Greenery and stretches of private white-sand beaches, incredible facilities, luxurious amenities, and well-manicured grounds: that’s what you’ll find among Puerto Rico’s most popular beachfront resorts. And add a wide variety of outdoor adventures, designer golf courses, and tropical-inspired dining.
You can also expect high-level hospitality and service at each property, with unique and versatile accommodations. Just a short drive from San Juan, you’ll escape the city and discover a remote paradise waiting for you to relax and enjoy, whether that includes ziplining and rainforest hikes or just sitting on the beach with a cocktail; it depends. Of you.
Villa Montana Beach Resort
Property Location
Located in Aguadilla, Villa Montana Beach Resort is next to a golf course, a 3-minute walk from Shacks Beach, and less than a 5-minute drive from Jobos Beach. In addition, this beach hotel is 2.1 mi (3.3 km) from Pozo de Jacinto and 3 mi (4.8 km) from Playa Montones.
Bedrooms
You will feel at home in the 76 rooms with a refrigerator and flat-screen TV. Wi-Fi Internet will keep you in touch with your loved ones. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations are stocked with designer toiletries and hair dryers. Convenience includes safes, tea and coffee-making facilities, and telephones with free local calls.
Services
Relax in the sun on the private beach or in one of the two outdoor pools. You will also find free Wi-Fi Internet connection, concierge services, and child care services (for a fee).
To eat
At Villa Montana Beach Resort, you have a restaurant to eat something. Then, put the icing on the cake to a fantastic day with a drink at the bar/lounge or the poolside bar. At an additional cost, a full breakfast is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 11:00, while on weekends, the hours are from 7:00 to 10:30.
Business services and others
You will have dry cleaning, multilingual staff, and luggage storage. In addition, there is complimentary self-parking available.
Data of interest
Distances are expressed in round numbers.
Shacks Beach – 0.1 mi / 0.2 km
Jobs Beach – 1.6 mi / 2.6 km
Jacinto Well – 2.1 mi / 3.4 km
Survival Beach Area – 2.8 mi / 4.5 km
Montone’s Beach – 3 mi / 4.8 km
Martinique Beach – 4.2 mi / 6.8 km
La Pocita – 4.7 mi / 7.6 km
Punta Borinquen Golf Club – 5.4 mi / 8.6 km
Borinquen Beach – 5.7 mi / 9.3 km
La Ruina Beach – 6.5 mi / 10.5 km
Wilderness Beach Area – 7 mi / 11.2 km
The Mix – 7 mi / 11.3 km
Aguadilla Mall: 14 km / 8.7 mi
Playa Chica – 8.7 mi / 14.1 km
Crashboat Beach – 8.7 mi / 14.1 km
Nearest airports:
San Juan (SJU-Luis Munoz Marin Intl.) – 80.9 mi / 130.9 km
Aguadilla (BQN-Rafael Hernandez) – 4.1 mi / 6.6 km
Mayaguez (MAZ-Eugenio Maria de Hostos) – 22.3 mi / 36.8 km
The preferred airport for Villa Montana Beach Resort is San Juan (SJU-Luis Muñoz Marín Intl.).
Services
Accessibility
Adapted for people with disabilities
Internet access
Free WIFI
Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa
Property Location
With a stay at Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa in Guánica, you’ll be by the ocean, a 1-minute walk from Guánica State Forest, and 12 minutes from Gilligan’s Island. This beach resort is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Cana Gorda Beach and 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from Ballena Beach.
Bedrooms
You will feel at home in any of the 104 rooms with different furniture, equipped with a refrigerator and LCD TV. The free Wi-Fi Internet connection will keep you in touch with your loved ones; You can also watch your favorite program on the TV with satellite channels. Private bathrooms with showers are stocked with complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes, tea, and coffee-making facilities, and telephones.
Services
For unparalleled relaxation, nothing like a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. Then, after a swim in one of the two outdoor pools, nothing like the private beach to relax. Other services at this complex include free Wi-Fi Internet connection, childcare service (for a fee), and a souvenir shop.
To eat
At Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa, you have a restaurant at your disposal to eat something. Then, put the icing on the cake to a fantastic day with a drink at the bar/lounge or the poolside bar. A buffet breakfast is offered daily from 7:00 to 11:30 for an additional charge.
Business services and others
You will have a business center, a 24-hour front desk, and multilingual staff at your disposal. In addition, for a small fee, you can take advantage of benefits such as a 24-hour round-trip airport shuttle service and complimentary self-parking.
Data of interest
Distances are expressed in round numbers.
