If you’ve been to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, you know the vibe: the pastel-hued Spanish colonial buildings; the sound of salsa permeating every corner; the refreshing cool of a freshly-made Mojito. 

There’s a reason, after all, why Old San Juan is one of the most beloved places in the Caribbean, both for air arrivals and those showing up on a cruise ship at the nearby port. 

What is not always easy, though, is navigating the neighborhood’s kaleidoscope of small and medium-sized hotels, all tucked into centuries old buildings with varying hospitality philosophies. 

Now, there is a new entry: the Hotel Rumbao, Marriott’s newest hotel in the city, and one that is a reimagining of the former Sheraton Old San Juan, which has completed a large-scale renovation by new owner Driftwood Capital, which bought the property back in 2021. 

The Rumbao is now part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, with 240 different rooms in a plum perch in the heart of OSJ. 

So what do you need to know? 

There are four dining concepts, ranging from a lobby coffee shop and market to a signature eatery called Kueros, along with a fitness center and a rooftop pool and a hot tub. (Plans are also underway to add a casino). 

So what will Marriott’s newest Puerto Rico option cost you? 

A sample stay beginning next week shows rates as low as $231 per night for a king-bed room. That includes a $35 dollar resort fee, according to Marriott’s Web site. 

But the biggest thing here is still the location, one of the best in the area, with literally hundreds of stores and boutiques all within a short stroll, along with the neighborhood’s vibrant nightlife and inspired dining scene. 

It’s a new gateway to the charms of the old city. 

To learn more, visit the Hotel Rumbao.