Hotel Information
Puerto Rico, a Spanish colony for four centuries, is the farthest east of the four major islands that form the Greater Antilles. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. Since 1952, it has been a semi-autonomous commonwealth of the United States of America.
Westin Rio Mar
6000 Rio Mar Boulevard
Rio Grande, P.R. 00745-6100
Phone: 787-888-6000
Fax: 787-888-6320
The Westin Rio Mar is sold out. Here are the phone numbers for two small hotels in the area:
| Rio Grande Plantation | 787-887-2779 |
| La Familia | 787-863-1193 |
Also, we suggest you look for a hotel in San Juan.
SIAM is holding a block of rooms at the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and Country Club. These rooms are being held on a first-come, first-served basis at $125.00 single/double occupancy. Rates are subject to $6.50 daily resort rate, $2.00 daily maid service rate and prevailing state and local taxes, currently 11% totalling $148.19. There will be a one time portage rate of $6.00 per person upon check in. These rooms will be held for SIAM's use until Wednesday, June 7, 2000.
Please be aware that SIAM's room block fills quickly so we suggest that you make your hotel and travel plans early. After SIAM's room block fills, reservations at the SIAM price will depend upon availability. Fax (787-888-6320) or mail the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and Country Club Reservation Form .You may also make your reservation by phone (787-888-6000). Jamina Alvarez is the Group Coordinator at the hotel and she will be glad to take your reservations. Please be certain to mention that you are an attendee of the SIAM Conference being held at the hotel during the week of July 10- 14, 2000. Remember to get your confirmation number!
The Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and Country Club requires a deposit equivalent to one night's room rate $133.50 single/ double to guarantee your reservation. The hotel accepts American Express, MasterCard, Visa, money orders, or personal checks as forms of payment.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, you must contact the hotel seven (7) days prior to your scheduled arrival to receive a refund; if you miss that deadline you forfeit one night's deposit. Remember to get a cancellation number from the reservations department.
Check-in time is 3:00 P.M. and check-out time is 12:00 noon.
The Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and Country Club is the ideal destination resort. It is a place of incomparable beauty, endless recreation and attentive hospitality. The resort has a small fitness center and spa, an outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi in a lush tropical setting as well as the largest private beach in Puerto Rico, offering all water and sports activities. The resort has 13 tennis courts, 2 world-class golf courses, 10 restaurants and a full-service casino. Daily resort activities are scheduled and posted for hotel guests. These facilities are accessible to all SIAM conference attendees staying at the hotel. Hotel room conveniences include a balcony in every room, ocean or mountain views, (65% of the rooms overlook the ocean) remote control television with cable channels, refrigerated minibar, 24 hour room service, in-room touch tone telephone with voice mail, including one phone with a data port, alarm clock radio, and individual climate controls. Non-smoking rooms are available upon request.
Parking is available at the hotel for $14.00 per night. All SIAM conference attendees staying at the hotel have in and out privileges on a 24-hour basis.
A Hotel Room-Sharing List is available for those who wish to share a room with another attendee at the conference to reduce expenses. Please submit the Hotel Room-Sharing Form directly to SIAM.
Sun, sand, and sea are the first vivid pictures that come to mind when you think about an island in the Caribbean. There's a lot to discover in tropical Puerto Rico. Whether your interest is in road trips with panoramic vistas, visits to cultural centers and historical landmarks, ecological explorations, sightseeing, shopping and, of course, fine dining -- Puerto Rico has it. Some areas that you may want to explore are Culebra, an island off the east coast of Puerto Rico which offers white-sand beaches, coral reefs and a wildlife refuge. Fajardo, is a major fishing and sailing center and, of course, El Yunque Caribbean National Forest. El Yunque is a few miles from the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort, verdant with feathery ferns, thick ropelike vines, white tuberoses and ginger, miniature orchids, and some 240 species of trees. El Yunque is also a bird sanctuary and the base of the rare Puerto Rican parrot. You definitely will want to listen for COQUI, the tiny native Puerto Rican tree frog. The COQUI derives its name from the sound of its song which lulls young and old alike to sleep each night.
The Caribbean climate is fairly constant. The average year-round temperatures for the region are 70° F- 90° F. You can count on downtown shopping areas being hot at midday, but air-conditioning provides some respite. The Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort has the advantage of water and trade winds to keep you cool and comfortable all day long. Part of the charm of the Caribbean is the changing weather, you can watch clouds come over, feel the rain, and remain on your lounge chair for the sun to dry you off all within five to ten minutes. Remember that meeting room temperatures and personal comfort zones vary widely. It is recommended that you bring a sweater or a jacket to the sessions.
This year's conference is casual, casual, casual. Suits, ties, nine-to-five dresses and high heels are not for this spectacular beach resort! Don't forget your bathing suit and water wings.