San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

San Juan Marriott Resort may lack the glamorous decor of nearby properties like the Condado Vanderbilt and La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort, but it’s guest rooms and amenities are nonetheless bright, modern, and inviting. The hotel attracts a broad range of guests, and the atmosphere is almost always buzzing -- particularly around the beach and pool, which in addition to a fun waterslide, and interconnecting guest rooms make it a favorite of families. Numerous flexible meeting spaces make it a popular choice for conference attendees and other corporate travelers as well. You’ll also see a fair number of short-stay guests, who visit for one night on pre- or post-cruise stays. Drinks flow freely at the swim-up bar, casino, and lobby lounge -- those looking for a party will find one -- but families will still feel comfortable here. 

San Juan Marriott Resort is located on Avenida Ashford, Condado’s vibrant main thoroughfare. There are tons of shops, banks, restaurants, and pharmacies found within walking distance, as well as dining options ranging from local fare to international chains like Burger King. The Puerto Rico Museum of Contemporary Art can be reached in less than 15 minutes on foot. The resort offers direct access to Condado Beach, and the beaches of Isla Verde are a 12-minute drive away. The attractions of Old San Juan can be reached in around 15 minutes by car, while San Juan’s airport is about a 10-minute drive away. 

Guest rooms at San Juan Marriott Resort are decorated in muted, neutral color schemes with warm wood furnishings. A few stylish details such as X-leg writing desks or teal pillows add a little interest, but for the most part, rooms are tasteful if a bit staid. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, iHome radios, free Wi-Fi, and roomy work desks with ergonomic chairs. One-cup coffeemakers and mini-fridges are also standard. Closets hold personal safes and soft, waffle-weave robes. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto balconies furnished with pairs of dark wicker chairs and tables. Balconies offer good views of the city, pool, or ocean.   Bathrooms are on the small side, but feature large vanities and modern fixtures. Shower/tub combos are covered with white shower curtains, and magnifying mirrors are provided. All bathrooms feature bath products by Thann. Executive Suites and Executive View rooms add separate living areas with sofa beds. There’s also a Vice Presidential room with an extra half bathroom and a separate dining area. 

The resort’s landscaped pool complex includes a pair of pools -- one with a swim-up bar -- and a big, twisting waterslide. It’s an attractive area with towering palm trees, glass-block pillars, and spouting fountains. Plastic loungers lined up on the big sundeck offer a generous amount of lounging room, but the area can feel a tad crowded when the hotel is full. The pool area unfolds onto Condado Beach, a wide stretch of gorgeous, golden sands. Loungers and beach umbrellas are available here for guests. While San Juan Marriott Resort’s 24-hour fitness center is nothing special, it features a decent range of well-maintained cardio equipment and free weights. Fitness classes are offered for a surcharge. The adjacent Ocean Club Wellness Center offers massages, facials, and a variety of other spa treatments. The resort features 10,348 square-feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including a grand ballroom and numerous smaller meeting rooms. There’s a modest workstation in the lobby with three PCs and a printer available for guest use. Wedding planning services are available, and there’s also a popular casino on-site. A games room offers arcade-style games for kids (though it is closed for renovations until spring 2017). Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and both self and valet parking are offered for daily fees.  

The resort’s dining options are satisfactory but pricey. The main restaurant, La Vista Latin Grill & Bar, serves buffet and a la carte options for breakfast and dinner (expect to pay for breakfast). It has a compact outdoor seating area overlooking the pool, and a large, contemporary interior decorated with bold red and blue accent walls and mosaic detailing. La Isla Beach Bar offers lunch as well as drinks throughout the day. Anchored by a central bar with flat-screen TVs on either side, the bar is laid out under a narrow, open-air shelter that faces toward the sands. The lobby is home to Coffee Merchants Treats to Go, which sells grab-and-go options like sandwiches and pastries; as well as Red Coral Lounge, a swanky space with modish tables and chairs. The lounge often showcases live entertainment and DJ music. There’s also a cute gelateria located just outside the lobby.