The oceanfront Caribe Hilton affords vacationers to Puerto Rico a secluded spot to chill out and play within the island’s capital of San Juan, whereas nonetheless being near standard sights. It is not the most affordable possibility, however it’s a superb alternative for these searching for a peaceable seashore trip at an upscale property.

The island is a well-liked vacation spot for U.S. vacationers, providing lovely seashores, scrumptious meals and passport-free journey. Plus, should you’re coming for Unhealthy Bunny’s music residency in 2025, the Caribe Hilton is a brief Uber journey away from the venue, the Coliseo de Puerto Rico.

On the decrease finish, anticipate to pay underneath $300 or 68,000 to 75,000 Hilton Honors factors for the standard room per night time. Nevertheless, throughout peak intervals, these numbers can climb to over $1,000. Timing is every little thing, so that you’ll must be versatile together with your journey dates to get the perfect deal.

I stayed on the Caribe Hilton for 4 nights in April 2025. Whereas the resort lined the price of my meals and lodging, this evaluate is my very own opinion and was not influenced by the property.

Located on the Isleta de San Juan, the Caribe Hilton is simply outdoors of Outdated San Juan, the historic district that’s residence to the Spanish fortresses of Castillo San Cristobal and Castillo San Felipe del Morro. That space is well accessible from the resort by Uber or, should you’re feeling spry, by foot (anticipate a 40-minute stroll).

To get to the isleta, or little island, you’ll must cross a bridge from Condado Seashore, the place a lot of town’s chain accommodations are positioned. Santurce, a vibrant neighborhood identified for its road artwork and nightlife, is positioned by Condado Seashore.

The resort is in a comparatively quiet neighborhood, though you may nonetheless discover retailers and eating places close by. Should you’re in search of whole peace and quiet, head to the massive park subsequent door, which has entry to a stretch of public seashore that’s standard for organized water actions.

I’ve been to San Juan a number of occasions, and I discovered the peaceable ambiance of the Caribe Hilton to be a spotlight of my keep, because the close by Condado Seashore can really feel extraordinarily touristy and crowded.

Whenever you first pull as much as the property, you instantly discover the imposing buildings that make up the Caribe Hilton. Designed within the Worldwide Fashion, with an emphasis on easy geometric shapes, you would possibly mistake them as workplace buildings from afar should you couldn’t see the resort signage. However playful parts assist add character to the graceful and unassuming rectangular facades, such because the saucer-shaped roof over the open-air foyer.

A large garden lined with palm bushes greets company on the entrance to the property. Should you’re coming by rideshare, you’ll be dropped off by the resort’s tallest constructing and must stroll right down to the foyer. A taxi can drop you off in entrance of the foyer on the finish of the driveway.

When you arrive, you’ll hear tropical music setting the tone in your trip and encounter enjoyable design parts that play into the island vibe.

It’s additionally the place you’ll examine in. In case you have Hilton elite standing, you should use a devoted line to hurry up the method. Usually, that is the place you’ll get a wristband, which safety makes use of to determine you as a visitor of the resort when accessing the pool and seashore space.

Nevertheless, once I checked in, the agent knowledgeable me that they’d run out of wristbands because the resort was extraordinarily full. As an alternative, I would wish to point out my keycard to entry the pool space.

A lot of the resort’s eating choices are in or close to the foyer. The doorway to the outside pool and seashore space is right here as effectively.

Should you’re in search of a peaceful place to take a seat and chill out, take a look at the outside backyard with a small pond and gazebo. I didn’t spend a lot time right here however the inexperienced house can be a enjoyable place to convey children for animal recognizing, from fish and birds to iguanas and turtles.

Whilst you’re there, don’t miss the colourful mural of pineapples simply across the nook. You’ll additionally have the ability to see playful touches of the resort’s signature blue coloration included into the architectural design.

One factor that’s abundantly clear in regards to the Caribe Hilton: It’s happy with its historical past. Small reveals and placards showcasing the resort’s heritage are scattered across the property, from historic pictures to a complete wall devoted to the resort’s declare to fame because the birthplace of the pina colada.

The property is cut up into three wings: the Seashore Wing, the Backyard Wing and the Wave Wing. The Seashore Wing is closest to the foyer, the swimming pools and the seashore, whereas the Backyard Wing overlooks the outside backyard space. The Wave Wing is the furthest away and requires a brief trek.

