- Named top luxury boutique hotel in Puerto Rico in 2006.
- Home to an excellent restaurant and two of the island's best lounges.
- Located right across Isla Verde Beach.
- No street parking available.
- Removed from the rest of the Isla Verde action.
- If you can, go for the suite with oceanfront views, in-room telescope and, of course, a "Desires" board.
- Check out the many theme nights at Wet, the rooftop bar.
- Take advantage of the "Your Desires" Guest Program, in which a Manager of Desires acts as your personal concierge.
I'm a big fan of the way the hotel carries through its aquatic theme. Besides being close to the ocean, the Water & Beach Club goes out of its way to celebrate all things wet and liquid. I'm not kidding: The rooftop bar and lounge are called Wet and Liquid, and they're among the best nightlife destinations in San Juan. The elevators have water cascading down their glass panels. The terrace pool is eye level with the ocean. And each room has a dazzling view of the ocean.
Beyond this playful obsession with water, you get a ton of extras and guest services designed to spoil and satisfy. Beachfront massages are available. Rooms come equipped with iHome radio and alarm clocks. Even better is your very own "Desires" board, a personalized wish list that the hotel will endeavor to fulfill for each guest. The suites also get equipped with a telescope for stargazing. How's that for personal touches above and beyond the norm?
The restaurant, Tangerine, has a menu that borders on downright naughty. Witness the "lamb my rack" Australian rack of lamb or the "take my skirt off" skirt steak. Of course, there is a fountain, and the somewhat psychedelic images of people swimming above the bar only underlines the hotel's love of water.
This is a place designed to impress, but also made for comfort and individual attention. As far as hotels go, that's a pretty cool combination.
