10 Best Hotels in El Yunque and the Northeast, Puerto Rico

Between El Yunque National Forest and the Río Espíritu Santo, this luxurious, environmentally aware property, with 3 km (2 miles) of pristine private beach, is an oasis of calm that hums with local wildlife. The former coconut plantation occupies 483 acres and has an oceanfront golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. that weaves through mangroves. Spacious rooms are in low-rise, plantation-style buildings that highlight natural materials and feature numerous amenities; massive suites include butler service. Hike, bird-watch, run, or kayak through the property if you're feeling active. If not, score a cabana at the pristine pool, or laze in a chaise and order cocktails on the beach. The weary can indulge in treatments in the 10,000-square-foot Iridium Spa.

This all-inclusive wellness retreat center features morning movement classes, nature outings, three organic meals a day prepared by an in-house chef, and additional services like team building and rapid transformation coaching. It is a restorative experience that helps people connect to themselves and nature to relieve stress, overwhelm, and anxiety.

El Yunque's southern edge is the setting for this eco-friendly hotel where guest rooms are simple (no phones or TVs) but comfortable, with tile floors, rattan furniture, and windows that show off one of the island's best views. If you're up for a hike, set off on your own for a short one or hire a local guide for a day-long adventure that takes you through thick rainforest to hidden waterfalls. If you'd rather relax, hammocks await on the tiled veranda. You must climb many stairs to reach the upper rooms; if this is a problem, request one on the lower level. The proprietor, who believes that healthy eating translates into healthy living, serves tasty and wholesome breakfasts. Light picnic lunches can also be ordered in the morning to take with you on hikes, and dinner is available for groups of four or more at the property's restaurant, a 10-minute walk down the road.

El Conquistador is one of Puerto Rico's most iconic hotels. This is a place where pastel-painted "villages" of ultramodern accommodations are arranged on an oceanside bluff and a shuttle whisks guests to a beach on Palomino Island. Furnishings here are low to the ground, ensuring that nothing obscures the ocean view. There are seven different pools on-site, as well as a water park for kids (and kids at heart). The resort has a cluster of top-drawer restaurants specializing in everything from steak and seafood to diner-style burgers, and a handful of boutiques offer retail therapy.

The buildings that make up this hilltop hotel offer lovely views of islands poking out of the Atlantic Ocean. A bit closer is the pool lined with shimmering aquamarine tiles, surrounded by gardens filled with wild ginger and other colorful plants. All rooms have simple furnishings and white-tile floors; some have balconies that let you enjoy the sunrise. Two restaurants, Starfish and Blue Iguana, can be found on-site, as well as a basketball court, a beauty salon, and minigolf for the kids. The closest beach—a five-minute drive—is the public Balneario Seven Seas, a favorite of locals and tourists alike.

This massive resort on a stretch of pristine coastline does a decent job of being all things to all people, with oversized suites, many of which have plunge pools or patio Jacuzzis, spread among two-story bungalows and even larger suites that have features like an adults-only pool and private check-in. For fun, play a round of golf on one of two Tom Kite–designed 18-hole courses, or find a partner and play a game of tennis on one of the three courts before relaxing at the on-site spa or participating in a session of yoga on the beach.

This is an adults-only property with balconies overlooking the ocean and eco-friendly amenities. They have coffee and snacks in the lobby every morning and pool on-site. Rooms are basic but clean. Playa Fortuna is within walking distance and the Luquillo kiosks are also nearby. 

This sprawling resort offers a host of outdoor activities, including championship golf and tennis as well as hiking in the nearby rainforest. During turtle-nesting season, staff can arrange for guests to witness the gentle giants laying eggs on the beach. The property teems with large groups, from business travelers attending a meeting at the oceanfront convention center to package-tour groups. The seven-story hotel wraps around a bevy of gardens; the long beach offers escape from the hectic lobby; and multiple pools, including an adults-only haven, swirl around the property. Indoor fun for adults includes the hotel's casino. Views of both ocean and rainforest are lovely.

Amid acres and acres of condo developments and golf courses, the Wyndham Candelero is surprisingly modest in scale, given its opulent surroundings, but it does have a beautiful pool area. Recent renovations have created a "boho-chic" environment, creating a space that blends beautifully with the surrounding El Yunque National Rainforest. None of the rooms has an ocean view, but some have balconies overlooking the infinity pool or the lush grounds. You have access to all of the facilities, you can stroll around the marina, play a few games of tennis, or hit the links at the two championship golf courses.

This cute little hotel is just west of the popular Luquillo Beach, but the hotel's own strand is nearly as nice and almost always deserted. The pastel exterior and balconies dotted with flowers add charm, although the sign off the kitschy boat-shape bar reading "Welcome to paradise" might be a bit on the nose. Spanish colonial–style barrel-tile roofs and white stucco walls surround modest guest rooms spread between two floors; upstairs ocean-view rooms, some with balconies, cost more but are worth the nominal upcharge. At high tide, the water meets the building off the backyard beachfront, and the adjacent patio offers killer views.