Caribe Hilton Resort
Hotel Information: Set between the Atlantic Ocean and a large lagoon that forms the inland boundary of the fashionable Condado resort/condo community, the Caribe Hilton attracts couples and families seeking a beach-and-pool vacation with accommodations close to Old San Juan's historic attractions that begin a half-mile away. The hotel's seven restaurants draw locals as well as hotel guests for dinner.
Amenity highlights: An enormous, three-level pool includes infinity edges on the top two levels and a swim-up bar. Surrounding sundecks are dotted with cushioned lounge chairs. Other sunbathing areas include a round deck jutting into a swimming cove formed by an artificial reef off a 200-yard crescent beach, and an expansive sand area extending from the beach and featuring a palm tree grove shading lounge chairs. Next to the cove, a 300-yard promenade runs along a rock shore forming part of the peninsula the resort occupies. On the peninsula's tip, a 100-foot pier provides a panoramic view of the San Juan metropolitan area's lights after dark.
Insider tip: On August 15, 1954, an inventive Caribe Hilton bartender poured the world's first piņa colada.
The Caribe Hilton San Juan offers 812 air-conditioned guestrooms in three cream-colored towers of eight, 10, and 20 stories. Decor features honey-colored furniture. Desks come with ergonomic swivel chairs. Marble-vanity bathrooms contain tub/shower combinations or separate tubs and stall showers. TVs provide pay movies and video consoles. High-speed Internet access is available (surcharge).
