Very thankful to those who suggested I should go to Puerto Rico as my winter getaway. From the moment the plane landed I was in a state of awe! The warmth of the caressing sun, amazing colors of eternal summer and the powerful symphony of the waves in the backyard of the studio I rented was more than I could possibly dream about!My apt was on the 6 floor, equipped with all the utensils one needs for an independent catering. The shower had a collection of Body wash , skin protection creams and sprays, and a set of towels . The latter included beach towels as well plus a beach chair/ recliner. Every little detail of a nicely decorated studio intrigued and made me smile: Joe the owner happened to create an absolutely relaxing ambiance, where every shape and form had its specific message. It was to forget winter and soak into the magic of Condado.. Which I did! Though it is directly at the beach, it’s also a few steps to Ashford Ave with CVS, Walgreens, numerous restaurants and a beautiful sidewalk to Old SJ.There’s a big grocery store with a nice choice of veggies and fruit, you can also buy meals ether to go or enjoy it while shopping. On a side note I’m thankful to Joe for taking care of me when I got a cold and had to look for medical help. He took me to the Health care facility and wanted to be sure it was open. When the earthquake interrupted my careless vacation, Joe took care of water supply to make me deal with the discomfort in the best possible way. It was sad to leave Condado beach. But now I know where I should go to hide away from winter apathy. Thank you ,Joe! I will be back!

This apartment was a great homebase for me and my girlfriends trip to PR. Joe was very accommodating. He made checking in and out easy, gave recommendations on places to eat, and had lots of information on Old San Juan and PR in a binder in the room. We slept with the balcony door open every night letting in the awesome ocean breeze and sound of the crashing waves. We traveled all over the island: El Yunque, Luquillo, old San Juan, drove the panoramic route, crashboat beach, Isabella, etc. and it was great coming back to the cozy apartment right on the beach with a guaranteed parking spot.

The location is excellent with a couple of supermarkets nearby and it has an ensuite beach - you are literally seconds away from the sand and the sea. The views from the apartment we stayed in (8B) are amazing. We stayed there for ten days and could have quite easily stayed there a lot longer - it is like a home from home. Joe G is extremely helpful and can give you an insiders guide to Puerto Rico - all his recommendations were spot on. This, when coupled with an excellent clean apartment makes me recommend this as the place to book.

We rented this condo based on the reviews. Needless to say, the reviews were spot on. Perfect view of the ocean. The constant sound of the waves was very relaxing. The unit itself had everything we needed and then some. Parking spot for our car rental. The owner Joe, went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable renting from him. From the initial inquiry of availability to meeting us with the keys, he answered all of our questions via phone or text promptly. Plenty of restaurant choices within walking distance. When we return to Puerto Rico, we will definitely contact Joe for our accommodations.

Stayed with a friend at Joe's condo in the Stella Maris building in February. From the moment we checked-in until we checked-out it truly was a perfect stay. The location can simply not be beat, directly on the ocean on the nicest and trendiest beach. Also everything you could possibly need is close by, Walgreens, CVS, gym, restaurants, taxis, shops... Also Joe is really a great host and took the time to show us around the building and to give us some tips and ideas for our vacation. The unit was very clean and had everything you could need to enjoy your vacation. This vacation rental was everything and much more than what we expected! I would recommend this place in a heartbeat! If you are looking for the perfect spot for a beach vacation, do not even hesitate, this is the place to be!

My friend and I stayed here for 2 1/2 weeks over Christmas and New Year and had a wonderful time. You just couldn't have been any closer to the water, we were on the 8th floor and if you stood in the middle of the apartment and looked out, all you could see was water - it felt like being in the middle of the ocean. The ocean roared non-stop, naturally, but it did a great job of drowning out the noise of the traffic and bars behind the condo, just closing the bathroom door did an amazing job of shutting out the noise so the apartment really was a little sanctuary. It's small but perfectly formed and we cooked a lot, coming from London and Norway, we struggled with the incredibly large food portions served in most of the restaurants we visited so we enjoyed a bit of portion control by cooking ourselves. We made use of the CVS and Walgreens on a daily basis, catching the daily wine and cava offers....never before have I been able to buy alcohol in a pharmacy, happy days!! There is a large and 24 hour SuperMax supermarket a 15 minute walk away and they run free shuttles if you spend $50. A few stand out restaurants for us were the Chinese and Sushi place right around the corner on Ashford Avenue, I can't remember the name but it's right next door to 'Condom World'...don't let that put you off! Bar Gitano does great tapas and also has Flamenco evenings and Buenos Ayres, a fabulous Argentinian restaurant. It might not look as fancy as Ummo but we tried both and BA wins hands down...the steaks were cooked perfectly and the side dishes were more of what I would expect. Another big recommendation for a local experience is La Plaza del Mercado de Santurce, farmers market by day and lively hangout by night. We spent a few hours on Christmas Day here drinking cocktails and watching the locals salsa dance to live bands...a must do!! The beach is exceptionally clean and is combed every morning. You do have to be clever with your position on the beach though as the sun disappears behind the condo and it was a little strange sunbathing with the sea behind us but that only meant we could lie back and look at our lovely little apartment. We felt very smug coming back from the beach each day, being a mere hop, skip and a jump and Joe even had sun beds for us to use which saved having to rent them each day. Great stay and would highly recommend! Thank you Joe!! Joe is also so kind and helpful, I had never used this site before but he is incredibly trust-worthy. He brought me to the SuperMax on the day I arrived and made sure the shuttle was still running so I could get back to the apartment. He also brought us some local coffee on the day we left, very, very nice man.

