Real InterContinental San Salvador stands beside the Metrocentro Mall, one of the capital’s best-known shopping centres, which gives the hotel a different character from the leafy Escalón district where many visitors stay. This is the busy, modern side of San Salvador, with shops, cafes, banks and services close at hand and the main avenues of the city a short drive away. The hotel is part of the IHG group and positions itself as a full-service, international-standard property, the kind of place that suits business travellers, families and anyone who prefers a large hotel with a dependable level of service. Rooms are air-conditioned and the facilities one would expect from the category are available, including dining on site, though exact room types, restaurants and opening times should be confirmed on the rate page for your dates. For a leisure traveller, the main advantages are the convenient central location and the ease of arranging tours, since most San Salvador operators collect from hotels in this part of the city. It is also a handy base for anyone planning shopping, a cinema evening or errands without long taxi rides.
Location and getting around
The hotel is attached to the Metrocentro Mall area, a large commercial district in the middle of the capital. The historic centre, with the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace, is a short taxi ride in light traffic, while the museums and restaurants of the Zona Rosa and Escalón are also close.
The international airport is around 45 kilometres away, so allow at least 45 minutes to an hour by road, and arrange your transfer in advance. Ride-hail cars and licensed taxis are the easiest way to move around the city, and traffic is heaviest on weekday mornings and evenings.
Rooms and facilities
Expect standard international-brand rooms with air conditioning, work space and modern bathrooms, with higher floors offering better views and quieter nights. The hotel has a restaurant, and the mall next door gives a wide choice of casual places to eat. Check the rate page for details of breakfast, parking, the fitness centre and any pool or spa, as arrangements vary by room type and date. If you have a late flight or an early tour pick-up, ask about luggage storage and early breakfast.
Who it suits
Business travellers, families who like having a mall on the doorstep, and visitors using San Salvador as a base for day trips to Joya de Cerén, the Santa Ana volcano, Suchitoto and the beaches. Compared with Escalón, the area is busier and less walkable for strolling, but it is practical and well connected.
Carry small US dollar notes for taxis, tips and snacks, since the dollar is the everyday currency in El Salvador and bitcoin is not legal tender. Dress for warm days, and carry a layer for strongly air-conditioned rooms and malls.
Why stay here
- ✓Restaurant on site
- ✓Fitness centre
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Meeting rooms
- ✓Wi-Fi
- ✓Concierge desk
- ✓Airport transfers on request
- ✓Mall access
Good questions
Where is Real InterContinental San Salvador?+
It stands beside the Metrocentro Mall in the middle of the modern city. The historic centre and the Zona Rosa are a short taxi ride away.
How far is it from the airport?+
The international airport is about 45 kilometres away, so allow 45 minutes to an hour by road. Arrange a transfer in advance.
Is it a good base for day trips?+
Yes. Tour operators in San Salvador commonly collect guests from hotels in this part of the city, and the main roads west, north and south are easy to reach.
