Casita del Sol☀️couples’ HOUSE-rooftop, water views

Casita del Sol offers a rare opportunity to rent an entire house in Old San Juan. Classic Spanish colonial architecture with multiple water views and huge rooftop deck. With an entirely removed secondary suite, it can be spacious enough for two couples or cozy enough for one. On a quiet and peaceful residential block, it is still just a short walk from the liveliest restaurants, bars, and shops and offers the best of life in Old San Juan. The space As you step off the street from the classic blue cobblestones of Calle del Sol and through the sunny yellow walls of Casita del Sol, you are immediately surrounded by beauty and history. An exposed brick archway in the living room frames a view right through the house to water, mountains, and the old walls of the city. Original wood beams are nestled into high ceilings above and throughout the house, many with axe marks clearly visible. The entire home is tastefully furnished, including original artwork and plenty of plants to bring it to life. As you exit the rear of the house, you will find a terrace sharing the same view that offers a nice place for coffee or to rest in the swinging hammock chair. Rise up the spiral staircase, and you'll find a huge rooftop with two more beautiful views. One side looks out over the iconic fortress walls and the current governor's mansion, La Fortaleza, with San Juan Harbor and the mountains as a backdrop. On the other side is the magnificent and historic Casa Blanca, built in 1521 as the home of Juan Ponce de Leon (Spanish conquistador and first governor of Puerto Rico), along with a view of distant beaches and ocean. The roof deck is spacious and offers a great spot for sunbathing or to watch ships pass and people strolling on the sidewalks. As you settle into the outdoor sofa or one of several comfortable chairs, the sounds of waves lapping against the rocks below and the sweet chirping of the native coqui frogs (Puerto Rico's spirit animal and national symbol) help to leave your worries behind and welcome you to paradise on the "Isla del Encanto." The bedrooms are separated in such a way that two couples can each maintain their own distinct sections of the house for privacy when desired. The first bedroom (king bed) is on the main floor and includes an attached bathroom and a charming Juliet balcony looking out over the cobblestones of Calle del Sol with yet another water view. It stays cool by design with its high ceilings, thick walls, and ceiling fans, but solid air conditioning is also just a button away when necessary and cools the entire main floor of the casita. The second bedroom (queen bed) is on a separate floor below with its own air conditioning system and a private patio area that includes a hammock as well as a small table and chairs. The bathroom is accessible by walking out to the covered portion of the patio area and is open to the air in a shaded spot under the stairs (please note that the stairs have a solid handrail, but they are a little steeper than usual and are exposed to the elements). The lower level is situated so that guests staying on the main floor wouldn't even notice it, keeping the house nice and cozy for a single couple staying alone. With WiFi inside and out, new appliances including washer and dryer, board games, books, and a 4K large screen TV on each floor, Casita del Sol has everything you need for a comfortable, relaxing, and memorable home away from home. Guest access GREAT LOCATION: The entire HISTORIC DISTRICT, full of beautiful plazas, shops, restaurants, and bars, is within easy walking distance, but Casita del Sol is especially close to the best shopping and art galleries on Calle del Cristo and the famous nightlife of Calle de San Sebastian. CASA BLANCA, the grand and historic home built for Ponce de Leon, is directly across the street, with beautiful hidden gardens and fountains to explore. The house itself is a museum with spectacular views of the surrounding waters and mountains as well as a unique perspective on little Casita del Sol below. The historic red gate of LA PUERTA DE SAN JUAN is just down the hill, leading to beautiful PASEO DE LA PRINCESA and a spectacular walking path along the water next to the fortress walls. EL MORRO, the most famous of two large forts in Old San Juan, is also nearby, including a large grassy field full of families flying kites and some of the best views on the island. BEACHES are easy to access, with several within quick Uber/taxi distance (Condado, Ocean Park, Isla Verde, Piñones) and even a couple of options within a 15-35 minute walk of the house (Playa Escambron, Playa Capitolio). TRANSPORTATION/PARKING: For the simplest stay in Old San Juan, while exploring nearby beaches and other sites, I recommend life without a rental car. Walking is the best way to explore Old San Juan itself, and with Uber/taxi services, you can easily get anywhere else in the greater San Juan area without any worries about parking. You can also rent a bike or an electric scooter and take advantage of a beautiful bike path along the coast that leads to a few of the closest beaches. If you wish to make day trips to more distant parts of the island, then of course you may want to rent a car. In that case, there are several different places to park within walking distance of the house. One is a large parking lot for just a few dollars per day that you can access by a 10-minute stroll down beautiful Paseo de la Princesa. Another is a parking garage located under one of the plazas just a few blocks away that costs about a dollar per hour. Please note that there is very little street parking available in Old San Juan for non-residents.