El Convento seduces with 17th-century charm set in one of San Juan's liveliest neighborhoods

El Convento seduces wedding guests with 17th-century charm set in one of San Juan’s liveliest neighborhoods

A Spanish Colonial treasury of Andalusian tile floors, mahogany beams, and butter-yellow archways, Puerto Rico’s most beloved hotel, El Convento, has been a favorite wedding spot for many years. Much of the allure is the setting. Smack in the middle of the cobblestone byways of Old San Juan, the former convent is across the street from San Juan Cathedral, oldest in the Western Hemisphere, and a quick limo ride to El Morro, the beautiful old fort that makes a stunning ceremony backdrop. And then there’s the hotel’s intimate scale (just 58 guest rooms) and romantic ceremony and reception spaces, including tropical patios, marble-floored salons, and lush balconies.

But we’re convinced that a large part of El Convento’s charm is that weddings here have such a distinctly Puerto Rican flavor. That’s particularly true of the menus. Your rehearsal dinner can include a Puerto Rican fritters station serving cassava balls, corn sticks, and codfish fritters. At the wedding itself, think a mofongo bar (mmm, fried plaintains), pulled pork, chicken escabeche, churrasco pionono, and coconut pudding. Herbs and fruit from the onsite garden are used in the cocktail menu; the pina coladas might be the best on the island.

And if that’s not enough, consider the ease factor. Since you’re on U.S. soil, you won’t have to hassle with passports. And since San Juan is the biggest air hub in the Caribbean, getting here is a snap. Combine that with El Convento’s elegant colonial looks, authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, and buzzing neighborhood, and you’ve got a destination wedding site that appeals to romantics and pragmatists alike.

Hotel El Convento combines Spanish Colonial elegance with authentic island cuisine

Hotel El Convento combines Spanish Colonial elegance with authentic island cuisine

 


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