El San Juan Hotel and Casino

Long before tourism began to develop on most other Caribbean islands, gamblers and sun-worshipers jetted off to Puerto Rico, a quick flight from New York and Miami. The resort that drew the highest rollers and their consorts decked out in mink stoles, high heels, and bathing suits was El San Juan, a long runway's length from the airport and propped on the city's most gorgeous stretch of beach. The glamorous lobby recalls that old panache and on weekends is transformed into one of San Juan's trendiest night spots, with live music pumping till the wee hours.

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With 382 rooms and 33 suites and refurbishing ongoing, it's important to request quarters that have recently been renovated. Freshened rooms are done in a trendy, citrus-hued tropical style with bare floors (pack slippers or flip flops) and have a flat screen TV with in-room movies, an iHome iPod player, and wi-fi. Standard rooms have small bathrooms and no balcony, so it's worth upgrading to a suite that has both a balcony and jetted tub.Fifteen bars and restaurants offer guests the opportunity to eat at a different place every meal. An outpost of The Palm Restaurant, a New York institution known for its gargantuan steaks and lobsters, is on site. Another popular eatery, Koco serves fare that fuses Caribbean, Asian, and Latin cuisine in a setting that exudes island cool and features a dedicated rum bar. Menu temptations include Caribbean lobster salad, West Indies crab fritters, and guava-braised short ribs. Uncommon, palate-pleasing side dishes include yuca fries and coconut risotto.El San Juan offers couples who are thinking of marrying and celebrating in Puerto Rico an impressive number of venues that include 14 rooms and several outdoor spaces. The largest of them, the International Ballroom, can hold more than a thousand guests. But if an intimate group is more your style and your budget, you can also hold a ceremony beside a waterfall on the 15-acre property surrounded by lush tropical foliage. To get an idea of the possibilities and prices, submit a wedding request for proposal to the hotel."Love and Lust" is what San Juan Hotel calls its three-night package, calculated to engender those emotions. It begins with chilled champagne and a fruit basket to welcome your arrival in your room or suite. Other perks include the daily breakfast buffet for two with plenty of fresh Caribbean fruit to nibble on, one dinner for two in your choice of a hotel restaurant or room service by candle light (alcohol is not included), and two soft or spirits-filled drinks at the Encanto Bar & Grill.The beach is the main draw here, and access to it is direct from the hotel. Couples who rise early are likeliest to secure a lounge chair on the public sands. Sun-lovers also gather around the three large swimming pools; early arrivals will get a sun bed or loungers in a spot they desire. The swim-up bar opens at 11am. The hotel's Galleria shopping arcade is the place to pick up Starbucks, RayBan sunglasses, and other beach-babe necessities. Edouard de Paris, the in-house salon and spa, offers programs just for couples and a choice of poolside, in-room, and in-spa massages as well as wedding packages.The hotel is located in the trendy Isla Verde neighborhood and has shops, restaurants, and a Walgreen's within walking distance. It's about a 15-minute cab ride into Old San Juan, which is worth a visit for its museums, churches, El Morro fort, and cobblestone charm. Adventuresome couples will want to visit El Yunque rainforest, a tropical jungle dotted with waterfalls. And if the idea of water that lights up in your hand astounds, rent a car and head to Bioluminiscent Bay on the other side of the island.Note that there are numerous complaints posted on TripAdvisor regarding housekeeping and the noise that passes through the thin walls. Also, the hotel charges a $10 service fee to store a guest's own items or leftovers in the minibar and levies other fees that some guests object to.Depending on the other guests vacationing when you visit and your perspective, El San Juan can be loud or simply lively at night. Rather than choosing the hotel for a romantic getaway, you are likely to be happiest to visit with a crowd or friends or head here for a bachelor or bachelorette party. For travelers who are pressed for time but really need a quick getaway, the El San Juan offers Puerto Rico's closest beach. Within half an hour of landing at the airport and collecting your luggage, you could be slathering on the SPF at water's edge.El San Juan Hotel & Casino
6063 Isla Verde Avenue
Carolina, Puerto Rico 00979
866-317-8935
Hotel Web Site

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