Cliff Garden

Cliff Garden sits on a bluff above the sea in Barangay Tag-ibo, San Juan — the draw here is the clifftop garden and the ocean view, not a swimming pool (there isn't one). You can swim directly off the cliff rocks, best at high tide.

Accommodation is simple and budget-oriented: a dorm bed runs around ₱300 (roughly $5) a night, with a handful of private rooms at higher rates. The most-praised detail in reviews is the Balinese-style outdoor bathroom, alongside the small on-site restaurant — reviewers single out the pancakes and the macchiato. Free WiFi and parking are included.

On TripAdvisor, Cliff Garden holds 3.5/5 from 11 reviews (36th of 52 specialty lodgings in San Juan) — a modest, mixed record rather than a standout one. Recurring complaints: inconsistent hot water, thin mattresses, food and drinking water priced above the island average, and a few guests found the owner unhelpful or staff short on local knowledge. It's also a fair distance from central San Juan, so plan on a scooter or tricycle.

Who it suits: budget travellers happy to trade polish for a quiet cliffside setting and sea views — not those expecting a resort pool or full-service comfort.