El San Juan Hotel & Casino Carolina

While staying in Isla Verde, just across the bridge from Old San Juan, I checked out this hotel for a potential future visit.

Now, the map on the right of the screen shows it is more on the interior of Puerto Rico - so this hotel must have a 2nd location. However, I saw the one right on the beach in Isla Verda (which is also within the Carolina boundaries).

What I discovered is that this is the high end hotel and casino in the area located next to the Intercontinental adjacent to the beach. It is part of the Waldorf Astoria collection.

Absolutely beautiful, polished, elegant, extravagant, and very high end. With a number of luxury shops to choose from included in the hotel, 2 Starbucks, and the best Rum and Scotch bar offered in Puerto Rico, this luxe hotel is top notch. I would compare the atmosphere to the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Beautifully designed fashion furniture grace a gleaming lobby and lounge area with chandeliers everywhere.

High end restaurants also provide a variety of gourmet delights to choose from.

Kocos - which is a modern carribean theme, Jimmy's BBQ, The Palm - a NY style Steak and Seafood restaurant, La Piccola Fontana which serves Northern Italian cuisine, and there are a few others that are a bit more casual.

**Note: A sign in the lobby makes clear; after 7pm shorts, swimsuits and flipflops are not permitted, so when staying here be sure to bring a supply of nicer clothing for the evenings. This is one of the very few places in Puerto Rico that I found where a dress code is required. I find it a nice change!

**I did not notice many children under 12 here. Most guests enjoying the pool were adults, so if you want a relaxed family vacation I feel the Intercontinental caters more towards families with younger children.

Here is there website: http://www.elsanjuanhotel.com