2 Best Hotels in Fajardo, El Yunque and the Northeast

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.