Is El Conquistador Resort Worth It? An Honest Review
If you’ve searched for a Puerto Rican resort, chances are El Conquistador was returned as one of your top results. The website and its stunning images of beautiful grounds, tropical views and white sand shores probably left you easily imagining yourself relaxing at this resort. However, imagining the price tag can quickly take the wind out of your sails.
So you want to know: Is El Conquistador Resort worth it? Its hefty price tag can be off-putting at first glance, so you likely want to know, is it worth the price?
Quick Answer — Is El Conquistador Resort Worth It?
Yes, yes, yes! El Conquistador Resort is absolutely worth it! We spent 4 days at this gorgeous resort last summer and without a doubt we plan to return one day.
While I’m not going to deny, this resort can be a stretch of the budget, we did discover a way to cut costs slightly when booking. We booked our rooms through Hotwire.com using their Hot Rate Deal of the Day feature.
While this feature doesn’t tell you what hotel you’re getting, we were cross referenced reviews on the hotels to narrow the hotel down to El Conquistador. Overall, booking this way saved us about $75 per night compared to the cost on the website at the time of our trip. I’m uncertain if this always works but recommend giving it a try if you’re looking to save.
While I think this resort would be fantastic to visit as a couple, I definitely see it as more of a family resort. The waterpark is obviously a big draw for families and the majority of people we saw there had kids in tow. In terms of value for a family vacation, El Conquistador offers lots of bang for your buck!
What is El Conquistador Resort?
Perched on a dramatic cliffside off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, El Conquistador is an upscale, family-friendly resort offering abundant amenities, sweeping views of the Atlantic and a lush tropical landscape.
Located in Fajardo, just about an hour from San Juan, El Conquistador is also in close proximity to El Yunque National Forest, which can be a fun excursion for guests wishing to venture off property. However, venturing off property is not necessary here, you’ll find plenty to do on the resort grounds.
During our stay, we orginally planned to venture out, but our plans changed when our youngest daughter got sick. We quickly realized being stuck at the resort was no punishment. My husband and I swapped shifts taking care of her and alternating our time between the private beach, water park and numerous pools on the property. It was just the relaxation we needed in an otherwise stressful time.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
While clearly, we’re fans of the resort, there are pros and cons of choosing El Conquistador. To help you decide whether or not this is the place for you, I’ve outlined them below.
Pros
Palomino Island access
How many resorts can boast their own private island? This 100 acre retreat has pristine white sand beaches with crystal clear waves lapping the shores. Accessible by ferry, you’ll find rows of lounge chairs and shaded umbrellas greeting you upon your arrival.
In addition there is a bar and grill on the island that will deliver right to your lounge chair. You can also book a water sport excursion for an additional cost. Options include: snorkeling, freelance paddling and kayaking, and jet skiing.
Private waterpark
In addition to a private island you also have access to a private waterpark. Here you’ll find three fun and exciting waterslides, a winding lazy river, and a gigantic infinity edge pool overlooking stunning views of the Caribbean. Additionally you’ll find tons of comfortable lounge chairs perfect for soaking up sun while sipping on pina coladas.
Impressive ocean views
The views at El Conquistador were some of the best on the island. From one side of the resort you can glimpse the lush mountains of El Yunque in the background, and the other offers incredible ocean views of aquamarine waters 300 feet below. The meticulously landscaped grounds offer beautiful gardens brimming with colorful tropical trees and flowers. From every angle, the resort offers a stunning tropical panorama.
Large property with many activities
There are lots of other activities available at the resort beyond the waterpark and the island. The resort boasts a plethora of outdoor pools in addition to the waterpark: an 18-hole, par -72 golf course, state of the art spa services, tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness center, tons of shops and restaurants and lots of daily activities.
Cons
While we loved our overall experience, there were some downsides to the resort.
Cost
The biggest drawback of the resort is cost. Without the help of the website deal, our stay would’ve meant that we would’ve had to cut costs in other areas of our trip. Having been now, I’d say it still is worth the splurge, but if you can find a deal it’s the best way to go. Unfortunately the rooms without discount may be cost-prohibitive for some families.
Additional Costs
Another thing that added up quickly were the room charges. Adding it to the room bill was all too easy, and before we knew it we’d racked up quite the extra bill at the end of our stay. Speaking from experience 2-3 pina coladas a day costs wayyyy more than you’d think!
Spread-out layout/transportation
The resort is large and has multiple levels. Getting around it can be time-consuming. To travel between the upper and lower levels you have to catch a tram to the top. Depending on the time of day you may find that you have to wait to catch one, and at times there was only one running.
Parking is also not super convenient to the hotel. It’s a bit of a walk and the lots were crowded. It was often difficult to find a spot when going out for an excursion.
Limited beach access without ferry
Unlike the rest of the island, the beach here isn’t easily accessible. The only real beachfront access you have at the resort is Palomino Island. While it’s beautiful, it’s also important to note that certain times of year (including when we visited) the beach can have a heavy sargassum presence.
