El Conquistador vs. Hyatt Dorado
 

My husband and I are planning a "de-stressing" trip to Puerto Rico for November. We are deciding between the Hyatt Dorado Beach and the El Conquistador. We are looking for luxury, great service and amenities, as well as some peace and quiet. While the El Conquistador seems to be more luxurious than the Dorado Beach, I am concerned that it is just so huge as to be impersonal and not conducive to romance and relaxation. Your thoughts on the matter would be most appreciated. <BR> <BR>I am most interested in a comparison of food quality, spa, beaches, rooms, and overall atmosphere and ambience. I have done my research and now am seeking personal opinions. <BR> <BR>Many thanks for your candor in advance...

You didn't mention you and your husband's approximate ages. But if you are under 50, I would recommend El Conquistador. The Hyatt Dorado caters to a very older crowd which is heavily into golf and tennis. The atmosphere is very low-key, to the point of boring. There is no nightlife, so if you want any stimulation you have to go over to the Hyatt Cerromar which is next door. The best part about these two resorts is that they are located in a very beautiful part of the island which is maintained very well. <BR> <BR>Now, El Conquistador, has it all. If you want quiet, that's really no problem, but at the same time you're feeling bored you can go the various restaurants, casino, nightclubs, boutiques, spa (it's fantastic). This hotel has probably one of the best views of the eastern Caribbean than any other resort. It's located at the foot of the rain forest, El Yunque, which I'm sure you'll like to visit, near Luquillo Beach, an incredible palm-lined beach, plus it has its own private island located 10 minutes by boat from the hotel. The first thing you see when you arrive is the golf course because the limousine drives right through the middle. There are tennis courts, several pools, and everything you could possibly desire. Good luck.

Having stayed at both hotels I would definitely chose the El Conquistidor. I found it to be far superior to the Hyatt. Have fun.

I have never been to Hyatt, but I spent a week at El Conquisatador in January. It is wonderful. It has it's own private island (Palmino Island) which is accessed by boat from the hotel. <BR> <BR>Wonderful service too!!! <BR> <BR>MKA

Hello There: <BR> If you are realy looking to relax check info on Somerset Dorset Primavera I belive thats how the name is. Is located in Rincon about 2 hour trip from San Juan, but is the place to relax they dont even have a TV in the rooms. Is not as big as the two others but is great.

Hello Again: <BR> Here is the complete name of the Hotel Horned Dorset Primavera, sorry for the other name is a little confusing.Check info on http://www.caribbean-inns.com/caribbean/dorset.html

Just got back from the Cerrormar yesturday. They are just finishing a total renovation of the resort. Dorado was being renovated this Month. If you want low key romance and luxury Dorado is the place. You have two high end resturants which are both very good. At neighboring Cerromar You have 3 resturants which are fabulous. The Dorado casino is very small 10 tables. Cerromar's casino is bigger with a bar with live band nightly. Hope this helps.

We highly recommend El Conquistador! We were there for a week in November '98 and found it to be paradise. The service was wonderful and the surroundings very luxurious. Very romantic setting with spectacular sunsets and relaxing outside dining overlooking the ocean; four pools (one with swim-up bar) so you could always find a private spot. Everything you need is right there, shops, all gourmet restaurants (the steak was out of this world!), nightly entertainment, casino. The private island was spectacular with a beautiful sandy beach and a feeling that you're on a deserted island (you can also ride horses there). The only "downside" is the 1 hour drive from the airport, but they provided cold soft drinks on the air conditioned bus, along with a video of Puerto Rico, and the ride is worth it once you see it's perfect location. Have a wonderful trip!

Hello Everyone! <BR>Thanks for the El Conquistador info. I want to know how much is it a night? We are both 30 years old, have a 2 year old that we want to bring with us, but most importantly we are looking for culture experience. We live in Seattle WA now and would like to feel as if we are in a different country. Some advice please?

Bridget, <BR> The price varies significantly, depending on the time of year you are traveling. They often offer packages. For example, this summer they have been offering a "five for free" package where you pay for the first four nights (it was either $190 or 210 a night) and get the fifth night free. Although they may offer the same type of package at high season times, the per night room charge will be somewhat higher. Also, there is one area of El Conquistador, called Las Casitas Villages, that are much more expensive. These are one and two bedroom suites.

