Which are the best luxury hotels in Puerto Rico? The best hotels include Four Seasons Cayo Largo, Condado Vanderbilt, Dorado Beach a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Fairmont El San, El Convento, InterContinental, Ritz-Carlton San Juan, Marriott, St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, and Condado Plaza Hilton.
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island packed full of nature. Explore rainforests, coral reefs, and beautiful bays. San Juan is renowned for its historic walled center, museums, and casinos, but once you leave the city, you can hike through tropical rainforests and dive among coral reefs off Mona Island, home of sunken Spanish galleons. On a moonless night, tour the phosphorescent bays at Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve or Vieques’ Mosquito Bay, where tiny organisms illuminate the waters.
As a major hub for small planes to the rest of the islands, many travelers know more about the San Juan airport than the adventures awaiting on this beautiful island a thousand miles southeast of Miami, FL. Puerto Rico is almost the 51st state, as it is under the U.S. customs jurisdiction but retains local government and populace proud of its autonomy. Puerto Rico runs on the U.S. dollar, and English is widely spoken, plus many U.S. mobile phone carriers offer service without extra fees so a vacation here can be a home away from home.
Which are the best luxury hotels in Los Cabos in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur with executive club lounges? JW Marriott Resort & Spa Los Cabos, Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas & Spa, Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort and Spa, Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort, and Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos.
Within the resorts of Los Cabos: Cabo San Lucas is known for its beaches, nightlife, and El Arco rock arch, while San José del Cabo city has colorful colonial architecture.
I have compiled a list below containing the club lounges available across luxury hotels in Los Cabos. I list the lounges that I consider to be the best of the best. I will be reviewing each of these hotel club lounges in detail so that you know what you’ll get if you book a room with club lounge access or get upgraded to a club lounge for free because of your loyalty status.
1. JW Marriott Resort & Spa Los Cabos
While we don’t list JW Marriott Resort & Spa Los Cabos as one of the best luxury hotels in Los Cabos, it is one of the best Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Los Cabos and is a Rewards Category 6 Marriott.
Boasting a brilliant beachfront location in San Jose del Cabo, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, this resort is the perfect place to soak up the sun in a sophisticated style. The hotel is some distance away from the nearby towns, maybe 4 miles from San Jose & 25 miles from San Lucas, and bear in mind that it is fairly isolated at the eastern end of the 20-mile-long beach zone. In fact, the next-door hotel is called Secrets (not a Marriott), but the JW Marriott is much less crowded and, overall, a much better hotel.
The hotel is made up of two buildings that are perpendicular to the beach. One of those buildings is allocated to dedicated Griffin club rooms, and these rooms offer executive club lounge access.
The hotel has several sparkling pools over an enormous area, so they never seem crowded. It also has a 27-hole golf course, six unique restaurants and bars, many with inspiring ocean views, and a luxury Jasha Spa & Salon. The adult pool is massively long, so ideal for laps. There are also two Jacuzzis and two swim-up bars.
This is not a hotel to pick if you want to swim off the beach. While you can walk for miles each way along the beach, the beach itself is rough and not swimmable. This is the same for most Cabo hotels and is a concern if you have kids.
The grounds surrounding the hotel are perfectly groomed and ultra-stylish, and while you can pay for an expensive room here, even the cheapest rooms are outstanding.
If you pay an extra $200 USD per room per night, you can pay to upgrade to the Griffin Club, which has its own small pool and free drinks and appetizers all day. The free drinks include alcohol, and the appetizers are full meals, so once you have club access, you don’t need to eat out. It has 45 exclusive rooms and a “hotel within a hotel” atmosphere.
Worth noting is that you can’t get free access to the Griffin Club because you have Gold or Platinum Marriott status. Everyone who gets access to this lounge has to pay for access.
2. The Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas & Spa
The Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas & Spa is a Marriott Bonvoy hotel. Situated by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, this family-friendly vacation ownership resort places you steps from picturesque beaches and seaside cliffs in Los Cabos, Mexico.
The resort is well maintained with good staff. Check-in is nice, with a cold towel and fruit juice upon arrival. The rooms all have views of the Sea of Cortez (The West Tower has better views as the other tower is blocked by a timeshare development). Rooms contain a small kitchen with a fridge. with bar
Scuba dive to discover the underwater coral reefs at the Cabo Pulmo Marine Preserve before teeing off on the rolling greens of nearby golf courses. After sightseeing at the famous Cabo San Lucas Arch, return for Spa treatment.
