23 Best Hotels in Puerto Rico

The rooms have a modern look (with shades of blue, white, and cream), but elsewhere, this hotel's classic appeal remains, including in the lobby, which has intricately carved mahogany walls. Beneath a coffered ceiling are three bars, among them the iconic Chandelier Bar, down a few steps from the lobby and set below a massive oval, two-ton chandelier. The pool area has a trio of poolside cabañas with indulgent amenities like televisions and four-poster beds draped in curtains (some guests opt for breakfast in these beds). Rooms are larger than most on the island and have modern furnishings.

Taking its name from a centuries-old tamarind tree rising more than three stories through the center of its main building, this plantation-style property—with a barrel-tile roof and wood-shuttered windows—was once a dance hall but is now one of the island's prettiest hotels. You can easily find a spot all to yourself, whether on a shady terrace or beside the pool. "Caribbean chic" may be the best description of the combination of well-chosen antiques, elegant wicker furniture, and vintage travel posters. The penthouse is the nicest room, with a separate entrance on the third floor and a massive private terrace overlooking the ocean. The made-to-order breakfasts are a great reason to get up early, and on-site horseback riding along the beach is a lodging perk.

There's no longer anything austere about this 350-year-old former convent: all the guest rooms are lavish and inviting, with wrought-iron and hand-hewn wood furniture, shuttered windows, and mahogany-beamed ceilings joining high-tech amenities like Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Room 508 has a view of the Old City and the bay; rooms 216, 217, and 218 have private walled patios. Guests gather on the third floor for the lovely view over the nearby cathedral and for complimentary wine and cheese served before dinner. Relax in the gorgeous interior patio, which also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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. 

Not many hotels can boast about having their own fort, but Fortín San Gerónimo del Boquerón, which once guarded the entrance to San Juan Bay, is on the grounds of this 17-acre sprawling resort. It has a private beach, a multilevel pool with a swim-up bar, and a luxurious spa. The airy and iconic Oasis lobby bar makes one of the more legitimate claims to having invented the piña colada; it holds an official government certification.

This adults-only hotel sits right on Condado Beach and has rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows facing either the Atlantic or the lagoon. The interior is awash in hues of ocean blue, white, and light gray. Take a dip in the infinity pool, and book a massage at one of the oceanfront cabanas. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at the on-site SOCIAL.

Tucked behind the cathedral, this restored 19th-century, four-story colonial mansion boasts spacious and modern guest rooms with iron wrought balconies. The location is unbeatable, and the rooftop Cathedral Bar, open Thursday to Sunday evening, has great views of the city. 

Slightly geared to business travelers, the DoubleTree offers attractive rooms and an excellent value for anyone who doesn't need to be in central Condado or on the beach. It's across the street from a 24-hour supermarket and wine shop, near the on-ramp to a major highway, and within walking distance of lots of main attractions and restaurants. The immaculate rooms are modern yet warm, decorated in rich reds and browns. Some also have a Murphy bed (of the same mattress quality as the main bed). There's a coffeemaker in each room, ergonomic desk chairs, warm cookies at check-in, and a free shuttle to the beach. There's clearly an emphasis on comfortable details that make a hotel stay more pleasant.

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.

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.

Minutes from the airport, this hotel is known for its friendly staff, its perks, and its glass elevators that rise amid a plant-filled atrium with a pond and waterfall. Outside is a lagoon-style pool and an adjacent bar. The suites are not luxurious, but they are spacious enough for a family. The location makes the hotel popular with business travelers. Note, though, that although the beach is nearby, you have to cross some busy streets to reach it.

If you don't mind a short walk to the beach, you can get a room at this friendly hotel for much less than its competitors across the road. The palm-shaded pool is so pleasant that you may not even make it to the beach. The guest rooms are decorated in tropical prints with dark wood furnishings. Free coffee and tea are available around the clock in the lobby. The Guacamayo Pool Bar & Grill has a basic menu of hamburgers, quesadillas, ribs, and the like, and also serves as a swim-up bar.

