Condado Lagoon Villas at Caribe Hilton

Condado Lagoon Villas bills itself as a resort within a resort: Guests have access to the extensive facilities of the Caribe Hilton, which is about a five-minute walk away; yet, the Lagoon Villas are far enough away from the resort that guests feel removed from its hustle-and-bustle. Guests check-in at a small, uncrowded lobby separate from the main resort lobby (although it’s opening hours are limited and guests have to check-in at the main lobby when it’s closed). Somewhat confusingly, part of the Condado Lagoon Villas are independently-owned vacation rental units, and the building includes a private pool that doesn’t belong to the Hilton. Most of the guests here are couples and families with kids on vacation. The property is also increasingly marketing itself toward long-stay business travelers who prefer the apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes over regular guest rooms found elsewhere.

The Lagoon Villas are set in a non-touristy neighborhood that overlooks Condado Lagoon, the ocean, and Old San Juan Harbor. The property is set adjacent to a modern shopping and dining complex, called Paseo Caribe. However, aside from the pockets of entertainment offered at this complex and at the resort, there isn’t much to do or see within walking distance. Midway between Old San Juan and the trendy Condado District, the hotel’s location is ideal for guests with a rental car -- it’s about a 15-minute drive west to Old San Juan and east to Condado. Isla Verde beach and San Juan’s airport can both be reached in about 30 minutes by car. 

The Lagoon Villas’ guest rooms are chain-like but inviting enough, with brown carpeting and medium-toned wooden furniture contrasting against crisp white bed linens. Sofas and armchairs are well-maintained, but the fabric patterns are a bit dated. Flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and clock radios with MP3 connections are standard. Rooms also have desks and two-cup coffeemakers. Narrow balconies furnished with a pair of chairs and a table feature city and lagoon or ocean views. Marble bathrooms provide roomy vanities with round sinks and bath products by Peter Thomas Roth. Some have shower/tub combos, while others have showers only or separate showers and soaking tubs. Some bathrooms also offer separate water closets. Studios add kitchenettes with mini-fridges, microwaves, and wet bars. Junior Suites further add larger sitting areas with sofas as well as walk-in closets. One-Bedroom Villas feature full kitchens with four-burner stovetops, dishwashers, and fridges. Villas also include separate living areas and huge terraces with four-top tables and loungers. Interconnecting doors allow rooms to be combined to create two-bedroom units for groups and families.  

Guests at Condado Lagoon Villas have access to all the facilities of the neighboring Caribe Hilton, including its three interconnected swimming pools. This lagoon-style pool complex has an infinity pool, two whirlpools, and a swim-up bar. Palm trees protrude from planters integrated into the chic deck surrounding the pool, which is dotted with loungers, daybeds, and white beach umbrellas. There’s a kids’ pool set beside the main pool complex, but it was closed for renovations during our visit. The Caribe Hilton offers direct access to a private, man-made beach. This slender strip of golden sand lined with loungers is attractive enough, but it doesn’t compare to the striking natural beaches found nearby, such as Isla Verde Beach. A few hammocks are looped between palm trees, and the sands connect to a pretty boardwalk that continues along the coast.The resort’s 8,500-square-foot spa, Olas Spa, is decked out in soothing tones of blue and teal. It features a hydrotherapy room, sauna, hair salon, steam rooms, and whirlpools. Treatments include massages and facials, many of which incorporate natural ingredients like coconut, cucumber, and green tea. The sleek fitness center has floor-to-ceiling windows and Precor treadmills, bikes, and strength-training machines. Fitness classes ranging from circuit training to yoga are held daily. Caribe Hilton’s kids’ club, Kidz Paradise Club, offers games and activities for children under 12. The hotel grounds also feature a lovely tropical garden and bird sanctuary, which has a koi pond filled with colorful fish. There’s a computer station in the lobby of the Caribe Hilton, with two personal computers available for guests. The lobby also presents a few shops that sell souvenirs and jewelry. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, and there are more than 24 meeting rooms of varying sizes available for events. Self-parking and valet parking are both available for surcharges. 

Guests have access to all of Caribe Hilton’s restaurants and bars. The resort’s main restaurant, Palmeras, serves up a solid buffet breakfast spread (for a surcharge) that includes pastries, fresh fruit, and hot dishes like eggs. Floor-to-ceiling windows along one wall offer nice views of the pool and the ocean beyond. The adjacent lobby bar, Caribar, offers more picturesque pool views, plus lofty ceilings and an array of comfy seating areas. The bar holds a government certification that credits it with inventing the piña colada, Puerto Rico’s official national drink, in the 1950s. The bar serves various incarnations of this famous drink, along with other cocktails. Atlantico Pool Bar & Grill serves up light fare, including sandwiches, wraps, and salads alongside the pool complex. The hotel’s other dining options, which are independently-owned concessions, include Italian fare at Il Giardino La Trattoria; Morton’s The Steakhouse, which specializes in fine cuts of grain-fed beef; and Asian-fusion cuisine at Lemongrass. Piña Colada Club serves tacos and other casual fare in a vividly-colored interior with hand-drawn chalk murals. There’s also a Starbucks and a Quiznos Sub shop.