Inside Sheraton Puerto Rico: A Good Blend of Business and Leisure in San Juan

San Juan is filled with interesting hotels and resorts, but Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino offers a combination of business and pleasure that no other hotel can match.

More resort than a business hotel (despite being next door to the convention center), this property boasts a dramatic pool terrace, beach access, and a spa that draws outsiders. Add to that the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy program and its affiliated perks, and you have a real winner.

Booking

This hotel offers competitive rates, often lower than beachfront hotels. Guests can earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for a stay.

Photo: Courtesy of Sheraton San Juan Resort & Casino

Its location across from the Distrito T-Mobile entertainment district means it is a popular destination for visitors and locals for the various restaurants, shops, and cinemas. You can even go zip-lining!

The hotel

This is a large building with rooms that face the city center or the pool terrace and Distrito T-Mobile. A recent renovation swept through the property giving it a bold, new look that is bright and engaging. The reception is directly across from the entrance, and a dramatic display on the wall features branches from trees that were once in this location decades ago.

Photo: Courtesy of Sheraton San Juan Resort & Casino

The casino here is the largest in the Caribbean, and hosts live music and entertainers regularly. If gambling is not your thing, head to the fourth floor, where the pool terrace is sure to catch your eye. Its infinity edge makes it seem like it is spilling over the edge of the building.

Rows of comfy lounge chairs and a cabana are available for rent in the pool. A terrace with life-size board games and a yoga pavilion is off to one side.

Photo: Courtesy of Sheraton San Juan Resort & Casino

During my visit, the hotel was renovating the pool bar and restaurant, adding more shaded seating and a pizza oven. The menu will evolve with the new eatery, too, with a second option being the food truck on the other side of the pool. The nachos with guacamole are a must, and being Puerto Rico, it is essential to have at least one piña colada during your stay.

The third-floor spa is a local brand with other locations on the island. Surprisingly large, this spa features numerous treatment rooms, relaxation areas, and a long roster of massage and beauty treatments.

Photo: Courtesy of Sheraton San Juan Resort & Casino

A full floor of large meetings and ballrooms draws conference and group business to the hotel. Overflow space at the next-door convention center means this property can welcome groups of all sizes. Soundproofed work booths in the lobby are great for impromptu phone calls out of earshot of those around you.

If you want to get out and explore, a free shuttle takes guests to the beach (complete with towels to borrow) or to the Old Town for some sightseeing.

The room

Recently updated, the accommodations are extremely well thought out. A cushioned bench lines the wall that can be used for luggage or as seating, while a swiveling chair sits by the panoramic windows in the corner. A wide desk has convenient power outlets, and the lightning-fast Wi-Fi made it easy to catch up on work during my stay.

Photo: Courtesy of Sheraton San Juan Resort & Casino

Feather-soft duvets cover the beds with stacks of tall pillows up against cushioned headboards. More power and USB ports are on either side. Bathrooms have Hollywood-bright mirrors, strong water pressure in the combination tubs, and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries in large pump bottles.

Photo: Courtesy of Sheraton San Juan Resort & Casino

I recommend opting for a room with a furnished balcony overlooking Distrito T-Mobile for the most entertaining views. Suites at the end of the building have their balconies, too.

Not always common in hotels, I appreciated that housekeeping delivers bottled water daily, and that recycling bins are separate from the garbage.

Dining

This is where the resort really shines. Of course, there are two dining options by the pool, but there is also a popular grab-and-go market in the lobby with a coffee bar serving Puerto Rican brews.

Choices is a breakfast restaurant with unfailingly kind service. There is a buffet (Marriott Bonvoy top elite status members), which you can enjoy for free, a menu of made-to-order omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and a complete Puerto Rican selection of local choices.

Photo: Courtesy of Sheraton San Juan Resort & Casino

Mutuo is the resort’s piece de resistance, and it has quickly garnered the attention of locals who appreciate its unique Nikkei menu that fuses Peruvian and Japanese flavors.

From hand-rolled sushi to lomo saltado, the menu is truly impressive in its wide selection and authentic flavors. I recommend the Nikkei hummus, any of the fresh ceviche options, and the yummy tiraditos.

Photo: Courtesy of Sheraton San Juan Resort & Casino

Ocean Lounge serves a wide variety of wines, beer, and cocktails, and near the casino, there is a Brazilian steakhouse that serves nonstop meat options.

Verdict

You can’t go wrong here. Sheraton’s brand evolution is on full display in Puerto Rico.

Best for

This resort offers everything a business traveler needs while keeping leisure travelers pleased from the moment they arrive.