy to find here year round: several spots in San Juan offer live orchestras and dance floors every week, and hotel bars in Condado often host live Latin music on weekends.

Spring also brings culinary festivals that celebrate Puerto Rican cooking, with local chefs, rum tastings, and plenty of lechon and mofongo. Keep an eye on local listings for food events around April and May. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a major travel week for local families, so beaches are lively and rentals book up; reserve ahead if your trip overlaps with Easter.

Summer: Noche de San Juan and Beach Season (June to August)

Summer belongs to the beach, and the season opens with my favorite local tradition. On the night of June 23, Noche de San Juan, families carry coolers and speakers to the sand and, at midnight, walk backward into the ocean and fall into the waves several times for good luck. The whole coastline turns into one long beach party, and Condado Beach is one of the best places to experience it. I wrote a complete guide to Noche de San Juan with tips on where to set up and what to expect.

Through July and August you will find fiestas patronales, the patron saint festivals that each town celebrates with music, rides, and food stands in the main plaza. They rotate throughout the year across the island, and checking whether a nearby town is celebrating during your stay is a lovely way to see everyday Puerto Rican life. Summer is warm and humid, with a chance of tropical showers, but mornings are beautiful and the ocean is bath warm. It is also a value season: rates in Condado drop noticeably compared to winter.

Fall: Local Rhythm and the Best Deals (September to November)

Fall is San Juan's quietest stretch, and honestly, it is my favorite time to recommend to travelers who want the city to themselves. September through mid November brings the lowest rates of the year, easy restaurant reservations, and empty stretches of Condado Beach on weekday mornings. Cultural life does not stop: galleries and museums in Old San Juan and Santurce stay active, and by late November the Christmas season is already warming up, so a Thanksgiving week trip gets you early holiday lights without peak crowds.

One practical note: fall is also hurricane season in the Caribbean, which officially runs June through November. Most days are simply warm and breezy, but travel insurance and a flexible booking are smart in September and October.

Three of these deserve more than a paragraph. We wrote separately about Noche de San Juan, the June beach night that empties the bars and fills the water at midnight; about Christmas in Puerto Rico, which runs far longer than most visitors expect; and about the San Sebastián Street Festival, where booking early is the whole game.

Tips for Planning a Festival Trip to San Juan

A few things I tell every guest who is planning around an event. First, book your stay as early as you can for January and for any holiday week; la SanSe weekend in particular sells out months in advance. Second, do not plan to drive into Old San Juan during a major festival. Streets close, parking disappears, and a taxi or ride share from Condado is faster and cheaper than circling for a spot. Third, stay somewhere walkable so the festival is the only logistics you have to think about. If you are weighing neighborhoods, my comparison of Condado vs Old San Juan breaks down exactly who should stay where.

Finally, build in a slow day. San Juan's festivals are wonderful, but so are the quiet mornings: coffee on a balcony over the Condado Lagoon, a paddleboard session on flat water, an afternoon swim at the calm La Playita cove. The best trips mix both.

Where to Stay for San Juan's Festivals

Condado is the sweet spot for festival travelers. You are minutes from Old San Juan's big events, steps from the beach for Noche de San Juan, and surrounded by restaurants for every night in between. Our small collection of waterfront studios and penthouses sits right on the Condado Lagoon, with balconies over the water, a pool, and everything walkable. Whether you are coming for la SanSe in January, a spring salsa weekend, or a midnight swim in June, you can check dates and book direct with us at condadolagoonwaterfrontvillas.com. Booking direct gets you the best rate, and you will have a local host (that's me) to point you to whatever is happening during your stay. I hope to celebrate with you soon.

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