Arriving at the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, a sunswept resort on Puerto Rico’s northern coast, I immediately knew that I was somewhere special. Just inside the front door, a dazzling 7,000-piece crystal chandelier hung above a sunken bar where bowtie-clad bartenders crafted tropical cocktails, recreating the aura of a more refined era of luxury.
Since this storied resort first opened its doors in 1958, it’s always been one of the chicest destinations in the Caribbean. Over the years, superstars from Frank Sinatra to Jennifer Lopez to Bad Bunny have performed at the nightclub, Brava, and the resort has hosted countless famous faces in its luxe guest rooms and butler-serviced private villas.
I’m no celebrity, but throughout my stay, I felt just as important as the highest-profile guest. Every staff member I interacted with seemed intent on making me feel like a VIP from check-in to check-out. As soon as I entered the lobby, I was greeted with a welcome cocktail made with fresh hibiscus, Puerto Rico’s national flower, and escorted to my room by a cheerful hotel representative who pointed out the property’s highlights on the way. I was awed by the 300-year-old Banyan tree with its massive cascading roots, and I made a mental note to check the yoga schedule at the three-story, state-of-the-art fitness center.
Photo: Amy Gordon
As my guide left me to get settled, she handed me a wooden keycard, a tangible expression of the hotel’s commitment to eco-consciousness and sustainability. Additional touches like paper straws, refillable toiletries, water-bottle-filling stations, and biodegradable to-go utensils made me feel confident that I was staying somewhere that values our environment as much as I do.
With 13 food and beverage outlets on the property, the hardest part of my day was deciding where to eat. I began each morning by indulging in the massive buffet packed with fresh pastries, eggs, meats and cheeses, cookies, fruit, and a seemingly endless array of quesitos (cream-cheese-filled pastries), besitos de coco (a Puerto Rican take on coconut macaroons), and other local favorites. On my Uber driver’s recommendation, I stopped into Candy Shoppe, where the clerk served up rich Belgian chocolate and hot Puerto Rican coffee. For lunch, I opted to dine poolside on sandwiches and snacks at the El San Juan Beach Club as I took a break from the sun in a private cabana.
Photo: Amy Gordon
Four distinctive pools dot the 388-room property, each with its own vibe and amenities, whether that’s tranquil fountains or swim-up bars. My favorite touch was the server walking around with a pushcart full of fruity popsicles, the perfect mid-afternoon refresher. If you’re more of a beach bum than a pool patron, just walk through a gate and you’re a few sandy steps from the Atlantic Ocean.
While Fairmont El San Juan Hotel feels like a private oasis, it sits just five minutes from San Juan International Airport (SJU) and 20 minutes from picture-perfect Old San Juan, a must-visit on any trip to Puerto Rico. After spending the morning walking the blue cobblestone streets and touring historic landmarks like El Morro and the Puerta de San Juan gate, I returned to the hotel ready to relax with a deep-tissue massage. I checked in for my afternoon appointment at the penthouse Well & Being Spa, and I strolled out an hour later refreshed, relaxed, and excited for an unforgettable evening.
Photo: Amy Gordon
Dinner at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel is a treat no matter which outlet you choose, from exquisite omakase at Sushi by Bou, to cocktails and steaks at Meat Market, to modern interpretations of traditional Puerto Rican fare at Caña. I chatted with Caña’s James Beard-recognized Chef Jose Enrique, who shared stories about growing up nearby and sneaking into the hotel to see the famous musicians that came through regularly. Listening to his nostalgic trip down memory lane, I felt the hotel’s significance not just to the island but to its people.
On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, after dinner is when the real action begins. The lobby becomes a destination for unforgettable, locally inspired entertainment and interactive experiences. While I was on property, there was an invite-only fashion show, a vibrant salsa band wowing the crowd at Chico Cabaret, gamers and gamblers living it up in the attached Foxwoods Casino, and a lobby full of glamorous locals and worldly guests. My favorite evening activity, however, was the Cultural Canvas Series, where I not only got to showcase my (very limited) painting skills and artistic flair but also meet a local artist from Puerto Rico’s thriving creative community.
Photo: Amy Gordon
Back in my guest room, I ended the night on my beachfront balcony listening to the sounds of nature around me. The waves crashed against the shore, the wind rustled the palm fronds, and the coqui frogs sang lullabies to each other. As I nibbled on the chocolate truffles I’d bought earlier, I reflected on the wide variety of experiences that I’d had during my stay, from kicking back at the pool and melting into the massage table to delicious meals and high-energy nightlife. While I was melancholy that my time at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel was ending in just a few hours, I felt grateful to have been a small part of a long-lasting legacy that means so much to so many.
