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The Best Boutique Hotels to Book on Puerto Rico

Settle in a prime position in these hotels which are a stones throw away from the beach
Settle in a prime position in these hotels which are a stone's throw away from the beach | Courtesy of Condado Ocean Club / Expedia

Sandwiched between the Dominican Republic and the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island with a big personality. The colorful colonial houses and cobblestone streets of the capital San Juan give way to rainforest and tropical beaches, and the island is suited to all sorts of vacationers, from surf trippers to families and honeymooners. Discover our top picks of boutique hotels in Puerto Rico – bookable with Culture Trip.

Rincon of the Seas Grand Caribbean Hotel

Hotel

Living room view of Rincon of the Seas Grand Caribbean Hotel with green modern sofas and view over palm trees
Courtesy of Rincon of the Seas Grand Caribbean Hotel / Expedia
At Rincon of the Seas Grand Caribbean Hotel, you’ve got a world-renowned surf spot at nearby Domes Beach and a large pool for when you’re not out on the waves. You can opt for a simple suite with garden or ocean views or, for more space, spread out in one of the beach villas, which sleep up to six. Enjoy live music by the pool on weekends before dining at Déco Fine Cuisine Restaurant, featuring Caribbean specialties from Chef Josué Díaz.

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Resort, Chain Hotel, Luxury

Double bedroom at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, with balcony and oceanviews
Courtesy of Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve / Expedia

Popular with celebrities, the Dorado Beach Ritz-Carlton Reserve offers a more intimate stay than the chain’s usual offerings. Once owned by Laurance S Rockefeller, scion of the great US business dynasty, it offers private suites with ocean views, a private plunge pool and a walk-in wardrobe. Luxury experiences you can book range from helicopter rides to kayaking through a bioluminescent bay. Top your day off with a glass of white from the largest wine cellar in Puerto Rico.

Hotel El Convento San Juan

Hotel

View of the outside seating area at Hotel El Convento with its yellow walls and archways
Courtesy of Hotel El Convento / Expedia
Located near San Juan Cathedral in Old San Juan, Hotel El Convento was the first Small Luxury Hotels of the World member on Puerto Rico, an exclusive community of boutique hotels across 90 countries. Built in 1646, you can truly embrace the island’s history here. Once a convent, as the name suggests, it was transformed into a boutique hotel in the 1990s and still embraces its Spanish colonial roots inside. You can dip into the rooftop plunge pool on a scorching day before setting out to explore Old San Juan on foot.

O:live Boutique Hotel San Juan

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Seating area in Olive Boutique Hotel with wire-framed sofas, large mirrors and wooden walls
Courtesy of Olive Boutique Hotel / Expedia
The O:live Boutique Hotel was originally inspired by two Puerto Rican travelers and their trips to Morocco, Italy, France and Spain. Guests can book diverse tours through the hotel, for example to El Yunque Rainforest and the combination of an Old San Juan and Casa Bacardí tour. All of the rooms at the O:live Boutique Hotel are suites. The Sage Steak Loft, run by Chef Mario Pagan, mixes classic steaks with island flavors.

Villa Herencia Hotel San Juan

Boutique Hotel, Apartment

Eclectic dining room in Villa Herencia Hotel with black and white tiles, plaster-stripped walls and brightly coloured decor
Courtesy of Villa Herencia Hotel / Expedia

Follow the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, between San Juan Gate and the Cathedral of San Juan Citadel, and you’ll find this Spanish colonial bed and breakfast. There are just eight rooms, and the period features like vaulted ceilings, chandeliers and antique furniture contrast with the bright prints and modernist works of local artists on the walls. The hotel’s tiled private communal terrace has shaded seating areas, outdoor baths and plenty of colorful plants.

Villa Montana Beach Resort Aguadilla

Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel

Outside eating area at Villa Montana Beach Resort with rattan roof, wooden tables, wicker hanging chairs, day beds and swimming pool
Courtesy of Villa Montana Beach Resort / Expedia

Stylish guest rooms with Spanish-inspired accents greet you at upscale Villa Montana Beach Resort. Spanning 3mi (5km) of beach, Villa Montana is home to the Eclipse Restaurant, which has ocean views, antique silverware, vintage driftwood tables and retro-industrial pieces. Its offering of wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, craft cocktails and fresh-caught fish is overseen by chef Rafael Grau. You can enjoy scuba diving and horseback riding or lounging by two swimming pools and making s’mores by the beach bonfire. For other diverse places to stay, see the best hotels for every kind of traveler in Puerto Rico, bookable with Culture Trip.

Condado Ocean Club San Juan

Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel

Modern white and blue eating area at Condado ocean club with views of the beach and ocean
Courtesy of Condado Ocean Club / Expedia

Taking design cues from the ocean right outside, Condado Ocean Club in the heart of San Juan offers 96 guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking either the Laguna del Condado or the Atlantic Ocean. Rooms come with Malin+Goetz bath products and plush robes. You can join the daily wine social hour at the JADE bar in the lobby, one of three dining options on site, or relax by the infinity pool with a cocktail in hand.

Blue Horizon Boutique Resort Vieques

Boutique Hotel, Resort

Relaxed eating area at Blue Horizon Boutique Resort with views over lawn and ocean
Courtesy of Blue Horizon Boutique Resort / Expedia

Once named among the top 15 small luxury hotels in the Caribbean by Condé Nast, Blue Horizon combines a boutique hotel experience with luxury resort-style amenities. It’s on the oceanfront on the island of Vieques off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, and you can admire the waves from the infinity pool. Restaurant options on site are plentiful – the Carambola brunch is legendary – or you can hire a Jeep and go and find a secluded bay for a romantic picnic.

El Blok Vieques

Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel

Minimalist double bedroom in El Blok with concrete walls, white linen, and double doors out to balcony
Courtesy of El Blok / Expedia

El Blok hotel in Vieques looks different from your average island resort. Designed by award-winning architects including Nataniel Fúster, the exterior is inspired by the coral reefs just offshore and allows plenty of natural light to flow in. No two rooms are the same at this intimate, adults-only hotel. There are three dining options on the property including La Tertulia, a street-level lounge that began life as a place to gather after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017 and now hosts dominos tournaments and some of the best live music on the island.

Royal Isabela

Resort, Chain Hotel, Luxury

Deck at Royal Isabela with sun loungers, wicker chairs, plunge pool and oceanviews
Courtesy of Royal Isabela / Expedia

Imagine staying in a private 1,500sqft (139sqm) casita with its own plunge pool overlooking a cliffside golf course 200ft (61m) above the ocean – that’s Royal Isabela. On the northwest coast of Puerto Rico, these 20 freestanding villas also have their own terraces, and guests have use of a library, tennis courts, a fitness center and 2mi (3.2km) of beach. Open-air Croquet Bar has a golf course and ocean views and serves craft beer, tapas and tropical cocktails, while Jota Restaurant uses the resort’s own herbs, fruits and vegetables in its food and serves cheese from local artisans. Surf lessons can be booked through the hotel.

Alyssa Morlacci contributed additional reporting to this article.

Looking for somewhere different to stay? Book into one of the best resorts on Puerto Rico, or treat yourself to an unforgettable luxury hotel, or a budget-friendly stay. Inspire your itinerary with the most beautiful destinations on this Caribbean island, and don’t miss the must-see attractions. When in the Puerto Rican capital, discover where to stay in San Juan, then book yourself a table at one of the best restaurants.

If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
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