Thanks to flight delays and missed connections, it was dark by the time we landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tired and possibly a bit cranky, my family perked up when we realized it would be less than a 15-minute drive to reach the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.
The Marriott features 513 rooms and 14 suites. Our Ocean View room was located on the 15th floor of the Main Tower. Along with two double beds, there was a nightstand (with easily accessible electrical outlets), sitting area with cushy chair and small table, and a large desk to spread out both paperwork and assorted travel gear. The teal and cream color palette was accented by shiny décor including shimmery table lamps, a silver mirror, and gold drapes.
Along with a bathtub/shower combination, the bathroom had a single sink, with ample vanity space for a family of four. In addition to a small refrigerator, rooms offer coffee and tea supplies, and two bottles of water.
But long after returning home, the thing guests will remember most about a stay here is the view. The wall separating the room from the generous balcony is comprised almost entirely of glass, providing stellar views of Condado Beach.
Beach chairs and umbrellas dot the sand. Condado Beach is a red flag beach, which means swimming in the rough surf isn’t recommended. But the pool at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is just steps from the sand, making going back and forth, as simple as can be.
The pool boasts a waterslide for kids and kids-at-heart. There’s also a pool bar, where guests can order the two complimentary welcome cocktails included in the property’s daily resort fee.
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The Marriott charges a daily resort fee of 18 percent. Some of the services covered by the fee include Wi-Fi, printing of airline boarding passes, bicycle rentals (subject to availability) and perks for casino goers.
The resort has a number of onsite restaurants, bars, and even a coffee shop, but its location makes it easy to walk to a number of neighborhood eateries. For those not in the mood to explore, there’s also a good handful of chain restaurants, including a Starbucks, and Hard Rock Café, within eyesight of the Marriott. There are also a couple well-stocked, brand name drug stores.
Condado Beach suffered damage from Hurricane Maria in October of 2017 but when our editor Tim visited in 2022, there were almost no signs remaining from that natural disaster.
Ocean View rooms range from $279 to $339, plus a daily resort fee of 18 percent. You can see more at the official site and also go to Hotels.com or Travelocity to compare rates.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was hosted by the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
