The Ponce Hilton: A Jewel in the Pearl of the South

In quiet Ponce, the elegant Ponce Hilton is a welcome retreat. Offering a plethora of sports and entertainment choices, the hotel is perfect for those who want to get away from the big city and enjoy a truly relaxing experience.

Isn't it great when a hotel exceeds your expectations? That might well be the case at the Ponce Hilton, where you can affordably enjoy a resort experience in the quiet southern coast of the island. There are many reasons to recommend the Hilton. Among my favorite perks is the large, meandering free-form pool. Then there's one of the largest casinos in Puerto Rico; and not to be outdone is the Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club, a 27-hole championship golf course.

The rooms are comfortably equipped, with an eye more to tropical comfort than extravagance (the MP3 alarm clocks are a nice touch). But the hotel does its best to get you out of your room. Beyond the casino and the golf course are other activities. Beach volleyball, basketball, and mini-golf are among the other sports and recreation options available. Also, for die-hard golfers, there's a practice range open until 10 pm. Finally, the Hilton is well-loved for its casino, one of the largest in Puerto Rico, with slots, roulette, and blackjack. It's also one of the few places where you'll find more than one Texas Hold 'Em table. Open until 4 am on weekdays, you'll have two extra hours to test your luck on the weekends, when the casino only closes from 6 am to 8 am.

This is a multi-purpose hotel that caters equally to families, vacationing couples, and the business executive. Eighteen meeting rooms include, an elegant new, 62,000-foot ballroom. The Victoria Spa offers beach-side massages, volcanic stone massages, and a full menu of treatments and services. And the kids program here is excellent.

All in all, if you want to visit Ponce (a quaint and lovely alternative to San Juan), the Ponce Hilton will welcome you and make you feel at home in the Caribbean.