With an outdoor infinity pool, a 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, tennis courts, and a Westin Kids Club, you will find plenty to do. Fuel up at six on-site restaurants and bars, or join friends for the big game and a craft brew at the sports bar. Beachfront accommodation features complimentary Wi-Fi and a balcony with ocean views.
Royal Beach Club rooms at the Westin are on the top floor of the building. Book one of these rooms, and you get access to the club lounge (located on the 4th floor). Platinum and Gold Marriott Bonvoy members also get free access to this club lounge. This lounge has an outdoor balcony where you can enjoy complimentary breakfast, afternoon, and free evening snacks, appetizers, and drinks.
There are some very cheap deals floating around for this hotel, often as low as $299 USD for four nights, and 5 days, including 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points or a $75 USD credit at the spa, dining, or for activities. Speak to our luxury travel concierge to find out more about this deal, but do be aware that you have to sit through a 90-minute presentation to get hold of this offer.
3. Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort and Spa
Book a Preferred Club Room or Suite at Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort and Spa and get club lounge access and Preferred Club Privileges. This includes lounge access 7:00 am – 11:00 pm, an upgraded mini-bar, upgraded bath amenities, a pillow menu, complimentary newspaper in-suite every day upon request, free daily continental breakfast service, afternoon hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, exquisite desserts, and fine liquors. You also get a free 20-minute single or couples’ massage (neck, back, and shoulders) per person, per stay, and complimentary access to the hydrotherapy circuit. This lounge is particularly nice as it has an outdoor private patio with a view where you can watch the sun go down and the moon comes up.
While we usually recommend booking a room with club lounge access, you may not need the upgrade here as most guests are in the All-Inclusive program. As the whole resort is very good, the All-Inclusive option should be sufficient.
4. Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort offers breathtaking views of the Sea of Cortez off your private balcony (in all rooms), excellent golf, fishing, stunning sunsets from their iconic infinity pool and a calmer beach than many other of the other hotel options, making it ideal for families. In addition to offering one of the only swimmable beaches in Los Cabos, these Hilton guestrooms are smart, and they have an excellent club lounge, too.
The executive club lounge at this hotel is called the Vista Lounge and is a nicely furnished lounge with an alfresco patio offering wonderful views. Soft drinks and water are available throughout the day, and evening snacks are served at Happy hour. There’s no buffet. Instead, a server will bring over a very limited and small selection of canapes, something like sushi or chicken, and only a couple of dishes are delivered. The same goes for desserts. They are served to you rather than buffet style, which means it’s very difficult to fill up on these food offerings, and you will probably have to eat out for a proper meal.
5. Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos
Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos offers 619 spacious junior, one and two-bedroom, swim-up, premium ocean view, and presidential suites. All feature exquisite and sleek interior designs, hand-made furnishings, and designer amenities.
While we have not personally experienced this resort, there have been reports that this all-inclusive Hyatt sometimes attracts noisy revelers, which, if true, suggests that it is not the best resort to visit if you have children and are looking for a quiet family holiday. You might do better choosing one of the Hyatts, which are some of the best All-Inclusive hotels in Cancun.
All-Inclusive food at this hotel includes Japanese and French dining and a Steak House, but again, reports of the quality suggest there are better alternative hotels with club lounges in the hotels above in our list.
The benefits of booking a club-level room are that your room will have some of the best views, plus you get free petit Fours and a bottle of domestic sparkling wine in your room. The exclusive club-level Lounge features imported premium drinks, appetizers, continental breakfast, table games, books, and newspapers.
1. Four Seasons Cayo Largo, Puerto Rico
This is Four Seasons’ 4th Caribbean resort, joining the best Four Seasons in the Caribbean which we have reviewed previously.
Four Seasons Cayo Largo will be one of the best luxury hotels in Puerto Rico and will be located in Fajardo on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico, about a 45-minute drive from the airport (SJU). There are nonstop flights to SJU from many U.S., Caribbean, and other cities.
This Four Seasons hotel has a low-density villa-style design, with more than half of the rooms and suites containing private plunge pools. This expansive beachfront resort will also include an 18 hole Reese Jones golf course, outdoor pools, multiple restaurants, a spa and fitness center, Kids for All Seasons Kids’ Club, and a teen hangout, among other amenities.
