7 Luxury & Boutique Hotel Stays in Puerto Rico
Dreaming of a Caribbean vacation? A direct flight to Puerto Rico is just three hours from Florida and four from NYC, making it an easy jaunt for a relaxing long weekend or a sunny adventure during the bleak winter months. Elevate your journey with a stay in one of its many elegant hotels while enjoying a world-class dining scene and experiencing the island’s rich culture. Whether you decide to go kayaking in the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay in Vieques, hiking in El Yunque rainforest, or learn about local traditions by taking a bomba dance class in the coastal Afro-Puerto Rican community of Loíza, you’re sure to have a memorable trip.
As a boricua who has done her fair share of flights, road trips, and ferry rides around the archipelago (yes, Puerto Rico is an archipelago with a main island, four small islands, and hundreds of cays) I can attest to the myriad of stunning accommodations Puerto Rico has to offer. With this in mind, I have compiled a guide of my top luxury & boutique hotel recommendations for travelers looking for a rejuvenating tropical retreat.
Dorado Beach, A Ritz Carlton Reserve – Dorado
This Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a haven for luxury travelers seeking an unparalleled blend of sophistication, natural beauty, and personalized service. A former plantation and later a Rockefeller estate, this property is located directly on the beach on Puerto Rico’s northern coast and is the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in the Americas. The idyllic setting seamlessly blends modern opulence with the natural beauty of its surroundings offering meticulously designed rooms & villas, and a private butler service assigned to every room.
Whether you are looking for a place to relax and unwind or a more active vacation, Dorado Beach has it all. It houses some of the top golf courses on the island, two swimming pools, a family-friendly waterpark, a five-acre spa, and an 11-mile nature trail. One of the things I love the most about this property is its commitment to conservation through programs like Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment and local sourcing in its restaurants. Coa, the hotel’s grill concept, focuses on creative seasonal dishes and has one of the largest wine cellars in Puerto Rico.
St. Regis Bahia Beach – Rio Grande
The St. Regis Resort in Rio Grande is the epitome of luxury. The five-star property is breathtaking and set against the backdrop of a 483-acre nature reserve on Puerto Rico’s Northwest coast. The elegant and spacious accommodations in a former Caribbean coconut plantation offer the ultimate escape. Guests can unwind in the spa, tee off at the Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course, or bask in the sun by its beach and pools.
With its commitment to environmental conservation, the St. Regis Bahia Beach seamlessly integrates sustainability into its offerings, creating a space that respects the natural beauty that surrounds it. If you are the adventurous type, Rio Grande is a nature lover's dream. With its proximity to el Yunque, the only tropical forest in the US, several waterfalls, and Las Cabezas de San Juan nature preserve, adding fun-filled outdoor activities to your itinerary while in the area is a breeze.
Hotel El Convento – Old San Juan
If you love history, look no further than Hotel El Convento in Old San Juan’s colonial district. The hotel was built in 1646 as a Carmelite convent and still retains many of its original architectural details like its vaulted ceilings and Andalusian tiles. Hotel El Convento is also the first Small Luxury Hotel of the World member in Puerto Rico and is the oldest member of the Historic Hotels of America.
The hotel has 81 well-appointed rooms and two suites named after Pablo Casals and Gloria Vanderbilt. They are not exactly spacious, but what they lack in size, they make up for in historic charm and cozy comfort. The star of this hotel is hands down its charming courtyard and terrace, a dining destination that houses several plen aire restaurants, including Patio Del Nispero (named after the hotel's famous century-old loquat fruit tree.)
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel & Spa — Condado
This hotel was built in 1919 and its elegant spaces merge Spanish revival architecture and Art Deco aesthetics, with modern luxury. A beautiful beachfront property on Ashford Avenue in Condado, The Vanderbilt is located on Puerto Rico’s version of 5th Avenue, a neighborhood lined with upscale shopping, eateries, and nightlife.
The Vanderbilt offers 319 guestrooms, beach butler service, 24-hour room service, and the only Hammam Spa and hotel Cigar Lounge in Puerto Rico. The hotel’s restaurant from Michelin Star-rated Executive Chef Juan José Cuevas and its VC lounge, a glamorous bar and cocktail lounge in the lobby.
Don Rafa Boutique Hotel – Miramar
Miramar is bustling with trendy galleries, museums, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops nestled along an affluent residential neighborhood, making it a great walking destination for foodies and art lovers. Located in the heart of its commercial corridor, the Don Rafa Boutique Hotel offers a unique stay in a meticulously designed six-story property.
The hotel and its residences boast a mid-century-inspired interior design that evokes 1950s sophistication while incorporating contemporary details throughout. Its rooftop plunge pool and private cabanas offer a chance to ‘soak up the sun’ while taking in a refreshing tropical drink and enjoying panoramic views of the Condado Lagoon.
Tres Sirenas is an intimate oceanfront villa in Rincon, the surfing capital of Puerto Rico, on the island’s west side. It has five rooms with private terraces and panoramic ocean views, and spacious outdoor areas, including an oceanfront pool with teak lounge chairs and cabana beds overlooking the beach. Enjoy proximity to surf breaks, rent onsite stand-up paddleboards, or hit the town to enjoy popular local spots like Rincon Brewing, Karibe Kombucha, Bakku or Gylro. The villa also arranges activities like private yoga classes, surfing lessons, and deep-sea fishing charters.
Tres Sirenas specializes in wellness retreats offering experiences like Ashtanga yoga, surfing, sailing, plein air painting, spa treatments, and more. With a five-night minimum, this property is a good fit for full-buyouts, groups and longer stays.
Finca Victoria – Vieques
Located in the island municipality of Vieques, Finca Victoria is a boutique ayurvedic hotel and wellness center. It offers unique accommodations with panoramic ocean vistas, a sweet-water pool, ayurvedic medicine, yoga, spa services, and more in a lush tropical landscape. If you’re looking for a space to reset, this is the place to go.
Puerto Rico is a destination you can visit several times and still have plenty of new areas to explore. Reach out to our travel planning team to create a bespoke itinerary for you!
