San Juan Marriott Resort, El Convento Hotel - San Juan, Puerto Rico
The San Juan Marriott Resort is centrally located on the ocean in the city’s Condado section - not to be confused with the Courtyard by Marriott in Isla Verde. Ashford Avenue in the area around the hotel is nice - other areas (near Condado Plaza and La Concha hotels) are in transition.The hotel’s lobby features a bar with table and bar stool seating rather than clusters of sofas for lounging - the lobby atmosphere may feel less upscale for some guests. The casino is off the rear of the lobby and there is a small coffee/pastry take out counter to the right as you walk in. You’ll also fine a Hertz rental counter and a small lobby shop here.
As one of the tallest hotels on Puerto Rico, many rooms have panoramic city, ocean and mountain vistas. There are a variety of room categories - from standard rooms to suites - many with private balconies.
The beach area in front of the hotel is small and close to the avenue for easy access. You’ll also find a multi-level pool with a swim up bar overlooking the ocean, and a play area for the children.
Having never been to Old San Juan during the Christmas season, I was not prepared to see how beautifully and tastefully decorated the old town was. Each little square was ablaze with lights and other seasonal decorations, all artistically done. Every fifteen minutes in the main square, Plaza Colon, there were holiday lights flickering in time to the music being played. There were lots of people in the streets walking around, taking pictures. The area is safe with a strong police presence and many people out and about at night, one needn’t feel insecure.
El Convento Hotel has changed dramatically since its days as a Best Western. The wonderful patio area has been restored to its original beauty and is now a bar area with lovely tables and chairs with umbrellas. There are now two restaurants within the hotel: one is a tapas bar with indoor/outdoor seating and a small flamenco show in the evening (free of charge - no cover or minimum purchase) in the evening. The other restaurant, Café Bohemia, is indoors, air-conditioned, and serves Puerto Rican specialties.
The nearby Port of San Juan area, once close to nightmarish, has been completely cleaned up, renovated, developed and transformed. Restaurants, shops, banks, a huge casino are all within walking distance of cruise and commercial ships docked here.
Please contact the travel agent below to book your perfect Puerto Rico vacation:
Irene Bernstein,
American Express Travel
600 Old Country Rd
Garden City NY 11530
516- 228 2384 x 43652 or 1 800-446-6165 x 43652
email: Irene.M.Bernstein@aexp.com
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