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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Plane Answers: Sudden acceleration on landing and lining up on final approach

by Kent Wien on

Welcome to Gadling’s feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away!

Darren from Engadget asks:

Hey Kent!

Just got back from a LIR -> ATL -> RDU trip, and I thought of a question. When the plane (we were on a 737) is just seconds from touching down on the runway, it feels & sounds like the plane suddenly accelerates. For a few minutes leading to landing, it feels like we’re slowing down, and right before the rubber hits the road, there’s like a small burst in speed, followed by touch down and then massive wind as I assume the engines are thrown in reverse to stop us.

So, what’s that acceleration just before touch down for? Or am I dreaming? Thanks!

Hi Darren,

Nope, I’m sure you experienced this.

Occasionally if a pilot is a bit slow (say 2 or 3 knots below your ‘target speed’) they can add a small boost of power in the flare to cushion the inevitable thump of a landing. But it’s really not a very good technique to use regularly.

And some pilots don’t just use it when they’re a tad slow, but they use it as a substitute for a finessed flare on every landing.

It can lead to a very ‘flat’ and fast landing. Touching down like this eats up a lot of runway unnecessarily and puts more wear on the brakes and tires.

You’ll hear in this takeoff and landing video the instructor repeat “flare and squeeze” to the captain as he’s about 30 feet over the runway. He’s telling him to start his flare, or round out the glide path angle to allow for a smoother touchdown and to “squeeze” or pull the power back to idle before touching down.

And you’re right, the noise you’re hearing after landing comes from the reverse thrust mechanism which is simply a set of ‘blocking doors’ that divert the thrust out the sides of the cowl and forward, angled away from the engines.
Ainsley asks:

How important is a reference point in lining up for landing?

Hi Ainsley,

If the weather is clear, we are often able to make up our own final approach to landing in, for example, the Caribbean. At densely populated areas and in the weather (flying on instruments) we fly an approach that usually has a straight-in segment of about 10 miles. We’re almost never turned in any closer than 3 miles out.

As you can see from the video linked in Darren’s question above, while on the final approach it’s easy to tell if you’re lined up correctly with the runway.

In San Juan, Puerto Rico, we line up for one runway (10) and in the last 300 feet make a turn to another runway (8) for landing. It’s a ‘charted’ visual approach procedure that’s rather fun.

The approach is similar to the ending of this video I took while flying in a small Diamond DA-20 airplane:

Do you have a question about something related to the pointy end of an airplane? Ask Kent and maybe he’ll use it for next Monday’s Plane Answers. Check out his other blog, Cockpit Chronicles and travel along with him at work.

Don Q – Puerto Rican Rum

by Annie Scott on

Don Q (short for Don Quixote) is a Puerto Rican rum with a rich history. What’s more, not only is Don Q Puerto Rico’s most popular rum, but it’s conveniently located just across the water from the Bacardi factory — a perfect alternative to what we understand is a boring four-hour excursion — and best of all, it’s free.

Located at Pier (Muelle) 2 in Old San Juan, Casa Don Q is a great place to visit on a trip to Puerto Rico. The walls showcase the history of Distileria Serralles, Inc., and the shop offers Don Q-emblazoned items from swim trunks to watches in display cases which change colors from green to blue.

The best part, as we said, is the free samples (please tip your bartender). You try the widely available Don Q Cristal and Gold (which may well be on the shelf at your local liquor store), or you can opt for the awesome flavored rums made with Puerto Rican coconuts, limes, and passion fruit — they’ll make you a mixed drink if you like. The true connoisseur, though, goes for The Grand Anejo Don Q (shown), which is aged twelve years and has notes of rich wood, caramel, and cinnamon. You’ll totally want to pick up a $45 bottle while you’re there — make sure you’re flying JetBlue, because you’re gonna have to check your bag (they still don’t charge for one bag).

For more information on visiting the small and simple Casa Don Q, click here — and click through the gallery for a virtual visit.
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Fort San Cristóbal – Puerto Rico’s historic and beautiful landmark

by Annie Scott on


Fort San Cristóbal, as I mentioned in my article “Old San Juan – Beautiful Views and What to Do,” is a must-see on any trip to Old San Juan.

Even if you think history is kind of a yawner, the views will astound you — just the color of the stone is visually luscious enough to charm you. And since we’re on the topic, here’s a quick history lesson for you. I’ll try to make it fun.

Christopher Columbus was the first documented European to set foot in Puerto Rico (originally called “San Juan Bautista”) in 1493. It was his 2nd voyage to the new world, and one of the first Europeans vs. Native Americans throwdowns reportedly occurred when two boys were kidnapped and castrated. Then, in 1508, Spaniard Juan Ponce de León (who still has a prominent San Juan street named after him) showed up and founded a small settlement called Caparra (now ruins). As Puerto Rico was now part of “New Spain,” the Spanish eventually set up a fort to protect the island: The Castillo de San Cristóbal, or, Fort San Cristóbal, completed in 1783 (following numerous attacks by the English and the Dutch).

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Images by Tony J. Riley.

Originally, the fort wrapped around the entirety of San Juan and the only entrance to the city was through its well-guarded gates. It was The Great Wall of Not-China, if you will (come on, it’s a callback to Columbus … okay, the joke’s not very good. But I’m still gonna keep it there.). In 1897, they dynamited the walls to allow San Juan to expand (oops).

Then, on May 10, 1898, Castillo San Cristóbal fired cannons at the US Navy, thus entering the Spanish-American War. Six months later, the Spanish-American War ended, and Puerto Rico became and American territory under the Treaty of Paris.