I stayed in a high-floor room within the Wave Wing that had an ocean view. This wing is the tallest construction within the resort providing the perfect views, and the doorway to this constructing is close to the rideshare pickup and dropoff space.

Whenever you first enter the room, the toilet is instantly in your left, whereas the remainder of the room is straight forward.

I actually loved the room, though I discovered it to be a bit naked, contemplating how a lot house there was. However there’s loads of room for baggage.

I appreciated the bedside charging choices, which included a wi-fi charging pad and totally different charging ports in case you overlook (or are too lazy to drag out) your charging block.

Within the room, you have got customary facilities like a TV, a espresso machine, a mini fridge and two chairs.

There was loads of space for storing for my belongings, which helped me preserve issues organized throughout my keep.

My favourite a part of the room, in fact, was the balcony. The climate was a bit muggy whereas I used to be there, however the concept of with the ability to sit outdoors made me glad. Plus, it was useful to have a spot to dry out swimsuits after a day on the seashore.

One factor I didn’t like in regards to the view was having to have a look at the roof of the a lot decrease constructing under, which homes the resort’s convention and assembly rooms. In opposition to the backdrop of the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean, the mechanical tools was a little bit of an eyesore. If that’s one thing that will hassle you, attempt to ask for a room on the opposite aspect of the constructing dealing with the seashore space.

The toilet, for my part, felt comically giant for the standard resort room. Whereas I don’t essentially discover that to be a foul factor, I assumed it was an attention-grabbing alternative that they made the loos bigger as a substitute of choosing extra sq. footage for the room.

Like many customary Hilton properties, the resort makes use of Crabtree & Evelyn bathtub merchandise. I appreciated the enjoyable artwork piece that held on the wall by the bathroom.

The Caribe Hilton is part of the Hilton Honors program, that means you may ebook rooms utilizing money or Hilton factors. It’s additionally an eligible property the place you may spend the twice-a-year resort credit score that comes as a perk of holding the Hilton Honors American Categorical Aspire Card. (That card additionally comes with computerized top-tier Diamond elite standing, with advantages like complimentary breakfast and upgrades.) Phrases apply.

Should you’re in search of the perfect deal, anticipate to pay underneath $300 an evening for a room on the Caribe Hilton. Customary factors pricing appears to hover between 68,000 to 75,000 Hilton Honors factors, so be sure you do the maths to see whether or not it is sensible to make use of money or factors. NerdWallet values Hilton Honors factors at 0.6 cent apiece, so it’s typically value contemplating utilizing factors once you begin seeing nightly costs north of $500.

Take into account when reserving that the resort prices a resort price, which is waived for Hilton Honors members when reserving utilizing factors or redeeming a free night time award.

In case you have any elite standing with Hilton and are planning a keep on factors, you would possibly have the ability to reap the benefits of Hilton’s “fifth night free” perk, permitting you to pay the worth of 4 nights for each 5 nights you keep in an ordinary room when utilizing factors.

Don’t have elite standing however wish to use this perk? Take into account opening a bank card that comes with computerized elite standing, such because the Hilton Honors American Categorical Card, which incorporates entry-level Silver standing and has a $0 annual price (see charges and charges). As talked about above, Hilton affords varied bank cards that include differing tiers of standing. If you need greater standing, although, you’ll must pay a better annual price. Phrases apply.

Company on the Caribe Hilton have a number of eating choices — starting from sit-down eating places to espresso retailers with grab-and-go choices. A lot of the eateries are positioned in or close to the foyer.

For breakfast, company can go to Nectar del Caribe, which affords a breakfast buffet in addition to sizzling meals stations, together with made-to-order omelettes and waffles. As a Hilton Diamond elite, I used to be supplied complimentary breakfast for chilly objects solely with a $20 upcharge for the recent meals buffet and stations, which had bacon, eggs, pancakes and empanadas. I skipped the upsell and went with the chilly objects, which included fruit, pastries, cheeses, charcuterie, smoked salmon, breads and juices.

Despite the fact that breakfast was complimentary on account of my elite standing, I used to be given a receipt that listed a $10 cost. This stunned me, however I used to be advised that it could be faraway from my folio afterward, and it was. The complete breakfast buffet is about $35 per particular person, which I don’t assume is value it. If you wish to eat right here, I’d suggest ordering a la carte.

