Welcome to Puerto Rico: Where to Stay for Saborea 2014

It’s time to pack your shades and grab your sunscreen, we’re heading to Puerto Rico for the Saborea Food Festival, happening April 3 through 6 at Escambron Beach, near San Juan! The fest, which showcases the best of the island’s Caribbean ingredients, foods, and talent, is 3 sun-drenched days of cooking classes, demos, and lots and lots of eating. There are also sure to be lots of parties as Puerto Rico celebrates it’s rising star in the culinary world. Of course, in between all those delicious events, you’ll need a place to rest your weary, sandy feet. So, here our picks for where to stay in Puerto Rico.

(And for up-to-the second delicious coverage, stay tuned to our Out in the World blog and Facebook and Twitter pages. If you see our editor Dan Koday (@dankoday) at the festival, say hi!)

Dorado Beach, Ritz Carlton Reserve

If you’re looking for a little bit (or a lot) of luxury, check into the Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve property. This property sits on 1,400 beachfront acres and the open-air hotel is designed to disappear into the landscape (think connected walkways raised above green, tropical gardens and everywhere you look, clear ocean views) while giving guests every possible amenity. There are 100 rooms and 14 one-bedroom suites available with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors, outdoor garden showers, individual infinity pools, and plenty of plush indoor amenities (hello, soaking tub). On the property, you’ll find a 5-acre botanical spa offering holistic treatments as well as modern day therapies; and plenty of gourmet dining. Definitely save room for Mi Casa by José Andrés, chef José Andrés’ first restaurant outside the United States. On the menu you’ll find elevating cooking applied to local ingredients and fresh caught seafood.

Hotel El Convento

Located in the heart of Old San Juan, in a stunning Spanish Colonial building, this AAA Four Diamond property has plenty of Caribbean flare with luxury touches. The oldest member of the Historic Hotels of America, El Convento has taken over a 360-year-old convent. The property has 58 rooms, a roof terrace, a plunge pool and Jacuzzi, four restaurants, and an off-site beach club. In each room, you’ll find complimentary WI-FI, soft and cozy bathrobes, marble bathrooms, goose-down pillows, and a fridge stocked with complimentary beverages. Grab a bottle and head outside, at El Convento, you’re only a few cobble-stone steps from the best of Old San Juan.

Next, two more sun drenched properties to check in to… 

El San Juan Resort and Casino

If you’re looking to stay closer to the action, head to Hilton’s El San Juan Resort and Casino, located just 5 minutes from the airport, 15 minutes from Old San Juan, and smack dab in the middle of the Isla Verde nightlife district. Though there are 386 rooms (including 22 suites) with all the amenities, you won’t be spending much time there. During the day, head to the hotel’s Edouard de Paris Day Spa or the Encanto Beach Club where you can swim up to the bar and catch DJs. At night, you’ll want to check out the pulsing lobby bars (The Gold Bar, The Silver Bar, and The Blue Bar) or head to the 16,500 square foot casino. If you want to keep the night going, there are two late night clubs and bars. And if you don’t get your fill at the festival, you can check out one of the nine dining options (our pick is Koco, which features Caribbean food and a rum bar).

La Concha

You may recognize this property from it’s famous conch shell structure which houses a fine dining restaurant. Located in the trendy El Condado neighborhood, this Renaissance Resort was originally built in 1958 and recently underwent $221 million worth of renovations. It now boasts 485 rooms including 235 suites, a state of the art casino, and five on-site restaurants. The rooms have enlarged windows so you can take in all of the gorgeous surroundings, cushy bedding, and big work spaces (though you wont be needing those). During the day, check out the multi level infinity edge pool with a connecting waterfall, a serene ocean-facing infinity pool, or head to the beach for scuba diving and snorkeling. At night, try your hand at the Casino del Mar, with 17 gaming tables and over 500 machines or stroll through the lobby, which turns into a lounge. And of course, make a reservation at Perla, the floating restaurant, which serves gourmet American cuisine and has an impressive wine list (more than 4,000 bottles).