In 1942, when World War II was in swing, the U.S. beefed up the fort with concrete pillboxes and an underground bunker control center. The fort remained an active military base until 1961, when it was bequeathed to the U.S. National Park Service for preservation and museum-ification.

Fort San Cristóbal is now suitable for tourist gawking and historical reenactments by The Fixed Regiment of Puerto Rico (really!). Click through the gallery for a look at the beautiful fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is often billed as “the most impressive structure in the new world” (by decree in 1949).

Budget Travel: San Juan, PR

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Summary: One of the frequent knocks on the Caribbean is that many of the islands (not all) are nothing more than receptacles for tourists. That there’s no real dynamic culture and sense of place. But this statement also ignores the fact that millions of Americans head to the Caribbean each year, and many of them are looking for nothing more than a cheap vacation with a beautiful beach and a frosty drink in a coconut. I can’t say that I blame them.

That said, we’re here to tell you that San Juan, Puerto Rico is the perfect combination of all these factors – affordability, authentic local culture and beautiful, warm sandy beaches. As the capital and largest city on the island of Puerto Rico, San Juan is a city with a surprising diversity of options for visitors. It’s among the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, having been founded in 1521 by the Spanish. The history is strongly felt wherever you might wander in San Juan, whether it’s a visit to the imposing El Morro fortress or a walk along the fading beauty of Old San Juan’s cobblestone streets.

That’s nothing to say of the glitzy nightlife and beaches of Condado, or the untouched beaches and lush rainforests within an hour’s drive of the capital. Ready to be amazed by one of the most underrated (and cheap) destinations in the Caribbean? Come along for our Budget Guide to San Juan…

Getting in: Most travelers from the contintental United States will arrive at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the central hub for many flights into and out of the Caribbean. The airport is served by almost all major U.S. carriers, and your chances of finding a deal during peak season are fairly good. As of the time of this posting, just about every major U.S. city east of the Mississipi River was offering round trip January fares to San Juan for between $200 – $300 per person.

Once you’ve arrived, it’s easy enough to grab a taxi into the city center. Rates are typically around $10 – $20 depending on if you’re going all the way into Old San Juan or to the outlying hotels. The frugal can also take the B40 bus, which will bring you to Isla Verde or Rio Piedras, where you can connect to other buses including the A5 to the city center. Total bus cost is .50-.75 cents.
Where to stay: San Juan offers a surprisingly diverse cluster of different neighborhoods, ranging from the glitzy and glamorous to the historic and atmospheric. It all depends on what you’re looking for out of your trip.

  • For our money’s worth, the place to stay in San Juan is in Old San Juan, a picturesque neighborhood of cobblestone streets, elegant public squares and quietly crumbling facades. It’s been experiencing a resurgence in recent years, with hordes of great restaurants, bars, galleries and shopping. The best way to go is to rent your own apartment in one of the beautiful old buildings that dot the area. If you don’t want the hassle though, Hotel Milano and Caleta Guest House have rooms starting at under $100/night.
  • Just east of Old San Juan is the glitzy neighborhood of Condado, sight of many of Puerto Rico’s best hotels and resorts. Condado is the tried and true tourist hotspot of San Juan, bordered on one side by a heavily trafficked beach and avenues lined with casinos and fancy boutiques. It’s not necessarily the most authentic part of Puerto Rico, but for non-stop action it can’t be beat. Unless you want to drop a wad of hundreds at a fancy resort, the At Wind Chimes Inn has reasonably priced rooms starting around $110/night.
  • A little closer to the airport is Isla Verde, another main tourist drag. Though Isla Verde is technically not part of San Juan, it’s conveniently situated next to the airport and close enough you can still easily head into San Juan proper if you want to soak up some culture or fine dining. It’s also got its fair share of lovely sandy beaches, Pina Coladas and casino action, so don’t despair. Rumor has it that the Holiday Inn is the place to stay. It’s nothing fancy, but still clean and a good bargain.

What to See:

  • El Morro: San Juan was originally the last stopover for Spanish galleons loaded with gold and silver bound for the mother country. As such the city founders built the imposing El Morro stone fortress at the mouth of the harbor to protect it from pirate and enemy attacks. Today the fort is a National Park and one of San Juan’s top tourist attractions. And the entrance fee? Only $3 for those over 16. On Sundays the locals flock to the vast parade grounds in front of the fortress to fly thousands of kites in San Juan’s vigorous tradewinds.
  • Old San Juan Wandering: Spend an afternoon and an evening wandering the atmospheric streets of Old San Juan. Each corner is filled with a wealth of surprises – from delicious mallorcas at La Bombonera, to sizzling live salsa music at the Nuyorican Cafe to the overflowing art galleries and restaurants of Calle Fortaleza, the area’s newest hotspot. Unless you buy a new painting for the living room, you’re sure to end your visit with a few bucks left for breakfast the next day.

  • El Yunque: If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s no better way to get a sense of the island of Puerto Rico than renting a car ($40-$50/day). Grab a GPS and head for El Yunque National Forest, one of the island’s most beautiful natural wonders and only about an hour’s drive from San Juan. As the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, El Yunque features an astonishing diversity of wildlife, plenty of hiking trails and some refreshing waterfalls where you can stop for a swim. Cost to get in? Free.
  • Hit the beach: There’s a number of beaches within the confines of San Juan if you’re looking to soak up a few rays. Condado has a strip of sand where you can kick back, throw around a frisbee and have a swim. It’s not the most picturesque beach but certainly convenient. If you really want to see the best of Puerto Rico’s beaches, take that rental car I mentioned and point it at Luquillo Beach, one of the most beautiful in all of Puerto Rico and only about an hour from San Juan. Along the edge are food vendors selling roast pork, mofongo and other Puerto Rican specialties.

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