I have only been to Puerto Rico once for a few hours but it was enough to make me want to visit again. My daughter wants to go for her 16th birthday so I'd like a place that has a pool and a nice beach. I was looking at Stellaris and Isla Verde Marriots because both seem like nice places that the teens will not get bored between beach and pool. My question though has to do with the water. Is it too rough to swim at either location? Are there lifeguards on the beaches, even at the hotels?
Either have an infiniti pool? Swim up bar? The run down please.

We are going in November so can only provide with what I have found from research. We chose the Marriott Stellaris. We are pool people and the pool looks like what we are looking for as it does have a swim up bar. However, drinks are outrageously priced, so we probably won't even use it. I have a personal issue paying $12 to $14 for a small foo foo drink. There is not an infinity pool at the Stellaris. The beach can get rough and many people complain it's not swimmable unless you are a strong swimmer and can handle the surf. There are no life guards on the beach.

The Isla Verda area has the better, calmer beaches, but not much within walking distance like restaurants/bars and is much further away from San Juan than the Condado area. We were more interested in convenience than beach.

We love the beach at Isla Verde. If you want to go into Old San Juan you can either rent a car or just take a taxi. It's not something you will probably be wanting to do often.

Thank you for your responses. Something to think about!

How long are you going for?

Have only stayed at the Marriott in Condado and would stay there again.

Ocean and beach are slightly better in Isla Verde but cant really comment on the hotels

Condado is closer to Old San Juan but with a car or taxi it is easy to get there from either Isla Verde or Condado

We tend to go to restaurants in the Condado area (great selection) and within walking distance of teh Marriott

Other options would be to check out resorts outside of San Juan (but you would def need a car so you could check out restaurants outside of resort)

Resorts like Rio Mar in Rio Grande or El Conquistador near Fajardo. The El Conquistador has several pools and a water park but you need to take a short ferry trip to their private island for the beach

Hope that helps

More info on Puerto Rico here www.discoveringpuertorico.com

Thank you! We were going for 5 days and I'm more a beach person than pool but I don't want to worry about heavy surf especially considering I will be bringing my daughter's friends. I am leaning towards Isla Verde but now, lol, also looking at Cancun for calmer water though I really would love to go back to Puerto Rico.

If you are looking at Cancun, be aware that the hotels at the top of the "7" in the hotel zone have the calmer water.

The Playa del Carmen area has the better beaches.

One thing about PR is it was like one or the other; beaches or location. Didn't seem to have both in any one area.

If you have the budget, Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos has to be one of the best, calmest beaches out there. It's like swimming in a pool.

Thanks KVR. I was in Turks and Caicos years ago and loved it but its too pricey. I'm afraid I'm the horrible tourist right now who wants everything at budget price. I am seeing some things in Cancun that are nice but I am feeling that draw for Puerto Rico. I do appreciate the tips. Considering that it will be me and 3 16 year old girls I'm pretty happy with just having a nice beach and pool and not much else.

as someone who has abs no memory of her 16th bday (or really, any of them before i moved away to college) i have to say i hope your daughter (and her two friends?!) appreciate these gestures. : )

Thanks fishee. I'm pretty lucky. She's a great kid.

The Marriott Stellaris is a nice hotel and located within walking distance of many restaurants and shops, But the water is known to be quite rough.

The Caribe Hilton is located on it's own private stretch of beach. It is a large hotel complex with many pools. The beach is more of a private lagoon. The girls would be safe to wander down and swim in the pools or beach area alone. We liked the fact that the kids could wander on their own in the hotel area. The hotel has several restaurants on property too. We took cabs to downtown and to the Condado/Isle verde for dinners. It is right next to the condado and I remember walking over a bridge in the 1980s to the condado, but not sure if that is still accessible. We were there a few years ago, 2009 and I don't think we could walk over there. My one daughter had a swollen ankle so we were cabbing it no matter what.

Thank you Girlonthego. I hear that Marriott Stellaris is gorgeous and a few friends went but the surf reports are so varied. Some say calm swimmable water, some say rough, lol. I'm leaning towards Negril now. Price is a bit higher but I know water is perfect.

Well you seem to be a bit all over the place but I still thinking of Puerto Rico most of the advice here so far is pretty spot on. I wouldn't call the Marriott stellaris "gorgeous" but then that is pretty subjective. Is a nice property and a good stretch if beach and good location. However the surf is significantly rougher in condado than it is in isla verde.

Another poster mentioned the caribe Hilton and its true that the beach there is very calm but not really a good walking beach. I stayed there once and it was nice although I wasn't fond of the location. Theoretically you could walk to condado but its a pretty good hike, especially if you are going out to dinner. Don't really like arriving at a restaurant with sweat dripping down my shirt.

Can I ask what is luring you to Puerto Rico in the first place? There are better places to go if you really only want a beautiful pool and beach and not much else

I agree that I wouldn't describe Marriott Stellaris as "gorgeous" -- but more than adequate on a good beach. Many would consider Hilton Caribe to be luxurious but it's off on its own on a huge resort complex. The walk to Condado is not leisurely, to be sure. I considered this option too and I happily walk 6-7 miles around cities if I'm wearing the right shoes but I said hell no when I saw that walk....

I love Negril but it might be a pain as the 16 yr olds will get hassled quite a bit (and so will you) walking anywhere on their own.

Puerto Rico is beautiful. I would recommend Caribe Hilton for a good swimming beach and lovely pools. They are often times running specials and I got it for 99$ a night on Priceline. I only stayed one night, but I loved it there.

I didn't stay in San Juan the entire time. The best part about Puerto Rico is the adventure and fun of exploring the Island. You mentioned you like Negril. (I do too!) If you're looking for calm beaches, a chill vibe and beautiful sunsets I recommend staying in Rincon. It's located on the west end of the Island and a 2 hour drive from San Juan but it's worth it. As a fellow lover of Negril, I highly recommend checking it out while you're in Puerto Rico.

I booked the Stellaris. Unfortunately air to Jamaica was too expensive for now and while the last time I was in Negril, I found the vendors pushy but was able to deal with them. It was a concern for me as far as the kids go but the ultimate decision was cost.
Tom, I was in Puerto Rico for the shortest time when I came in on a cruise and had a flight later on. We spent the day on the beaches and I found it charming and always wanted to go back. I've never known anyone to not love Puerto Rico. I really didn't want an AI and pricewise it seemed good.
Thanks everyone for the tips. I was all over the place so I know it wasn't easy. But thank you!!