The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan: Puerto Rico's Premier Luxury Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan: Puerto Rico's Premier Luxury Hotel
If a place has explosive color, sensational scenery, and a distinct cuisine — it’s right up our alley. Puerto Rico is all of these things, plus a lot of upbeat music and fresh rum cocktails… It’s a destination that I’d always dreamed of visiting; and once I arrived, this beautiful Caribbean island transported me to an exotic place, so unique and colorful, I couldn't believe I was still (technically) in the United States. But after spending American dollars on expensive cab rides, we felt right at home.
We experienced Puerto Rico from The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan, a glitzy and glamorous place to call home for a few days. When we pulled up to the hotel, the grand façade and welcoming entrance felt as charming as the other Ritz-Carlton locations we’ve visited.
The first thing we noticed about the property is that it’s huge. There is a sprawling pool area surrounded by immaculate gardens, leading to a stretch of clean, beachfront space. Inside, there’s a 12,000 square foot spa and bustling casino. There are six visit-worthy restaurants on the property, and all of it is just 20 minutes from everything that downtown San Juan has to offer.Although the hotel is large and packed with entertainment, the chic style and design are not lacking. In the main halls, chandeliers kept the space bright while spotless marble floors reflected the design’s coolest features. And it wouldn’t be a Puerto Rican hotel without an ode to color, which was placed brilliantly throughout the design. My favorite detail was the abstract artwork by Quetzalcoatl, a famous Puerto Rican artist.
When it comes to suave design, less really is more. During our stay at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan, we stayed in a Pool View Junior Suite. When I walked through the door, the blatant simplicity was obvious, yet the plush bed and couches gave the space a soft and comfortable feeling.
The room was well appointed and spacious, which emphasized the sophisticated mood of the room. We had a large bathroom area complete with Asprey amenities, soft towels and plenty of space for us both to get ready in. Although we didn’t have a balcony, awesome views of the beach and pool area inspired us to go out and enjoy ourselves.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — always go for club privileges — especially at Ritz-Carlton properties. The service is personalized, so everyone knows your name and knows what you like. The best part is that you can have breakfast, lunch, dinner, canapés, and drinks in the cozy lounge. We find that club level is a special way to get away from the crowds and absorb the atmosphere of a place. Plus, the views from the property to the horizon are unbeatable.
The dining options at the hotel are aplenty. The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan has five diverse restaurants: Ocean Bar and Grill, BLT Steak, Mares, The Lobby Lounge, and Il Mulino New York. The restaurants offer everything you could possibly crave, from Italian at Il Mulino New York to Caribbean-influenced fare at Mares.
One must try restaurant however is BLT Steak… Every cocktail and dish was perfectly flavored and presented. However, since we weren’t in the mood for steak, we had the chicken and the tuna entrees and I only have excellent praises for both. Their cocktails are also a must, especially the Boricua Mule and the Smoked Bold Fashioned
If you like sitting on the beach, drinking cold beer, and eating fish tacos — you and I would get along well! It’s one of my favorite things, and the Ocean Bar and Grill does it well. One evening, we kept it casual and had fresh sushi at the bar in the lobby. Wow, the sushi rolls were huge; at least twice the size of a normal roll, so order conservatively! It might have been the first sushi restaurant where we actually left full!
If you’re in the mood to venture out from the hotel, you will not be disappointed with the options available to you. While the old town of San Juan is just a short drive away, Puerto Rico has more to offer than Old San Juan and tasty rum. It’s also home to the only tropical rainforest in the States, El Yunque Rainforest. The rainforest consists of 28,000 acres of vibrant, green nature and plenty of streams and waterfalls to cool off in. The The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan teams up with Castillo Tours to offer fantastic experiences around the island. We got a little adventurous and went on the El Yunque Rainforest trek.
At almost 6 hours long, the tour took us through some of the most beautiful parts of the rainforest, and to the La Coca Waterfall where we cooled off with a refreshing swim! The tour is moderately challenging, but only requires around 45 minutes of semi-athletic hiking each way. The trek is well worth it and is best rewarded with daiquiris afterwards :)
“Puerto Rico has more to offer than Old San Juan and tasty rum. It’s also home to the only tropical rainforest in the States, El Yunque Rainforest.
If jungle tours aren’t really your thing, you’ll find rejoice in the pool area and beach space. If you get your fill of sunbathing, The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan has tons of cool experiences to offer. Just ask the concierge to help you plan an adventure. Try taking a taxi into Old San Juan and spend the day hopping around the city on a food tour. Or, just get lost in the colorful streets. Don’t forget the obligatory rum cocktail, and do yourself a favor: try mofongo at least once!
For the travelers seeking romantic, refuge or an exploratory escapade, The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan has it all. The experience at this resort can be as private or as outgoing as you want. There’s a bit of everything at the hotel, so it’s ideal for families and couples alike.
Puerto Rico is one of the best destinations you could choose if you live in the United States, its a short plane ride from Miami, and you American citizens don’t need a passport to enter! It has unusual experiences that you’d find in abroad destinations, and of course remarkable beaches. San Juan was one of those trips that reiterate the joys of travel. It’s full of surprise, meaningful experiences, and cultural traditions to borrow for a while.
“San Juan was one of those trips that reiterate the joys of travel. It’s full of surprise, meaningful experiences, and cultural traditions to borrow for a while.
