The Scene:  Many people think of Condado as just the strip of large hotels but the hotel is on the area towards Ocean Park (one of my favorite beaches in San Juan).  The property is surrounded by hi-rise apartment buildings where mostly locals live (my friend actually grew up on the building next door).  The beach is just steps from the hotel.  One con is that the hotel does not supply beach chairs or towel.  However, love that the beach was not crowded and there are no other large hotels nearby.  You get to see locals kitesurfing, ladies walking their dogs, and people getting their daily dip in before heading to work. There is parking available but one must call ahead.  I ended up parking in the street with no problems.  Dining Traveler Tip: When staying in smaller hotels, call ahead in regards to the amenities, that way you know if you need to pack beach towels or anything extra for that matter. 

The Room:  I stayed in a queen room with balcony. It was nice to sit in the balcony with the view of the sea and get work done. The room is on the smaller side but comfortable and it had all the amenities I needed.   The room also had a nice view of the small pool of the hotel.  Must admit, I am not a pool person so I didn’t explore the pool. Especially with a vast ocean in front of me.

The Food:  Must say, the highlight of my stay at Acacia Boutique Hotel was the food!  I had work to knock out in the morning and ordered breakfast via room service. I had a delicious acai bowl with ripe local mangoes and granola.  I also had dinner at Niche Bistro, the hotel’s restaurant.  This quaint space is a local favorite as French chef David Chaymol merges French and Puerto Rican flavors. Think duck confit pastelon, a traditional Puerto Rican dish with layers of ripe plantain and filled with succulent duck meat.  He also makes a souffle with mallorcas, a Puerto Rican sweet bread and berry sauce.  The space at Niche is small, dark, and cozy.  What I also noticed is that the hotel is frequented by locals, you hear mostly Spanish in the small space.  On Wednesdays, they offer a free corkage fee for your first bottle of wine.  Dining Traveler Tip:  A great way to save money is by bringing your own wine to a restaurant. Call ahead and look into the corkage fees. 

The Verdict:  If you want a snapshot of local San Juan life, Acacia Boutique Hotel is the place for you. Although the hotel doesn’t offer the amenities that the large hotels of the area do,  you get personalized service and direct access to the beach. Take advantage of the location and walk to Ocean Park Beach or head to one of my favorites, Kasalta Bakery for lunch.  This is a great affordable hotel pick with a lovely local vibe and friendly service.

Disclaimer:  I was graciously hosted by Acacia Boutique Hotel in a collaboration with Poshpacker, an up and coming travel booking site featuring unique and affordable properties throughout the world. 

The post Local Life: Acacia Boutique Hotel appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

The scene:  In pure Puerto Rican fashion, the scene was festive upon my arrival to the hangar.  I arrived as one of the students of Benitez Aviation (Puerto Rico Helitours aviation school branch) had just completed his first solo flight.  The newly minted pilot was there with his family and Capt Benitez arranged for a small ceremony in order to celebrate his accomplishment.  This concluded with the traditional water bucket to the new pilot!  Although I had just met everyone, I felt like I was already part of the team!

The Experience:  When I first heard the tour was only five minutes I wondered what I can possibly see in such a short period of time.  We hopped on the helicopter and Capt Benitez was quick to start sharing his “datos curiosos de la aviación” (interesting aviation facts).  As we took off from Isla Grande Airport in San Juan,  I was in constant amazement of the views I got to see from above.

It was a clear summer afternoon as we took off.  First, we took in the views of El Condado Lagoon with views of the popular San Juan neighborhood.  From there, we continued on to Old San Juan beginning with views of Castillo San Cristobal and El Capitolio of Puerto Rico.  It was amazing to see these structures you grow up walking past from above.  As we continue to fly, I got to see the tiny colorful homes of Old San Juan against the bright blue Atlantic Ocean.  The most poignant view of the ride was El Morro.  The helicopter stood there for a few seconds for us to take in a long look at this symbol of Puerto Rican pride and for those who live away, nostalgia.

Practical Information:  Although my “Made in Puerto Rico” tour was only five minutes long, Puerto Rico Helitours offers longer flights covering other areas throughout the island to include other areas of the island.  My tour cost $65 which I believe is a great price for such an unforgettable experience.  I am already thinking of which tour I want to take when I return to the island!

The Verdict:  Imagine your cool older brother and his wife owned a helicopter and you got to take a ride.  That is how I felt on my tour with Puerto Rico Helitours.  I saw their energy and generosity not only with me but with the other guests at the hangar. You truly get the feel of family with this locally-owned business.  In a time where Puerto Rico gets bad press for their current government budget crisis, companies like these bring an air of positivity that the island currently needs.  Have you taken a helicopter tour before? Where did you go? What did you think?  Share with us!

Want to see more locally-owned experiences in Puerto Rico? Help us make our Dining Traveler Guide to Puerto Rico a reality.

Disclaimer: I was hosted by the wonderful management of Puerto Rico Helitours but as always, opinions are my own.

The post My view from Puerto Rico Helitours appeared first on The Dining Traveler.