El Conquistador Resort

Our first stay at El Conquistador in Fajardo was wonderful! The resort offers great amenities, with the water park and free transportation to Palomino Island being highlights. The food was very good, and while the service was pretty standard, it was still nice overall. We loved that the hotel feels secluded but has everything you need, from restaurants and shops to activities and entertainment. At night, the atmosphere was lively with DJs and live bands, which made it extra fun for our group of friends. It’s a beautiful location with plenty to enjoy for both families and groups.

Staying in La Casita, and the power went out. That’s a problem, but not THE problem. After I notified the Casita desk, the woman working said she didn’t have a timeline for when the power was going to be back. Also, a problem, and also still not THE problem. When I said that we were not going to stay in a room with this summer heat wo AC and would like an alternative room in the main hotel (which is completely empty - bc they had a major conference cancel so the vast majority of the rooms were unoccupied). The main hotel insisted that they could only give us a room if someone from the Casitas desk called them. The woman working at the Casitas desk said she couldn’t call them bc there’s no power (no kidding). And when I suggested she call on her mobile, she said that she didn’t know the number. What?? I googled the front desk and showed her the number, which she still didn’t call. It was clear that she had determined she wanted to leave for the day (it was 6pm) and she was not going to be helpful. That’s the problem. With staff like that, I don’t see how this resort can possibly be rated above 1 star (and I would give a zero if I could). We ended up getting other rooms in the empty main hotel, but only after major discussions.

We had not visited in several years and our experience was fabulous. The property is beautiful and very well kept, the food options varied and very good and the service was extraordinary. All staff we came across was happy, courteous and helpful. julio in Palomino made us great sangrias on the spot and Raquel at the pool (by the Mexican place) went the extra mile to make us happy. We shall definetely be back soon.

Osbel in Bo-no made excellent recommendations and was so friendly and helpful. We had an amazing meal on our last night in Puerto Rico.

I recently stayed at El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, booked through Expedia, and wanted to share some things that future travelers should definitely be aware of. Location & Arrival: We knew we were booking a resort experience far from the city. The drive from the airport to the resort was smooth and took about an hour. However, upon arrival (a bit before the 4 PM check-in), there was a very long line to check in, and our reservation initially couldn’t be found. It took about an hour to sort things out and finally receive our room. The Layout & Experience: This resort is massive—more like a cruise ship on land. If you’re looking for a laid-back vacation where you step out of your room and you’re on the beach or by a pool, this is not the place for you. Everything is very spread out. There’s a lot to do if you plan to stay on the property and don’t mind walking. But if you prefer an easy, relaxing resort-style vacation, you may find this overwhelming. Room & Stay: We stayed in the marina section of the resort. It’s a far walk to get to the main parts of the resort unless you valet your car—expect to walk up to 30 minutes from your room to your vehicle. The views are beautiful and the décor throughout the resort is tastefully done, but unfortunately, there was no hot water in our room for the entire 4-day stay. When we brought this up, the front desk said, “Well, it’s warm, right?” and claimed they would fix it, but nothing ever changed. Customer Service: The front desk staff left a lot to be desired. While I didn’t have bad experiences with the wait staff, bellhops, or store employees (they were all friendly and professional), the front desk was dismissive and not particularly helpful—especially for a resort of this size and price point. Beach Access: There is no beach onsite. You have to take a 20-minute ferry to Palomino Island, which leaves every hour. The island is decent, but during our stay, sargassum (seaweed) was very present, making the beach experience less enjoyable. In my opinion, local beaches off-property are much better and more worth your time. Food & Dining: The resort food was underwhelming. You’ll find better (and often cheaper) food off the resort, especially if you’re looking for authentic Puerto Rican flavors. Overall Verdict: This is the kind of place you stay if you want to be in a large, visually stunning resort with a ton of walking and don’t plan on exploring beyond the resort. The pools and views are beautiful, and the shared spaces are impressive—but for me, the lack of hot water, disappointing service, mediocre food, and inconvenient beach access were deal-breakers. I’ve stayed in better places and would not return.