Wherever you are in the world, Four Seasons hotels are consistently one of the best hotels or resorts in the area. They don’t have a Four Seasons loyalty program, so you will never be able to book a free stay by racking up and redeeming points, or by collecting points on your credit card and spending them at a Four Seasons hotel. It can’t be done. But you can get discounts at Four Seasons hotels and benefit from special rewards at Four Seasons hotels for no extra cost by booking your next stay via our concierge.
2. Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a Reserve sanctuary which is the first of its kind in the Americas, with its secluded location, intimate accommodations, exclusive amenities, and personalized Embajador service.
With 115 oceanfront guestrooms spread across 50 acres and one mile of beach, this luxurious island sanctuary is encircled by coral reefs, blue Caribbean waters, and a lush tropical forest. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve was ‘grandfathered’ to be built on the footprint of the former Laurance Rockefeller estate, allowing for every guestroom and restaurant to rest directly on the beach, only steps from the sea.
For green credentials, Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve pursued and achieved a LEED Silver Certification, which is awarded to properties that achieve a particular level of sustainability. This level has only been given to less than 50 hotels worldwide, none comparable to Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in terms of luxury.
3. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort
Located on a former coconut plantation and situated between the El Yunque National Forest and Espíritu Santo River State Preserve, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort boasts 139 guest rooms and suites with private terraces and stunning ocean and garden room views. The spectacular 483-acre resort embraces the island’s striking natural beauty with verdant landscapes, 2 miles of secluded beach, and two private bird sanctuaries.
The property is a short 30-minute drive from the vibrant town of Old San Juan, just 16 miles from Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz international airport, which is the largest hub in the Caribbean.
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is the Caribbean’s first and only certified Gold Audubon Signature Sanctuary and Puerto Rico’s first AAA Five Diamond-rated resort as well as being a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star rated resort.
Tee off at the challenging Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course, succumb to exclusive Iridum Spa pampering, savor the freshest ingredients and inspired dishes prepared to perfection at each of their exceptional beachfront restaurants, lounge at the pool esplanade or on the sandy beach while enjoying lush tropical beauty.
4. Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, San Juan
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the exclusive Condado District of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel is the perfect destination for exploring the many sights and attractions of this vibrant city. The hotel is located a short four-and-a-half miles from the San Juan International Airport (SJU).
The Condado Vanderbilt elegantly sits at the heart of the Condado district of San Juan. This oceanfront neighborhood features some of the most beautiful historic and luxurious homes of San Juan and is also known for its high-end shopping during the day and the epicenter of nightlife after dark.
Take a breezy walk down Ashford Avenue, where you can shop in luxury boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Cartier. Be sure to visit La Ventana al Mar, a popular open square facing the ocean, where you can enjoy a wonderful cocktail while gazing at Condado beach. If you crave more adventure, visit the historic Spanish forts and castles of Old San Juan.
There’s a storied history behind the Spanish Revival facade of the classic Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. Built in 1919 by Frederick William Vanderbilt as a high-toned tropical retreat, the 319-room hotel soon became the center of island society, welcoming everyone from Errol Flynn to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Its graceful archways and sweeping staircases harken back to those bygone days, while a meticulous renovation brings 21st-century elegance. Native son Chef Juan José Cuevas returned from the Big Apple to create a tantalizing, island-sourced menu. Couples of all kinds bond over the spa’s Time for Two journeys.
5. Hotel El Convento
Hotel El Convento was created from a Carmelite convent built 360 years ago. Today, it enjoys an acclaimed reputation as San Juan’s grande dame hotel, offering every conceivable amenity to lucky guests.
Located in the heart of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, El Convento, the cruise ship piers of Old San Juan are just steps away, as are the district’s museums, landmarks, nightlife, and restaurants. The hotel is also just 25 miles to El Yunque Rain Forest.
Inside, the hotel showcases handcrafted furniture, mahogany beams, and Andalusian-tile floors in the 58 guestrooms, which have a distinctive character and convey the spirit of the Old World with elegant marble bathrooms and vistas of Old San Juan and its bay.
The Garden Terrace, overlooking the Plaza de las Monjas and historic San Juan Cathedral, offers a serene atmosphere with which to enjoy late afternoon cocktails and hors d’oeurvres. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available on the Garden Terrace. When quiet contemplation is in order, visit the Library directly off the Garden Terrace and revel in a favorite book or magazine.
