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El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa Review
Read our Puerto Rico hotel reviews. Or post your own.
El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa 
- Address: 1000 Av. El Conquistador, Box 70001, Fajardo, 00738
- Phone: 787/863-1000; 800/468-0389
- Fax: 787/863-6500
- www.elconresort.com
- Price range: $$$-$$$$
- Location: Fajardo
Fodor's Review:
The name means "The Conqueror," and this sprawling complex has claimed the northeastern tip of the island for itself. Perched on a bluff overlooking the ocean, it certainly is one of Puerto Rico's loveliest destination resorts. Arranged in five "villages," The whitewashed buildings have a colonial-era feel. Cobblestone streets and fountain-filled plazas convey a sense of cohesiveness. The resort's beach is on Palomino Island, just offshore; a free shuttle boat takes you there in about 15 minutes. A branch of the Japanese-influenced Golden Door Spa is widely considered among the Caribbean's best spas. The staff prides itself on its attentive service.
- Hotel Details: 750 rooms, 17 suites, 155 villas
- In-room: safe, refrigerator, Internet, Wi-Fi.
- In-hotel: 17 restaurants, golf course, tennis courts, bars, children's programs (ages 4-12), pools, gym, spa, laundry service, beachfront, diving, water sports, public Wi-Fi, parking (paid), no-smoking rooms.
- Rate includes: European Plan
- Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
Member Reviews & Ratings:
jaxgirl
Posted by bethannjax from Jacksonville, FL on 2/14/08
My husband and I were less than impressed with this supposed "resort". Please do not expect to receive the attention to detail that would come with staying at either a Four Seasons Hotel or Ritz Carlton Hotel. The term "resort" should be used loosely when referring to this property. On numerous occasions there were details that were overlooked. During one afternoon we decided to visit the main pool and were surprised when a jack-hammer was chugging away at the pool deck. Luckily, our room was not overlooking the pool. Of course the sound reminded us of a day in New York City instead of a day in the caribbean. Many of the resort restrooms had doors or faucets that did not work. Even our hotel room door did not close without force. The hotel room walls are thin and you can hear all the goings on in the adjoring room including, the phone ringing, hair dryer blowing and even the conversation of the other guests. On our first night there we tried the marina side restaurant/bar and the bartender took our order then never made our drinks. We waited about ten minutes and then left. Oh and make sure you know the charges beforehand. On our final bill we were charged $20 for the bellman (per transfer), $15 for internet service (per day) and daily resort taxes and tariffs at $100 per day. The price of the room alone was equal to that of a Ritz or other high quality hotel. On a good note, The Strip House restaurant was delicious and exactly what you would expect from a high quality steak house. All in all, we felt that resorts should pay attention to the details and this was definitely not the case at this property. We have no problem paying for the service but it truly was not money well spent in our minds. Next time we will stick with a Ritz.
ugh
Posted by nysemem from long Island new york on 3/23/07
Stayed in the villas which were very nice. Having a butler to service your needs would be great if they actually accomplished something. They take instructions very well but dont follow through. The hotel throws charges for everything. Watch your bill. After I went through it I saved my self a couple of hundred dollars by disputing their charges. Too expensive for what you get. Main hotel is like being in San Juan on New Years Eve. Restaraunts are very expensive for mediocre to lousy food. The Beech is 15 minutes away and not worth the trip. With soo many other options in the carribean in this price range why go here.
resort great-can't say the same for the rooms
Posted by myates from Florida on 2/26/07
My husband and I went to El Conquistador expecting a 4-5 star resort experience. For the most part the resort itself lived up to the expectations, but the room we had was far below the standard you would normally have in such a resort. After changing rooms twice, we were finally upgraded to a room in the area of the resort where the rooms have been refurbished-the Las Brisas wing. The room there was beautiful-but from what I understand this room would normally cost and additional $100-$160 per night, which in my opinion is a bit high. I don't think you should have to spend soooo much more money just to get a room that is livable. I cannot even begin to go into the numerous things that were wrong with our first 2 rooms. Apparently the resort has fallen in to disrepair in the last several years and it looks like they are doing many improvements, but unfortunately the guest rooms are low on the priority list. I would go back to this resort, but not for a few years, when I know that all renovations have been completed and the chance of getting a substandard room is zero. The food is also pricy, but not outreageous for a resort- and the 3 places we ate dinner (Stingray's, Blossoms, and Otello's) were very good. The private island and pools were also very nice, and the view is incredible! I would also recommend not renting a car-take the bus from the airport to the resort-they have everything you want to do right there and you'll save the $15-$20 per day they charge for parking.
Rundown and not luxury
Posted by kwtraveler from boston, ma on 2/26/07
I have stayed at many resorts and this one was by no means a luxury resort. I wonder if they are having financial difficulties. The rooms and the property are rundown. The toilet in our room, even after being fixed, was leaking water (I hope!). The rooms are at best modest, the bathrooms large but look like an urban Holiday Inn or worse. The pools are crowded and mediocre. The private island is crammed with beach chairs and crowded. Great luxury resorts make you feel special, this place makes you feel part of a herd. The worst part of this experience is the poor management. The check-in process is so frustrating. A line of 4 people means a 20 minute wait. Then, if your room is not ready, you can check-in but get to stand in line again to get your keys. I could go on but suffice it to say - Don't bother. For the money, you can do so much better. In the meantime, they should be honest and admit they are not a luxury but more what you would expect from a Doubletree or Embassy Suites resort experience only not as good.
The REAL Pirates of the Caribbean
Posted by BettyKat from New York, NY on 11/30/06
This was the worst vacation of our lives--and we have stayed at everything from Motel 6 to luxury hotels. "Highlights" of the trip included all guests being rounded up and kicked off the beach so the resort could close it early; billing errorsin the hotels' favor, natchto the tune of thousands of dollars; and $350 per night rooms with photocopies of old room service menus and dirt so thick, we longed for the Ramada in El Paso, Texas. This resort is undergoing a renovation, but the real problem is the attitude of the staff: lots of "it's not my job" and no one will help you if something breaks. Broken funiculars, non working internet (it's 2006--get wireless!), the beach is a 25 minute ride away (no beach on the actual premises)--we wasted thousands for a 8 night trip here in November of 2006, and I a writing this to urge you not to do the same!
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