Guanica State Forest – 0.1 mi / 0.1 km
Gilligan’s Island: 0.6 mi
Cana Gorda Beach – 0.8 mi / 1.3 km
Ballena Beach – 1.8 mi / 2.9 km
Tamarindo Beach – 2.3 mi / 3.7 km
Jaboncillo Beach – 2.4 mi / 3.9 km
Guánica Dry Forest Reserve – 2.2 mi / 3.6 km
Las Pardas Beach – 8.7 mi / 14.1 km
Holy Beach – 9.3 mi / 15.2 km
The Jungle – 10 mi / 16.4 km
St. Peter’s Square – 15.6 mi / 25.6 km
Magueyes Island – 16 mi / 25.8 km
Mata La Gata Island – 16 mi / 25.8 km
Guayanilla Bay – 16 mi / 26.3 km
Caracoles Key – 16 mi / 26.3 km
Nearest airports:
San Juan (SJU-Luis Munoz Marin Intl.) – 100 mi / 161.6 km
Ponce (PSE-Mercedita) – 51.5 km / 32 mi
Mayaguez (MAZ-Eugenio Maria de Hostos) – 35.3 mi / 57.7 km
The preferred airport for Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa is San Juan (SJU-Luis Muñoz Marín Intl.).
Services
Internet access
Free WIFI
Activities – Free time
Pool bar, Gym, Outdoor pool, Kids pool, Tennis court, Private beach, Sauna, Spa
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
At Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, there truly is something for everyone. Framed by five acres of immaculately maintained grounds and a tranquil beach, this is one of the island’s most beautiful and luxurious properties.
Book a day at the Botanical Spa, a sanctuary hidden among palm trees. Visit one of the two resort beaches, where you can practice exciting water sports or enjoy calm waters, ideal for snorkeling or floating. Practice your swing at TPC Dorado Beach, a championship golf course. Book a dinner at Melao by Mario Pagán and experience Puerto Rican cuisine like never before. There is something new to discover every day you spend in this tropical hideaway.
- Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf and Beach Resort
Stunning views surround the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf and Beach Resort, which sits at the foot of the El Yunque rainforest, next to the Mameyes River, and surrounded by a semi-private beach.
With two golf courses, a casino, a spa, tennis courts, huge pools, and more than half a dozen restaurants and bars, you will only need to leave the property if you want to. The resort’s location offers guests plenty of activity options, including horseback riding in the rainforest or on the beach, kayaking in the bioluminescent bay in Fajardo, sightseeing and shopping in Old San Juan, and more.
St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort has a contemporary plantation house surrounded by picturesque gardens and a koi meditation pond. That feeling of classic luxury with a modern twist is replicated in the rooms, comfortably close to the turquoise waters and soft white sands of the property’s beach.
Explore the nature trails around the property, take advantage of a host of water sports, or play a round of golf with an ocean view. Just be sure to spare some time at the Remede Spa, where guests follow a floating path to secluded massage villas with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the spa’s fire garden. St. Regis Bahia Beach is the place to be pampered and unwind.
Fairmont El San Juan Hotel
Metropolitan vibes meet tranquil ocean views at the Fairmont El San Juan hotel. This historical complex is recently renovated right next to Isla Verde beach and a few steps from downtown San Juan.
Fairmont El San Juan features four tropical pool areas with luxurious cabanas, more than a dozen restaurants and bars, some with live entertainment, a BRAVA nightclub, a top-of-the-line spa, a wellness center, and exclusive boutiques to shop around. In addition, you can take advantage of outdoor activities like parasailing and jet skiing.
Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa
Located in the south of the Island along a private beach hidden in a bay in the Caribbean Sea, Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa is the definition of a tropical paradise.
Bask in the breeze from one of the resort’s beach cabanas, escape to the spa for a massage, or enjoy a romantic dinner at Alexandra Restaurant, where you can savor exquisite dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. The complex is also close to the town of Ponce, where you can explore the museums, the Castillo Serrallés, and the picturesque town square.
Royal Isabella
At Royal Isabela, you stay in a casita (a private villa) on top of a cliff with a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean and pool deck. While it’s tempting to spend your vacation in private luxury, especially since they offer in-suite massages and facials, the resort offers plenty of amenities that may convince you to head out.
Royal Isabela is a golfer’s paradise, but you can also enjoy croquet or tennis, sunbathe on El Pastillo beach, or paddle the nearby Guajataca River. So it is worth venturing out to explore Isabela to find more magnificent beaches and some of the best dining options along the northwest coast of Puerto Rico.
La Concha Resort
La Concha is a lifestyle resort that will take your breath away. This luxury hotel in the Condado district offers tropical vibes in the city’s heart.
Enjoy a sunbath and cool ocean breezes as you explore the AAA Four Diamond property’s luxuries. This historic hotel will fulfill all your Caribbean dreams with elegant rooms, first-rate amenities, lively pools, elegant lounges, and exotic restaurants. If you want to play the tables or a slot machine, you can try your luck at Casino Del Mar.
The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan
Advantage
Lovely beach setting near the San Juan airport
Fun pool with cushioned loungers and loungers
Friendly and attentive staff and service (especially at the beach and pool)
Five bars and dining options with exclusive options
Rooms have quality bedding and marble bathrooms
Free in-room tea, coffee (with to-go cups), and bottled water
The minibar is stocked with Robert Mondavi wines
Spacious and bright spa and gym
Two tennis courts and access to a tennis pro
Large meeting and event facilities
Nightly casino and live music on weekends
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Cons
Food and drink prices add up quickly
Automatic resort fee added to utility bill
The room decor is a bit bland
Most rooms don’t have balconies or windows that open
Neighboring room and corridor noise can be heard
Check-in is at 4 pm; Check-out is at 11 a.m.
