Condado Beach Stay

PHOTO: The property is located on a white-sand beach.

The recently renovated San Juan Marriott Resort in Puerto Rico is bustling with activity for all ages and close to some of the trendiest districts of the city. Located in the Condado beach area, this beachfront resort features two pools, a fitness center and spa, outdoor yoga classes, and much more.

Getting to the resort is easy since it’s just a 10-minute ride from San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Guests can leave the U.S. in the morning and have lunch by the pool in the afternoon. When a break from the sun is needed, the Stellaris Casino is just off the lobby and is open 24 hours a day.

Accommodations

Earlier this year, San Juan Marriott finished an $8 million guestroom enhancement to all 525 rooms and suites, giving it an upscale, residential feel. Soaring 21 floors, the property has a stylishly cosmopolitan but Caribbean décor. Rooms are spacious (250 square feet or larger) with plenty of space to stretch out and comfortable armchairs. Guests also can relax on deck chairs on their own private balconies.

PHOTO: Guestrooms were renovated in 2014.

Public Spaces

The San Juan Marriott is very social from the moment you step through the door. The Red Coral Lounge just inside the property is a popular gathering spot. The La Isla Beach Bar, with direct ocean views and welcome tropical breezes, is where to head for some light fare and drinks.

Rum, of course, is a favorite drink in Puerto Rico. The hotel offers a rum sampling on Friday nights and a tour to the Bacardi Rum Distillery can be arranged through the excursion desk.

Dining

Guests can enjoy breakfast or dinner with an ocean view while dining at La Vista Latin Grill. The Coffee Merchant and Bake Shop is perfect for a quick breakfast or lunch stop. The Wan Chai Noodle Bar offers Asian fare for dinner.

Within walking distance of the resort, the Condado neighborhood has more than 120 restaurants to choose from.

Pool & Spa

Guests can swim in the ocean, just steps away from the hotel, or in the one of the resort’s pools. A shallow walk-in pool with four fountains is good for children. There is also a second pool with a large water slide. For the adults, there is a swim up pool bar.

The resort’s Ocean Club Fitness Center has treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, weight machines and Pilates balls. The locker rooms include saunas. Outdoor yoga classes are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 am for a nominal fee.

The Ocean Club Wellness Center offers an array of treatments, including a Bamboossage, an ancient art massage performed with bamboo sticks.

Activities & Excursions

For adult guests at the resort, there are many activities to choose from. One of the most popular activities is a salsa lesson. Another favorite is bingo where players can win prizes like pina coladas and ice cream. The Stellaris Casino offers slots, craps, baccarat, roulette and blackjack.

The children’s program changes daily and includes cookie-decorating, a scavenger hunt and arts and crafts. The activity center also features foosball, volleyball and family games. A kid-friendly video game room is also on-site.

Bikes are available for rent at the pool. High-tech helmets with built-in-cameras are on hand too, so guests can film their adventures and then share them on social media.

The resort also offers a variety of tours and adventures, including tours to new and old San Juan with shopping time and excursions to the El Yunque Rainforest, Luquillo Beach and Carite Forest. Other activities include horseback riding, ziplining and ATV trips. For guests who love to shop, only a few blocks away is Condado’s mini Rodeo Drive.

Meetings & Events

San Juan Marriott features 13 meeting rooms and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space. The ballroom can hold up to 800 people and can be subdivided. In addition, there are eight breakout meeting rooms and indoor and outdoor venues for destination weddings and special events.

Rates & Packages

Rates start at roughly $349 per night and a minimum two-night stay is required. The Artsy San Juan package includes a customized three- to four-hour art tour of Santurce and Old San Juan; four tickets to Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico; a 30-minute mixology class; city-view accommodations and more. For more information or to book, call 800-228-9290 or visit www.marriottsanjuan.com.

Note: This article is from the Caribbean: How the Islands are Building for the Future supplement.