Above: Villa Herencia (all photos by CJ)

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

In hotel-hunting – as in love – finding the right one is never easy. And like many other travelers, I’ve despaired over ever finding the right roost to meet my needs; you know, the one that feels like home.

A place that’s close to all the action yet somehow maintains an atmosphere of tranquility.

Where the décor marries form and function, appealing to my creative side yet acknowledging my demands for utility (and free wi-fi).

Where there are enough rooms to make me feel the delicious liberation of anonymity, yet few enough to make me feel like a valued guest and not just a “head in a bed.”

Where the staff is warm yet not overly familiar, knowledgeable enough to direct me to the city’s “secret” popsicle seller yet discreet enough not to enquire why I need to find him.

It’s a tall order to fill, but on a recent trip to San Juan I think I found my match.

It’s Villa Herencia, an eight-room boutique in Old San Juan.

Mere steps from the iconic fort El Morro and the famous Catedral de San Juan Bautista, it’s walking distance to anywhere in the historic quarter I want to go. Filled with an eclectic combination of bold original art and antique furniture, its design suits my aesthetics to a tee. And at less than $200 a night, it fits my finances, too.

Yes, I think I’ve made a love connection with Casa Herencia. And not because it feels like home.

But because it feels even better.