El Conquistador Resort is a popular luxury hotel located in Puerto Rico. Over the years, it has been a go-to destination for tourists looking for a relaxing retreat with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.
However, in recent times, there have been some questions about what happened to El Conquistador Resort. In this article, we will explore the history of El Conquistador Resort and try to answer these questions.
The History of El Conquistador Resort
El Conquistador Resort was built in 1962 by Laurance Rockefeller, who was a prominent American philanthropist and businessman. The hotel was constructed on a hillside overlooking the Caribbean Sea and offered breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding landscapes. Initially, the hotel had only 200 rooms spread across several buildings.
In 1998, the resort underwent significant renovations and an expansion project that added more than 500 rooms to the property. This expansion made El Conquistador one of the largest luxury hotels in Puerto Rico.
The Ownership Changes
Over the years, El Conquistador resort has undergone several changes in ownership. In 2007, it was acquired by private equity firm Blackstone Group for $800 million. Under Blackstone’s ownership, there were plans to invest millions of dollars into renovating and upgrading the property.
In 2019, Blackstone sold its stake in El Conquistador resort to Aimbridge Hospitality. Aimbridge is one of the largest independent hotel investment management firms globally with over 1,500 hotels under management across various brands.
The Impact of Hurricane Maria
One significant event that affected El Conquistador Resort was Hurricane Maria which struck Puerto Rico in September 2017. The hurricane caused extensive damage to many parts of Puerto Rico including El Conquistador Resort. The damages were so severe that it took almost four months before most parts of the hotel could be reopened.
The hurricane had a significant impact on the tourism industry in Puerto Rico, with many hotels closed for months or even years after the hurricane. However, despite the damage caused by Hurricane Maria, El Conquistador Resort managed to get back on its feet and reopen some of its facilities to guests.
The Current State of El Conquistador Resort
Today, El Conquistador Resort is open and operating under Aimbridge Hospitality. The hotel has undergone several renovations and upgrades since Aimbridge took over ownership. Some of these upgrades include new restaurants, refurbished rooms, and an expanded spa.
However, it is worth noting that not all parts of El Conquistador Resort have been restored to their pre-hurricane state. For example, the resort’s marina has not been fully restored and there are still some ongoing repairs and maintenance work being done in certain areas of the hotel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, El Conquistador Resort has had an interesting history marked by significant ownership changes and natural disasters like Hurricane Maria. Despite these challenges, the hotel remains a favorite destination for tourists looking for a luxurious getaway in Puerto Rico. As Aimbridge continues to invest in upgrading and renovating the property, it is expected that El Conquistador Resort will continue to provide exceptional hospitality services for many years to come.