Located on a former coconut plantation 20 minutes outside of San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital city, the St. Regis Bahia Beach has all the lavish amenities you’d expect from a five-star resort: there’s a state-of-the-art gym, a swanky spa, gorgeous suites, poolside cabanas and two esteemed restaurants. A subtly sweet scent—custom-made for the hotel—wafts throughout the lobby, sending guests into a trance-like state each time they enter. There are koi ponds, postcard-perfect ocean views and landscaping so meticulously manicured, it seems as though the grass is snipped one blade at a time (and it very well could be). But while these elements help to guarantee an unforgettable vacation, it’s the less-tangible things—like the property’s painstaking attention to detail—that set the St. Regis Bahia Beach apart from its equally high-end contemporaries.
Take, for example, the genial butlers, who offer up their cell phone number upon your arrival. If the idea of making an actual phone call feels like too much of a chore (you’re on vacation, after all) simply shoot your butler a text—at any hour of the day—and they’ll respond almost instantaneously. And it doesn’t stop there: each morning, you’ll awake to a message from your butler detailing the weather (both the “actual” and the “feels like” temperatures) as well as a list of events happening throughout the day. Of those events, nearly every guest attends the daily “champagne ritual,” where a staffer—or, on occasion, a bold hotel guest—sabers a bottle of bubbly at sunset. The level of personalized service is perhaps most pronounced at Fern, the on-property restaurant helmed by celebrity chef Jean Georges. Should the manager overhear you raving about the homemade Piquè hot sauce during dinner, don’t be surprised if there’s a bottle of it waiting in your room by the time you get back.
Below, General Manager Terry Bechtold—the man responsible for overseeing the hotel’s perfectly executed service—weighs in on the most in-demand suite, his personal favorite room and more.
The most requested room:
The Governor’s Suite.
The Governor’s Suite Bedroom
What makes it so special:
It is our top suite, offering a second floor terrace with breathtaking ocean views. The spacious and beautiful suite was designed in a low rise Caribbean plantation style building to harmonize the guest experience with the lush and wild nature that is preserved throughout the resort. Under a beautiful beam recessed ceiling, the living room displays custom-designed dark cherry wood furnishings and original artwork. In the master bedroom the king bed is layered with 300-thread-count Pratesi linens and the bathroom boasts a rainforest shower connected to the outdoor terrace, where guests will again enjoy incredible views of the natural surroundings. The suite also features a dining room and a state of the art kitchen with private elevator access. Additionally, guests staying in the Governor’s Suite will enjoy the legendary St. Regis Butler Service.
The Governor’s Suite Living Room
The rate:
The starting rate for the suite is $5,000 per night.
Your personal favorite:
The St. Regis Suite is another great room.
Because…
It also offers beautiful ocean views and can connect to an Ocean King or an Ocean Queen via a private foyer.
Plantation House Entrance
Fun facts:
The resort is Puerto Rico’s first and only certified Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary. Certification is awarded only to new developments that are designed, constructed and maintained according to Audubon International’s precise planning standards and strict environmental criteria. We offer many activities that encourage guests to explore and learn about the surrounding nature and incredible wildlife, as well as a mediation experience in partnership with expert Michael Miller that enables guests to further connect with the property’s tranquil setting.