What the Rooms Are Really Like
Of course, when you’re paying a bit more for a room, you want to make sure the quality lives up to your expectations and El Conquistador did not disappoint in this area.
Room Quality & Size
This was truly one of the nicest places we stayed on the island. The room was very spacious and clean. We had a private ocean view balcony with a view of the marina that was the perfect place to sit outside and read while taking in the views and soaking up some sun.
Our bathroom was huge and had an amazingly spacious shower with a rainfall shower head. The closest was gigantic and had built in organizers that made keeping our luggage organized and separated a breeze.
View Options
The resort offers a number of view options at different levels and price points. Each room offers unique benefits. For example, our room at the Las Marina level offered beautiful views of the marina, easy access to the waterpark and convenient access to the ferry right across from our building.
On the upper level you’ll find Las Brisas, and Las Casitas Village. These rooms offer stunning ocean front views atop 300 foot high cliffs and the convenience of closer proximity to the facilities at the top of the resort.
Best Room Types for Families / Couples / Groups
When visiting as a family with kids, or larger groups I’d recommend staying at the marina level. It will take a bit longer to get to your car if needed, but chances are everything you’ll want to experience with your family can be found on this level.
If you’re visiting as a couple I’d recommend staying on the Upper Level. These pools were slightly less swollen with young children and perhaps offered a bit more peace. You also had access to the majority of the shops and restaurants while having closer proximity to parking if you planned to leave the resort.
Larger groups may prefer Las Casitas Village as it offers 1-3 bedroom villas equipped with kitchens and all the amenities of home.
Is the Price Worth It? Cost Breakdown
To help you determine if the resort is the right fit for your trip we’ve broken down costs a bit more in depth.
Average Nightly Costs
The typical nightly rate for El Conquistador generally ranges from $350 to $490 for standard rooms, with luxury suites starting at $800 +. These prices can fluctuate significantly based on room type and time of year
Extra fees to expect (resort fee, ferry, activities)
In addition to the room price, you’ll also find that a resort fee is added to your total. The resort fee (approximately $70 per night extra) covers your access to the water park and all the pools on the grounds, as well as your travel to and from Palomino Island on the ferry.
It does not cover additional activities like golf, tennis/pickleball, spa services or food and beverages. There is also a charge for parking on property. Self-parking costs $15 per day while valet parking runs $25 per day.
Comparison to similar Puerto Rico resorts
El Conquistador sits in the moderate to premium segment of Puerto Rico’s resort market. While it is certainly more costly than typical beach hotels, it is considerably more affordable than ultra-luxury properties such as Dorado Beach. While you can certainly find places to stay for cheaper, the amenities and luxurious rooms easily make this resort worth the splurge. s
How It Compares to Caribe Hilton
Caribe Hilton is another popular resort located in San Juan. We also stayed here during our trip and while the grounds of the hotel were beautiful, we overall found it to be nowhere near as nice as El Conquistador.
While the location of Caribe Hilton was more convenient to San Juan and had lots of attractions, the rooms were much smaller and nowhere near as nice. The amenities at the Caribe Hilton were not as plentiful, and were more crowded than El Conquistador.
But perhaps the worst part of our stay at Caribe Hilton was the fact that we couldn’t seem to get hot water in our hotel room – something we later learned the resort frequently has issues with.
FAQs About El Conquistador Resort
Is the waterpark free?
The waterpark is included in your stay. This is certainly a factor to consider when booking. At home, water part visits can easily run us $100 a day, and we don’t typically have the convenience of going back to our rooms, unless staying at Great Wolf Lodge.
Is Palomino Island open year-round?
Palomino Island is open year round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, trips are sometimes suspended or delayed due to mechanical issues with the boats or weather events.
Do you need to rent a car?
There’s no need to rent a car if you don’t plan to go off the resort. As our trip was part of an extended stay on the island we did have a car. It was convenient to have to leave the property, but parking wasn’t the best. The parking lot was very crowded and often we found it difficult to get a spot. The walk to the room, was also quite time-consuming as we had to make it from the parking lot all the way down to the marina.
How long is the ferry to the island?
The ferry to and from the island was about 15 minutes between boarding and landing. The boats are larger and can accommodate lots of guests. Our girls enjoyed sitting in the outdoor section, though we did occasionally find ourselves splashed by a rogue wave.
Is it worth booking the all-inclusive options?
El Conquistador is not an all-inclusive resort, nor could I locate any all-inclusive offers on the website. However, they do sometimes offer specials when you book, such as food and beverage credits with qualifying purchases.
Final Verdict — Is El Conquistador Resort Worth It?
Again, my answer here is a resounding yes! While it can be a bit of an investment, the value comes with having everything in one place. Between multiple beautiful pools, a private waterpark, diverse dining options, unbelieveable views and private island access, this island oasis truly has it all.
If you’re seeking a quite couples only retreat, you may want to look elsewhere but if you’re traveling with a group and looking for endless family fun, El Conquistador will make your vacation larger than life and full of authentic island energy.
