The rise of remote working means we now have the luxury of working anywhere in the world. So why not trade your bedroom or living room for a luxury villa or hotel suite in the Caribbean paradise of Puerto Rico. Thanks to Fairmont El San Juan Hotel and their extended stay options, work and wanderlust now go hand in hand in an idyllic setting. Before joining the Travel Curator team, I spent eight years as a digital nomad, so I jumped at the offer to visit the beautiful Fairmont El San Juan Hotel to road test their remote working offering and I can attest that 9-5 has never looked or felt so good. Computer breaks, strolling on pristine beaches, lunch breaks by the ocean and watching the sunset with a sundowner, it truly is the perfect office environment.
Caribbean Oasis, Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
Set on beautiful Isla Verde Beach, Fairmont El San Juan Hotel is a historic art deco oceanfront luxury hotel surrounded by 15 acres of lush manicured tropical grounds. The stunning 388 guestrooms property recently underwent a $65 million renovation to make it even more magical. The perfect place to escape – or in my case set up your remote office in paradise – Fairmont El San Juan Hotel is a tropical oasis with four magnificent pools, private luxury pool cabanas, a swim-up bar, and a luxurious Well & Being Spa and Fitness Center, where the treatments are personalized to help you achieve bliss. Guests can also enjoy 13 iconic restaurants, bars, and lounges.
Work From Home, Island Style
Talk about an idyllic setting for remote working, Fairmont El San Juan Hotel’s Villa rooms are elegant, spacious and overlook either the property’s lush gardens and famed ancient banyan tree or offer breathtaking views of the pools or ocean. They are all outfitted with high speed Wi-Fi so you won’t miss a beat while enjoying the perfect work/life balance.
The Oceanfront Villas located on an independent two-story come with a private balcony or terrace overlooking the crystal clear Caribbean waters, pools, and gardens. Elegant and tranquil, they are ideal for those seeking a quiet working space with direct access to all of the resort’s amenities. Inside each villa is one king or two queen beds, spacious sitting area, a desk and come with a worthy backdrop to rival any zoom filter.
The Banyan Villas, located on the ground level of the main resort, are chic villas equipped with a king bed, desk, private terrace, and showers with dual-heads and an overhead glass ceiling to evoke the feeling of bathing in a tropical forest. Perfect to recharge after a long day at the office.
The Pool Villas are situated directly on the signature Well & Being pool’s deck edge for a true retreat style experience. Grab your laptop and work alfresco on your own private terrace or balcony while you admire the beautiful pool and garden views.
Rejuvenate
Once your workday comes to an end, living in paradise presents the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant Puerto Rican culture, culinary scene, explore its gems and dance to the live rhythms of the weekly entertainment at Chico Cabaret featuring innovative cocktails.
Eat + Drink
Close your laptop and start your evening right by heading to Fairmont’s Banyan Tree Grill, a poolside casual eatery to indulge in signature Puerto Rican cocktails. Here I met with master mixologist Martin Rosario, who talked me through Puerto Rico’s best cocktails and recommended I go for the Cuba Libre, a classic cocktail made with Don Q Puerto Rican rum, Coca-Cola, and lime, which did not disappoint. In addition to Banyan Tree Grill, the resort’s culinary line-up includes seven other signature restaurants offering a diverse gastronomy selection from the perfectly aged prime cuts of steak at Meat Market to the handcrafted pastas at Riva. A personal favorite for the food and ambiance is Caña by Chef Juliana Gonzalez. Here Chef Gonzalez combines her love of traditional home-cooked Puerto Rican cuisine with her mastery in international cuisine to create a unique nuevo Puerto Rican culinary experience. The six-course Taste of Caña is a must for foodies looking to experience elevated versions of local favorites like prime new york steak encebollado and mofongo con carne frita ahumada.
Explore Old El San Juan
Puerto Rico’s lively historic district of Old El San Juan is a hub of brightly colored colonial architecture, historical landmarks, and trendy bars and restaurants. Wind up and down the streets exploring landmarks like Castillo de San Cristobal, Plaza Las Americas, and Calle de la Fortaleza, chatting with local artisans as they open their shops, and experiencing traditional spots such as La Placita de Santurce.
Blissed Out Lunch breaks
What better way to take your lunch break than to indulge in a little pampering at Fairmont’s Well & Being Spa. I reset with the 60 minute Alpine Arnica Deep Tissue Massage. This heavenly treatment uses heat-driven arnica-rich gel and steamed towels to ease muscle pain and relax your back and joints after too much time bent over your desk all day. If this doesn’t boost productivity and get your creative juices flowing we are not sure what will. Though a quick ocean dip or dive in the pool also works miracles.
Immerse yourself in nature
There’s really no such thing as all work and no play in Puerto Rico. For an off-the-beaten-path weekend adventure, meditate in the 300-year old legendary Banyan Tree at the hotel or plan a trip to El Yunque Rainforest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System. Or book a diving excursion through the hotel to one of the many nearby islands, like Culebra to see Puerto Rico’s famous islets and cays. For more insider recommendations on ways to elevate your remote working experience in this stunning Caribbean paradise, check out our article on 16 Reasons to Visit Puerto Rico Right Now.
