30 Best Hotels in Puerto Rico

The most beautiful resort on the southern coast is set on 16 palm-shaded acres facing the Caribbean. Fruit trees and other plants are meticulously groomed, especially around the pair of swimming pools (one popular with kids, the other mostly left to the adults). All guest rooms are generously proportioned, especially in the older building. Plantation shutters, bamboo headboards and ceilings, and other touches lend them a tropical feel. A small spa blends seamlessly with the rest of the hotel. Both the elegant Alexandra and the more casual, alfresco Las Palmas Café serve good food. All-inclusive packages are available.

Aleli Cottages offers rustic rentals and is located on top of a mountain overlooking the Luis Pena Canal Marine Reserve and Caribbean Sea. Accommodations have a garden, terrace, and shared kitchen.

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.

This budget-friendly hotel has both a beach and a picturesque town within walking distance. There's a variety of rooms to choose from, two pools to splash around in, and a great restaurant on-site. 

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.

Mere steps from some of the best dining in town, this boutique hotel not only adds Moroccan-themed panache to Old San Juan but also offers real value. The lobby makes a big splash with its silk pillows, Asian antiques, and blood-red sofas as counterpoints to dramatic, contemporary, photo-realist pop art by noted painter Carlos Mercado. Individually themed guest rooms blend the same mix of modern art with antique and ethnic pieces such as gilt mirrors, Moroccan tea sets, mirrored cushions, and queen beds framed with gauzy drapes. Quirky and fun, the overall effect is smile-inducingly stylish. An elevator takes you upstairs, perhaps for a soak in one of the rooftop's five stone hot tubs.

This affordable boutique hotel is a good choice for a quiet, romantic getaway: the hotel is only a block from the neighborhood's main drag, and the beach is a three-minute walk away. The guest rooms in this art deco building—one of the few left in Condado—subtly reflect the hotel's heritage with crisp lines, modern furnishings, and marble floors. The attention to detail is wonderful: jetted bathtubs, pillow-top mattresses, blackout shades, and even—shockingly—an affordable minibar. You can also take advantage of the small swimming pool on the palm-shaded terrace or the hot tub on the rooftop.

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.

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.

Simple, clean, bright, affordable: this small property in the mountains just northwest of Aibonito in Barranquitas ticks a lot of boxes. Enjoy views of the verdant scenery that surrounds it from your patio or balcony, a feature of every room. Larger groups can also rent a separate house on the grounds.

This boutique hotel oozes tranquility in the otherwise busy Parguera area. The name comes from the hammocks scattered across the property and placed on some balconies. There's a spa tub service available, as well as pools, and an on-property restaurant. It's the perfect place for a relaxing and romantic getaway.

Though its guest rooms are more subdued, this mountainside hotel—painted in eye-popping tropical hues and with an open lobby featuring colorful murals of its namesake bird—makes a statement without taking itself too seriously. Most rooms have balconies, but if you really want to enjoy the view, ask for a room upstairs (note that there's no elevator). There are two pet-friendly rooms so plan ahead if you're bringing your pets along. You can also browse through the "parrotphernalia" at the small gift shop.

The best rooms in Mamacita's venerable guesthouse have balconies overlooking the canal, but this is a decidedly no-frills establishment suitable for budget-minded travelers. Simple rooms have tropical furnishings, flat-screen TVs, renovated bathrooms, and soundproof windows. Set beneath slowly rotating ceiling fans, the locally popular restaurant, also named Mamacita's, and on-site Caribbean Bar get crowded—particularly during happy hour, which starts early in these parts.

Set in a tropical garden behind Mar Azul Surf Shop (the best in town), these charming little apartments have all the comforts of home. Each is stark-white and comes with a plasma TV, kitchenette, sitting and dining areas, queen-size bed, and an extra roll-away. Private verandas overlook a manicured lawn and vegetable garden where you can grill the day's catch or pick mangoes and star fruit from the various fruit trees. Beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas are included in the rate, and a discount is available on surfboard rentals. The second-floor "villa" is one of the best places in Rincón to watch the sunset.

This small hotel in Adjuntas offers a quiet retreat from the busy beach towns and historic town centers. Reservations must be made via phone, and drop-ins are often accepted. Breakfast can be requested, and lunch is available as a buffet, or can be taken up to the rooms. 

