Condado Vanderbilt Hotel

I have some shout outs for sure. I can not express what a great three day weekend we had the the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, the hotel is amazing, the staff extraordinary. This is a top of the line operation. We were greeted by Steve who did an exceptional job handling our bags, the door, the check in and our site orientation as he escorted us to our room. Five stars for Steve. All the dining options are exceptional, but we found ourselves most regularly in Tacos and Tequila during the World Cup games. There, Angel was wonderful taking care of our table inside or out. Five Stars for Angel. I typically get along well with my bartender but I have to give a special 10 Stars to Pablo. What a joy he was in making our stay special and sharing his love of Puerto Rico with us, La Isla del Encanto! He also made the most amazing Margaritas too. Marabar Rum Old Fashioned...the best. We closed every evening in the elegant main lobby lounge where Brenda took care of us and was so accommodating. Also five Stars for Brenda! This hotel understands hospitality, it has been a long time, maybe never have that I ever experienced a hotel staff so professional, warm, and welcoming.

The hotel was beautiful the staff was very nice the food was exceptional. The beach you can’t walk on it’s very treacherous. Why I gave this hotel 3 stars? Someone came into my room and stole a $300 pair of sandals. The manager insisted that the key detail only showed my husband and I coming in and out. How are my sandals in the suitcase the day before and the next day they aren’t there? So be forewarned do not take your expensive items there.

Let’s begin with the most important thing you need to know: THIS IS NO LONGER A 5-STAR HOTEL. The final morning of our stay says it all. At 5:45 a.m., a crew of handymen began hammering on a railing at the Mexican restaurant below our room. Repeated calls to the front desk went unanswered, forcing me to go downstairs to complain. The explanation? The front desk agent was on another call. The hammering stopped briefly, then resumed. Quite an unforgettable wake-up call on the last day of a vacation. Unfortunately, this was only the latest disappointment: * Check-in was delayed nearly two hours; our rooms were not ready until almost 6:00 p.m. * The food at Las Olas was barely edible. * Service throughout the property ranged from indifferent to unfriendly. * Breakfast waits often exceeded 30 minutes. * On Saturday, our room had still not been serviced by 6:00 p.m. * Turndown service was provided only once during a three-night stay. * Room service delivered a Caesar salad (with the dressing on the side) with just spoiled lettuce, missing all other ingredients of a Caesar salad. It felt less like a mistake and more like a dismissive response to a simple request. I have stayed at this hotel many times over the years and always enjoyed it. During my last visit I noticed standards slipping; this time the decline was impossible to ignore. Simply put, this property no longer delivers a 5-star experience and booking platforms should seriously reconsider its rating.

This is a true 5 star hotel, from the welcome champagne on arrival to the grandness of the lobby . The hotel grounds are beautiful, the great choice of restaurants especially 1919 which was a real treat on our last evening, food and staff exceptional. I did read people have commented previously the rooms are a little outdated and aged but honestly we had a lovely large room with a balcony , yes maybe the bathroom could do with an update , shower grouting for example but it was always clean and well serviced. Pool areas were fabulous with very attentive staff . Special shout out to the concierge Francisco, very helpful especially when our San Juan old town trip was canceled, he went above and beyond with suggestions what to see , where to eat and the history of old San Juan , it was easy to get there with Uber and we explored at our leisure. I would recommend this hotel and plan to return.

Our stay at the Condado Vanderbilt was nothing short of extraordinary — truly the most exceptional experience we’ve ever had there, and that says a lot. We’ve stayed at the Vanderbilt many times over the years, and it has always held a special place in our hearts. We even chose it as the home base for our destination wedding, where our friends and family stayed and were treated with the same warmth, elegance, and care that make this property so unique. But this most recent visit surpassed every expectation we’ve ever had. From the moment we arrived, we felt genuinely welcomed and cared for in a way that is rare even among luxury resorts. The staff’s kindness felt sincere, the attention to detail was flawless, and the entire property radiated pride and excellence. Our room was immaculate and beautifully maintained, and for the first time ever — despite having stayed in some of the best rooms on the property — we had a butler reach out to us proactively. That gesture alone spoke volumes. It wasn’t just service; it was thoughtful, personal, and deeply appreciated. It made us feel seen, valued, and truly at home. After leaving the Vanderbilt, we continued our trip at the Four Seasons in Puerto Rico, expecting a comparable level of quality. Instead, the experience there was a complete disappointment. The contrast was undeniable. Where the Four Seasons fell short, the Vanderbilt shined even brighter. Where we felt overlooked there, we felt celebrated here. This trip reminded us why the Vanderbilt has always been our favorite — and why it will continue to be the only place we stay when we return to Puerto Rico. To the entire team at the Condado Vanderbilt: thank you. Thank you for your warmth, your professionalism, your attention to detail, and for creating an experience that we will remember for years to come. You have earned our loyalty many times over, and this stay reaffirmed that there is simply no comparison. Butlers: Emanual Ortiz and Gabriel Rodriguez, Isabelle and all of the team.