First Look: Inside Condado Vanderbilt (SLIDESHOW)

The opening of the Condado Vanderbilt  in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in January is spurring some good buzz; we’re all keen to see how this oceanfront historic hotel will look after its major refurbishment. The hotel is accepting reservations starting on December 8; its official grand opening celebration will be January 31.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, 1919, has been open for some time now and is getting rave reviews, such as: “This is old-school luxury. We went to their lounge bar and the service here is truly five star…If anything, stop by for a drink on their large outdoor patio with fantastic views.” Weddings are already a big business in the existing space.

Word is the spa will have a private hamman, acclaimed as the only one in Puerto Rico. Details include lots of marble: as in a marble-slab heated massage bed, marble benches and walls of mosaic marble.

More 411: The spa will be 10,000 square feet in size with seven treatment rooms, all unique. A terrace will serve as a spot for outdoor treatments; it will have two showers for rinsing off product used in natural clay treatments. There’s more outside space to sit and sip refreshments and enjoy the sea views. The entrance to the spa sets the tone for luxury with two-tiered fountains leading to the welcome area, which gives way to the sauna, steam room and changing room. Treatments will range from LED facials to a “Spanish Gardenia Paradise Body Ritual.” The spa will use Germaine de Capuccini skincare and Red Flower body-care products.

Nice Touch: A spa boutique provides beauty and consultation services and will have an Aroma Blending Bar where guests can blend their own signature fragrances (products are from the Red Flower organic beauty line). A separate room service spa menu will be available for in-room treatments.

For those that like to work out with a view, the fitness center has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the ocean.

Jorge Collazo ([email protected]) is the hotel’s regional director of sales and marketing, and serves as the luxury travel advisor liaison for VIP travelers. 

Visit www.condadovanderbilt.com