The south coast's biggest resort sits on a black-sand beach about 6 km (4 miles) south of downtown Ponce. Everything on this 80-acre property is massive, beginning with the open-air lobby. Constructed of reinforced concrete, like the rest of the hotel, it requires huge signs to point you in the right direction. All its bright, spacious rooms are decorated in a lush, tropical motif, and most have balconies overlooking the sea. A large pool is surrounded by palm trees and has a spectacular view of the Caribbean. Golf lovers will appreciate the 27-hole course at the adjacent Costa Caribe Golf and Country Club, which has a clubhouse with its own restaurant and lounge.

Constructed entirely of concrete and set in a tropical forest, the four buildings of this luxurious hotel echo the granite boulders strewn around Vieques, blending with the surroundings. Award-winning architect John Hix's spare aesthetic permeates guest rooms, which have dramatic lines and sexy curves. Some might find the property cold and uninviting, however, regardless of inspiration and originality. Sunny terraces, panoramic open walls, and private outdoor showers keep nature nearby, although the nighttime songs of coquí frogs might disrupt your sleep. The resort's embrace of the environment crosses from form to function in the use of recycled water and solar-power systems. A recent addition to the Hix property is Casa Solaris, so named because it is an entirely solar-powered guesthouse. Even the swimming pool is eco-friendly.

This Hyatt-branded vacation club features studio, one-, and two-bedroom condos, but don't worry: all are about the same price as other nearby resorts. It generally has little to no crowds, which can be an asset if you're looking to relax on your own. Plus, the beach here is gorgeous, the lazy river pool is one of the loveliest on the island, and the legendary East and West golf courses have hosted many tournaments. There is a casual on-site restaurant, but many guests opt to eat out or to cook in their condos.

Owned by Sylvia De Marco and presented as an an urban Shangri-La, this hotel is a vegan wellness center. It is decorated in a Bohemian style, much like its sister retreat Finca Victoria in Vieques. Guests are treated to morning yoga, a daily vegan breakfast, and filtered water, tea, and coffee during their stay. The hotel is walking distance to the beach and feels intimate, for those wanting a more local experience.  

A stay in this charming, colonial-era boutique hotel on a quiet, residential street is the perfect way to experience Old San Juan like a local. With high ceilings, exposed beams, wooden balconies, and checkered-tile floors, La Terraza is modern colonial living at its best. If you plan a longer stay, opt for a suite, which offers a full kitchen. Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace, and the bar (open on weekends) serves an interesting tapas menu. The rooftop plunge pool is a refreshing perk on hot days.

This relaxing inn is so close to the beach that you can hear the crashing waves. Catch some rays on a patio beside the small pool behind a whitewashed wall, enjoy a cocktail at the bar, or dine at the oceanfront restaurant. The simple rooms are decorated in shades of cream, brown, and blue, with custom-made furnishings, including sleek writing desks.

Although it's somewhat dowdy on the outside, the Royal Sonesta's remodeled guest rooms are spacious and contemporary, done in soothing shades of white, cream, and brown. Some have pleasant ocean or city views; others overlook the palm-shaded pool.

Rooms facing the water at this triangular hotel have spectacular views of the mammoth cruise ships that sail in and out of the nearby harbor. Interior rooms, however, face concrete walls. In-room amenities include custom-designed beds, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. On the top floor you'll find a sunny patio with a pool and whirlpool bath, as well as a spacious gym with the latest equipment. It's a good option for pre- or post-cruise lodging.

This cluster of villas, on a deserted stretch of beach between Isabela and Aguadilla, feels like its own little town, one where you can leave the car in your garage, and then head upstairs to an airy studio or one-, two-, or three-bedroom suite with hand-carved mahogany furniture and canopy beds. Studios have kitchenettes, while larger suites have full-size kitchens and laundry rooms. The Eclipse, the open-air bar and restaurant, serves contemporary Caribbean cuisine prepared with herbs from the hotel garden. Playa Shacks, a very popular beach for snorkeling, diving, kiteboarding, and surfing, is nearby.

Not all beach houses are created equal, as Villas Tres Palmas makes clear. The hand-hewn columns and railings on this gorgeous three-story house might make you think you're in the South Seas. The exotic decor continues inside, where wooden headboards and other furnishings are carved with intricate patterns. The enormous house has five bathrooms and six bedrooms that look out toward the tropical gardens surrounding the kidney-shaped pool. You can rent out the entire property or individuals rooms, based on availability. Beyond the pool, at the foot of the property, is the palm-lined beach. This is Tres Palmas, which has a break that makes it popular with surfers.

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.