Caribe Hotel

There's not much that makes this hotel any more notable than its budget competitors when it comes to style or substance. It's a decent place to spend the night, and ticks all the right boxes, even if the package is a little dated. The lobby is spacious and there was a steady flow of guests checking in and out during our visit. The outdoor pool is in the center of the hotel and is the property's nerve center, with plenty of lounge chairs and tables on offer for guests. It can be busy with families, and there are a few areas near the pool with umbrellas and tables where guests can get away for a little more privacy and quiet. While there is a restaurant, bar, and poolside bar at the hotel, the hours of operation are limited and there isn’t much of a social scene except on weekends. With kid-friendly activities like a game room and pool deck, expect to see more families than couples, along with some business travelers due to the location. 

Located on PR-1, outside of historic downtown Ponce, the Howard Johnson is situated near a university and popular with business travelers. However, there's nothing within walking distance of interest and travelers will need a car to stay here. It's a 15-minute drive to downtown historic Ponce Square, which is home to the famous Old Fire House Museum, Guadalupe Cathedral, and plenty of vendors selling traditional Puerto Rican street food like pinchos and tostones. La Guancha is a 10-minute drive from the hotel and has a small beach, live music, kayaks, and plenty of restaurants and food kiosks. For golfers, the famous Costa Caribe Golf Course and Country Club is a 15-minute drive from the Howard Johnson. Expect a five-minute drive to Mercedita International Airport, but travelers should allow over 90 minutes to reach San Juan, which is home to much larger Luis Munoz Marin Airport. 

There are 120-rooms at the Howard Johnson in Ponce and all of them are spacious, but dated. Decor includes beige bedspreads and bedskirts, blond dressers, and gold curtains. Coupled with the classic silhouettes in furniture and older navy carpets (which sometimes smell moldy), the look isn't particularly fresh. Beachy wall art at least adds a bit of color, though it's fairly generic. Standard features include flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and high-power air-conditioning. Rooms have king, double, and queen-size beds with wooden headboards and plenty of pillows. All rooms have a sitting area with armchairs, while some have sofas and writing desks. Lower level rooms provide access to the pool. There's extra storage space in closets, which is where safes and ironing boards are kept. Rooms in the ‘Office’ category are marginally nicer, with dark wooden furniture, extra sitting space, microwaves, and mini-fridges. Bathrooms are roomy and include plenty of towels, simple toiletries, and ample vanity space. All bathrooms have shower/tub combos (except the accessible bathrooms) plus hairdryers and magnifying mirrors.

There are a good number of features to keep everyone happy at the Howard Johnson in Ponce. La Peria Restaurant serves a daily breakfast of eggs, omelets, pancakes, hot cereal, and french toast. It's not included in room rates and reviews are mixed. The restaurant is open limited days and nights for lunch and dinner, expect to see traditional Puerto Rican dishes like mofongo, empanadas, and tostones, alongside casual grill fare including burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Adjacent to the restaurant is a cocktail lounge with plenty of high-top tables, a big-screen TV, and a full bar. There's also a pool bar serving hot dogs, barbecue, nachos, and burgers plus frozen cocktails, beers, and specialty drinks. Guests should check the hours at the poolside bar, though, as it's not open dailyThe outdoor pool deck is spacious, with plenty of lounge chairs and tables for guests to relax and socialize. There is a kiddy pool and hot tub on offer as well. Adjacent to the pool deck is a small game room for kids and teens (and adults) that includes arcade games, pinball machines, and a claw toy machine. A fitness center is available, though it only offers a limited number of cardio machines. The small business center and a coin-operated laundry area are nice extras. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.