SAN JUAN – The Quality Inn El Portal hotel in the Condado Beach-area of San Juan appears to be defying recent regional travel trends. Despite a decrease in the number of Caribbean vacationers and shoppers traveling to San Juan, the Quality Inn El Portal, franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), is welcoming a stream of Caribbean guests.
The hotel’s general manager, Brenda Alonso Velazquez, attributes this to a number of factors, most notably a commitment to providing a quality guest experience for the regional visitor.
Such is the “take away” of a number of Caribbean and U.S. visitors in particular, who over the years have made the property their first choice for a vacation or shopping encounter.
The discontinuation of American Eagle flights to and from Puerto Rico has made the destination harder to get to, but the trendy location, just half a mile from the Atlantic Ocean with easy access to many popular attractions, including restaurants, casinos, the beach, a leading shopping mall and historic sites, is committed to drawing visitors as new airlift arrangements emerge.
“Guests don’t have to pay much to get around,” Alonzo Velazquez said, noting that complimentary services at the property include WiFi and Choice Hotels’ signature Quality Inn breakfast. Guests enjoy the hotel’s small size and welcoming ambiance.
“Not many people are interested in staying at a property they don’t know about. That was a disadvantage when we were independent, but since flying the flag of the familiar Choice Hotels Quality Inn brand, people have been a lot more comfortable booking,” she said.
Approaching 60 years since its opening, the family property, which joined the Choice Hotels family six years ago, has undergone a number of renovations and continues to receive updates while bolstering its customer service.
Despite the current economic climate, Alonso Velazquez looks forward to more visitors from the Caribbean and the mainland United States, who continue to identify San Juan as an ideal location for exploration and shopping.
“Come visit us”, she says cheerfully. “We want to be your home away from home. Give us the opportunity to provide an affordable, unforgettable experience.”
