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From Past to Present

Be part of our extraordinary story.

Celebrating 70 Splendid Years of Caribe Hilton

The Gem of the Caribbean since 1949, Caribe Hilton was the first international Hilton hotel. Since its inception, the hotel has been at the forefront of tourism is the Caribbean, and has played host to a myriad of celebrities, politicians and royalty.

1945

1945

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.

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1947

1947

The 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.

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1949

1949

The 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.

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1950

1950

The 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.

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1953

1953 – 1972

Top 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.

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1954

1954

The Cocktail

1954

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.

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1963

1963

First Hotel Expansion

The first expansion of Caribe Hilton was inaugurated with the opening of its new Garden Wing.

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1972

1972

The First Renovation

The 11th December marked the inauguration of the first renewed building La Torre, also known as "The Towers."

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1974

1974

The First ‘25’

Caribe Hilton celebrates its 25th anniversary in style. It was a party like no other!

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1977

1977

The 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.

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1978

1978

It’s Official

The Piña Colada is named the official drink of Puerto Rico. ¡Salud!

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1989

1989

The Big Celebration

Caribe Hilton celebrates its 40th anniversary with a party bigger and better than ever!

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1998

1998

The Sale

The government sold the hotel to the Hilton International chain for $80 million dollars.

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1999

1999

The 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.

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2011

2011

The Presidential Visit

During a short visit to the Island of Enchantment, President Barack Obama visited Caribe Hilton hotel to attend a fundraising event.

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2013

2013

Sun, Sea and Coffee

Caribe Hilton opens the first Starbucks in the world that serves their clients on the beach.

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2014

2014

The Golden Oldie

Caribe Hilton celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Piña Colada and receives a second proclaim, this time from Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla.

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2015

2015

The 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.

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2017

2017

Hurricane 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.

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2019

MAY 2019

Caribe Hilton Reopens

MAY 2019

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.

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2019

NOVEMBER 2019

Dedication of Mónica Puig Tennis Courts at Caribe Hilton

NOVEMBER 2019

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.

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2019

TODAY

Ever-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.

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2019

December 9, 2019

70 Iconic Years

December 9, 2019

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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