My wife and I stayed at this hotel for 5 nights for a combination of business and pleasure. The positives include a great location and beautiful décor. That’s where the positives end unfortunately. Upon check-in I was informed that our reserved beachside balcony room with King bed was not available but that they could offer me a pool side room with double beds. I was insistent that they give me the room that we reserved months in advance and after repeated questioning a beachside King bed room miraculously became available. They informed me that housecleaning would need to clean the room first and couldn’t tell me how long this would take. Not a good start to our stay when our room wasn’t ready when we checked in at 5 p.m. They took our cell phone number and told us they’d call us when the room was ready. An hour and ½ later I went to check on the room and it was apparently ready half an hour ago. Where was my call to my cell phone? We were just waiting in the hotel lobby!

The room itself is very modern and nicely appointed. The balcony is a misnomer, it’s really just a thing 1 foot strip that you can barely stand on comfortably. Forget about sitting out there to enjoy the view! In the evenings the lobby and pool area become a nightclub with music and a scene of people. Okay if you’re young and looking for this, but I’d avoid a poolside room if you want to get to sleep before midnight! Fortunately we didn’t hear any of the construction but some co-workers were woken up by it (I think the beachside rooms are away from all of the construction noise).

On day 2, we returned to our room at 4 p.m. to find that housecleaning had not yet cleaned our room. I called the front desk and they told me that housekeeping goes from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and that they’d eventually get to us! Forget that we needed clean towels to take a shower after a day at the beach! This was a recurring theme each day. On day 3 housekeeping actually arrived at 10 a.m. and just walked into our room despite a do not disturb sign on the door. Fortunately we were dressed but the sudden interruption was another major annoyance.

Be warned, only 1 elevator works and be prepared for long waits particularly at night when there are a lot of partiers going up and down. Food is okay but we experienced long waits and poor service at the restaurants and bars as well. There just seems to be a general lack of caring by their employees. Just not up to standards that we're used to in terms of service and we will not be back.

My husband and I arrived at La Concha on April 1st. From the minute we pulled into the lobby entrance to the moment we departed, we only had one thing to say about our experience: HEAVENLY. From the ethereal white uniforms of the ladies, the courteous assistance from our bellman, to the awesome bars, restaurants and workout facility, this place seriously ROCKS!

Having lived in South Florida, this is absolutely the NEW South Beach in the Caribbean. The service is exceptional. We stayed in a 6th floor oceanview suite and when we could not find menus in the room, one was delivered to our door in two minutes!

The decor of the rooms is clean, seamless and inviting. We appreciated the rain shower heads and wonderful lemongrass soap. The Voss water was also a great touch.

The easy access to boutiques and restaurants is wonderful. I enjoyed strolling down the avenue and observing the joggers. Police presence was heavy but not intimidating. It made us feel secure.

Seafood lovers, you MUST try IKAKOS which is just opposite La Concha... a quaint restaurant with reasonable prices. The live lobster was the largest I'd ever seen...literally! Again, the service here was excellent.

The three things I would recommend at La Concha are:

1- more computers/printers in the public business center

2- more literature in the suites to advise how to operate the "tech" equipment and also more info on activities at the hotel & around town

3- earlier cleaning of suites. (we left the room at 9 a.m. and returned at 12:45 and the room had not been cleaned. After a call to the front desk, a housekeeper was there in minutes)

As an executive level hospitality professional, I am totally critical when I travel. This property met all my expectations and more. It is worth every penny. I can't wait to return!

Have not been to San Juan in 30 years, so the wife and I went to explore. We are upper level Marriott RW members and stayed at the Marriott just down the street for one night, then the new Renaissance for two nights. We booked mid week to avoid the music. We were upgraded to an ocean front room on the top floor. The room and the view were terrific. But just like others, we were perplexed with the lack of a Hotel Information Compendiums for the room. Called the operator and was told they didn't have one. (First Marriott I have encountered without one.) So we also could not figure out how to work all the new technical equipment in the room. Tried the wireless internet and it connected but would not give me their website. Called downstairs and was told to hardwire connect my computer. (Cable was in the drawer.) Asked them where the cable went, and they responded " Into the back of the telephone." Thought we were back to dial up, but it was high speed and worked great. Guess the telephone is also internet operated. The staff was "the best." They were always asking if they could help. My only negative experience came when I tried to checkout. CHECKOUT TOOK 45 MINUTES!!!! I gave them a $50 Renassiance coupon that they could not post to my account. Asked for a receipt that also included information about my Marriott RW number, which they could not do. Finally got a "basic" receipt and tried to get my car from the Valet Parking. They asked for proof that I payed for the parking, which did not come up before, so they took my car keys and went to figure out the disconnect. The valet came back 10 minutes later and said, "You are all set." I then asked for a receipt for the fee they were going to charge me and I had to have a supervisor obtain that for me. Fortunately I had plenty of time before my flight, but people need to be aware that the Renassiance checkout and administrative system leaves much to be desired.

Spouse, two kids and I just returned. Despite some discouraging words from other TA posters, we had a fabulous time. This is the "place to be" on what will soon be the "South Beach of Puerto Rico". Yes, the area is in a "re-gentrification" mode, there is plenty to do and see just around the hotel. Restaurants galore and some very nice shopping...all around the hotel. Now the property -- we have not had such nice service in a long while. From the valet parking attendent (Luis) to the check in desk experience (Michelle Soto) to all of the Concierge staff, I rate this a 4 out of 4...no kidding. For the entire time, the staff were friendly and outgoing and bent over to assist with directions, restaurant reservations, making change at the front desk, attending to some room items, etc;. Can't say enough about the staff attitude and courtesy...no request too much to ask. As far as construction, yes, there is some on property as well as around the hotel (for example, the hotel two blocks away is being rebuilt...it was the old Condado Vanderbilt that is being returned to 5 star splendar) we had NO WORRIES. We were on the 8th floor and never hear a thing (the AC in the room and the sound of the waves helps, for sure). The pool area is very chic and comfortable with ample seating and lounging areas during the day and by night there is entertainment with waitstaff service, so that each night, after dinner, we returned to enjoy bands, fashion shows, etc;. The room is right on the ocean and the views are great. The room has complimentary coffee and wall safe for valuables. I will be happy to reply to posts as time allows if anyone has any specific questions. PS for anyone trying to decide on the Marriott Stellaris vs. the La Concha, I'd say that the Marriott is a completely different feel....it is a loud, big, busy caribbean lobby (coffee shop, lobby bar, casino off to the side with typical Marriott rooms)...we were torn between the two but were SO GLAD we stayed at La Concha.....visit with confidence. They are 2 blocks from each other...same beach. PPS We had a rental car, but didnt need it. The bus stop is right on the hotel property and Old San Juan is .75 and 20 minutes away....it's also a $14 cab ride. Hertz has a rental facility right off the lobby, so if you wanted a car to go to the rain forest or some other place, you'd easily have it. My guess is that the airport is a $25 cab ride to and from....about 10 miles. Also, there is a excursion booking service sharing the Hertz desk, so there are plenty of ways to get info about the area and for things to do. Again, the Concierge staff at La Concha was one of the best I've seen in years.