2 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.

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.