BEYOND THE BORDER

Clockwise: The pool at Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino; a sampling from Spoon Food Tours; AC Hotel San Juan Condado’s lobby

BEYOND THE BORDER »

BACK IN BUSINESS

Puerto Rico overcomes the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

BY MEGAN GOSCH

Just a year after the destruction of the indomitable Hurricane Maria and the impressive recovery that followed, Puerto Rico is back in business. With a majority of hotels, businesses and restaurants not just up and running, but restored and poised for some exciting future projects, there’s never been a better time to visit one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean.

Between a wide variety of meeting locales, exciting options for post-meeting adventure—including foodie walking tours, rides through bioluminescent bays, gorgeous beaches and jungle excursions—and the island’s famously warm and welcoming ambassadors in industry professionals and locals alike, planners will find plenty of perks in booking an island retreat.

Better still, with hospitality ranking as one of the island’s largest industries, planners can work with world-class properties and dedicated event staff to make destination meetings a breeze.

With over 35,000 square feet of meeting space and the largest hotel ballroom in San Juan for up to 1,900 guests, the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino is the perfect spot to host large corporate meetings, galas and social events. Featuring a terrace lobby bar, a full-service spa and an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the marina, the urban resort offers state-of-the art amenities in an incredibly convenient location. The resort is just steps from the Puerto Rico Convention Center (the largest and most technologically advanced convention center in the Caribbean) and come spring 2019, the property will neighbor District Live!, an $89 million entertainment destination project set to include a 6,000-attendee live entertainment venue, a new 24-hour nightclub, and an entertainment studio for live broadcasts of events, a rum micro-distillery and much more. At the AC Hotel San Juan Condado, rooftop events are a must. The property’s modern, minimal design is influenced by the brand’s Spanish roots and caters to the busy and entrepreneurial traveler. It features a focus on curated essentials and provides planners with sleek, elegant meeting space. “Each space has been carefully designed with a purpose in mind and an emphasis on detail and simple elegance,” says Cindy K. Aldea Venegas, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing. From

the serene rooftop deck (which can accommodate up to 200), guests can take in the sights and sounds of Condado below while lounging by the pool and enjoying craft cocktails or delectable tapas. Planners can also utilize the AC’s seven additional meeting rooms for groups of up to 70 guests to host intimate social gatherings, product launches, corporate meetings and more. Guests can also take advantage of the property’s partnership with the neighboring San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, providing access to the resort’s beachfront, casino and pool.

And when meeting in Puerto Rico it only makes sense to impress guests with an oceanfront event at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. With an unbeatable beachside location in the heart of the Condado neighborhood, the AAA 4 Diamond property “seamlessly blends a classic resort feel with bustling city life,” says Director of Marketing Joaquín Cruz. With over 10,000 square feet of meeting space across 14 event venues, the resort can host anything from product launches with beachside fireworks and bonfires to corporate conferences and incentive group meetings featuring outdoor team-building events, and anything in between. “Our meeting experts execute those rare group experiences that transcend the ordinary to ensure all guest events in Puerto Rico are incomparably excellent.”

Attendees looking to venture out post-meeting are just a quick walk from the charming cobblestone streets of Old San Juan while those interested in relaxing on-site can lounge by the property’s luxurious resort-style pool or book a treatment at the on-site spa. Guests can also get a taste for modern and traditional dishes at the resort’s newest restaurant concept Gingambó.

Get Connected

AC HOTEL SAN JUAN CONDADO marriott.com/sjuac | 787.827.7280

SAN JUAN MARRIOTT RESORT & STELLARIS CASINO | marriottsanjuan.com | 787.722.7000

SHERATON PUERTO RICO HOTEL & CASINO sheratonpuertoricohc.com | 787.993.3500 San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino’s dining area (top) and entrance (bottom).