For those who have done it.. should we use hotel transport or a cab to get to the El Conquistador? And any pointers on best pools/restaurants, etc.

We opted to use the hotel transport and we were the only occupants. Vehicle was air conditioned and they served both alcholic and non-alcholic drinks.

Thought the main pool was a bit too busy for our tastes so took the funicular one level down and we were the only ones at a NICE pool with plenty of shade and a bar for food and drinks.

Favorite restaurants were Blossoms and the French one whose name escapes me right now.

I took the hotel shuttle bus from the airport, and wished we had taken a cab or car. We had to wait almost 40 minutes for guests arrving on other flights to arrive before we could leave. We took a taxi when we left the hotel for our return flight. That being said, the bus was fine, I just wouldn't do it again.

I loved the hotel. I agree with the above poster about the main pool, although it is great for sunset drinks sitting in the hot tub. I prefer the pool down on the water in the La Marina Village. (This would be the last stop on the funicular.) These rooms are larger than the main hotel rooms in the Grand Hotel (other than Las Casitas which are huge) and all have balconies looking onto the water. If you stay in La Marina, I would avoid the rooms near the pier as they are a bit noisier with the ferry departing and arriving. Ask for a room by the pool area.

I believe the pool the above poster is referring to (i.e., the first stop on the funicular) is part of the Las Olas Village area which was the original hotel when it was built in the early 1970s. It is a very quiet part of the hotel.

If you want to have a treatment at the Golden Door spa, make a reservation now, as they get booked up.

There is Dec. 2003 and we took a cab to Fajardo (same town as El Conq) but going back to airport we used the hotel transport. Cost was slightly higher using hotel transport but it was more comfortable. The cab we were in didn't have ac and it was a long hot drive to Fajardo.

We preferred the outdoor restaraunt by the main pool - sorry can't remember the name of it. Served pretty good Italian dishes but very expensive. Do not order burgers at the cafe - they were awful.

Can't speak about pools because we aren't pool people. We don't go in them when theres a big beautiful ocean/sea there.

Pardon me - first sentence should read we were there in Dec. 2003.