16 Best Hotels in Puerto Rico

Waves gently lap against the shore at the "Three Mermaids" (a nod to the original owners' daughters), a boutique inn set in a luxurious two-story villa on one of Rincón's calmer beaches. The two oceanfront rooms, one pool studio, and two sea-view apartments with a loft are tastefully decorated, with terra-cotta-tile floors teak furniture, chenille coverlets, and fresh flowers cradled in conch shells. The full villa is also available to reserve for larger parties wanting to stay. Home-style breakfasts, served promptly at 9, have fare ranging from berry-strewn French toast to sun-dried tomato quiche (vegetarian and vegan available by request). The team can arrange anything from private yoga sessions to candlelit dinners on the beach.

This bed-and-breakfast is one of the best getaways in Cabo Rojo. Each of the four houses on the property are built to be eco-friendly and modern, with a small farm for fresh produce, horses, and goats. Breakfast served fresh every morning by the hosts and enjoyed with a stunning view of the mountains and Buyé Beach in the distance. There is a minimum two-night stay for up to four guests per house, and rates can vary. 

In a Spanish-style house, this friendly little inn evokes its namesake region with such details as hand-painted tiles and ceramic pots filled with greenery. A kidney-shape hot tub in the central courtyard is big enough for you and four or five of your closest friends. The individually decorated rooms are bright and clean. Owners Roberto and Jaime provide the warmest welcome imaginable, making you feel that their home is yours. Feel free to borrow beach chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards. And if you forget your sunscreen, grab a bottle from a table near the door. One of the prettiest beaches in the city is a five-minute walk away.

The walled garden that surrounds this little inn makes it seem miles away from civilization, but it's actually within walking distance of several bars and restaurants. Guest rooms, which have mahogany sleigh beds and flat-screen TVs, are individually decorated in a style that could be described as "tropical elegant." The pool area—with an outdoor kitchen and a fire pit—is wonderful, especially at night, when lighted with the inn's trademark blue. Relax in the many nooks and crannies, including the lovely garden, where you'll see three resident turtles. This resort is for ages 18-plus only.

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.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly property in the town center, this groovy little guesthouse not far from the ferry dock in Isabel Segunda is perfect. Citrus colors and wicker furnishings give this former plantation rooming house a nice tropical touch. It's hard not to feel at home here, especially when you use the shared kitchen to pack a picnic lunch or borrow an umbrella for your trip to the beach. Plus, the extremely friendly and helpful owners are on hand for anything you might need. An on-site gift shop sells their original art. Several quality restaurants are a short stroll away.

With its barrel-tiled roofs, walled gardens, and open-air dining room, Casa Isleña might remind well-traveled souls of a villa on the coast of Mexico. The secret of its charm is that this little inn maintains an air of simplicity amid its romantic setting. Several of the terra-cotta-floored rooms have balconies overlooking the pool and a palm-shaded stretch of beach. Others have terraces facing the courtyard. There's also a restaurant and an indoor patio with a soothing, burbling fountain. If booked solid—a frequent occurrence during high season—there's a second building a few minutes away. Local musicians play here six days a week, so it can be a bit loud around sunset. 

On a quiet hillside overlooking the ocean, this no-frills guesthouse is about as clean and comfortable as it gets. Rooms fall into one of three categories—Honeymoon, Family, or "Surfari"—and come with tropical furniture, TVs, microwaves, and refrigerators. The property is beautifully landscaped with lush gardens, a pool, and a peaceful courtyard where breakfast is served. For a bit more privacy, the poolside room has its own entrance and is more spacious than those in the main house. You can catch the sunset from your private balcony or simply walk down the hill to the closest beach. The gracious hosts, John and Yolanda, will bend over backward to make your stay worry-free.

Formerly the Da House Hotel, El Colonial is a 33-room adults-only boutique hotel that mixes modern with historic charm. This renovated property is located in the heart of Old San Juan steps away from shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Most rooms are bigger than you'd expect in a former convent, though the amount of natural light varies depending on the room. The original tile floors have been preserved, and many of the furnishings are antiques, contrasting with sleek, modern accents. If you're an early-to-bed person, you'll probably want to request an interior room; if you plan on staying downstairs until the last encore, it won't matter which room you take. The friendly staff are eager to please with advice on what to do and can be reached via Whatsapp. The hotel is pet-friendly and has a 24-hour open bar.

Nestled in the hills of Rincón, this charming inn—with a pale blue exterior and white plantation shutters—has some of the best views of the Caribbean. Although they vary in size, sleeping anywhere from two to five guests, each suite comes with a fully equipped kitchen. The stunning pool, private garden, and extensive movie library make the five-minute drive into town of little consequence.

No two rooms in this 200-year-old mansion are alike, but all have four-poster beds, handwoven tapestries, and quirky antiques; indeed, every nook and cranny here is adorned with owner Jan D'Esopo's paintings, bronze sculptures, ceramic busts, and plaques. You can view the coastline from several rooms and the rooftop terrace. Enjoy a daily wine happy hour on the poolside patio, or head down to the Beach House in La Perla to watch the sunset and take in the ocean breeze. The Obamas stayed here in 2008; don't miss sculptures of the former President and First Lady created by Jan in their honor. The hotel's cocktail bar, Cannon Club, is a magical place to sip the night away.

Raising the bar for Vieques lodging are posh boutique hotels like this immaculate seaside escape, where rooms are decorated with rich wood furniture, luxurious stone flooring, and high-end linens. Four rooms open onto private balconies that drink in the sea directly across the street; all rooms feature marble baths and comfortable beds with playful splashes of color. A small pool and common terrace—where breakfast, featuring fresh-baked muffins and scones, is served—are open all day for relaxed lounging. Some of the island's best restaurants are a minute's stroll down Calle Flamboyán.

Built on the grounds of a coffee plantation, this 19th-century inn is surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks. Several of the clapboard-walled rooms in the red-roofed manor house have private balconies overlooking lush gardens and a spring-fed pool—the nicest are rooms 4 and 5 facing the courtyard directly. There are plenty of small parlors where you can relax with a drink from the bar. Breakfast and dinner are included in the room rates. The dining area, which meanders through three different rooms, serves criollo fare like chicken with rice and beans. Nonguests are welcome for dinner, too. One nearby hiking trail leads to Cerro de Punta, about a 2½-hour climb.

Colorful and breezy, this Spanish-style guesthouse is centrally located, next to the popular Dinghy Dock restaurant–bar. Guest rooms are simple, and all have water views; they share kitchen access, although some units have their own. (Room 10 is the one to snag, with a private sunbathing terrace and full kitchen.) The shady terrace, with several hammocks hanging between palm trees and colorful mosaic-tiled communal tables, is a great place to hang out. In addition to its own mooring dock, there are kayaks and paddleboards that you can rent to explore Ensenada Bay. The guesthouse owner offers on-site water-taxi and charter services to nearby islands.

You'll be transported back to the 19th century in this exquisitely restored former mansion with timeworn bare walls, original floral-tile floors, and beamed ceilings. Individually styled guest rooms are split between two levels: those below are in the original house and open onto a narrow Spanish-style courtyard with a fountain and a sour-orange tree; those above are in a modern rooftop extension. All are graced with a mix of original antiques, such as armoires, and retro-theme contemporary furniture straight from the pages of Vogue. Many have canopied beds. Plasma TVs are a nod to modernity.