The Fabulous Lobby of El San Juan

by Annie Scott on


When I recently visited Puerto Rico, my mother and father told me I must go see the lobby of El San Juan. “You’ll feel like you’re in ‘Casablanca,'” said my mom, and Dad said that it is honestly the most beautiful hotel lobby he has ever seen — anywhere in the world. How could I resist?

When we arrived at the Isla Verde (a district of San Juan) beachfront luxury hotel, we quickly discovered there was some kind of prom going on in a ballroom somewhere, but nevertheless, the three separate lobby bars and the shops surrounding them were abuzz with all kinds of people. Silver-foxes danced to the salsa music of the live band (they were really good!), locals chatted on dates, and well-dressed tourists from all over looked comfortable, and were perhaps made a little more elegant simply by their surroundings.

Even if you’re not into the Rob Wynne -esque teardrop art or the outrageous chandelier, you will love the mahogany ceilings, the like of which I’ve never seen. I’m pretty sure that’s what my dad was talking about. There’s also an area of the lobby draped in sheer red curtains — inside is just a sitting area, but it’s made mysterious and seductive by its privacy.

I did a little research into the Waldorf Astoria Collection‘s El San Juan Hotel & Casino, and learned that it’s one of the oldest hotels in the area — it was built in 1957, and was renovated when Waldorf Astoria bought it in 1998 (with millions and millions of dollars). It features a pool with a waterfall and swim-up bar, eight restaurants, and twelve bars and lounges, as well as shopping and, as you might guess from the name, a dazzling casino.

Here are more pictures of the old school glamor and opulence you’ll find at El San Juan. You don’t even have to stay there to appreciate this lobby — I recommend stopping by on your next trip to Puerto Rico.
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Inside Curtain Bluff: yes, there are hotdogs

by Tom Johansmeyer on

I can only imagine how Curtain Bluff Managing Director Rob Sherman is going to react when he stumbles upon this story focused solely on the hotdogs served at his incredibly upscale resort. Regular readers know the drill, though. If there’s a hotdog somewhere in the world, I need to try it. Curtain Bluff’s contribution will now stand alongside those from Reykjavik, Stockholm, East Anglia and Madrid. It’s just something I have to do.

Pass the calm swimming beach [LINK:previous day] and walk over to the beachside restaurant where lunch is served. Instead of sprinting for the extensive buffet, wait a moment for a menu and order the hotdog. Just do it once, and order it in addition to something “real.”

With British cultures, the definition of “hotdog” varies. The one I had in Cambridge, England was more sausage than hotdog, but East Anglia was decidedly the latter. Since Antigua’s history was shaped by British rule, I was unsure of what to expect. The result was waiting for me when I returned to the table (having abandoned my wife to run back to our room to get my cameras), and it was a hotdog – a thick hotdog. Not as long as what I had at King’s in Bury St. Edmunds, its girth was much more impressive. You’ll have to open wide just to take a small bite.

Despite the appearance, the Curtain Bluff hotdog tasted a bit more like a sausage than a hotdog. There was a hotdog taste to it, and the color and texture were certainly dog-esque, but there was a pretty substantial sausage contribution, as well.

So, how did it taste?

Order the damned hotdog! It’s worth it. The crisp crack that comes with the cutting of your teeth into this “lesser” cuisine unleashes a rush of juicy flavor that will dominate your taste buds. Supplement the experience with ketchup and a line of Grey Poupon mustard, and you’ve got a winning dog.

The best approach to lunch, I found, is to mix your hotdog with the buffet: get a little bit of everything. Order your hotdog, then run to the buffet for a salad. Don’t go overboard, just put enough on your plate to take the edge off a bit. When your dog arrives, scarf it down like an animal – it feels nice to be subhuman in such luxurious surroundings. Then, let your civilized self return, sample the grilled chicken, and pick something up for dessert (all of which is prepared perfectly in the pastry kitchen).

Finally, lie to all your friends about having eaten something as low as a hotdog at a place like Curtain Bluff.

