We were not able to get a room here, however, we did quite a bit of touring and investigating

This hotel is a gem; we happened to find it on our stroll around the streets of OSJ. It is flanked by a cathedral and a park, and posh shops. It has 3 floors and historically served as a 16th century convent, and later, a bordello. It is exquisite, and the rooms are set to surround the open atrium in the center which has tables and umbrellas and palms and a glass elevator all the way to the rear which we took to see the reception area.

They had no vacancies which is totally understandable. One of the women at our hotel had lunch here, and recommended we check it out. We walked from the reception outdoors to what looks like a breakfast outdoor area protected overhead, and with indirect lighting coming from potted plants. From that terrace, you can view part of the port, the ocean and the huge tree from the park below. Beside the terrace is a small door which leads to a den, which is decorated as a library with magazines, a television and videos. To the right of that is the executive suite to which there is no access. Up one flight is the spa and massage service area.

We took the stairs down from the reception; there was a huge steel gate half way down designed to prevent access to walk-ups. I went to check out the restaurant. It''s multi-leveled with most seating in open air, but providing head cover. There was a beautifully tiled open style oven near the cooking area. On the way down, you catch sight of the boutique shops affiliated with the hotel, one of them is the super posh "Oggetti". I know they are very exclusive, and have another large location right on Ashford Avenue near our hotel.

The advantage to staying here is that you are at the pulse of OSJ, and it''s one of very few hotels in the old city. It''s also extremely well run, and there is little that they have not thought of in order to pamper their guests.