The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan

We have stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in Puerto Rico for business twice this past summer. We got a very good deal for the room through AAA. While the hotel does not compare to other Ritz's properties, we understand that Puerto Rico is an island and the standards are different. The hotel is nice and clean. The service is excellent and always tried to be helpful and very friendly. The room we stayed in (a standard room with a view of the parking lot/airport) was clean and always maintained ready for us. The restaurants are expensive and the food is just average. The pool and beach area are beautiful and clean. The casino is small, but adequate. Free drinks and free food (some of the best bean soup I've ever had). Valet parking was fast and they were always very polite and helpful. Location very convenient. Close to the airport but the noise did not bother us. The Ritz is the only hotel that I would stay in San Juan -- we always felt safe there.

I am writing this review to provide some balance. We stayed from just before New Year's eve through the following week. It is a very busy time, and the front desk was working hard to just handle the traffic, let alone special requests. New Year's weekend was party central, lots of guests, costumes, private parties (you could crash some but salsa required), and pretty full beaches. The week after we had the place almost to ourselves. The long brown sand beach, slightly cool water temp and sun were great, so were the hammocks under the palms and the pricey but prompt beach bar service. They'll plant your blue umbrella with a drill and position your chaise just he way you want it. The pool was a kid's zone, family friendly territory. The airport is nearby so you do see and hear planes outside. Spa staff was well trained - great service and full spa menu. Best food was at BLT, but a great local joint was right outside the gate - we had a Three Kings Day feast there that really ripped, and the museum restaurant is a double header, fine dining treat. Hotel's Italian restaurant was more hype than haute cuisine. Rooms have some great views, and the New Year's eve fireworks from the balcony are a bonus (goes well with champagne). Overall the expected Ritz glitz and service but with a Carribean twist.

- This place is horrible. Definitely overpriced. The place doesn't even clean the windows. The room smelt like mildew. They lock the hotel gates at night so you feel like you are in prison. Jones Beach is better than this beach. If that is what you want to call it, it is more like a sand box full of old people. The drinks are twelve dollars a piece and in small cups. Trust me, stay somewhere else. Go somewhere else!! Buyer Beware.