Serafina Beach Hotel is located in the rapidly transforming Condado district of San Juan, Puerto Rico along the Ashford Avenue strip. New York based design and strategy group, ICRAVE, was tapped to lead the interior design effort and deliver a sleek and modern hotel and restaurant experience. The renovation reflects the space’s influential surroundings - perched between the breaking waves of the Atlantic Ocean and neighboring Laguna del Condado, a myriad of blues and greens are visible from any vantage point. The interior spaces incorporate a collective mix of modern furnishings, eclectic lighting features, landscape elements, and handmade murals by locally commissioned artists.
ICRAVE teamed up with San Juan-based executive architect LA Architects to strip down the existing structure down to its core, and completely remodel the building’s systems, façade, and pool deck areas. Most notably, a new façade with continuous glass bands gives the building’s classic modern exterior a sleek facelift, while providing the hotel rooms with floor to ceiling windows and incredible vistas.
Reception and Lobby
A double-height reception area presents a welcoming entry that is highlighted by a dramatic open tread terazzo staircase, playful lighting and a large abstract mural by Puerto Rican artist Sofia Maldonado that draw your eyes up. A series of wood screen elements reminiscent of the mid-century work of Erwin Hauer conceal the support devices for the reception staff. A canopy of woven El Torrent light fixtures in varying sizes and colors fill the volume over check-in, which is defined by two self-service drum-like tablet stations with stone tops.
The lobby lounge, known as PiñaCo, is anchored by a charming, jewel bar that sparkles with custom etched blue mirror tiles and a terrazzo countertop. Grooved, driftwood grey planks, trim, tinted mirror surfaces, and linen lounge seating provide a neutral backdrop for the large blue and green watercolor area rug by Durkan that draw the colors of the ocean into the space. Swing chairs by Kettal and custom surfboards by Puerto Rican artist Charlie Ramirez complete the space.
Guestrooms
Each of the 96 contemporary guest rooms at Serafina Beach Hotel range from 325 to 625 square feet and boast dramatic floor-to-ceiling, uninterrupted windows, which deliver stunning views of the ocean to the north, and sparkling evening views over the Laguna del Condado to the south. Several rooms feature private balconies, including the signature Positano Ocean Terrace Room, which features a 280 square-foot oceanfront terrace with panoramic views furnished with coastal sensibilities.
Guestroom interiors include simple, mid-century and post-modern furnishings in a soothing palate of linen, sea-glass green, driftwood greys and whites. A Romo wallcovering creates a subtle grey and white plastered effect on the headboard walls that is brought to life by textured pendants hanging from above. The key feature of each room is the surprise and delight minibar, which is contained in an over-sized free floating white fluted curio cabinet. The custom cabinet has the feel of a vintage find and when opened, a burst of color on the interior hosts all the trappings of a luxury minibar, with full sized bottles of wine and liquor and curated refreshments.
Large, modern walk-in showers are accompanied by Malin+Goetz bath amenities, convenient “Serafina sea-glass” towel ladders, Sebastian Bergne coat hooks for bathing suits and back-lit mirrors, which exude a sense of casual luxury. Convenience powered side tables, laptop tables and a loft-inspired saw-horse desk, illuminated by a custom ICRAVE-designed sconce, provide guests with plenty of space to spread out their gadgets. Minimalist photography celebrates “pool life” and is asymmetrically placed around the room to draw the eye through the space.
aMare
Serafina Beach Hotel’s signature restaurant, aMare, welcomes you in from the street with a live green wall. The transitional indoor-outdoor 100-seat dining room and bar has white faced brick walls, comfortable booths and a vivid mural by local artist Gerardo Cloquell. Artfully placed turquoise and blue glazed tiles by Nemo evoke the coastal spirit of the destination and a white beaded curtain lends a bit of bungalow charm. In the dining room, a series of blue-tinted mirrored porthole rings activate the walls with a soft halo glow, while custom glossy blue metal posts with oversized drum shades add intimacy at the central banquettes. The alfresco dining terrace overlooking the ocean side is protected from the wind by seamless glass partitions and shaded by a trellis throughout the day.
Pool
An extension of PiñaCo, the pool deck is the signature gathering space of Serafina Beach Hotel. The place to see and be seen in Condado, it boasts nine private poolside cabanas by Kettal, two pavilions for larger groups and a terraced deck ensuring everyone has a great view. The long mirrored bar reflects the Atlantic, while landscape installations by Tom Hicks add lushness. The star of the show is the fifty-foot long, saltwater, infinity-edge pool that sits low along the breaking waves which are just inches away.