Disclosure: Curtain Bluff did pick up the tab for this trip. Honestly, a prolie blogger like me wouldn’t be able to cover this destination without support from the resort. And, would the resort have “bought” a story about hotdogs? Let’s be a tad realistic about that, shall we? That said, my opinions are my own. Worried that my experience was positive? Blame the resort staff for doing a kickass job. I could lie and say it all sucked, but that would come at the expense of my editorial integrity.

JetAirways is FINE

by Jamie Rhein on

In an airlines story faux pas, in a post this past Sunday, I inadvertently switched airlines putting Jet Airways as stopping service instead of JetAmerica. Rats! Then Zachary, a faithful Gadling reader, after dragging himself up from the floor after his heart attack from wondering if his trip to Barcelona is not happening after all, had enough energy left to pop me a comment telling me of my GRAVE error. Thanks to Zachary’s quick thinking, the post was updated almost perfectly. I left one Jet Airways in the text. Double rats! (It has since been fixed.)

Yesterday was National Get Out of the Dog House Day. In an attempt to get myself out of the doghouse, here’s a PROFUSE apology to Jet Airways and any reader who may have wondered if it was April Fools Day all over again or if life had been ruined once more by an airlines pulling up stakes. And if Gadling had lost its mind. No Gadling didn’t lose its mind. I did. But my mind has been recovered.

So to recap. Jet Airways is FINE. Jet Airways is FINE. Jet America is possibly regrouping and might fly in the future in some capacity at some location. The people who bought tickets on Jet America in hopes of an inexpensive trip out of Toledo– and a few other locations are to get their money refunded. I suggest they take the refund money and try Greyhound. Greyhound is like the post office. Somehow the package gets delivered and tickets are inexpensive to downright cheap. It may take awhile, but you’ll get where you want to go.

Inside Curtain Bluff: 72 places to call home

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Curtain Bluff isn’t the only “all-inclusive” resort on Antigua – you have countless choices. What differentiates this resort from the many, though, is the collection of small touches that blend decadence and home-style comfort seamlessly. Where else would the managing director interrupt an interview with, “Hold on, I need to go make fun of somebody [obviously a guest]?” This same executive’s commitment is clear, however, when you realize the intended target is one of the property’s many repeat guests.

“Seventy percent comes from repeat stays,” says Managing Director Rob Sherman of Curtain Bluff’s occupancy. “We get children of children of children,” he continues, explaining that this tendency to come back is handed down from one generation to the next. Curtain Bluff, for some families, has become the definition of getaway, and this bit of wisdom is protected with all the zeal of an immigrant parent’s “secret recipe.”

On the property, you’ll find 72 guestrooms, ranging form single rooms to the Grace Bay suite, which includes a lavish bedroom, large living room and hot tub on the balcony. Every room has a view of the ocean, with sliding glass doors opening to the crash of waves and the salty smells of the Caribbean Sea. Frankly, I couldn’t have slept without those waves. The eerie silence that some resorts seem to treasure (a) freaks me out and (b) is at odds with the rhythms of the city that put me to bed every night. The large doors let the environment into your room, connecting you to the details that define Antigua.

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If the junior suites aren’t enough for you, amp up the experience and stay in Yo Yo Ma’s room. The world’s most amazing cellist calls Curtain Bluff home for a bit every year and can be heard working his magic from time to time outside his room.

Regardless of which room you choose, be sure to dine on your balcony or patio (depending on your floor) at least once during your stay at Curtain Bluff. The collision of waves with sand is as musical as the band that plays softly in the restaurant, and the ocean breeze naturally enhances the dining experience. For evenings when you elect to go to the restaurant, do remember that men are required to don pants and a collared shirt (oops).

The guestroom is only one part of the Curtain Bluff experience. Come back to Gadling throughout the week for other peeks inside this exclusive Antiguan resort.

Disclosure: Curtain Bluff did pick up the tab for this trip. Honestly, a prolie blogger like me wouldn’t be able to cover this destination without support from the resort. That said, my opinions are my own. Worried that my experience was positive? Blame the resort staff for doing a kickass job. I could lie and say it all sucked, but that would come at the expense of my editorial integrity.

Gadlinks for Monday 7.20.09

by Brenda Yun on


In keeping with the beach theme today on Gadling, here are some beach-related travel reads for you, this glorious summer Monday.

‘Til tomorrow, have a great evening!

More Gadlinks HERE.