La Concha

La Concha is an absolutely beautiful beach front hotel in the community of Condado just east of San Jaun. Every room has spectacular, head-on ocean views and the facilities, including two pools, two hot tubs and a posh pool deck, are very modern. But the most important amenity is the gorgeous beach that is the hotel's backyard. While all beaches in Puerto Rico are public, the beach at La Concha is about as private as it gets. The hotel also provides beach chairs and umbrellas free of charge.

Another plus about the hotel was the surrounding neighborhood. A lot of oceanfront hotels in the Caribbean are in secluded areas but this one has plenty of shops and restaurants within a block or two ranging from Wendy's to Gucci. If you are looking for Puerto Rican food, nearby Latin Star is hard to beat. If you are looking for non-Puerto Rican food Mike and Charlies, which serves Italian, is a cheap and delicious stop worth making.

While it is easy enough to take a cab into Old San Juan (which takes about 15 minutes and cost around $15) there is also a free public bus that departs from the bus stop just to the west of the hotels main entrance. There are two buses that go to Old San Juan from this stop, the B21 and the C53 and it takes about 25 minutes. The cab from the airport was $20 and took about 15 minutes.

The only odd thing about La Concha is that the lobby becomes a very trendy nightclub in the evenings that just oozes hip. This is great if you don't want to go far for nightlife, but the blaring music can be startling as you make your way to your room. Another minor drawback was the hotel casino that was being constructed adjacent to the hotel. The project was supposed to be finished in Fall 2008 but its looks more like Spring 2009. While I'm sure the casino will be great when it is done for now it is just a noisy eyesore.

Overall, I can't imagine a better place to stay in Puerto Rico. For more info about our trip to Puerto Rico visit our travel blog at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/

The La Concha - A Renaissance Hotel

I stayed at this Hotel on business and decided to do some of the resort things here. This Hotel is right on the beach. That means all rooms look out on the Atlantic ocean and has big windows that can be opened to listen to the ocean at night. The best night sleep that I have had in a long time.

Beds are clean and cummmfy. Bathrooms are clean.

I have been to the water on the beach several times and the multi level swimming pools are a good place to rinse off. The waves sounds are relaxing and sleep inducive.

There is internet in all the rooms and wireless in the hotel in general. The lounge downstairs feels like you are in the ocean. Per the literature, the entire hotel is supposed to be like you are under the sea. However, I did not see bikini bottom.

Personally I will be back before to long.