Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino

As is typical in large chain hotels, porters are available to greet guests and assist with luggage upon arrival. Though the subdued exterior is beige and red, several glass doors lead to a more modern lobby area and a front desk with a neon purple backdrop. Expect lines during peak check-in times. Deep pink walls and long white cylindrical chandeliers take the eye upward toward two main escalators, which lead to an entire floor of meeting space and business facilities. Not surprisingly, given the hotel's convenient location across the street from the Puerto Rico Convention Center and its own massive event facilities, those staying here are often involved in an event taking place at one location or the other. This could be a corporate or political affair with hundreds of conference attendees, a wedding, or something else entirely -- like a sport-related event drawing pre-teen kids and their families. Close proximity to the port also means that cruise ship travelers may be staying here before or after their sea excursion.In the morning, the lobby area in front of the main restaurant Choices -- open for breakfast and dinner -- is also a grab-and-go cafe. During the day, the lobby stays pretty quiet, and leisure guests can be found on fourth floor infinity pool and sun deck. The partially covered bar and grill here make this a nice lunchtime spot, or hideout during a rain shower -- and guests can sip piña coladas while watching planes and cruise ships over the bay. At night, atmosphere depends on what is going on at the hotel. If there is a full house, then facilities will be operating at full speed -- and that means more atmosphere. But on quieter days -- aka non-convention days -- guests might find evening options, like the casino or lobby lounge, lackluster. Guests in search of some dining and entertainment action will likely want to take a taxi off property. 

The major location draw for this inland hotel is its close proximity to the Puerto Rico Convention Center, as well as to the port for incoming or outgoing cruise ship guests. Guests who are looking for a beach hotel will want to look for options in Condado and Isla Verde, instead. It is a safe (if boring) part of town with few attractions within walking distance. Nearby restaurants are either chains or non-noteworthy local options. Taxis are easy to get, however, and porters can arrange pick-up from the main entrance. A 15-minute or so ride will transport guests to other more lively areas of the city like Old San Juan and the historic fort. The local airport is just a quick drive away, and it doesn’t take longer than 20 to 30 minutes to get to the international airport -- traffic depending. Nearby bus stops are also available for a cheaper fare and best suited for those not in a rush. Daytime construction of new buildings in the area might be an issue for those sensitive to noise -- same goes for the occasional entertainment and music coming from the convention center -- though the area is usually pretty quiet. For those arriving with a rental car, there is a parking garage with a daily rate. An Avis car rental office is located here for those who want to rent a car from the hotel. 

The 503 rooms, including 22 suites, feel modern and fresh, starting with the colorful striped carpeting in the hallways. Traditional and Superior Rooms have bold accent walls and beige carpeting; the look is upscale, but a bit generic. Amenities include work desks with ergonomic chairs, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds, and coffeemakers with Starbucks. Bathrooms have tub/shower combos. The near floor-to-ceiling windows allow lots of natural light in, and depending on the floor and location, look out over the infinity pool and conference center, surrounding neighborhoods, or San Juan Bay. ADA-compliant rooms are also available.Deluxe Rooms offer a bit more space than the Traditional and Superior rooms, along with balconies overlooking the bay. Sheraton Club Rooms (including one-bedroom Executive Suites) offer terrycloth robes and weekday newspaper delivery. Guests of these higher room categories have access to the Club Lounge on the 12th floor with indoor and outdoor space, continental breakfast, and afternoon gourmet snacks and beverages.Higher-end suites includes the Bay View Suites with parlor areas and iPod docks, as well as the Hospitality Suites, which are located on the hotel's fourth floor and have space for small meetings and gatherings. Each of the one-bedroom San Juan Suites has one and a half baths, a pantry, and a kitchenette with wet bar. The largest unit is the Presidential Suite, which features a large bedroom with king bed, one and a half baths, a furnished a private fitness room, a formal dining table for six people, and pantry for basic food or drink preparation. The large furnished terrace overlooks the pool and conference center. 

For leisure guests, the spacious outdoor terrace and infinity pool is the place to be, and is located on the fourth floor overlooking San Juan Bay. There are plenty of lounge chairs for getting Vitamin D, as well as spots for shade underneath one of the potted palm trees. Next to the pool is a large hot tub and plunge pool that sits next to the bar and grill. This dining area is covered -- a good spot to hide during a rain shower -- and serves typical lunch fare like sandwiches, burgers, salads, as well as sodas, beer, wine and cocktails. Since there are so few dining options within walking distance, many choose to dine here while enjoying the pool. The main hotel restaurant for breakfast and dinner is called Choices and is in the lobby by the entrance. Outside of Choices dining room is an area that serves coffee and pastries in the morning, which turns into a bar at night. The dining room is contemporary with bright pink and turquoise accents, table decorations, and lighting fixtures. On the other side of the lobby is District Lobby Bar with a bar and mix of cushioned lounge areas in white, pink, and orange for ordering drinks and tapas. Hours are limited here and it tends to get busy only during weekends or when large events are taking place. There are TVs in the bar area for watching sporting events, and the space is big enough for working during the day or having meetings. Other on-site dining include a Texas de Brazil steakhouse and a Chinese restaurant next to the casino. Guests with upgraded rooms and suites will have access to the Sheraton Club on the 12th floor. The Club Room has private member access and offers continental breakfast and afternoon gourmet snacks and beverages (non-alcoholic). A well-known local spa called Zen Spa is located in the hotel with several treatment rooms and quality products for sale. A contemporary fitness center is open 24 hours a day and has plenty of natural light from the windows, faced by many of the cardio machines. There's a wellness program called Core Performance available, and trainers can be arranged. The casino off the lobby level has nearly 500 slots and 16 game tables. There's occasional live entertainment here during peak times.

On the second floor of the hotel -- accessed by elevator or escalator -- is 40,000 square feet of meeting space with several room arrangements. The San Juan Grand Ballroom is the largest in the city. Other junior ballrooms and meeting rooms are available, and together, the space can hold up to 1,800 people. Across the street is the Puerto Rico Convention Center for groups of up to 10,000 attendees. The business center is adjacent to the event space with meeting tables, printing capabilities, and docking stations for laptops. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, as well.