Summary
This property was significantly impacted by Hurricane Maria in September 2017 and is currently closed through April 8, 2018. We will update our review as soon as we have more information. Marriott’s top-tier hotel in the capital of San Juan offers 416 rooms and suites and is just a five-minute drive from the airport along Isla Verde beach. Rooms are contemporary and upscale if a bit generic, and most don’t have balconies. Most guests spend their time on the sand or at the lively outdoor pool, where attentive service is a focus. Just watch out for the super-expensive cocktails. The Lobby Bar is the place to be for small plates and pre-dinner cocktails in the evenings before guests (and a few locals) head to their reserved tables at the BLT Steak and Il Mulino restaurants. The hotel attracts a mix of post-voyage goers, conference attendees, and leisure guests on long weekend getaways. Wi-Fi, tennis, and a gym are all free unless you count the 18% luxury resort fee added to the bill.
Hotel El Convento
Advantage
Romantic boutique-style hotel in charming Old San Juan
Within walking distance of historic sights, shops, and nightlife
Extraordinary architecture and authentic Spanish décor
Three distinct restaurants with bars on-site
Outdoor pool and jacuzzi overlooking the bay
All rooms have Bose sound systems, small refrigerators, and coffeemakers
Bathrobes, slippers, Aveda products, and turndown service
Evening wine and cheese reception (included!)
Business center, library, and beautiful event spaces
Gym and coin laundry
Guest services and 24-hour valet parking
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Cons
Food and drink prices are high.
It is not located on the beach (you can drive to their recommended options)
The outdoor pool is small.
Summary
Virtually nothing compares to the European El Convento in the medieval city of Old San Juan. It was a convent for 252 years, and today, it is the main and exclusive hotel in the neighborhood, with 58 elegant rooms and suites filled with old Spanish treasures and modern services. Its history is present throughout, from the exposed wooden beams to the 359-year-old medlar tree that towers over the romantic courtyard. A wine and cheese reception is held nightly on the terrace, allowing guests (mainly couples) to mingle while taking in the sights of San Juan Bay. The main restaurant offers excellent alfresco dining on the patio; other features include a beautiful terrace and a small outdoor pool. Service here is a priority, and it shows.
Serafina Beach Hotel
The new 96-room boutique hotel, Serafina Beach Hotel, is packed with young and trendy visitors sipping cocktails on the pool deck directly on Condado Beach. This hotel is bringing a South Beach vibe to Puerto Rico. Many rooms are oceanfront, but I prefer the Serafina Ocean Terrace or Positano Ocean Terrace rooms with a private terrace for more space. Breakfast is one of the best on the island, and the modern atmosphere keeps the crowds coming back.
San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
Sleek and contemporary, the recently remodeled 510-room (with 17 suites) hotel is one of the best family-friendly properties in Puerto Rico and offers plenty of adult-friendly activities like the Stellaris Casino. This is a great family retreat with courtesy bikes, two outdoor pools, a double helix waterslide, and a whirlpool.
Caribbean Hilton
Centrally located minutes from the heart of Old San Juan, the resort sits on a beachfront peninsula surrounded by 17 acres of lush gardens. Famous as the birthplace of the piña colada, the resort is also the largest hotel in the city, with 917 rooms, suites, and lagoon villas on a secluded beach and nine restaurants and lounges. Perfect for families, there are several beachfront pools, a kids’ club, and a full-service spa for adults.
County Vanderbilt Hotel
Advantage
Elegant rooms with dramatic décor and air-conditioned Smart TVs.
It is in the San Juan County district, close to shopping and nightlife.
Easy access to Condado Beach, which is located next to the hotel
Two picturesque pools, one with an infinity edge and ocean views
Suites include kitchenettes and 24-hour butler service; some have balconies
The hotel’s six restaurants and bars feature a mix of casual and fine dining.
Spa offering unusual treatments like LED facials
Modern gym overlooking the ocean
Beach butlers provide towel and cocktail service
Meeting spaces accommodate 12 to 600 guests.
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Cons
Lower-category rooms are small.
Breakfast not included
The direct-access beach is small and not suitable for swimming.
Parking is valet only and an additional fee.
Summary
The Condado Vanderbilt Hotel is a four-and-a-half-pearl hotel located in the vibrant Condado district of San Juan, with direct access to the beach. The hotel’s 319 rooms are timelessly attractive, with darkwood furnishings and stone-topped bathroom vanities. Turn-of-the-20th-century antiques are ubiquitous, and the hotel offers a historic setting with beautiful restaurants and lounges that exude a turn-of-the-century vibe. At the same time, an infinity pool and innovative spa, as well as high-tech rooms and meeting spaces, infuse the hotel with a contemporary and refreshing element. Those interested in historic properties could also consider the Hotel El Convento in Old San Juan, but the Vanderbilt offers more accessible access to the beach.
