The San Juan Marriott

Lazing poolside at the San Juan Marriot, I watched grown adults having what looked like the most fun in years. All afternoon kids gleefully lined-up to slide down the pool’s waterslide. But all of a sudden an unlikely group approached the top—three college-aged guys, three 20-something gals, and a group of middle-aged women—and soon they, too, were screaming, laughing, hugging each other and becoming instant Facebook friends as they clambered out of the water. Let’s just say it’s not exactly difficult to relax at the resort’s double swimming pools—one with a swim-up bar to calm your nerves in the smoldering heat, and both surrounded by palm trees and staffed with doting servers. Nor is it difficult to unwind on the picture perfect beach steps away—perhaps the prettiest in all of San Juan.

Each day I faced only two difficult decisions:   beach or pool / mojito or daiquiri. Unable to choose, I alternated. My only other decisions were omelets or waffles in addition to the abundant breakfast buffet (I went with both, of course), slots or blackjack at the casino in the evening, and dinner either at the resort’s La Vista Grill or off-property, in the vibrant, restaurant-filled neighborhood of Condado (again, I alternated).

Clearly, options were plentiful at the San Juan Marriott. It’s quite easy to get comfortable at the resort and not want to leave; all 529 rooms recently underwent an $8 million renovation, giving a feeling of true luxury at surprisingly reasonable rates. Each comes with 47-inch flat screen TVs, lavish bathrooms, contemporary furnishings and balconies.

Just a few years back, a $2.2 million renovation created an airy, open lobby and the adjacent Red Coral Lounge, complete with a sprawling wooden coral reef sculpture that enlivens the space and makes it every bit as chic and inviting as the rooms. In the evenings, the lounge invites guests to hear live music, dance, and sip one of their famous Dragonberry mojitos. And of course, the always-bustling casino wants for nothing. Then there are the restaurants:  La Vista Grill (serving exceptional contemporary Latin cuisine), La Isla Grill & Pool Bar, Wan Chai Noodle Bar (open late), and the Coffee Merchant & Bake Shop. So if you’re not feeling adventurous, don’t worry. You really won’t need to set foot outside the hotel.

But you really should because Condado is, in my opinion, showing off the best of San Juan. Safe and walkable, it’s a foodie-paradise, with countless restaurants and bars offering choices for every age, taste, and budget. There’s also wonderful shopping ranging from high end (­­­­­Cartier and Gucci) to moderate, and even two Walgreens should you need your daily drugstore fix away from home.

Just ten minutes by taxi from the resort is Old San Juan, the historic, cobblestoned heart and soul of the island dating back to the 1500s. There you can walk the winding colonial streets and alleyways relishing the old world Caribbean feeling, then head for awesome photo taking at the top with a view of Fort San Felipe del Morro, Puerto Rico’s iconic landmark.  If you’re thinking of doing some more ambitious sightseeing, like the Bacardi rum factory, or want to have fun outdoors in the natural paradise of El Yunque Rainforest nearby, the Marriot’s concierge can make the arrangements. I went zip lining at Hacienda Camp Rico, five minutes away, and it was fun and exhilarating. It also gave me the chance to hike through the rainforest and enjoy the awesome views above the trees. I also got to make new friends.

My short stay at the resort was just what I needed – a little R & R, good food and strong drinks, a little pampering, and just the right amount of adventure. It also reminded me that you’re never too old to dive head first down a waterslide.