We have stayed in Joe's condo on more than one occasion and could not have been happier. He is very helpful and accessible. The unit itself has everything you would need to "eat in" if that's your desire. Stove, microwave, TV and Wi-Fi are just some of the amenities. The Stella Maris is located right on Condado Beach. It is a very secure gated building. You open the sliding glass door and there is the ocean. One block to Walgreen's or CVS, both of which have 95% of what you might need, including food items. Also a very well stocked health food store 2 blocks east on Ashford Avenue. Probably 100 restaurants within walking distance. Remember, for a short vacation the most important thing is location. You can't beat this one!!

Great location on the beach. I love falling asleep and waking up to the ocean breeze coming through. So many things within walking distance. Marriott right next door if you want to grab a taxi, book a tour, or go for happy hour. CVS or Walgreens has everything! Bought items for cooking breakfast, making sandwiches for the beach, beer etc. nice not to eat every meal out. Joe had many things at the condo that you just wouldn't pack. Cooler, beach chairs, iron. Overall, loved the condo, thank you Joe.

My husband stayed at this Stella Maris Condo from March 3rd through the 10th. We had a wonderful time. The building is a little dated, but the location is just perfect. We were on the 8th floor with a Balcony overlooking the ocean. We could not have asked for a better location. It was wonderful falling asleep to the sounds of the waves every night. Joe Galbraith could not have been more pleasant and easy to work with. Jorge, the maintenance man, was also extremely friendly and nice - always smiling, always something nice to say. The location of this condo is perfect - within walking distance of many great restaurants, and a Walgreens and CVS just a short block away. The bus stops are all right there on Ashford Avenue, too. This made it very convenient to get to Old San Juan. Bus fare is only .75 per person (must have exact change) and the buses are clean and most of them look pretty new. The bus drivers were also very pleasant and helpful. We had a wonderful stay and would recommend these condos to anyone. You cannot beat the price. The Marriott next door charges 3 to 4 times as much for a room with an ocean view. It was nice having a small kitchen, too. Many times we would just make a quick breakfast and coffee and sit on the balcony staring at the ocean and "people watching." It is a very relaxing place and VERY secure. You even need a key for the elevator (for the floor you are staying on).

This is my 3rd vacation in the Condado area of San Juan, my 2nd stay in the Stella Maris Condo building itself. Stay was from 7/9/14-7/14/14 for the studio unit on the 6th floor. Getting to and from the airport is extremely easy. Taxi's are lined up outside the airport and outside across the street from the building. They are also lined up directly in front of the Marriott which is directly across the street as well. Having been in this building before, I know it is a great place to be. It's safe, secure and VERY peaceful! The view plus peace and quiet are things I desire highly and I get both here. The individual owners are what make each condo amazing and I had the pleasure of dealing with Joe. Joe was very nice, prompt with responses, quite friendly and informative. He took the time to answer all my questions via email, phone, text etc. You cannot beat the location at all in terms of the view, access to everything such as restaurants, convenience stores, gift shops, beaches, casinos, supermarkets etc. Even the beach is safe at night to walk, my husband and I took a night time stroll and you will see other people doing so. Booking was very easy, price CANNOT be beat. Joe lives in the area and will meet you at the apartment in person with the keys. Upon arrival, he took time to go over points of interests, gave us some great tips on where to eat and what to go see. My suggestion is to use Priority Mail when sending the deposit, it can be tracked easily and only takes 2-3 days. Quick and easy for everyone. The apartment looks way better in person. I had meant to take pictures to emphasize and show how nice the furnishings are but forgot to do so ...because I was enjoying myself too much :) Loved the nautical/bird theme, color scheme was pleasant and relaxing. I found the bed to be quite comfortable, again I have to reiterate that the view is amazing! Nothing like laying in bed and watching the sky and surf..... Kitchen worked well for our simple cooking needs, stove is very efficient and cooks fast so be aware of that fact and keep an eye on what you are cooking. We had everything we required for the beach: chairs, cooler etc. Love the fact all you have to do is turn left once you walk outside and there is the beach! Restaurant recommendations: Danny's International-Opens early, wonderful pancakes, fast service. Good Food overall. Waffler Avenue: This is next to Ventana del Mar park. Good lord what delicious waffles....a must try whether for breakfast or dessert. Di Parma Trattoria: also in the same area as Waffler avenue. A bit on the pricey side but have to admit, the best bruschetta i've had yet... Cafe Del Angel: my absolute favorite spot for dinner, Loooooooooooooooove the vanilla flan, its the one thing I HAVE to get when i'm down there! Buns Burger Shop: Good food overall, great shakes and fries. Joe's unit is one we will definitely return to when that next time comes up. Thanks a for wonderful, relaxing vacation Joe!