Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Drinking
La Concha
(see 6)
Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza
RESORT $$$
( 727-721-1000;
www.condadoplaza.com
;
999 Av Ashford; r $140-539;
)
Guarding the entrance to Condado like a sparkling concrete sentinel, the Conrad
straddles the thin wedge of land that separates the area's eponymous lagoon from the At-
lantic Ocean. Housed in two concrete towers connected by an overhead walkway above Av
Ashford, the hotel - now a Hilton property - offers the best of both worlds, with stunning
views extending in both directions. A swanky lobby redolent of a designer movie set oozes
luxury, and guests in the newly renovated oceanfront rooms generally aren't disappointed.
Other highlights include a fitness center, a 24-hour casino with live entertainment, a celeb-
rated gourmet restaurant (
Piyako
) and a lovely arc of raked sand that faces the formidable
walls of Fuerte San Gerónimo across the inlet.
Coral Princess Inn
HOTEL $$
( 787-977-7700;
www.coralpr.com
;
1159 Magdalena; r incl continental breakfast
$137-161; )
Now we're talking: an independent inn that can compete in the quality
stakes with the bigger and plusher opposition. The Coral Princess is a small 25-room
boutique hotel that punches way above its weight. Sitting in Condado's midrange bracket,
it offers all the luxuries of the fancy resorts - flat-screen TVs, marble floors and original
art - but with enough intimacy and Latin flavor to remind you that you're still in Puerto
Rico.
Caribe Hilton
RESORT $$$
( 787-721-0303;
www.hiltoncaribbean.com/sanjuan
;
Rosales; r $279-479;
)
The Caribe was constructed in 1949 and played host to numerous celebrities
throughout the 1950s and '60s. Its recently renovated rooms are loaded with amenities, and
the sprawling pool and beach area includes a lawn chessboard, scores of hammocks and
an interesting mini-peninsula with lounge beds. Though it's a bit of an island unto itself,
there's good beach access and Old San Juan is a not unpleasant 30-minute walk away.
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
RESORT $$$
