7 Best Hotels in The North Coast and the Cordillera Central, Puerto Rico

Luxurious accommodations, spectacular golf courses, and 5 km (3 miles) of exquisite coast are among the many draws at this resort, set on 1,400 acres that were once part of Laurance Rockefeller's estate. Amenities include several pools (including dedicated family and adults-only options); a water-sports center; the 5-acre Botanical Spa with tree-house treatment platforms; and an 18-km (11-mile) walking and biking trail that winds through an eco-preserve. Guests enjoy privileges at the two 18-hole golf courses, located partly on the property, and at five tennis courts. All accommodations have direct beach access and perks like 400-thread-count sheets, supersize flat-screen TVs, indoor-outdoor bathrooms, soaking tubs, and Wi-Fi. If you need another reason not to leave the property, consider the dining options, which include two casual beach eateries and a café. Snag a terrace seat at Coa, where you can enjoy a variety of Puerto Rican--inspired dishes, served with sweeping ocean views.

This beachfront resort is much like an Embassy Suites anywhere else in the world, offering a consistent, quality experience but little local flavor. Kids will love the free-form pool that shimmers in the courtyard. All suites have separate bedrooms and living rooms, with plenty of space for families to stretch out. There's a charge for self-parking, which is typical of this area.

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 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.

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. 

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.