It was one of the most exciting moments…
when we clicked on the button to purchase our tickets to Puerto Rico. It was as though a weight had been lifted and we were about to travel back to a time where vacation and relaxation were not just words but actionable, accessible, and within reach. That’s one of the reasons we chose the Fairmont El San Juan. As you may have read in our Swellegant Stay over at Swanky Retreats. If you are reading this first then here is what we shared.
“Step back in time to a swanky era where cigar smoke permeated the air and live music filled your soul in San Juan. This resort embodies all the classic touches that evoke a sense of place from the moment you enter the lobby. Closer than the forts and cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, the Fairmont El San Juan immediately sets the stage for a Puerto Rican holiday. By day, the dark wood walls and ceiling soften the bright sunlight and invite the luxury traveler to sink into its rich leather furniture and enjoy the opulence of the lobby while being dazzled by the imposing 7,000 crystal chandelier. By night, this same lobby comes alive in a very sophisticated way. Sway your way through the entrance as the beat of live latin music pulls you deeper into the heart of the resort. This inescapable sense of place is woven into the fabric of your stay. The pools echo back to a time where sunbathing was glamorous and space was limitless. Float aimlessly, on your back, in the wellness pool while gazing up at the magnificent 300 year old Banyan tree. History is not fabricated here, it is made here. This is a fabulous place to create vacation memories that will last a lifetime. Amenities include Well & Being Spa and Fitness Center, paddleboards, luxury cabanas, signature dining at Caña by Juliana Gonzalez, El San Juan Beach Club, Meat Market, Riva, and the Chandelier Bar. Indulge in modern tropical splendor with old-world elegance in any of its rooms, suites or villas. The beach is only steps away from its pools and cabanas. This island is a hotspot for those seeking relaxation, a touch of history, and a vibrant Caribbean getaway. Fairmont El San Juan is an excellent choice when you are looking for something swanky and elegant for your next Swellegant stay.”
The thing is that those details are the tip of the warmth and nostalgia that draw you in from the moment you arrive. We swam in the pools…both of them, until our cares were washed away. It is true about being in the wellness pool, that floating around in that one, looking up at the banyan tree, makes you realize that time passes, life goes on and that this resort is rooted in Puerto Rican history. As easily as a time traveler would slip from 2021 back to February 1st, 1958 when the hotel made its debut, we made our way up to our room and slid into outfits befitting this gorgeous stately property.
Before dinner, we sauntered over to the chandelier bar for cocktails that were befitting our feelings of nostalgia, a Martini and a White Russian. Drinks in hand, we made our way across the lobby to the billiard table where the subtly swagged curtains obscured the rest of the lobby and made us feel as though we were in our own story. As the writer of that story, we controlled the scenes and each one was more romantic and mysterious as the next. With travel starting to burgeon again, we were lucky to have the luxury of space in this, normally, bustling lobby.
As the sounds of the live band permeated the air, we swayed to the beat on our way to dinner where the fusion cuisine at Cana played beautifully into our next chapter where we were flown in from Spain to dine on the sandy shores of Puerto Rico, for just one romantic evening, then it was off to bed to actually dream. Our waking hours at El San Juan were so beautiful that diving into bed to see if we could carry the feeling into our dreams was a delicious thought. Alas, it was not meant to be. As we awoke in the morning, our reality surpassed anything that came to mind from our sleep. So, joyful for another day at this resort, we headed outside to take it all in, with a little day trip into Old San Juan to delve even more deeply into the history of the island. It all tied together perfectly. We will be back again soon as we long for the sweet nostalgic feel of this island and this resort.