Dining facilities include Patio del Nispero for Alfresco dining; El Picoteo, rated as one of Old San Juan’s finest dining experiences; and Cafe Bohemio, a hip, upscale Cafe that succeeds by marrying an innovative menu, fabulous homemade desserts, live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings to an engaging atmosphere.
Luxuriate under the warm tropical sun, enjoy the beautiful sunsets over San Juan Bay, take a dip in the plunge pool, or soothe tired feet in the Jacuzzi on the flower-bedecked rooftop Pool Terrace, with its spectacular panoramic views of Old San Juan. Guests can work out at the hotel’s Fitness Center, complete with treadmill, stair-climber, and free weights. For the ultimate in relaxation, experience a soothing massage.
Guests who want a beach experience can take advantage of the El Convento Beach Club and enjoy a day of sand and surf on the most beautiful beach in San Juan, Isla Verde beach. The hotel is happy to provide guests with an “Introduction Card” to the Isla Verde Beach Resort, where they will have all beach and pool privileges for the day.
6. The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan
The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan, is a Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Category 7 Marriott hotel which is located on a two-mile stretch of golden-sand beach in Isla Verde, minutes from historic Old San Juan. This pristine beachfront property in Isla Verde is caressed by the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The resort features 416 rooms and suites, including The Ritz-Carlton Club Level with exclusive culinary and beverage offerings throughout the day; five restaurants, including BLT Steak and Il Mulino New York, as well as the recently unveiled speakeasy; a world-class spa and fitness center; 24-hour in-room dining; a swimming pool overlooking the beach; a vibrant casino; and a Ritz-Kids program. Puerto Rico’s most popular attractions are also easily accessible in the cosmopolitan culture and nightlife of San Juan.
A highlight is The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level, which is perfectly located on the ninth floor with azure views of the Atlantic Ocean and the hotel’s lush gardens. A “hotel within a hotel,” the Club Level combines privacy, comfort, and exclusivity with the personalized service and attention to detail that are the hallmarks of The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan, making it the ideal place to conduct business, plan a family outing or simply unwind.
The welcoming lounge offers complimentary food and beverage presentations, including continental breakfast, light lunch, hors d’oeuvres, cordials, and sweets, which may be enjoyed on the exclusive balcony with spectacular views of the ocean.
7. Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
Fairmont El San Juan Hotel is located between downtown San Juan and the award-winning Isla Verde Beach of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Venture inside and find an ode to traditions, old and new. This hotel has history. In the 1960s society, headliners crooned in the nightclub, and generations of locals celebrated life’s greatest milestones in its ballrooms.
At every turn, Fairmont El San Juan Hotel will captivate you with its island hospitality, storied décor, innovative cuisine, proximity to the best things to do in San Juan, and exciting nightlife inspired by life’s greatest moments. It is worth noting that there’s no executive club lounge or Gold Club Level at this hotel.
9. San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is a Rewards Category 6 Marriott Bonvoy hotel. ideal for visiting Condado beach. Escape in rooms and suites boasting balconies with scenic views along with plush beds, high-speed Wi-Fi, and large flat-panel TVs.
Enjoy the restaurants, the sunshine by the scenic pool surrounded by swaying palm trees, and the waterslide. At night, you can live it up at the pool bar, on-site casino, or one of the on-site bars. This hotel doesn’t have an executive lounge, but if you are looking for a Marriott with an executive club lounge, you can try the Sheraton Hotel & Casino.
8. Caribe Hilton
Admire ocean and tropical garden views from Caribe Hilton, one of the most famous hotels in Puerto Rico.
Set on a secluded peninsula with 17 acres of lush foliage, this San Juan resort is situated between historic Old San Juan and the culturally rich Condado area of San Juan. With no passport required for U.S. citizens, Caribe Hilton is an easy Caribbean getaway.
Celebrating 70 years and extensive restoration after a 15-month closure, you can enjoy a secluded beach, pools, tennis courts, spa & hammock garden, nine restaurants, and bars, including Caribar and Morton’s The Steakhouse, and there’s a Conference Center. Usefully, the hotel is also located adjacent to Paseo Caribe with dining, shopping & entertainment.
This is a complete resort hotel in Puerto Rico’s historic capital, with beautiful pools, a private beach, tennis courts, tropical gardens, the Zen Spa Oceano, and a swim-up bar, among others.
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