Da House

My lover and I will arrive in San Juan a full day before our cruise departs. We're Canadian, traveling in the coldest, most unpredictable season of the year so we're giving ourselves (and the weather) a day's grace.

Personally, I'd like to give myself a day's grace today. I feel like the proverbial snowball in hell - I don't stand Caribbean Beach Blissa chance in the temperatures this week in Ontario. Even the Weather Network is warning against frostbite.

Back to San Juan and the warm temperatures....

The last time we cruised, we arrived a couple days prior to our cruise and chose a beach house in Ocean Park. Numero Uno. It sits right on the beach, tucked into a backstreet away from traffic. We ran on the beach at dawn, dined by candlelight, barefoot in the sand at sunset and spent the days in between exploring the beauty of Old San Juan.

If I close my eyes and wrap myself in something warm I can take myself back there in a heartbeat.

This time, with only one short night to enjoy the city, we're staying Old San Juan - in the middle of all the excitement.

San Juan is the busiest port of call in the Caribbean and rooms are scarce at high season. Mid-range American chains charge $250-$300 a night - and most require a two-night minimum stay.

But not at Da House.

A New York Times writer found Da House and wrote about it last year. After reading his article and finding that the hotel had a couple of rooms available for $100 a night, we booked. As long as it's bedbug free, I'll spend the extra money on a great meal - the hotel is smack in the middle of Restaurant Row.

I'm already dreaming where we'll eat...