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

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.

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.