&RESORT STELLARIS CASINO

By: Cathleen K. Bode

The oldest city on U.S. territory in Puerto Rico founded in 1521 by Ponce de Leon, San Juan contains approximately half the entire population of the island's almost four million citizens. The 4-Star resort, with its magnificent Stellaris Casino, contains 525 rooms and was built in 1995 on the beautiful resort-filled, fine white sands of Condado Beach. The Luis Munoz Marin International Airport is a short (4.3 mi.) cab ride away.

This smoke-free property is situated near the historic district of Old San Juan, with its wonderfully restored Spanish Colonial architecture and offers a multitude of amenities for the entire family. Guests can enjoy the health club, game room, children programs, Spa, all levels of dining and a casino, just to list a few. On-site, uniformed security is also provided to ensure optimum safety both within the hotel as well as in the parking areas.

For a casual, laid back spot to dine, the Beach Bar offers a lunch into late evening menu of burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads and of course a tropical drink or two to quench the thirst, if you catch my drift! The ever-popular Coffee Merchant and Bake Shop provides that early morning caffeine 'jolt' serving pastries, sandwiches, salads and coffee drinks throughout the day and into early evening. From mid-day into the late evening hours, those seeking a more relaxed dining experience can enjoy cocktails and a full menu of international fare as well as live music and dancing on selected nights.

I decided to indulge in some immediate pampering and visited the quaint Ocean Club Spa for a massage and much needed facial. Needless to say, these treatments do so much to relax ones’ self both physically and mentally, setting the tone for the entire vacation. All sorts of other bodily treatments are also available for both men and women.

Wish to try your luck at the games of chance? All that's necessary is to slither into the beautifully carpeted, furnished and accessorized Stellaris casino, with its gorgeous crystal chandeliers majestically hanging throughout. You will obviously need a pocketful of cash once you settle on the appropriate game you wish to conquer, then immerse yourself into the challenge lying ahead. Remember this, if you are fortunate enough to jump out into a lead, don't get greedy, take the money and run although one enterprising older gentleman seated at my table advised me to put aside my original investment and then “just have fun with their money”!

There are so many other things to do when in San Juan. In addition to the on-site hotel amenities, there are many sightseeing attractions, great restaurants, and exciting nightlife venues. Visit Spanish Colonial towns and tropical forests, engage in water sports of all kinds, from swimming to snorkeling off coral reefs, scuba diving explorations of underwater caves, golf, tennis, horseback riding, boating, hiking, cycling and of course…SHOPPING!

To arrange for these activities, we suggest planning through Travel Services, Inc., an in-house Destination Management Company (DMC) at the Marriott. From airport transfers to sightseeing trips, tours of water and land-based activities to cooking classes with renowned chefs, TSI can do it all. We opted to take their Kayaking Bioluminescent Bay Tour of Las Cabezas de San Juan, which is located on Road 987 near Las Croabas, at the northeastern-most tip of the island. This Natural Reserve is owned by The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico and consists of 445 acres of land featuring seven distinct ecosystems including: coral reefs, sandy beaches, sub-tropical dry forests, sea grass beds and one of the few bioluminescent bays in the world.

Beginning at sunset our eco-guides got us into our two person kayaks and brought all necessary safety equipment and lights. After receiving pre-ride training covering all aspects of the tour and operation of the kayaks, we paddled to the entrance of a mystical channel leading to an area where the mangroves create natural tunnels. Sounds of wildlife surrounded us. After this 15 to 20 minute paddle under the blanket of night sky, our guide stopped to give commentary on the various points of interest: identification of bird life inhabitants, Marine life using the lagoon as a sanctuary, information on visible stars and an explanation of the bioluminescent micro-organisms that give the water its mysterious light. Awesome! (It might be a good idea to wear a bathing suit beneath your clothing, as you will almost certainly get wet along the way!). The only real downside was that it took 2 ½ hours to travel from the hotel to the Bay along slow winding roads, making three other stops to pick up others from hotels along the way. Might not be a bad idea to chip in with a few others and rent a car for a day otherwise bring your ‘Dramamine’!

San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

1309 Ashford Avenue San Juan, PR 00907, Puerto Rico (787) 722-7000 www.marriott.com

Puerto Rico is a U.S. Commonwealth that uses U.S. currency, mail and phones. No passports or visas are required for U.S. citizens.

A vibrant, modern, multicultural society that offers great diversity. Guests can experience thousands of years of history infused with Spanish, African, Indian and American culture, combined with the modern conveniences of today’s world.

It encompasses distinctly different kinds of topography and microclimates in a relatively small area- from lush tropical forests, karst hills, to mangroves, dry forest and bioluminescent bays...

Language: Spanish and English are the official languages. While Spanish is the dominant language, the majority of the local residents speak English. Although a little Spanish is helpful and it's fun to practice and learn while you are visiting, it is certainly NOT necessary to enjoy your trip.

Climate and Time: An agreeable climate is one of Puerto Rico's most attractive characteristics. Puerto Rico has a tropical marine climate, with an average annual temperature of 80°F (26°C). And enjoys yearround summer temperatures. Uses Atlantic Standard (AST), which is one hour later than Eastern Standard Time (EST). The island does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Communications and Internet: Phone cards or calling cards and IDD service are readily available. Long-distance services from AT&T,

MCI, and Sprint make calling home relatively convenient and let you avoid hotel surcharges. All the major cell phone companies are here. Many of the hotels have wi-fi service available either for a fee or as an included amenity.

Your Money: American Express, Visa, Master Card, Discover and Traveler’s Checks are accepted at featured hotels and most restaurants and shops. ATMs accepting U.S. bank and charge-cards are available in every city and most hotels.

Taxes, Fees & Tips: There is no airport tax levied on arrival or departure. A 7% Sales Tax applies to all consumer purchases but not to most B2B transactions. There are no hidden service fees. The accepted meal gratuity is 15 – 20%. Hotels will often levy a “Resort Fee” on accommodation pricing in addition to the applicable Puerto Rico Hotel Tax of 9 to 11%.

Getting There: Puerto Rico is one of the easiest places to get to. San Juan serves as the main "hub" in the Caribbean. Part of the United States TSA security system, it’s an outstanding airport with tight security. Puerto Rico airports handle domestic, US and international flights to and from the Island on a daily basis. Many flights are direct from the Midwest and eastern United States (3-5 hours flight time).