Enjoyable Stay
I heard about the USCG Base San Juan MWR Lodging when I booked a cottage for a couple of day with family at USCG Borinquen MWR Guest Houses in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. I wanted to spend time with family before hurricane season, so I went to https://www.coastguardmwr.org/coast-guard-lodging and found a suitable room that fitted my needs. I was an Infantry soldier for twenty-five years of my life, so I wasn’t looking for much and found it in the Gonzalez Hall single room 208. The room was a big surprise, it’s a small room for one person (as shown on the website) but has everything. The room has a writing desk and an old fashion stable chair, there is a high ceiling closet with hangers and cable tv mounted on a two draws nightstand. There is a large ironing board with iron and next to the bed is a nightstand with lamp. The refrigerator is medium/large with separate freezer with microwave on top and the bed is a twin, firm but comfortable. The bed has a comforter on top and two sheets beneath it and one pillow. The air conditioning system is pre-programmed, and occupants are warned not to tamper with the controls; the room becomes cold at night, so the bed comforter is a necessity for a good night’s sleep. The bathroom has a commode and medium sized shower and just outside the bathroom is a sink with attached mirror.
The Gonzalez Hall building is located roughly two blocks from the main gate and the MWR rooms are located on the second floor. The laundry facilities are located on the first floor and open 24/7. There is a USO recreation center with Wi-Fi, computers, tv’s and video games it is also open 24/7 and located on the first floor. The USO is for permanent party individuals, but guests can still use it. The USO office is at the recreation center but if you need information, they’ll refer you to MWR personnel on the second floor. The fitness center weight room is open 24/7. It has older equipment, but you can still have a great workout. The cardio room is located next to an adjoining building and has treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes and is also open 24/7.
The post exchange is under construction but there is another small PX. and is located next to the main gate and is open 24/7 and is only manned during the day. Using the honor system purchases are made using self-checkout and credit or debit card only. Alcoholic beverages are only available at certain times.
There is an NCO club next to the PX for grade E-7 and above, if open you must ask permission to enter and if allowed it is self-served (no bartender). Everything on the post is about Integrity so if you like to drink a lot, I suggest you throw a hundred dollars or better in the money jar to play it safe.
The Old San Juan Banco Popular building is located roughly three blocks from the main gate, and from there, there is a smorgasbord of restaurants, bars, stores, and museums.