Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort

The exterior of Hilton Ponce will take guests back to a faraway but still memorable era -- a time when geometric shapes were en vogue, and when Saved by the Bell was still on the air. This property, opened in 1992, will never be able to rid itself of its outdated early 1990s architecture without a complete facelift (or teardown).
The long driveway and parking lot don't made a great first impression: One will notice cracked, faded pavement begging for a new coat. Inside, the sterile lobby that resembles a hospital, decorated with nothing more than basic furniture. Luckily, it gets better. Rooms and suites went through a major renovation recently. In addition, the hotel invested a pretty penny into the new outdoor pool complex -- the center of action, since the beach is likely to disappoint. These two major areas of focus, along with the stylish gourmet restaurant, La Cava, help make up for other less attractive parts of a hotel.
The midweek crowd is mostly business types and Hilton rewards members who come to Ponce to play a round of golf next door, and charge meals on their expense account with their families. Kids usually can be found running around the expansive grounds having a ball (couples might want to consider another option). On the weekends, the resort draws a slightly more local crowd, and Puerto Rican entertainers sometimes perform in the event space. Whatever night of the week, there is often a fun crowd surrounding the outdoor bar, El Bohio, by the pool that stays open until late evening. Weekend nights is when QBar opens -- a trendy lounge that infuses the hotel with a little youthful energy.

The resort is located along Puerto Rico's south coast, with views of the Caribbean Sea to the south and rugged mountains to the north. The nearby town of Ponce is the second-biggest city on the island and has a neat historic district called Ponce Pueblo with colorful colonial architecture, restaurants, shops, and and the Ponce Art Museum, designed by the same man who designed the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Ponce was the first town in Puerto Rico to gain independence, and locals are very proud of this fact.
Guests might be disappointed by the dark, course sand on the beach, but can drive to better beaches along the coast. A free shuttle makes regular journeys to the 27-hole golf course, which has another outdoor pool and a slightly better beach. Another beach option is Coffin Island, reached by jumping on the nearby ferry.
Most guests will want to have a car while staying here for the freedom of getting around. The closest airport is Mercedita airport, 10 minutes away, but most will drive in from San Juan, which takes a little under two hours.

The resort's 255 rooms and suites are the highlight of the property. All went through a major renovation in 2012 and have bright and contemporary decor in shades of white and blue. Mattresses and duvets were replaced, and amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, modern work desks and chairs, free Wi-Fi, and twin sleeper pull-out chairs.
Standard Rooms (with double beds or one king) are located in both the east and west towers and have balconies on upper levels or patios on the first floor. Bathrooms have counter space and tub/shower combos.
Each Suite has a whirlpool tub, a living area, a second bathroom, and a furnished terrace. Executive Suites have one or two bedrooms and rain showerheads instead of the whirlpool tubs. The King Terrace Suite in particular has a huge corner terrace facing the sea with a hammock.
All bathrooms are equipped with Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries. Cribs, playpens and microwaves are available for families (a fee may apply).

The well-established Costa Caribe 27-hole golf course next door can be accessed via free shuttle from the Hilton lobby. It, like the resort, has beautiful views of mountains or sea in the distance, and tee times can be arranged by calling in advance or through the concierge. The clubhouse has a pro shop and a sushi restaurant open for lunch and dinner (available to all guests). There is also an outdoor pool and terrace, and a nicer beach than at the Hilton. Not many guests tend to take advantage of the facilities here, so it is a great option for couples who want a bit more privacy.
Besides golf, guests can partake in several other activities on the premise (some with a fee). There is a 1.2-mile walking path -- another great way to enjoy the mountain views. Bikes can be rented for this trail as well. There are four outdoor tennis courts. Water sport rentals include sunfish and kayaks. There is a fitness center, but it is not open 24 hours.
The outdoor pool in front of the resort has plenty of areas to spread out and relax with separate swimming areas for kids and adults, slides, timed fountains, daybeds, and plenty of lounge chairs.
There are lots of play options for kids, including a playground, an 18-hole mini-golf course, large-scale checker set, volleyball, ping-pong, shuffleboard, and indoor arcade games.
A spacious business center in the lobby is accessed via keycard and has an espresso coffee machine, several work and printer stations, and small meeting areas. This area of the lobby leads to the conference and meeting facilities of the resort. A convenience store next to the business center sells essentials and snacks.
The casino near the entrance consists of mostly slot machines, but there are a handful of gaming tables, though opening times for these vary.
Parking is free and secure but the outdoor lots have seen better days and need repaving.

Dining and drinking is not cheap at the resort. In-room dining is available from early morning to late evening. For buffet fare, La Terraza is the dining room on the lower level of the lobby, which offers self-serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner (beware of birds that may be bothersome here). El Bohio Sports & Pool Bar is adjacent to the pool area and offers cocktails, snacks, and light meals. This outdoor bar serves drinks until late evenings and attracts a fun crowd most nights of the week. There's a pizza stand nearby with plenty of seating areas in the sun or shade -- a popular pick for families.
For special occasions, La Cava is one of the nicest restaurants in the town of Ponce and offers an extensive wine list. Guests enter a stylish lounge for cocktails and then are led down a long hallway to the sophisticated dining room with muted gem tones, velvet chairs, and low lighting. For post-dinner drinks, QBar, open during weekend nights, offers a trendy lounge atmosphere that may have live entertainment or sporting events.