As Hilton celebrates 100 years of Hospitality they continue to push the limits for what a Hotel chain can be. With the re-imagining of The Caribe Hilton, they continue to raise the bar for properties across the world. To celebrate Diamond PR and Hilton hosted an intimate tropically themed event at La Placita in Miami.
In 1954 Ramon “Monchito” Marrero created the first Pina Colada at the Caribar and it has been the official cocktail of Puerto Rico ever since. If you’ve ever had a Pina Colada you know how delicious is it and why it has become such a popular drink. Rupert Holmes sang lovingly about the cocktail in Escape and after a trip to the Caribe Hilton several years ago it became my go-to beverage beach beverage as well.
The Caribe Hilton was the first Hilton built outside the continental US. After it opened on December 9, 1949, it became one of the most popular properties on the island. The hotel features stunning ocean front views, amazing pools, and beautifully appointed contemporary accommodations. There’s also a bird sanctuary and lush tropical gardens.
In its heyday, the Caribe Hilton was the go-to hotel in Puerto Rico. It wasn’t unusual to find the most popular celebrities of the day catching a few sun rays and having tons of fun. As times changed the property continued to maintain their reputation for hospitality as well as being the place to see and be seen.
The first time I went to Puerto Rico I had the pleasure of staying at the Caribe Hilton. I spent hours poolside enjoying the cool breeze from the ocean and watching the Iguanas sun themselves. The tropical gardens were stunning, incredibly lush and well manicured. At night I’d sit on my balcony enjoying the sounds of the waves as the Coqui frogs sang me to sleep.
Up until that trip to Puerto Rico I had only had Pina Colada’s made from a mix and it definitely left a lot to be desired. After my first sip of an authentic Pina Colada, my opinion definitely changed. It was bursting with real coconut creme, fresh pineapple juice, and was full of rum. I spent a good amount of time at the swim up bar enjoying that rum-tinged coconut goodness and I’ve been a convert ever since.
It was heartbreaking to watch as Hurricane Maria decimated Puerto Rico and while the island is still rebuilding a huge amount of progress has been made. The grand re-opening of the Caribe Hilton is significant because it serves as a reminder that Puerto Rico is back and ready for business. The Island’s economy was and still is heavily dependent on tourism so now is the time to make a trip.
Summer is upon us and there’s no better way to usher it in than with a quick getaway. Grab your bags and book your flights asap for some sun and sand. As an added perk Hilton Honors members will earn an extra 5,000 points for any reservations made from May 15th-November 15, 2019 that are 3 days or more and booked directly through Hilton. I think that’s yet another reason to go discover for yourself why they call Puerto Rico the Island of Enchantment.
Aspiring Gentleman was hosted by Hilton and Diamond PR. My opinions are my own.
