O:LV Fifty Five – Hotel Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"What are your first impressions of this place? O:LV Fifty Five's greenery-covered exterior opens into a black-and-white marble lobby with a modern, Gatsby-goes-to-the-Caribbean vibe. Instagrammable details throughout—a chandelier here, a valuable piece of art there, and jaw-dropping views—fuel the aesthetics. What's the story behind the hotel? One of the first new hotels to open post-hurricane, O:LV Fifty Five is the second act from the hoteliers behind O:live, just around the corner. Like its sister, this is an adults-only property. Do the rooms themselves live up to the lobby vibe? Rooms look like something out of a high-end fashion magazine. Each of the 26 rooms is a suite; all but two have balconies, and some include showers that open to the outdoors. Design details include quilted headboards fashioned with ivory leather and gleaming brass highlights, shiny walnut furnishings, light drapes, and powder-blue sofas. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? It is free and fast. How are the food options on site? Raya, by local chef Mario Pagan, fuses Caribbean and Asian culinary traditions and plating follows the hotel’s aesthetic lead, with dishes garnished with bright edible flowers and colorful dabs of sauce; cocktails, like a wasabi margarita, are equally unconventional. The rooftop restaurant AYRA caters to the pool crowd, pairing crowd-pleasing dishes—sliders, hummus, tacos—with the vast views. And the service? Actively going above and beyond. Don't be surprised to find things like a box of local chocolates waiting in your room from time to time. Who tends to stay here? Runway-ready fashion types and others who love great design. What else is in the area? Set on the lagoon side of stylish Condado, the hotel mingles with residential towers and provides easy access to restaurants, shops, and other city conveniences. All you have to do to hit the beach is cross Ashford Avenue, and Old San Juan is a 10-minute cab ride away. Anything else we should be aware of before planning a stay? The rooftop trumps all others in the city; if the picturesque sunsets and vistas from the Atlantic to the Condado Lagoon aren't enough, there’s the multi-tiered pool and Jacuzzi, splashed with colorful lighting at night. The piece de resistance, however, is the Rolls Royce that converts into a DJ booth and Champagne bar. Bottom line: Worth it? This is an absolute breath of fresh air for those who wish to embrace San Juan’s rising art and design culture; it has particular sex appeal for stylish couples." - Kathleen Squires