Stayed at Cerromar 2 years ago. Was very nice. Beach was better at Dorado which was a 10min. hotel trolley ride. Not crowded at all--romantic--a cove with waves breaking on reef. 3 great restaurants - Italian & Seafood at Cerromar and Continetal menu at Dorado. Cerromar casino adequate and Dorado small. Live music in bar area at Cerromar. Staff was very accomodating. Friend went to El Conquistador and was disappointed in the time it took to get from room to beach on island. She felt the food was great and the property itself very luxurious. My opinion, Dorado would be quieter, more relaxing, no schedules (i.e., catching a boat to get to island, funicular to get lower part of El Conquistador property. Plus you get 2 resorts for one at Dorado.

reinaldo is correct...horned dorset hotel on western side of island in Rincon is gorgeous, extremely extremely nice, great wonderful food, quiet, no children......hey reinaldo, is your [email protected] PR site??? pretty cool. For those of you thinking of visiting PR, you are missing out if you don't consider staying in Isla Verde (they have a wonderful beach)at either the El San Juan Hotel and Casino, or the new Ritz Carlton, or out in Fajardo (on the eastern end)at the Westin Rio Mar Resort...balconies look out over the beach and the mountains...wonderful food, massages with the coqui sounds and beach waves...we spent Thanksgiving 2 years ago at Westin and ESJ, had a blast...you have a wonderful place with gorgeous views, great food, hospitable and very friendly wait staff, and a great golf course. The "El" was booked, so what can I say to that? Stay there, but don't bother with the Hyatt... <BR>BUT...also places to eat on island...our favs were Atlantica in Isla Verde, and the Metropole...where everyone goes to eat good food at great prices, you can eat there every night and not go broke. We are ending our Panama Canal cruise there in Dec. and are staying at the new Ritz-Carlton in Isla Verde for 2 nights..living la vita loca (I hope I got that right)!!! PR is wonderful, visit the regular (not tourist) spots and have a very relaxing romantic trip!

Hey Babs, <BR> I couldn't agree with you more. I recently vacationed there and stayed at the El San Juan and Ritz Carlton. Both were great. You might want to consider staying at the club level at the Ritz. It was really worth it (five food presentation throughout the day). When I booked, they were running an excellent promotion through Visa for $209/night. I don't know how long that's supposed to last though. <BR>

Hey Babs, <BR> I couldn't agree with you more. I recently vacationed there and stayed at the El San Juan and Ritz Carlton. Both were great. You might want to consider staying at the club level at the Ritz. It was really worth it (five food presentation throughout the day). When I booked, they were running an excellent promotion through Visa for $209/night. I don't know how long that's supposed to last though. <BR>

Bridget, <BR>My wife and I stayed at the El Conquistador after a Windjammer cruise that left from their dock. It's a beautiful resort, but pretty expensive. $300/night. The restaurants aren't cheap either. Their private island is very nice. But you won't be getting much of a cultural experience. If you want culture, stay in a resort/hotel near Old San Juan.

I have stayed at the Dorado and found it to be wonderfully romantic and relaxing, with the convenient option of taking the hotel trolley to the Cerromar for action and nightlife. We only visited the El C. , and thought it was very "jammed in", though elegant inside, and we would not like to have to fit their schedule for the boat to the beach and the funicular. This was before the recent hurricane, be sure to check out whether the El C. is fully functional again for the prices they charge! I recommend the Dorado, ask for the rooms in the building that sits right on the beachfront, not those by the tennis courts.

Melissa I have stayed at all of the places mentioned above at one time or another. The El San Juan are great for younger people and people looking to relax as well as enjoying some of the local color. It's a bit like Miami's South Beach around this area. Heavy traffic, wild on weekends. Beautiful Old San Juan is 15 minutes away. El Conquistador is an hour from Old San Juan, isolated, grand and in a promentory overlooking many little islets. You can find solitude and elegance here. Anotherm plus is the beautiful beach at Palomino is land directly across. Plus a great trip is an all day cruise to Vieque or Culebra, the Spanish Virgins. At Dorado Beach you have wonderful golf courses, an older wealthier crowd and beautiful vegetation.This was Rockefeller land that he developed. The beaches are nice, but for swimming and romance I prefer Palomino island at the Coquistador.Finally, the Horned Dorset Primavera in Ricon, 21/2 hours away from San Juan. It's Casablanca by the beach. Picture a huge romantic, Spanish type Hacienda, nestled in a little tropical forest at the foot of the mountains. The beach is good for tranquil walks but too deep for safe swimming. Great restaurant, great service and beautiful rooms. Truly romantic place in a beautiful uncommercial part of the island. My vote goes to the El Conquistador, for its variety and feel.