El Conquistador Resort
Best for families and groups who want a sprawling cliffside resort with island beach access, extensive event space, and varied on-site activities — but understand meals are not included in room rates.
Resort Comparison Guide
El Conquistador vs Margaritaville Vacation Club
Choosing between El Conquistador Resort and Margaritaville Vacation Club? This in-depth
comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can
decide which resort is the best fit for your next all-inclusive getaway.
Margaritaville Vacation Club
Better for travelers seeking a relaxed, condo-style vacation club experience with easy beachfront access, simple on-site dining, and a laid-back, tropical vibe.
Quick Verdict: El Conquistador Resort vs Margaritaville Vacation Club
If you want a large, service-rich resort built on a dramatic cliff with its own private island beach, multiple dining venues, a big water-park, and lots of on-site activity options, El Conquistador delivers — note that room rates don’t include meals and there’s a mandatory resort fee that covers island ferry access and water-park entry.
If your priority is a quieter, condo-style stay focused on beachfront relaxation, simple kitchens or kitchenettes, and a casual vacation-club atmosphere, Margaritaville Vacation Club typically fits better.
Bottom line: choose El Conquistador Resort for an activity-packed, cliff-top Puerto Rico resort with private Palomino Island access and large event facilities; choose Margaritaville Vacation Club for a more laid-back, beach-focused vacation-club stay.
El Conquistador Resort vs Margaritaville Vacation Club – At a Glance
| Category | El Conquistador Resort | Margaritaville Vacation Club |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Vibe | Iconic, cliff-top resort with broad amenities, many restaurants and bars, a marina, spa and large event spaces — family-friendly but not an all-inclusive property. | Casual, beach-focused vacation-club style property with a relaxed, tropical atmosphere and easy access to sand and sea. |
| Location | Situated in Fajardo on a 300-foot cliff with sweeping ocean views; resort operates a water taxi to its private Palomino Island beach. | Beachfront or near-beach placement with straightforward access to sand and local seaside activities. |
| Rooms & Suites | Multiple villages and room types across the resort, plus villa-style casitas; spacious options and on-site suites, ideal for families who want variety. | Condo-style accommodations and suites with kitchenettes in many units—good for travelers who prefer self-catering and longer stays. |
| Dining | A wide roster of restaurants and bars — from casual poolside venues to fine dining — with some venues requiring dinner reservations; meals are not included in the nightly rate. | Simpler on-site dining and bar options geared to a casual, tropical menu; kitchenette units mean more self-catering flexibility. |
| Pools & Beach | Several pools plus a large seaside water park and complimentary ferry service to Palomino Island for beach access included in the resort fee. | Beachfront pools and easy beach access designed for relaxed days by the water; pool options tend to be straightforward rather than expansive water-park complexes. |
| Kids & Family | Marketed as family-friendly with a kids’ club (ages 4–13, fee), children’s pool, playground and water-park access; family amenities are a core part of the resort. | Family-friendly in tone but with a vacation-club layout that also appeals to couples and longer-stay guests looking for kitchenette-style rooms. |
| Price & Value | Best value for travelers who want a full-service resort with island access, lots of activities and event space — remember that dining and drinks are extra and a mandatory resort fee applies. | Best value for guests who prefer self-catering options, a simpler beach-focused program, and a relaxed vacation-club setting. |
Rooms & Suites: Cliffside Variety vs Condo-Style Simplicity
El Conquistador Resort – Room Style
Rooms and suites at El Conquistador span multiple villages and styles, from cliff-top rooms with ocean views to villa casitas — options suit families and groups who want space and variety.
- Spacious rooms and villa-style casitas across separate village areas
- Good for families and groups that value separate sleeping areas and resort-style service
- On-site room amenities include in-room bottled water, coffee, safes and complimentary Wi‑Fi; note that dining is pay-as-you-go rather than included
El Conquistador is the better pick if you want a large resort with multiple accommodation types, cliff-top views and island-beach access.
Margaritaville Vacation Club – Room Style
The vacation-club units generally emphasize condo-style comforts and easy beach access; they’re practical for families and travelers who prefer self-catering.
- Units often include kitchenettes or kitchens for more flexible meal options
- Simple, comfortable layouts geared to longer stays and family convenience
- Best for guests who want to prepare some of their own meals and settle into a relaxed, home-like stay by the water.
If you prefer kitchen-equipped rooms and a lower-key beachfront experience, the vacation club typically feels more straightforward and relaxed.
Dining & Drinks: Extensive On-Site Options vs Kitchenette Convenience
El Conquistador Resort – Restaurants & Bars
Dining at El Conquistador includes many distinct venues, from casual pool and island bars to several dinner venues that range up to fine-dining steak and seafood restaurants.
Expect:
- A mix of casual pool/beach outlets and multiple reserved-seat dinner restaurants including international and local cuisine
- 24-hour lobby café and room-service breakfast/dinner windows; some restaurants require reservations
- Plenty of on-site choices, but meals and drinks are charged separately from room rates
Margaritaville Vacation Club – Restaurants & Bars
The vacation club emphasizes casual dining and bar options on-site, with the plus of in-unit kitchen facilities for self-prepared meals.
