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

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.

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.