Take a Meeting, Take a Break
From beaches to mountains to the glittering Vegas Strip, memorable venues give your meetings an edge
From beaches to mountains to the glittering Vegas Strip, memorable venues give your meetings an edge
Among the major considerations involved with planning a meeting, the most basic – and often most critical – decision is: Where should we hold our gathering? Meeting planners and hosts want to pick a venue with exciting features, advantages and benefits, from state-of-the-art meeting technology to imaginative cuisine. For attendees, the deal is often sweetened by a choice location which offers all those amenities, but stirs in the benefits of relaxation and recreation found in world class retreats.
Puerto Rico
Take for example the handful of ocean or beachfront properties managed by Hilton on the fortified island of San Juan – one of many islands that comprise the US territory of Puerto Rico. There you’ll find all the beauty and benefits of the tropical Caribbean, less the requirements of a passport for travel.
In 1963, renowned architect Morris Lapidus designed the Condado Plaza Hilton. Noted as the first property in the now very bustling and very pedestrianfriendly Condado neighborhood, the 571room property has since been refreshed to a new standard that is both contemporary and sleek for today’s travelers.
Its exterior views open up onto the Atlantic Ocean and the tranquil Condado Lagoon. Here, guests find kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling expeditions to observe the marine life along the reef. Alternately one must not overlook the simple pleasures of an ocean-facing hammock or a swim in the saltwater pool.
The landmark property also has its place in history; in March 1978 then 73-year-old Karl Wallenda of The Flying Wallendas Family fell to his death while attempting to cross between the hotel’s two towers. But on June 4, 2011, the Wallenda name was redeemed with the successful completion of the walk by surviving relatives Nik and Delilah Wallenda.
In addition to an onsite casino – a popular attraction at most hotels and resorts in San Juan – Condado Plaza Hilton is home to a total of eight restaurants, bars and lounges, including a 24-hour upscale Denny’s that even serves cocktails. For even greater culinary heights, there’s Pikayo, where celebrity chef Wilo Benet, a native Puerto Rican, takes center stage.
“The opportunity to experience a diverse culture; the blend of the Hispanic traditions and society with all the conveniences of the US, all this less than three hours away from the East Coast, ”explains Raul Bustamante, managing director, the Condado Plaza Hilton. “The curiosity to experience the beauty of Old San Juan and its churches and fortresses of the 16th century, together with the beaches and natural beauties of Puerto Rico, is a great incentive to attend any meeting in Puerto Rico. ”Visit condadoplaza.com.
Less than a stone’s throw away on the other side of the Condado Lagoon sits the Caribe Hilton, a property touted as the place where the career of legendary crooner and international sex symbol Julio Iglesias began. With 916 rooms spread across a total of five buildings, the interior look and feel of this convention hotel almost seems at odds with its beachfront status.
This is a property where in 15 minutes you can learn to trek the sea via the art of scuba diving along the hotel’s barrier reef location. Attendees would also be remiss if they did not experience the culinary excellence of executive chef Mario Ferro’s succulent grilled Caribbean lobster tails with drawn butter flavored in tropical fruit and spices. Visit caribehilton.com.
“For 25 years, El San Juan Resort & Casino in the fashionable Isla Verde district has reigned supreme as the foremost hotspot and entertainment venue in Puerto Rico,” notes Olivier Maumaire, the resort’s general manager. “At the epicenter of San Juan’s vibrant nightlife yet dramatically set along a two-mile beach, the resort epitomizes a thriving, sun-drenched lifestyle.”
By day, resort life centers around the Encanto Beach Club, with its recently refreshed Fantasy Pool area complete with new lounging chairs, a state-of-theart poolside DJ booth, Fantasy Bar and signature drink menu. Guests enjoy an open air lounge of 24 canopied, double--