- Simpler on-site restaurants and bars focused on casual fare
- Kitchenette or full-kitchen units that reduce the need for dining out every meal
- A good fit if you prefer flexibility between dining out and cooking in your unit
If you want broad restaurant variety and more formal dining choices, El Conquistador offers more on-property options; if you prefer to cook or choose casual spots, the vacation club is friendlier.
Pools & Beach: Water Park & Island Ferry vs Beach-First Ease
El Conquistador Resort – Pool & Beach Scene
El Conquistador features multiple pools plus the Coquí Water Park and provides complimentary ferry access to its private Palomino Island beach as part of the resort fee.
- Multiple pools and a dedicated children’s pool plus large water-park attractions
- Private Palomino Island beach reachable by resort ferry — island access included in the resort fee
- Best for families and active guests who want water-park fun and a resort-operated island beach experience
Margaritaville Vacation Club – Pool & Beach Scene
The vacation-club setting focuses on straightforward pool and beach access with an emphasis on relaxing seaside time rather than a big water-park experience.
- Beachfront or near-beach pools geared to lounging and family swims
- Practical pool layouts and easy sand access for low-key beach days
- Better for travelers who want simple, beach-focused downtime rather than large-scale water-park attractions
If you want water-park action and an island ferry included in your resort fee, El Conquistador is the choice; for direct beach simplicity, the vacation club is more straightforward.
Kids & Family: Full-Service Family Programming vs Flexible Family Stays
El Conquistador Resort – Family Programming
The resort is marketed as family-friendly and offers a kids’ club (ages 4–13, fee), children’s pool, playground and water-park access — family amenities are emphasized across the property.
- Kids’ club programming available (fee-based) and multiple child-friendly pools/play areas
- Family-oriented resort activities and easy access to island beach excursions included in the resort fee
- A strong option for families who want organized children’s activities plus wide on-site entertainment choices
Margaritaville Vacation Club – Family Programming
The vacation-club model supports family stays with unit amenities that make longer or multi-night family visits practical, though activities are typically more low-key on-site.
- Family-friendly units and simple pool/beach activities available
- More self-directed family time with the option to cook or eat out as you choose
- Better for families who want a flexible stay and condo conveniences rather than a resort with extensive programmed activities
If organized kids’ programming and a water park matter most, El Conquistador leans heavier; if you want flexibility and kitchenette convenience, the vacation club is preferable.
Price & Value: What Feels Worth It?
El Conquistador Resort – Value Snapshot
El Conquistador offers the most value for travelers who prioritize on-site variety — pools, water park, private island access and large event facilities — but expect separate charges for meals and a mandatory resort fee.
- Best for guests who want island beach access included via the resort fee and a wide range of resort services
- Great if you want many dining venues and full-service resort amenities even though dining is pay-as-you-go
- Stronger ‘activity value’ for families and groups who will use the water park, marina and island beach
Margaritaville Vacation Club – Value Snapshot
The vacation club is the better value if your priorities are kitchenette-equipped units, beachfront convenience, and a lower-key stay where you can self-cater.
- Best for travelers who plan to cook in-unit or want simpler, beach-centered days
- Stronger for longer stays and guests who prefer vacation-club accommodations over full-service resort programming
- Worth it if you value in-unit kitchen facilities and a relaxed beachfront vibe
Who Wins? Best Choice by Travel Style
Best for Families who want on-site activities and island beach access • Best for Guests who want kitchenette units and relaxed beach time
El Conquistador Resort
Choose El Conquistador if you want a full-service, cliff-top resort with a wide variety of restaurants and bars, a notable water park, private Palomino Island beach access included in the resort fee, and ample event spaces.
El Conquistador — Best for multi-generational groups and flexible itineraries. Its range of room types, villa-style casitas and extensive event spaces make it easy to seat large parties, spread out across separate units, and mix programmed activities (kids’ offerings, pools, water park) with quieter downtime. The on-site marina, golf and private Palomino Island give different generations plenty of options without leaving the property.
Margaritaville Vacation Club
Choose the vacation club if you prefer condo-style units with kitchen facilities, a casual beachfront atmosphere, and a stay that leans toward self-catering and relaxed beach time.
Margaritaville Vacation Club — Best for quiet beach days and low-key relaxation. The vacation-club atmosphere leans toward condo-style privacy and simple, beachfront rhythms: kitchenette-equipped rooms let you self-cater, and the property’s smaller scale means fewer large events and a calmer shore experience compared with a big resort.
El Conquistador Resort
For families or groups who want a resort with programmed kids’ activities, water-park fun, and island beach access operated by the property, El Conquistador is the stronger fit.
El Conquistador — Best for food lovers and guests who want resort scale. With a wide variety of restaurants, bars and specialty venues plus room-service and multiple pool/beach dining options, the resort suits travelers who enjoy exploring different culinary scenes and the conveniences of a full-service, large-scale property.
Margaritaville Vacation Club
If you want simpler beach days, kitchenette convenience, and a lower-key vacation-club feel rather than a full-service resort, the vacation club wins.
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