After a $2.7 million investment, La Concha Hotel in San Juan inaugurated its new Elemara Spa on Wednesday, part of the process of changing its hotel brand, which was announced last year.
The 473-room hotel currently operates under the Renaissance brand but, once the $46.9 million transformation that began in 2023 is completed, it will become part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection Resort portfolio.
The spa features minimalist design and state-of-the-art technology for massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and hair care services. It will employ 16 people.
La Concha is part of the Condado Collection, a hotel conglomerate owned by U.S. businessman John Paulson in Puerto Rico.
“$2.7 million sounds simple, but there’s a complex process behind it, including construction, permits, and employee training. This investment complements the grand project of converting Renaissance into Autograph. The spa aligns with various concepts that we will soon be announcing,” said Rolando Padua, president of Paulson Puerto Rico, in an interview with El Nuevo Día.
The spa, with an oceanfront view of the Atlantic, is located in a space that was previously used for event celebrations. It can accommodate up to 45 services at a time, according to information provided.
Elemara Spa’s manager, Melva Cancel, emphasized that the word that best describes the spa is “unique,” given that it features elements that, she assured, clients won’t find in other similar establishments.
For instance, the equipment in the seven service cabins is exclusive to the island, and complementary offerings like the water are unique to the spa. “Here, we have the fountain of youth,” she remarked about the quality of the water offered to clients.
As part of the experience, visitors will have the opportunity to choose the scent for their treatment products, including one inspired by marine essences.
“Elemara is a holistic and therapeutic combination. All the products we offer are organic, botanical, and vegan. They’re also unique; no one else has them,” Cancel said.
The Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), Carlos Mercado Santiago, highlighted that the spa will enhance the offerings for both local and international visitors.
“We value their commitment to evolving their services, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this amenity, along with future updates, will have on Puerto Rico’s visitors,” the official said in a written statement.
Room Renovations in Progress
Padua revealed that renovations to the rooms located in the building known as The Suite Tower will begin in June.
According to the executive, the model rooms have already been completed, and they are finalizing design details and new offerings for guests.
The renovation work, according to Padua, should be ready between October and November of this year, just in time for the start of the island’s peak tourism season.
“We know the work will have an impact on the hotel’s day-to-day operations, as La Concha has never experienced a remodel of this magnitude,” Padua acknowledged.
“We will carry out the work in phases, even though it will be aggressive. We’ll go floor by floor, from top to bottom, to minimize disruption to operations,” he added.
While the rooms are being renovated, the hotel will continue remodeling other areas, such as the casino and the main lobby.
Padua also recalled that the hotel recently completed the construction of Tekka Bar, a culinary concept originating in the popular city of Las Vegas, Nevada.
When asked about the performance of Paulson Puerto Rico’s hotels in terms of revenue and occupancy, Padua affirmed that La Concha, Vanderbilt, and Condado Ocean Club all experienced their best first quarter in the history of the properties this year.
The figures coincide with data recently shared by the CTPR, which indicates that the first quarter of 2024 set unprecedented records for tourism on the island.
“All three properties achieved historic numbers. That record was driven by various factors, but it was primarily due to a significant increase in ADR (average daily rate) across all properties and high occupancy. We expected a strong quarter similar to 2015, but we never anticipated exceeding those numbers,” Padua concluded.
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