22 Best Hotels in Rincón and the Porta del Sol, Puerto Rico

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 romantic inn is for guests who are at least 16 years old.

As Boqueron's largest resort, this high-rise offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, each with a private balcony. Full kitchens, en suite laundry facilities, arcade games, and an aqua park for children create a family atmosphere. The decor throughout adheres to the blues and greens of the Caribbean palette. If cooking isn't your thing, enjoy the poolside restaurant, or just walk across the footbridge to the center of town. Be sure to request an ocean-view room from which manatees and humpback whales can be seen cavorting from April to June. Due to the size of the resort, the pool and parking areas tend to be congested.

This 11-bedroom villa has served as a vacation home for the rich and famous, including country star Shania Twain. Built around a marble courtyard, every room has a private bathroom with antique touches like pedestal sinks and footed tubs. The West Indies decor features white duvets, mahogany furniture, four-poster beds, and plantation shutters. The two-story mansion includes three kitchens, a wine cellar, library, gym, and dining area for 30 guests. For the best view in the house, climb the spiral staircase to the top of the whale-watching tower.

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.

A former military hospital has been transformed into this hotel, which appeals to both business executives and vacationing families. All rooms are uniformly decorated in shades of beige, white, and blue. Amenities include desks with ergonomic chairs, Internet access, and complimentary coffee service. Although only 10 rooms have pool views, all guests have access to the on-site casino and aqua park for children. The nearest beach, Playa Crashboat, is a 10-minute drive from the hotel.

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.

This family-friendly hotel isn't very close to the lighthouse from which it takes its name, but it's a good place to keep in mind if you're driving along the coast and need to stop for the night (keep a sharp eye out for the "Parador" sign on Route 107, as it's easy to miss). Cheerfully decorated rooms surround a pair of pools, and there is a game room and basketball court for kids. The restaurant, Tres Amigos, is one of the most highly regarded in the area. Its specialty is steaks and other meats that come sizzling from the grill. The closest beach is Playa Crashboat, only five minutes by car.

They've managed to shoehorn nearly everything into this big box on the northern edge of Mayagüez, where the sound of slot machines is impossible to escape in the extremely popular casino adjacent to the lobby. The rooms are a bit larger than you'd expect, and locals favor both the casino and the attached bar, which offers frozen drinks and live music. The easy-to-reach property is about 10 minutes from the downtown historic district and five minutes from the airport.

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). Room 301 is the most spacious and private, with a stunning view of the valley and the pool.  You can browse through the "parrotphernalia" at the small gift shop.

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.

The center of the city's social life, on weekends, this old-fashioned hotel is packed with elegantly dressed men and women—some trying their luck in the casino, some dancing the tango in the lounge, and some sipping cocktails on the long, sweeping terrace. Guest rooms look out onto 20 acres of lush gardens and an aqua park complete with slides, waterfalls, and rivers. El Castillo specializes in seafood. The public beach in Añasco is 20 minutes away.

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.

It's a bit off the beaten path, but that's part of the allure of this oceanfront resort, which sits on a great swimming beach and offers bountiful activities. The South Seas–style decor begins in the high-ceilinged lobby, where comfy sofas invite you to enjoy the view through the royal poinciana trees. The rooms continue the theme with rich blue fabrics and dark-wood furnishings. A variety of activities are available, including whale- and turtle-watching (July–September). At the end of the infinity pool, a boardwalk leads down to the sand. Unlike at many of the beaches just a few miles north, the waters here are calm—not great for surfing but perfect for a dip if you're staying here. The resort is tucked away in Añasco, about halfway between Rincón to the north and Mayagüez to the south.

Tucked away at the end of a palm-lined drive, this high-rise hotel feels as if it could be in Miami Beach: a gently curving facade and elegant balcony railings give it a vaguely art deco feel. The marble lobby and some of the suites echo this style with streamlined furnishings from India. The free-form pool has a swim-up bar where you can order drinks with umbrellas. The open-air lobby takes full advantage of the courtyard's lush foliage, and there is a botanical garden with a playground for children. The building's U-shape design gives every room a wall of windows facing the ocean.

The area's most luxurious property, this 2,200-acre paradise is a must for anyone remotely interested in golf—it has one of the best courses in Puerto Rico. A decade in the making, the grounds feature an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, a fitness center, a gourmet restaurant, heliport, and a beauty salon. Each 1,500-square-foot casita comes with a private plunge pool and "shower room" the size of a walk-in closet. Meandering through the lush setting are pathways that spill onto the resort's private beach. The on-site restaurant is one of the best in area, where chefs use organic fruits and vegetables plucked from the on-site garden and seafood fished off the Isabela coast. Those staying at the casitas have access to the ocean-view golf course.

This perennial favorite sits right on Sandy Beach, where the waves are big but not too large for novice surfers. The rooms—ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens—have brilliant views. Second-level rooms have private balconies; all others share a communal sundeck. Room 8 has the best view, but all guests can enjoy similar scenery from the popular waterfront bar and grill, Tamboo. Sometimes you can spot a whale from the sundeck.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

One-, two-, and three-bedroom cottages—painted in cheery pastels and trimmed with gingerbread—are the heart of this simple beachfront hotel. Built in 1960 as a getaway for the Hau family, the accommodations aren't luxurious, but if you're looking for an unpretentious atmosphere, you'll be hard-pressed to do better. Home cooks should consider one of the studios, all of which have full kitchens. At one end of the private beachfront boardwalk are three eco-lodges that utilize rainwater and solar energy. The open-air restaurant is known for its excellent fish and shellfish. The hotel also has outdoor grills, as well as basketball and volleyball courts reserved for guests.