O:LV HOTEL
Hotel · San Juan ·
Caribbean and Asian fusion restaurant, rooftop pool
Caribbean and Asian fusion restaurant, rooftop pool
"A boutique hotel featuring a rooftop pool and bar that provides some of the best elevated views in town—an attractive option for travelers who want a compact, design-forward stay with strong sightlines over the city." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"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. 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, shiny walnut furnishings, light drapes, and powder-blue sofas. The rooftop trumps all others in the city; 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. 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
"You’ll find this Caribbean-Asian fusion spot on the ground floor of the O:LV Fifty Five hotel, where marbled floors, a burnt lavender aroma, velvet seats, and a crystal chandelier set the mood for a fancy date night. You should start with their selection of sake and Japanese whiskey-infused cocktails, then share the tuna poke pegaíto and maduro chorizo wontons. Their Mongolian wagyu brisket and honey garlic chicken chicharrón lo mein are a must. After dinner, head up to the hotel’s rooftop bar for a nice view of the Condado lagoon." - Adriana Silva
"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
"San Juan’s just-opened O:LV Fifty Five Hotel offers 26 sleek guest suites, sophisticated city vibes, and a cool rooftop pool with tranquil views of the Condado Lagoon." - Christina Pérez