Something New In Old San Juan

Another recently opened restaurant in the hotel is Il Mulino, a branch of the popular Italian restaurant in New York’s Greenwich Village. And the lobby bar has been redone with a more contemporary look and is now a hub of activity for both tourists and locals; on weekends, bands play anything from jazz to pop to salsa music.

The 416 guestrooms are elegantly designed in a soothing palette of russets, yellows and greens and feature tropical-style artwork, mahogany furnishings, king-sized beds with duvets and wrought-iron lamps (many overlook the beach from the large picture windows). Other perks that are sure to please discerning guests are the flat-screen TVs, numerous full-length mirrors and the Bulgari amenities in the marble baths. The garden suites come with their own pool-level patios but are enclosed by shrubbery to offer maximum privacy it’s a great spot to enjoy breakfast or pre-dinner cocktails. The presidential suite, which has been used by such luminaries as Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, has a dining room, kitchen and whirlpool bathtub. It is located on the ninth floor, Club Level, where guests have access to a private lounge with complimentary snacks and cocktails served throughout the day.

The pool area, surrounded by beautifully landscaped tropical gardens, features a large marble fountain and six coralstone water-spouting lions (the Ritz-Carlton’s symbol), which makes for a dramatic setting, yet it’s not stuffy at all (as evidenced by the many families). There’s also an outdoor hot tub, just steps from the beach, where hammocks and a slew of watersports await.