Finally… After 6 Long Months. Asian Food Heaven at Verdanza Hotel!

Puerto Rico By

My favourite thing to do after a full day of flying with the kids is to check into a hotel that makes you feel right at home, that offers a little bit of luxury and a whole lot of contentment.

We arrived at Verdanza Hotel via a $10 taxi ride from the airport. With a 3pm check in and a 1pm arrival our room wasn’t quite ready so we headed to their Bistro restaurant for a spot of lunch. Boy, did that hit the spot after a hungry arrival.

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Staff members eventually found us and let us know our suite was now ready. The bags were taken to our room and we found ourselves on the 7th floor in a King Suite. Our jaws dropped and my heart skipped a beat. Yes, I could definitely call this home.

The room was extra large, like swing-a-cat-in-it large. A huge king size bed dominated the room and an inflatable queen bed had been set up to the side for the kids, beside a lounge and coffee table (assume these look lovely without the extra bed set up).

On the table was a fruit and cheese platter with a few cold beers in a ice bucket and 2 apple juices. You would think my kids hadn't had lunch as they devoured the cheese... You would also think it had been a lifetime since I had seen Brie, nobody else got a bite in.

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The bathroom was equally large with all your favourite shampoos and conditioners. An in-room safe, dressing gowns, cable TV and free wifi made the topping on the cake.

We chose Verdanza Hotel for our 2-night stay in San Juan before our cruise. We had read the family friendly reviews, but admit the kids splash park was the winning factor. My son was celebrating a birthday and we thought this place would be a great way to celebrate.

Downstairs by the large pool was a super size hot tub (and I mean hot) and next to that a splash park. This is the type of hotel where everything is automated. As soon as the kids want to use the park they wave their hand in front of the “start button” and bam! The water is pouring forth from all types of devices.

Even the bathroom in the lobby enthralled my kids with its automated flush, taps, soap and dryers.

The staff were so friendly. My only complaint was the in-room water bottles wesre missing on the second day. When I asked the staff I was told it was a complimentary welcome gift only on the first day. Oh well, we thought we will go buy some…. Then we got back to our room after a swim in the pool and there was water waiting on the table for us. It’s not often you find a hotel offering service this far above and beyond the call of duty.

So the room was great, the kids love the splash park, even the buffet breakfast at the Bistro was pleasing. But then we decided to try J.H. Yee’s Asian Bistro on our last evening and we entered 7th heaven.

It’s been a long 6 months since we left Penang and the last of the good Asian food we ever had. We tried in Belize, but after a dismal fail we gave up ever finding any good Asian food again.

This restaurant is a six-time winner of the Chef’s Hat Award for a reason. The honey chicken was so light and fluffy I was super surprised. It’s Josh’s favourite and I’m not a fan usually because of the heavy batter, but this surpassed any expectations. We were also delighted with our fried rice, chicken and cashew nut, tempura vegetables and, as always, ordered too much and had a good size to take home for lunch the next day.

Recently they added a new Sushi Bar, which features over 50 choices of sushi and sashimi. I know you are thinking where's the pictures and guess what? We had eaten the majority of the food before it was too late. That's how good it was!

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Praise God for Puerto Rico and Asian food at Verdanza Hotel. That’s all I can say.

We thought it couldn't get any better until my son's birthday. Verdanza was holding a kids birthday party for one of their other guests. They had a foam pool, water guns and lots of kids having a good time. My kids invited themselves and slotted right in playing in the foam and switching between the pool & hot tub while squirting unsuspecting adults with their water pistols.

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After all the fun we headed back to our room for a nap and were absolutely delighted to find 3 delicious cupcakes waiting for our newly turned three year old. He was over the moon and very excited.

We sang happy birthday to him, opened his presents, and indulged in cake and a movie in our big king bed, where my two little ones very happily slipped into sleep.

What a birthday!

Verdanza Hotel is in a great location with Burger King, Taco Bell and several other restaurants a few minutes walk incase you don't want to indulge in one of their many fine restaurants (or indulge on room service). It was also a simple taxi ride to Old San Juan and the cruise ship port. Taxi's are all set prices in San Juan so transport is quick and reliable.

I cannot thank Verdanza enough for the outstanding service and quality we experienced while staying with them and can highly recommend staying here for your next family vacation in San Juan. 

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Reader Comments...

"I respond to every comment by direct private email. I look forward to your feedback" -

Sounds like a great palce to stay with kids, although I wouldn't mind some birthday cupcakes myself:)

Sofie May 6th, 2013

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