I have never stayed at the Ritz-Carlton before and boy oh boy what can I say about this chain of hotels…Ladies and Gentleman serving Ladies and Gentleman. That is exactly what I felt like when I was at the hotel in San Juan located in the Isla Verde part of San Juan.

We had originally booked the Courtyard Isla Verda beach resort a few blocks away and had stayed there for 1 night, but then decided to switch over to the Ritz-Carlton after “visiting” the Ritz on a walk to Walgreens to pick up a few snacks. Do not get me wrong, the Courtyard was very nice with hammocks on the beach and a casino.

I was able to snag a great deal with the Ritz-Carlton that made it worth it to make the switch. For an extra $134/night, the Ritz-Carlton San Juan “Reconnect” room package we booked included 2 free buffet breakfasts and a $100 resort credit PER DAY! That alone, made up for the extra $150/night since the Courtyard does not offer free breakfast to Marriott Gold or Platinum rewards members.

It was definitely worth the switch because in addition to the perks (and the upgraded room for Platinum Marriott members and 4PM late check-out!),  when we arrived at the Ritz-Carlton we were greeted with 5 Star service. Everyone on the property was extremely friendly and not a fake sort of friendly. The pool boys and beach boys constantly came around to check to see how hotel guests were doing. There was a constant supply of tanning lotion (15 and 30 SPF) and aloe vera for all those who got a little too much sun.

The service at breakfast was exceptional. Since we had the breakfast buffet, we had access to an omelette chef, a whole array of pastries, meats, cheeses AND an unlimited mimosa bar which we took full advantage of. Our server kept refilling our glasses full to the brim with champagne.

Let’s not forget that the Ritz-Carlton San Juan also offers fitness classes gratis that my friend and I took (spin class in a beautiful studio in the gym).

All in all – you get what you pay for – and I am gladly writing this thinking about how affordable it ended up being to stay at the Ritz-Carlton for the 1st time in my life. For 3 days/2nights, we paid  $940 total. Split between 3 people (while you could also have 4 people stay in a room without being charged an extra guest fee) it came out to $313/person for an incredible experience. The Courtyard would have cost us $179/person, but without the breakfast (valued at $30/person/day and $200 total resort credit). If you add up all the extra perks you get from the Ritz “Reconnect” package, it makes sense to spend a little more to #UPGRADE and have amazing pictures of your stay at a Ritz!