For different meals, company can strive Rustica Ristorante and Lola’s, which serve Italian and Puerto Rican delicacies, respectively. The latter two really share the identical house, so you may order from both menu whereas eating there, which is nice for households or giant teams with totally different tastes. Rounding out the eating places are Morton’s The Steakhouse subsequent to the check-in counter and Ocean Restaurant & Lounge, which is positioned by the Wave Wing and has an upscale and intimate vibe.

One among my favourite meals I had throughout my keep on the island was really at Caribar, the foyer bar which has an out of doors terrace. I ordered the grilled skirt steak which was cooked completely and got here with flavorful inexperienced chili rice and plantains. You may as well order quite a lot of cocktails right here, together with the traditional pina colada or one of many concoctions on the particular Unhealthy Bunny menu. (Professional tip: The Born in Paradise made with Don Q rum was a crowd favourite throughout my keep!)

Different choices embody an on-property Starbucks, which may get busy within the mornings, in addition to Ice Cream & Cookies Co., which serves — you guessed it — ice cream and cookies, in addition to acai bowls, smoothies, espresso, sandwiches and different snacks. Out by the pool, you have got Bagua, a swim-up bar and grill. That’s the place the every day pina colada tasting takes place, which is included within the resort price.

Should you’re in search of meals choices off-property, I loved Cruda, which is within the complicated throughout the road and sells poke bowls. Close by, you may as well strive 787 Espresso, a sequence that sells inventive espresso drinks, with an possibility to make use of alcohol-infused beans. I didn’t strive it throughout my keep, however I’ve had it in New York Metropolis and loved the variability it affords.

The Caribe Hilton has a number of swimming pools, together with one designated for youngsters, and sizzling tubs, in addition to seashore entry. I discovered the pool space to be overrun with kids throughout my keep, so I opted to spend most of my water time on the seashore. (Even when the pool was empty, I’d all the time select the open water over a pool.)

Each the pool and seashore areas have loads of lounge chairs to select from, making them nice spots to chill out and hang around.

By the pool, you’ll discover a hammock backyard, an enormous chess set and a chalkboard itemizing the varied resort actions supplied by the resort.

Company can play volleyball on the grassy space by the seashore, whereas children can run round on the close by play construction.

The property additionally affords three tennis courts, named after Monica Puig, who gained gold on the 2016 Olympics. The resort price comes with a complimentary one-hour court docket rental.

The resort spa, Zen Spa Oceano, and health heart are between the tennis courts and the seashore. Behind that space is the dilapidated Normandie Resort, which is a little bit of an eyesore for company. I requested a resort employees member about it, they usually advised me that it was deserted in 2009 and the homeowners hope to renovate it at some point.

The health heart is open 24/7 and is effectively stocked, with treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers, weight machines and extra. The perfect half, although, is the unbelievable view of the ocean whereas figuring out. (To entry it after the spa’s hours, you’ll want to make use of the doorway by the tennis courts, not the primary entrance.)

The property additionally has a 24-hour laundry room, which I assumed was a handy possibility for these planning to spend a number of days on the seashore or pool. There’s just one washer and one dryer, and every 45-minute cycle prices $3 ($6 for washer and dryer). Should you didn’t pack detergent, you should purchase it within the laundry room.

Most vacationers visiting San Juan will fly into Luis Munoz Marin Worldwide Airport (SJU). From the airport, an Uber to the Caribe Hilton will price about $15.

Should you’re planning on renting a automotive, remember the fact that self-parking on the resort is $25 a day, whereas valet charges will price you $32 a day.

Whether or not you must lease a automotive will depend on what actions you wish to do throughout your journey. Those that wish to chill out on the seashore and discover Outdated San Juan seemingly don’t want a automotive. Nevertheless, for individuals who wish to discover all the island, equivalent to mountain climbing in El Yunque Nationwide Forest, a automotive will seemingly be crucial.

To economize, take into account blocking just a few days for actions that require having a automotive to get round and lease a automotive only for that interval. That method, you gained’t need to pay in your automotive rental and parking charges on days once you don’t plan to stray removed from the resort.