I second renting at Las Casitas via air bnb. It is adjacent to El Conquistador and has access to some of the shared facilities (beautiful infinity pools). Fajardo is beautiful! I recommend the bbq restaurant at the gate entrance to El Conquistador.

https://www.airbnb.com/l/IXtcuRjg

Search “las casitas village, Fajardo” on air bnb. Otherwise, if you’re locked into El Conquistador, it’ll be more expensive but gorgeous. You will love it.

The Condado Vanderbilt is nice but as others have said, there's not really a beach and it is super windy. I also didn't care for being right in San Juan. I would have preferred to be at a different part of the island that isn't so busy, has a nice beach and calmer surf. YMMV

The Riyz Dorado is much better than either of them.

Anonymous wrote:I've never been to El Conquistador, but have stayed at the Condado Vanderbilt. It felt small and kind of dated, but the real kicker of why I wouldn't stay there is the wind. It's not joke. My friend (who went at a different time of year) had the same complaints, FWIW.

It’s not dated. It’s the decor from the era of the Vanderbilts that it is supposed to evoke. It’s a high end hotel. That’s why people hold wedding receptions, proms, Christening, etc. events there. But yes the wind, since it is right on the ocean, can be fierce at time.

We loved El Conquistador, the only caveats I would mention are that if your flight lands in San Juan in the late afternoon the trip to Fajardo will be long through rush hour traffic, and that if you forget anything you want to bring to the beach it is a pain to get back on the ferry to go get it.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - a huge thank you to the poster who wrote such a long description of the two hotels!

De nada!

I've never been to El Conquistador, but have stayed at the Condado Vanderbilt. It felt small and kind of dated, but the real kicker of why I wouldn't stay there is the wind. It's not joke. My friend (who went at a different time of year) had the same complaints, FWIW.

OP here - a huge thank you to the poster who wrote such a long description of the two hotels!

Rent at las casitas. It’s great!!!

There’s a shuttle for el conquistador

…and I must add that as long as you aren’t going during the islands spring break in April, you should be ok with less crowds wherever you go. Make sure you make a car rental reservation before you get to San Juan.

PR local here. So the Vanderbilt is a great hotel in Condado, kind of more a boutique hotel, attracts some of the cryptocurrency crowd, has a nice brunch on Sundays, fantastic view right on the ocean but no beach. The hotel is used a lot by wealthy families and private schools to hold their proms, weddings, homecoming, etc. it’s a lovely hotel overall. If you like being close to Old San Juan and near great restaurants around the area and close to shopping and strolling on the Nextdoor beach at “Ventana Del Mar” then this is your hotel.

El Conquistador Hotel in Fajardo has a stunning view all around. You’ll feel like you are overlooking the Mediterranean. There is a secret infinity pool that’s gorgeous at Las Casitas Village on the premises. The Coqui waterpark is right on the ocean and nice to have fun in. There is a ferry to Palomino island, and it’s a relatively short ride. So it doesn’t matter if the ferry is crowded or not, they don’t go over capacity, ever. The island itself is nice with food, drinks, activities and nice white sand beach on one side and gorgeous views. Right outside the hotel is one of the best restaurants on the island called La Estación. Highly recommend making reservations to eat there more than once! Also nearby is Pasión por El Fogón restaurant and El Pescador (very rustic). Great places to eat. El Conquistador puts you near El Yunque, about a 30 minute drive away. And Seven Seas beach is a local swimmable favorite about a five minute drive from the hotel entrance. You will need a car to get to this hotel and be able to drive around.

Does anyone have recent experience with either of these resorts? Heading to PR later this month. We're leaning towards the El Conquistador, in part because several people on this board have liked it, but I've read some nightmare reports of not being able to get on the ferry to their beach island due to overcrowding. I'm generally worried about crowds, etc. I've also read recent TripAdvisor reports of the Vanderbilt being dirty and having bad service. I recognize these are 1st world problems, but if you have any input, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!