Checking-in & checking-out the Condado Vanderbilt

News / Tour Operator

06-23-2015 10:37 am

Checking-in & checking-out the Condado Vanderbilt

I've felt connected to the Vanderbilt family since I acquired a taste for one Silver Fox Anderson Cooper. The CNN reporter - one of the best in the biz - is son to Gloria Vanderbilt, which I learned from reading his memoir, Dispatches from the Edge.

So imagine my delight when I was told that I'd be staying at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel while in Puerto Rico for this year's Caribbean Travel Marketplace; this was likely as close as I would ever come to finding a connection with my media icon.

Of course, most guests of the upscale property have better things to think about than whether or not Anderson ever paid a visit to this place (and if so, which room he stayed in and what he ordered for breakfast). But sometimes I let my imagination run wild, and there's something about the property that brought out the dreamer in me.

The Vanderbilt, which only just reopened its doors in December 2014, was once an exclusive tropical vacation destination for royalty, heads of state, industry icons and Hollywood stars. Simply put, it is drenched in elegance and luxury.

The original property was built in 1919 by Frederick William Vanderbilt and designed by leading architectural firm Warren and Wetmore (their work also includes the New York Biltmore Hotel and Grand Central Station). The hotel's $200 million revival returned it to a Roaring 20’s style and sophistication, with outstanding service as well.

The reimagined 319 guestrooms and suite accommodations revealed with the reopening only months ago boast an elegant design, clearly inspired by the property's oceanfront setting and eclectic history.

Guests seeking the utmost opulence may opt for one of the 63 Commodore or 42 Biltmore one- and two-bedroom suites which range from 750 – 1,500 square feet, each with 24-hour private butler service.

The revival also included the introduction of a spa sanctuary with Puerto Rico’s first Hammam, and Ola, an international restaurant helmed by renowned Chef Juan Jose Cuevas, complimenting the acclaimed existing dining option, 1919.

As for location, the Vanderbilt is in the Condado region of San Juan (as the name suggests), with great restaurants and boutiques nearby.

Sun-seekers will appreciate the pool options, also newly revealed. The West Tower pool area features a 200-square foot mirrored pool with a waterfall, surrounded by chaise lounges and private cabanas. The secondary, infinity-edge pool is perched on the edge of the Atlantic – the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail while basking in the sun. The East Tower pool lounge features three smaller-sized pools set amidst beautiful landscaping.

For those who prefer sand-in-toes, hotel guests do have access to a beach area adjacent to the hotel, outfitted with beach loungers as well as towel, tanning, and cocktail service provided by beach butlers.

I wonder if Anderson is a beach or pool kind of guy...