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A quick getaway

I have become the QUEEN of the quick getaway. If you follow my travels you know EXACTLY what I  mean. While my FAVORITE style is to rent a spot and stay in a neighborhood for a while it’s not always practical. Especially if you just need a quick escape from everyday life. Sometimes that means a weekend with hubby, a short but sweet family vacation, or even BETTER – calling your best girlfriend up and saying

What are you doing next weekend?

What if I told you, we could hop on a plane to a fabulous beach resort, act like a kid again in a water park,  hit one of the BEST spas you’ll ever experience, spend time on a private island where you can go horseback riding, and have a handsome waiter bring you a pina colada? OK, you can stop scouring the house for your passport, and you don’t have to break in to your 401K because we’re heading to Puerto Rico. I just checked online and TripAdvisor lists flights starting at $178 RT (from West Palm Beach).

What if I said you’d be staying at a Waldorf Astoria?

And no it doesn’t have to cost you $600 a night. That’s right a WALDORF ASTORIA – one of the BEST hotels on the planet. While the prices normally start at around $179 per night by being patient you should be able to find deals. I’ve seen LOTS of specials for Florida Residents this year, and I happen to know that they’re also offering spa packages for girlfriend getaways that are A-MAZ-ING.

one of the waterslides at Coqui water park

WELCOME TO PARADISE

What can I say? The El Conquistador Resort (there I revealed it) is just one of those places you dream about going…so STOP DREAMING and GO.

  • Golden Door Spa
  • Palomino Island
  • Las Casitas Village
  • Coqui Water Park
  • 2 levels of SHOPPING (great stores)
  • Golf
  • Horseback Riding
  • Marina
  • and….

 

Order the local artisanal cheeses from room service

I HOPE that you’re hungry because

I can tell you from experience that you won’t need to leave the property for some of the BEST restaurants in the area. I know I’ve overeaten at ALL of them. Here are my PERSONAL recommendations (and yes I returned a bit heavier – but if I had visited the Golden Door spa for more than a sugar scrub I would have been fine).

The Strip House – the MUST stop spot for dinner

Sultry, sexy, and saucy The Strip House offers classic dining with a Puerto Rican twist. Just because you’ve dined in one of their New York or other locations that you think it’s more of the same…just take a look and see what I mean.

  • Start with the local calabaza bisque with spiced pumpkin seeds – don’t ask  – just DO IT.
  • Baby greens, jicama, crispy cheese and guava vinaigrette – who needs boring salads?
  • Coriander dusted local snapper, spaghetti squash, Palomino coconut broth and root chips – even the meat eater wants THIS one
  • Local herbs marinated beef tenderloin served with mashed ripe and green plantain “Mofongo” and roasted shallots demi – OK, if you’re a die hard carnivore like my hubby and you just don’t eat fish – this is my 2nd choice
  • For desserts you HAVE to have the Strip House signature chocolate cake and NY cheesecake – order both and share.

Dining with a view at the Stingray Café.

You’ll be hard pressed to concentrate on the view of Palomino Island and the ocean when you have to choose between

  • Pan Roasted Sea Bass with lobster and black truffle risotto in a lobster beurre blanc – I can go peacefully now
  • Veal noisette in a natural jus with hen of the woods ragout, leek confit and fingerling potatoes
  • Braised short ribs in a port reduction with fresh corn polenta
  • Grilled lamb chop, Romesco with lentils du puy
  • and a Chocolate Soufflé topped with a Chambord creme Chantilly
So, are you ready to go?
I’m thinking that I’d LOVE to head back for Thanksgiving, only this time with the FAMILY, but then again Sandy has been begging me to do a girlfriend’s getaway. Decisions, decisions….

For more information about the fabulous El Conquistador Resort 

Go to ElConResort.com

Fan them on facebook for great up to the minute deals 

Ask them questions or see what they’re up to on twitter: @elconresort

Watch Champagne Living

for more about the FABULOUS El Conquistador Resort as well as other FUN spots to visit in Puerto Rico.
I was a guest of Hilton/Waldorf Astoria in Puerto Rico, all opinions are strictly my own.

 

Comments

  3. Oh how I wished I lived in Florida so I would be eligible for the Florida resident discount. We LOVE Puerto Rico and quick getaways. Now you have me searching airfare to PR so I can stay at the El Conquistador Resort (drooling over your photos). Looks like the perfect weekend escape from Michigan weather!

  5. Oh another spot to add to the list for our anniversary! This year we’re getting away and this looks romantic to boot!

  6. PR has always been on our To Visit list, and after this review the El Conquistador Resort is going to be our go to resort- thanks for sharing, it looks like you had a great time!

  14. Wow – I would love to plan a trip before baby #4 arrives! I am drooling over the food pictures too!

    I wouldn’t have guessed it could be so affordable! I am definitely going to be doing some more looking in to this – there just might be a “babymoon” trip after all!

  18. It’s a great place and the spa is incredible. Definitely a place I want to return with my friends.

  19. Jodi, there’s a great waterpark for the kids, the scout about children’s program and more. I only touched the surface.

  20. Deb – they have deals all of the time, so keep on the lookout. I just contacted them today about their women’s wellness retreat coming next month.

  23. It WAS great and it was my first time to PR as well. It’s such an easy place to visit and I’ll be updating with some great finds (including a historic coffee shop in Old San Juan) soon.

  24. I’m shocked you haven’t been there in that long. It’s so far from you now. Guess you’ll just have to move back to Florida for that special rate (wishful thinking on my part).

  25. That was my VERY FIRST water slide. There are two others that are a little slower. I went down those with a writer from Conde Nast Traveler who was a first timer like myself. We had a BLAST.

  28. It is, it is. I’ll have to keep an eye on discounted airfares and specials for you.

  30. Yes, while I was there I kept hearing the song America playing over and over again in my head.

  33. There are 2 MORE slides and a lazy river. On Palomino Island there’s windsurfing, sailing, etc. as well.

  40. Honestly, I can see four separate trips there, each special. No, make it five. Family, romantic, girlfriend escape, blogging (even a writers retreat) and a solo escape – me time! I’ve never been to PR. Now it is on my list!

  43. Don’t be. I’m back in Florida. Instead we need to find a way to get there as a blogging group.

  45. Karen the food all over the island is amazing, but it’s especially nice when you can get wonderful creative chefs right where you’re staying.

  47. I’ve realized lately that flying makes EVERYTHING close, so there’s never an excuse.

  49. The history of Old San Juan makes PR so special. It’s very European and at the same time you have these resorts that are Caribbean.

  59. Zippy,

    I think I will need a vacation at the end of November so I better look into the El Conquistador.

    It’s been a few years since my last trip, loved it then and from your review, it looks like I’ll still love it.

    Thanks for the great photos too.

  65. I’m ready for any type of getaway right now! But wow El Conquistador resort sounds and looks beautiful. I love that they provide fab tips for first time guests.Ahh someday soon I hope!

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