On a quiet side street near the beach, this nicely renovated little hotel is one of the best in the area and is a good value. Each room has a flat-screen TV, mini-refrigerator, and small patio. There is plenty to keep you busy, including kayaks, mountain bikes, a swimming pool, spa, and hiking trails connected to the grounds. It's not right on the beach, but you can reach the sand within two minutes. Room 18 is the only one that faces the pool. The downstairs restaurant serves delicious tapas, and there is a sports bar where you can catch your favorite game.

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.

If you're looking for a natural setting in which to relax and forget about the stress of city life, look no further than these cabinlike villas amid 14 lush acres of rolling hills. Each villa sleeps four to eight guests and has a kitchen, dining area, TV, queen-size bed, futon, and hammock for relaxing on the porch. There are plenty of family-friendly activities, like tennis, volleyball, basketball, and lawn bowling, as well as swimming pools, billiard tables, and even a farm. Guests can go horseback-riding along backcountry trails or kayak in the nearby lake. The staff can also arrange private tours to waterfalls and freshwater pools just 10 minutes away by car. Though far from a five-star property, this is the place to go for an authentic Puerto Rican experience.

On the main square, in a stunningly restored building that dates from 1882, this hotel has six dazzling rooms that preserve a 19th-century design, with black-and-white tiles, hand-carved furniture, and wooden balconies; rooms in the more modern wing are a bit bland by comparison. Lola, serving Latin fusion cuisine and cocktails, is connected via the small pool area. Melao Café is a great place to start your day. On weekends, there's live music on the patio.

This building, which shares Mamacita's mangrove-lined canal, has spick-and-span guest rooms—as simple as they come—with louvered windows and calming color schemes. The inn sits on the edge of Dewey, putting you within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and grocery stores. The staff sends you off to the beach with towels and a little cooler filled with ice. If you plan to spend most of your time off-property and merely want a place to hang your hat, this is one of the best values on the island.

This hilltop hotel—the oldest on Vieques—overlooks the island's picturesque, historic fort and is about 10 minutes by foot (downhill) from Isabel Segunda. The homey property is tucked into its own leafy compound, a haven of peace and relaxation with grandstand views over the ocean and town. Charming rooms in a white three-story structure boast lively Caribbean decor and pastels. Each is an individually themed mini-museum of sea corals, old prints, and modern art. Families should opt for one of two freestanding villas, while backpackers can check into the dorm. An animal lover, the owner offers horseback rides and rescues injured horses, stray dogs, and other animals; be prepared to see these formerly orphaned creatures in common areas.

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. 

Somos Hotel is an art-inspired property within walking distance to the beach and La Placita. Transformed from an office building, it boasts modern decor with a bright aesthetic and displays pieces by local artists. The staff is accommodating and welcoming. This is a vibrant cultural hub that can be your base for exploring San Juan.

A few of the one- and two-bedroom cottages at this 60-acre estate, hidden away on Culebra's western coast, sit directly on a long, sandy beach; most cottages, however, are a bit farther inland, though they have great coastal views from covered verandas. Each unit has a full kitchen and bath. There's also a shared beach house with showers and other amenities, including a pool with an oceanfront deck. The waters of nearby Luis Peña Channel are perfect for snorkeling, and it's about a 10-minute drive to Flamenco Beach.

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.

On one of the best swimming beaches in town, Villa Confresí is Rincón's oldest hotel, making it extremely popular with Puerto Rican families. This hotel is particularly famous for "El Pirata," a rum-filled coconut served at the beachfront bar. Guest rooms are more spacious than most, especially those with kitchenettes, and deluxe rooms have balconies with ocean views and are much quieter than those surrounding the pool. The restaurant, La Ana De Cofresí, serves excellent red snapper and Angus beef. The hotel can arrange a host of water sports.

Check out their couples packages for romantic getaways. 

The rooms in this gingerbread-trimmed hotel are clustered around small courtyards filled with bright tropical flowers. Many have balconies overlooking the bay, so make sure to look at a few rooms before you decide which to take. A spacious dining room overlooking the pool serves excellent Puerto Rican and international dishes. On Saturday night there's live music and a floor show in the dance club.

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.