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- The New Face of Old San Juan
- The Piña Colada Wars
While Old San Juan has always been renowned for its rich culture and historic attractions, a rebirth has occurred in recent years that has transformed San Juan into one of North America’s hottest urban destinations. At the heart of this revival is a blend of authentic Latin and American styles evident in all facets of the city – from chic new hotels, to trendy restaurants and bars, to haute couture shopping and modern art.
Hip Hospitality
Whether visitors are seeking a tranquil ambiance or a mecca of activity, San Juan boasts several new hotels and resorts that envelop guests in luxury and refined elegance. The San Juan Water and Beach Club Hotel, located just minutes away from the pristine beaches of Isla Verde, rejuvenates guests with its cool water theme, on each floor, soothing blue-lit rooms and white minimalist décor. Trendsetters flock to the San Juan Water and Beach Club Hotel for its breathtaking ocean views and dining hotspots – from the sophisticated Tangerine to the muy caliente bar, Liquid.
Hotel El Convento, in the heart of Old San Juan, provides the perfect combination of classic Old World style with a fresh twist. A Carmelite convent built three centuries ago, Hotel El Convento has been renovated with modern amenities, but yet still retains its colonial charm with features such as marble chessboard floors and mahogany furniture. Art and history aficionados will fall in love with The Gallery Inn, also located in Old San Juan. This 300-year-old gem is filled with antiques, Spanish art and features interior courtyards and gardens outside select rooms.
A posh experience awaits guests of The Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino, where visitors can take advantage of the exclusive casino, the state-of-the-art Caribbean spa or dine at the hip Sushi Bar. For travelers looking for a quaint little beach house, Numero Uno in Ocean Park has 14 private units, is just steps away from the waterfront and boasts award-winning Caribbean cuisine.
Caliente Cuisine
From Miramar to Ocean Park, many of San Juan’s neighborhoods are privy to distinctive dining hotspots – from Nuevo Latino to Caribbean, and everything in between. In San Juan’s latest urban locale, SoFo (south of Fortaleza Street), these restaurants range from the French provincial Trois Cent Onze, to the ever-popular Parrot Club, where the chic clientele revels in Latin fusion dishes and luscious martinis. Another Nuevo Latino favorite is Aguaviva. This trendy retreat features a myriad of eclectic seafood entrees. Recently opened Bodega Chic, delights its guests with its unique French and North African bistro. Kudeta offers the sexiest Pan-Asian cuisine in all San Juan and is home to the ultra trendy Ku Lounge. Il Perugino, across the street from El Convento, offers fine Italian dining in the heart of Old San Juan.
Those who want to see and be seen in San Juan make a point to dine at Tangerine, The San Juan Water and Beach Club Hotel's sleek restaurant that mirrors Manhattan’s ultramodern establishments. Afterward, guests can ascend to the rooftop bar, Wet, for fresh sushi, made by the renowned Japanese restaurant Showgun, and drinks or dessert under the stars. Lemongrass, the Caribe Hilton’s newest restaurant is where fine dining becomes creative, featuring sushi and Oriental cuisine.
Tantra, located in Old San Juan, features a vivacious young crowd in an exotic, Latinohindu atmosphere. The oriental décor complements the eclectic cuisine, including items such as fillets of cod salted with cream curry and lamb with papadam.
For those looking for out-of-the-way elegance, Pamela’s, at the Numero Uno guesthouse, is renowned for its Caribbean cuisine. The award-winning chef, Michael Mastrianni, is famous for his inventive dishes, such as grilled Jamaican jerk shrimp.
The wait visitors may encounter at the newly renovated Dragonfly demonstrates its reputation among San Juan socialites and visitors, alike. The crimson décor and dim lighting set the stage for this hotspot’s zesty Caribbean/Asian fusion cuisine. Last but not least, the new La Fogata located at the Sheraton Old San Juan delights visitors with its exquisite Latin American cuisine.
Nuevo Nightlife
When the stars come out in San Juan, the rhythm of the city’s many clubs and lounges is contagious. Whether your style is salsa, techno or jazz, there’s an option to suit every night owl. Brava, located in the bustling Wyndham El San Juan Hotel & Casino, is a classic Puerto Rican disco with an innovative Eastern European design. Salsa is the dance of choice here, and onlookers can watch the center stage from a wraparound balcony. Alternatively, Liquid Bar at the San Juan Water and Beach Club Hotel is a mecca of urban sophistication. With its avant-garde design and en vogue clientele, this is one of the best lounges to sit back and check out the scene.
In Old San Juan, Barú is the place to be and to be seen! A great restaurant – lounge with style and substance, Barú offers an electric décor with one of the best bars in the area. For international rhythms, Latin pop and salsa, locals kick up their heels at hotspot Fratelli, also serving delicious Italian-Latin cuisine earlier in the day. Jazz enthusiasts will revel in the funky sounds of Café Bohemio at the Hotel El Convento, where they can enjoy tasty cocktails and a variety of jazz sounds – from Brazilian to blues.
Au Courant Attractions
After a night out on the town, San Juan visitors will be geared up to begin exploring the ultramodern boutiques, spas and art galleries of the area. Travelers can start with a visit to the boutiques of Stella Nolasco and Nono Maldonado, two of Puerto Rico’s haute couture designers known for their fashion-forward style. Fashion connoisseurs can also visit the upscale boutique of Luis Antonio in Miramar, who has designed clothes for Puerto Rican native Jennifer Lopez, among others.
For those interested in Caribbean art and contemporary architecture, San Juan’s Museo de Arte is a must-see. After a four-year, $53 million renovation, the Museo de Arte was transformed from a 1920s hospital building to a modern neoclassical structure. The cultural hub now features work by Puerto Rican artists, as well as a 400-seat theater, a five-acre garden and a chic restaurant Pikayo, where owner and chef Wilo Benet presents formal criolla cuisine in a sophisticated and serene atmosphere.
Some of the finest antiques in the Caribbean can be found at El Alcázar, the largest antique emporium in Puerto Rico. Whether visitors are looking for silver, crystal, furniture or art, El Alcázar has an abundance of treasures and collectibles from all over the world. For art aficionados, the Botello Art Gallery, in the Hato Rey financial district, is a beautifully restored colonial mansion that is the former home of Angel Botello, a Puerto Rican artist. Botello’s paintings and sculptures are on display, as well as his impressive collections of authentic Puerto Rican santos (antique objects of religious devotion).
After a day of exploring, trendy travelers can pamper themselves at one of San Juan’s luxurious day spas. At Zen Spa in Condado, guests are able to rejuvenate their mind, body and soul in a peaceful environment. Whether relaxing in the eucalyptus steam room, with a sea waves body wrap or with a green tree facial, the Zen Spa has a treatment to suit all weary travelers. The Ritz-Carlton Spa also boasts an elegant, yet serene environment and several one-of-a-kind treatments. Other posh spas located around the island include the Olas Spa in the Caribe Hilton in Condado and the Golden Door Spa at the Wyndham El Conquistador. The new Eden Spa, in partnership with the Sheraton Old San Juan offers guests therapeutic massage and spiritual treatments. The Westin Rio Mar’s new Mandara Spa, offers guests unique Balinese/Indonesian treatments and lastly the Normandie Hotel’s, N Spa offers indoor and outdoor services to satisfy every clientele.
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