If you are looking to stay in a lux San Juan, Puerto Rico neighborhood with ocean access, Condado is the place for you. The Condado Vanderbilt Hotel is one of the finest surfside accommodations in the area.
Take in the Grand Legacy of the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
Built in 1919 by Frederick William Vanderbilt, the hotel has panoramic views of the frothy Atlantic. The original portion of the hotel was designed in a Spanish Revival style by the Warren and Wetmore architectural firm that also did New York City’s Grand Central Station. In 2014, after a $200 million renovation, it reopened with two new 12-story-high towers, an infinity pool, and three additional pools.
Back in the day, the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel attracted celebrities such as Errol Flynn, Bob Hope, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and Charles Lindbergh
Lux Guest Rooms and Suites
Named one of Puerto Rico’s top three resorts by Travel & Leisure in 2023, it offers 310 guest rooms, including 108 suites with 24-hour butler service.
Tower guest rooms have ocean views or you can opt for a smaller Heritage guest room with city views. If you’d prefer more space, one and two-bedroom suites range from 750 to 1,500 square feet in size. Some have views of the Atlantic with options for an oceanfront terrace. Others look out over Old San Juan. All guest rooms and suites have smart TVs, a coffee maker with premium Puerto Rican coffee, marble showers, bamboo towels, and free Wi-Fi.
Need something larger? There are two 3,000-square-foot, three-bedroom penthouses.
Go for Some Condado Vanderbilt Hotel Pampering
If you are looking for some pampering, you can head to the 10,000-square-foot Spa at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. Melt away knots with a hammam ritual that includes a massage, and spray of rosewater. To meet other grooming needs, the spa menu includes facials, body wraps, manicures, and pedicures.
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If you want to pump a little iron and have an invigorating workout, there’s a 24/7 fitness facility with treadmills, elliptical machines, free weights, stationary bikes, and various resistance machines. Personal trainers can be booked 48 hours in advance. One of the best features of this facility? Inspiring oceanfront views help to fuel those reps.
Check out the Resident Sculptures
Take a walk inside from tower to tower or along the oceanside terrace and you’ll pass sculptures and artwork that might make you stop in your tracks. Of special notice are the dancing figures by Fernando Botero that inject a feeling of joy into the atmosphere.
So Many Dining Choices at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
Ola Oceanfront serves up locally sourced ingredients and Atlantic views for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plus, they offer a Sunday brunch.
Or, you can sit at the Mojito Bar by the pool or lay back in a lounger and get served a beverage and snack of your choice.
At Tacos & Tequila, you can sit indoors or out. Beverages on hand include a selection of tequilas and a variety of margaritas. You can also dig into a variety of tacos including tinga chicken, shrimp, or veggie choices like sweet potato and mushroom. To satisfy your sweet tooth try a cinnamon churro swirl for dessert.
1919 is a fine dining establishment named for the year the hotel opened. Formal attire is requested and the menu offers dishes such as lobster soup, beef tenderloin tartare, pasta, duck, swordfish, or Berkshire pork.
At STK Restaurant, red meat rules. A modern décor and high-energy beats from local DJs give it a high-class party atmosphere.
Sips, Sweets and Cigars
Off the lobby, you can sip a variety of vintages at Veritas Wine and Cognac Bar. It’s a good place to partake in a glass of Ron del Barrilito or Don Q, the original rum in Puerto Rico’s national drink, the piña colada.
Have a sweet craving? Down the hall from the lobby is a truffle kiosk with a wide variety of velvety treats.
On weekends the VC Lounge, also off the lobby offers ocean views and live music.
Cigar aficionados will find their tribe at Avo Lounge with club chairs and a wide array of premium brands including Davidoff, or Montecristo by H. Upmann.
After your cocktail, you might be in the mood to try your luck at the gaming tables. Casino Del Mar at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel’s sister property La Concha Resort, is just steps away.
Room Rates at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
Heritage Queen rooms start at around $305, and Tower Ocean View King rooms start at $355. One-bedroom suites with ocean view start at $620, and one-bedroom suites with ocean terrace start at $935. A three-bedroom Presidential Suite goes for around $4,909. You can check rates as well at Booking.com or Expedia.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Discover Puerto Rico arranged for her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
