The Winning Design
After winning the architectural design competition, the company Toro Ferrer and Torregrosa set the wheels in motion to design the island’s first modern hotel. In their proposal, the architect’s intention was to have an ocean view in every guest room.
Read moreThe Stepping Stone
Construction began at the hands of New York contractor, George Fuller, with Roberto Sánchez Vilella acting as the resident engineer – in 1965, he became the second elected governor of Puerto Rico.
Read moreThe Grand Opening
December saw the grand opening of the island’s first modern hotel; a triumph that marked the beginning of a new era of tourism that continues to this day.
Read moreThe Celebrities
The hotel was plunged into the limelight when actress Elizabeth Taylor spent part of her honeymoon here. She was then married to Conrad Hilton Jr. – the first of her seven husbands. The hotel was placed firmly on the celebrity map.
Read moreTop of the Tournaments
Over the next 19 years, Puerto Rico was among the top countries to hold major tennis tournaments. The Caribe Hilton International Tournament was the most famous and prestigious tournament held on the island.
Read moreThe Cocktail
Sweet history was made when bartender, Ramón “Monchito”Marrero, created the Piña Colada at the hotel’s Beachcomber Bar. To this day, the Piña Colada remains one of the most famed cocktails of the World.
Read moreFirst Hotel Expansion
The first expansion of Caribe Hilton was inaugurated with the opening of its new Garden Wing.
Read moreThe First Renovation
The 11th December marked the inauguration of the first renewed building La Torre, also known as "The Towers."
Read moreThe First ‘25’
Caribe Hilton celebrates its 25th anniversary in style. It was a party like no other!
Read moreThe Big Event
Renowned artists like Carmita Jiménez performed at Caribe Hilton's Club Caribe. In the video, she is with the Mario Ortiz' Orchestra, conducted by Quique Talavera.
Read moreIt’s Official
The Piña Colada is named the official drink of Puerto Rico. ¡Salud!
Read moreThe Big Celebration
Caribe Hilton celebrates its 40th anniversary with a party bigger and better than ever!
Read moreThe Sale
The government sold the hotel to the Hilton International chain for $80 million dollars.
Read moreThe Christmas Closure
After buying the hotel, Hilton closed for remodeling purposes at a cost of $65 million. On December 25th of that same year, it reopened with a new look and renovated facilities.
Read moreThe Presidential Visit
During a short visit to the Island of Enchantment, President Barack Obama visited Caribe Hilton hotel to attend a fundraising event.
Read moreSun, Sea and Coffee
Caribe Hilton opens the first Starbucks in the world that serves their clients on the beach.
Read moreThe Golden Oldie
Caribe Hilton celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Piña Colada and receives a second proclaim, this time from Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla.
Read moreThe Place To Be
Caribe Hilton redesigns and inaugurates the new destination bar, Caribar Rums & Light Bites, offering the best handcrafted cocktails and tapas in San Juan with spectacular ocean views.
Read moreHurricane María
On the morning of September 20, 2017, Hurricane María makes landfall in Puerto Rico, causing widespread devastation and destruction. Caribe Hilton closes due to the aftermath.
Read moreCaribe Hilton Reopens
After over a $150 million-dollar restoration, Caribe Hilton reopens on May 15th to welcome guests back after a 15-month closure. On June 18, 2019, the Hotel has it's official ribbon cutting ceremony, joined by the Governor and executives from Discover Puerto Rico to help celebrate this momentous occasion.
Read moreDedication of Mónica Puig Tennis Courts at Caribe Hilton
The three lighted tennis courts at Caribe Hilton were dedicated to the first tennis Olympic-gold medalist for Puerto Rico - Mónica Puig - on Monday, November 4, 2019.
Read moreEver-Iconic
Today, just as yesterday, Caribe Hilton is a bold icon of what Puerto Rican hospitality truly means. With a keen eye for fresh opportunities and ideas, the Hotel will channel the groundbreaking energy that spurred its own origins and keep moving toward raising the standards of hospitality.
Read more70 Iconic Years
70 years ago, Puerto Rico selected Hilton Hotels to operate a luxury hotel in a prime spot of the San Juan region. Therefore, in the spirit of Conrad Hilton’s philosophy to “fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” and “The Hilton Effect” to make world-altering impact on our guests and local community, Caribe Hilton has identified 70 local organizations to donate 70 two-night stay certificates in the hopes that they can be used to raise money to support each of these deserving causes in the local community.
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