La Concha Resort

First opened a half-century ago and heralded as a prime example of Tropical Modernism architecture, La Concha initially attracted a stylish crowd to Puerto Rico's Condado Beach area, located midway between Old San Juan and the upscale Isla Verde shopping district. Years passed, it fell into disrepair and later closed. After an infusion of $220 million and a major facelift, La Concha reopened as a Renaissance hotel in 2008. Its open-air lobby leads to an outdoor plaza with fountains and pools and the palm-fringed beach beyond.

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Sink into one of the king sized beds and unwind in an ultramodern room decorated in light colors with stainless steel and mahogany accents. Amenities include an iPod-compatible alarm clock, 37" flat-screen LCD TV, and digital on-demand entertainment. There's also a work desk for those who still need to take care of business in this tropical spot. Wi-fi is available in rooms and throughout the hotel. La Concha contains 248 guest quarters, which include 16 suites. Standard rooms and bathrooms are on the small side but they do boast ocean views; some have a small balcony.La Concha's signature restaurant is Perla, its roof a dramatic, oversize shell surrounded by water. From its top floor diners can see both the ocean and the city. Naturally enough, Perla specializes in seafood. The hotel's four other restaurants include one that specializes in Asian cuisine; a steak joint; a pool grill that's transformed into a tapas bar at night; and a deli. There's also a coffee shop that serves fresh, hot, rich Puerto Rican java.Couples can choose from four differently sized salons to hold an indoor wedding, and the beach is certainly an option. Coordinators can help to pull together the details so that a destination wedding here is practically turnkey.La Concha is a Renaissance hotel, which is part of the Marriott family. As such, it offers a variety of romance packages. To find out what is available when you want to visit, check for current romance packages online.Beaches in Puerto Rico are public, but the small one at La Concha provides a greater feeling of seclusion that those at other resorts. The hotel provides beach chairs and umbrellas free of charge. Couples who prefer a non-sandy experience can soak in the multi-tiered infinity pool, surrounded by hot tubs, loungers, canopied sun-beds, and the Solera restaurant. A 3,000-square foot fitness center overlooks the sea and has a separate room for spin class. The business center provides free Internet access.Condado's high-end boutiques — including Ferragamo, Chanel, Gucci — are close by. The nearest casino is located at the Marriott, a five-minute walk from La Concha. And don't miss a trip to Old San Juan, a well-preserved historic area where cobblestone walkways lead to places to steal a kiss. At the tip of Old San Juan, El Morro, a National Historic Site, is the largest fort in the Caribbean. Its dramatic windswept grounds and views of San Juan Bay are spectacular.Like some other San Juan beach hotels with open lobbies, noise can be a problem on weekends. Pulsing rhythms last long into the night. If you love to dance and stay up late and mingle with locals as well as other vacationers, you'll have a great time. Even if you're not originally part of the festivities, you may want to consider joining them. But if you want privacy and quiet, you'll be happier elsewhere on the island.Visitors give La Concha high marks for service and cleanliness. The hotel attracts a hip late 20s to 30s crowd that likes to party, eat and drink well, and lounge in glamorous digs such as the white-leather couches strategically placed near the lobby.La Concha Resort
1077 Ashford Avenue
San Juan Puerto Rico 00907
787-721-7500
Hotel Web Site

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