This Revamped Puerto Rico Resort Is Steps From San Juan’s Buzziest District

Similarly, the Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino — an urban resort that recently completed a multi-year renovation project — has been designed to appeal to all sorts of guests. About 10 minutes by car from Old San Juan, it’s close enough to the Puerto Rico Convention Center to attract business travelers, but it also houses the second largest casino in the Caribbean and a top-notch spa, making it a solid destination for an indulgent weekend. If nothing else, its sizable rooftop infinity pool should appeal to anyone looking for a little fun in the sun.

Personally? I wasn’t visiting the island for business, and I wasn’t planning to gamble or spend most of my time poolside. But when I stepped through the hotel’s doors on a recent trip to San Juan, I nevertheless had a feeling that I’d chosen well. The hotel is well-positioned between many of San Juan’s top attractions, and the urban resort strikes the right balance between exploration and relaxation, making it a perfect base for both adventure and downtime.

Photo: Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino

The first thing I noted about the Sheraton’s redesign was that it brought a restful, island-inspired aesthetic to its 503 guestrooms. Natural hues and textures create a soothing atmosphere that’s enhanced by soft blues and warm wood tones that reflect the nearby coastline. Room types vary from traditional rooms with double or king beds to executive or presidential suites.

My room featured a king-size bed, a spacious work area, and a private balcony overlooking San Juan Bay. I was too tired my first night to venture out after dinner, but I enjoyed kicking up my heels and listening to a local band play by the water.

If you’re more of a high roller than I am, you may want to consider one of the hotel’s suites, which come with separate living areas and spa-like bathrooms. I managed to peek inside one of the suites while scoping out a viewpoint on the hotel’s top floor and can confirm that it looked suitably splurge-worthy, with rich wood paneling behind the bed and a corner balcony that showcased nearly panoramic views of the surrounding city.

Room rates vary by season and location, but if you visit during the high season, you should plan to spend at least $500 for a traditional room.

Photos: Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino

One of the resort’s biggest draws is its infinity pool, perched above the bustling Convention Center District. The pool stretches nearly the full length of the resort’s roof and offers views of the bay below. There are plenty of seating options scattered nearby, including several lounge chairs stationed under shaded cabanas that offer respite from the subtropical sun.

The resort also has a spa and 24-hour fitness center stocked with state-of-the-art equipment. To get your movement otherwise, you can venture down to the pool area, play a round of pickleball, or take part in one of the Sheraton’s drop-in salsa classes.

For those feeling lucky, Casino Metro awaits just off the lobby. With over 500 slot machines, 21 gaming tables, and a special lounge for sports betting, it’s easily the largest casino in Puerto Rico. I normally avoid casinos because I hate the smell of stale cigarette smoke, but I can report that Metro was pleasantly smoke-free — and when I dropped $10 on red at the roulette table, I immediately doubled my money, so clearly the house doesn’t always win.

Photo: Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino

The Sheraton Puerto Rico has six different dining options (including in-room dining) ranging from a Brazilian steakhouse and an Asian-fusion lounge to a grab-and-go cafe. My first night began with dinner at Mutuo, a sleek, modern space where Nikkei cuisine — a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors — takes center stage.

Having crossed Peru off of my travel bucket list earlier this year, my expectations for Mutuo were initially low. I figured that Nikkei-style cuisine at a Puerto Rican restaurant would pale in comparison to what I had in Lima. Fortunately, I was dead wrong.

Chef Eric Sánchez clearly understands how to blend the flavor profiles that inspired the restaurant’s menu, and I enjoyed every dish I sampled. My favorite might have been the ceviche roll (a shrimp and avocado roll topped with a generous portion of bright, acidic ceviche). Other standouts were the chicken empanadas with aji verde (a creamy, slightly spicy, herb-based Peruvian sauce) and the fall-off-your-fork-tender five-spice braised short ribs.

The restaurant wasn’t particularly crowded when I visited around 7 PM on a Sunday, but I’d recommend booking a reservation if you want to dine there on a Friday or Saturday night, especially if you want to snag a seat by the sushi bar to watch the chefs work.

The next morning, I rolled out of bed and ventured over to Choices, the hotel’s casual bistro-style restaurant. I was still feeling a bit full from the many courses I ate at Mutuo the night before, so I opted for the house oatmeal, which came with several accompaniments (nuts, raisins, cinnamon) that I could mix in myself to taste. Light and sweet, it was exactly what I needed to kickstart my first full day in San Juan.

Get to know the neighborhood

Photos: Lindsey Anderson

The Sheraton is steps from Distrito T-Mobile, a new-ish entertainment district filled with bars, shops, and live music. On my second day in the city, I ate at La Central (a steakhouse-style Puerto Rican restaurant) and Barullo Taberna (a Spanish tavern).

If you walk in the opposite direction, you’ll eventually hit the Plaza del Mercado de Santurce, a lively market that transforms into a sprawling block party on weekend evenings. The hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle to nearby Condado Beach and historic Old San Juan, making it easy to explore the island’s rich history and stunning coastline.

Explore the city’s historic side

Photos: Lindsey Anderson

Speaking of Old San Juan, no trip to Puerto Rico is complete without a visit to the oldest (and most picturesque) part of the city. Sixteenth-century forts built by the city’s first Spanish settlers rise dramatically from the Atlantic coastline, and defensive walls built around the same time encircle the city.

Over the course of a three-hour walking tour courtesy of Spoon, I got the chance to explore many of the city’s charming cobblestone streets while eating my weight in mofongo (deep-fried and mashed green plantains). You don’t need to take a tour to explore the restaurants and bars that dot this part of the city, but I loved learning more about Puerto Rico’s rich culinary (and cultural) history from a local who clearly loved her hometown.

Tour a rum distillery

Photos: Lindsey Anderson

One of the highlights of my trip was a visit to Ron del Barrilito, the oldest rum distillery on the island, which lasted roughly an hour. I learned about the history of the hacienda (a large estate typically used for agriculture) and the rum it produced. I also got a chance to play mixologist and make three popular cocktails, including Puerto Rico’s most iconic drink, the piña colada, which was invented in San Juan in 1954.

The Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino is a 10-minute drive from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). Taxis and rideshares are readily available, and for those renting a car, the hotel offers on-site parking. A word to the wise, though: If you plan to spend most of your time bouncing between the hotel and Old San Juan or the area around Condado Beach, you’re probably better off using a rideshare service or the hotel’s complimentary shuttle system because parking is a pain.

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