Hanging over a steep bluff where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean, the famous tropical hideaway known as El Conquistador appears out of nowhere. It was difficult to keep my jaw from dropping as I leaned over the marble entrance's balcony to take in the panoramic ocean views. There I was, perched three hundred feet above the turquoise sea. Breathtaking... 

It's no wonder a scene from the James Bond movie, "Goldfinger" was shot here. The elegant lobby and casino beckon you to don a tux or diamond tiara for a game of roulette before dinner!

After a two year multimillion-dollar makeover, it's 722 rooms share the grounds with a distinctive four-diamond resort called "Las Casitas", a villa-style resort-within-a-resort. where 24-hour butler service is simply part of the package. There are six swimming pools on the property as well as a brand new water park so kids, both young and old can spend the entire day outside. Another stellar grown-up attraction is the sprawling 72-par Arthur Hills golf course. This cliff top resort offers lots of ways to get your game on!

We rode the vernicular down the steep slope to enjoy a healthy bufftet lunch served poolside. We grazed on garden salad with plantain croutons and cilantro dressing, curried chicken wraps and savory cuban sandwiches. The gentle waves lapped at the rocks behind us, sending up welcome ocean spray as we sipped pineapple sangria.

After much discussion about who was going down the vertical forty-foot drop water slide, we decided it was too soon after lunch for an extreme sport moment. Instead, we boarded a high speed catamaran that ferried us, in eight minutes, over to the hotel's most private sanctum,...Palomino Island.  What could be more singularly seductive than a hundred-acre, palm-fringed oasis where you can horseback ride, snorkel or just lay back and soak up some serious vitamin D?

Your Own Private Island!

 

Marina at the El Conquistador

 

I led the girls through a twenty five minute "Caribbean cardio" workout treading water before we changed and headed back for an indulgent massage at the Golden Door Spa. Pulling away from the dock, our guide pointed out that "ElCon" houses the largest marina in the Caribbean. Are you on one of those yachts now, Sean Connery?

El Conquistador Resort
1000 El Conquistador Avenue
Las Croabas, Puerto Rico 00738
www.ElConResort.com
787-863-1000

Other blog posts from this trip:

A Taste of Hospitality at the Verdanza Hotel, PR
Lunch at Cafe la Plage, Isla Verde, PR
Chill Out Frisbee Style in Puerto Rico
Isla Verde Beach San Juan, Puerto Rico

Even though a good portion of Orient Beach in St. Maarten is dedicated to those wishing to strip away all the barriers and let the sun shine where it normally wouldn't, the beach does offer plenty to people who want to keep their clothes on. 

The nude beach is definitely a sight to see (just don't be a creep), yet what surprised me was the ridiculous amount of activity going on, both on and off the water. Jet skis, small sailboats, kite surfing, windsurfing, kayaks, floating docks, parasailing, boogie-boarding - the ocean was, for sure, in motion. 

Lining the beach are cafes and restaurants that offer specials, usually a beach chair, a drink, and bathroom access for $7-$10. Buckets of 6 beers are $10-$12, and the vibe is very social and happening - I'm not afraid to label it as the busiest beach on the island.

It's big enough where you can find solace if you wish, though - and the beauty of the bay is what stole the show for me. Even if you don't stay at one of the nearby hotels, it's a must-do day trip when you're on the island.  

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