An iconic Puerto Rico hotel is now a Marriott: all about the new-look La Concha resort in San Juan’s oh-so-hip Condado

I remember the first time I saw La Concha. I was on a visit to the sleek neighborhood of Condado in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the moment I walked into the lobby I knew it was different. 

There was a cool feel that married modern and classic; and then there was that shell. If you’ve been to Condado, you know it: it’s one of the wonders of Puerto Rico, the centerpiece of the resort designed by Mario Salvador when it opened in back in 1958. 

It’s been almost seven decades, and La Concha remains a San Juan stunner, exemplifying the jet-set-cool roots of Puerto Rico’s tourism industry. 

But La Concha just got new life – and a huge new look, including a 238-room tower. 

The waterfront urban getaway just joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection, after a more than $80 million resort-wide makeover. 

But it’s not just aesthetic (although Celano Design’s project gave a total makeover to the rooms with new floors, balconies and palettes. 

The resort, which is actually the only Autograph Collection property in Puerto Rico (yes, that means you can book it on Marriott Bonvoy points), has upped its game in every way, from a new bar cart (try the Ron del Barrilito) to a new fusion eatery called Levant by legendary Michelin-starred Chef Michael White, famous for its eateries like Marea in New York and more, recently, the spectacular Paranza in Nassau. 

The lobby bar, always an essential at the property, has gotten an upgrade, too, anchored by a creative custom cocktail program. There’s also the already-open Tekka Bar, in Puerto Rico by way of Las Vegas, with some of the island’s best sushi, and, of course, gaming options like the BetMGM Sportsbook and a nightclub, too. 

I’ve always considered La Concha one of the essential places to stay in Puerto Rico (it’s on our list of the best hotels in San Juan, after all), and this upgrade makes it even more alluring if you’re looking for an urban getaway in the heart of San Juan’s hippest, most cosmopolitan district. 

So what about prices? You can find rooms for your San Juan vacation for as low as $341 per night on Google Hotels. That gets you a queen room.

Flights to the capital are also very appealing right now, with fares as low as $250 roundtrip on JetBlue from Fort Lauderdale and $293 on United out of Newark.