The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel Spa & Casino, Puerto Rico

When you visit Puerto Rico, most people stay in San Juan, also known as the “old city”, because it is the main cultural and historic place to visit in Puerto Rico. With its narrow cobblestone streets and picturesque colonial buildings, San Juan is the perfect place to come for a tropical vacation not far from the US. To truly enjoy Puerto Rico in luxury, the best here is the Ritz–Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa and Casino.

Perfectly located on eight acres of prime beachfront property in beautiful Isla Verde, the Ritz-Carlton is just minutes from historic old San Juan. It’s on Isla Verde Street, the most popular and famous street for hotels in San Juan. Very close to all the major attractions from El Yunque to the Museum of Puerto Rico to old San Juan.

From the moment you arrive, you know you’ve discovered something special. You’re made to feel instantly welcome, and there is 24-hour concierge service to handle all the details for a wonderful carefree stay. With 416 deluxe guestrooms and suites, this luxury retreat has something for everyone. Accommodations are appointed with luxury down duvets, free internet access, state-of-the-art plasma TVs. Most rooms have beautiful views of the ocean, garden and pool. Each is beautifully designed and all feature top of the line Frette linens. The marble bathrooms are modern and elegant, with complimentary Bulgari bath products and toiletries for a spa experience in the privacy of your own room, but wait ‘til you see their spa, you may want to try it, too.

The pool itself is the focal point of the property, decadently luxurious with an oceanfront Jacuzzi, and an outdoor restaurant and bar just a few steps from the beach. The pool area is one of the best things about the Ritz-Carlton in San Juan. You’ll immediately want to go out to the pool and the beach area when you first arrive. It is huge, surrounded by flowers shrubs and great statues of lions. There is enough room for everyone!

The Ritz-Carlton also has some special touches, like offering guests cold towels and water in the lobby to refresh themselves in the tropical heat. They offer amenities that are special to Puerto Rico, like tropical fruit and locally made candies from the island. You can also head down to one of the Ritz-Carlton’s four restaurants for a five star dining experience. There are four restaurants, including Il Mulino from New York, the BLT Steak House, Mares and the Ocean Bar and Grill. There is also an eatery in the lobby, so your hunger will always be satisfied.

In the beautifully decorated Il Mulino New York, you’ll savor a taste of Italy in the Caribbean as you dine in the elegant, old-world atmosphere of deep woods and hanging candelabras. Signature dishes include Spaghettini Bolognese, Rack of Lamb, Veal Chops, and their legendary Langoustines. The BLT, which stands for “Bistro Laurent Tourondel,” redefines steakhouse dining with its modern décor and infusion of classic French techniques. The restaurant integrates traditional elements of a cozy French Bistro with those of a stylish, urbane Boite modern. There’s plenty of libation to choose from, as well, with a wine list of 225 different selections. If you like seafood and eating outside, then Mares is the place to go. The restaurant features buffets all day long, and they carve beautiful ice sculptures or the buffet centerpieces. Look out cholesterol, here I come!

The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel, Spa and Casino features 11 treatment rooms offering the most advanced skin and body therapies and salon services. There are separate dies’ and gentlemen’s steam rooms and soothing relaxation areas, a co-ed sauna and a whirlpool. A complete Fitness Center features weight training and cardiovascular equipment, an aerobics studio and the services of a personal trainer. The Spa boutique features products and accessories from Natura Bisse, Laboratory of Flowers, June Jacobs and Skin Ceuticals. This 12,000 square foot wellness haven, provides the latest in skin therapies and include nutrient-rich flowers and fruits indigenous to the Caribbean Sea and El Yunque Rainforest for unique botanical treatments reflecting the flavors of the island.

For those of you who like to take chances, the casino at the Ritz-Carlton will surly entice Lady Luck any time 24-hours a day. The casino is elegant and grand, reminiscent of a bygone era, featuring traditional casino games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold’em Poker. They have nightly tournaments for poker, mini Baccarat and Let It Ride, as well as more than 380 slot machines. Just make sure you have enough to get the family home!

Wow, Ponce de Leon may not have discovered the “fountain of youth” but I guarantee anyone who spends a week in this tropical paradise will have the time of their life and just might end up feeling a little younger after all. So if you’re looking for a place to kick back and enjoy a five star island experience, the Ritz-Carlton-San Juan is the place for you.