From the O:live Boutique Hotel to The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, the most unique places to stay in Puerto Rico feature one-of-a-kind accommodations in a beautiful Caribbean setting perfect for adventure, relaxation and more.
Ready to start your island vacation? Plan your travel with Fora to unlock premier hotel perks and upgrades at luxurious, cool and unique places to stay in Puerto Rico.
First, where do most tourists stay in Puerto Rico?
Most travelers gravitate to the Greater San Juan Area, the island’s capital and largest city. San Juan is where you’ll find the most variety, with stunning beaches, entertainment, shopping, culture, excellent gastronomy — not to mention some of the most luxurious and unique places to stay in Puerto Rico — and more.
The 12 most unique places to stay in Puerto Rico
Read on to check out some of our favorite places to stay in Puerto Rico. You can also chat with a Puerto Rico trip planner (aka Fora Advisor) for more options, as well as to get answers to all your travel questions, from when is the best time to visit Puerto Rico is, or what the island’s coolest hidden gems are.
1. O:live Boutique Hotel: a unique San Juan hotel with a Mediterranean theme
Whether you’re taking a solo vacation in San Juan or enjoying a romantic getaway to Puerto Rico, the O:live Boutique Hotel is a fantastic choice for a home base. The award-winning O:live pampers guests with luxe Mediterranean-style accommodations.
The boutique hotel is within walking distance of Condado Beach and offers views of Condado Lagoon from the main entrance and rooftop terrace. There’s also a library lounge if you’re keen on relaxing in a quiet setting in between excursions to the city (San Juan is one of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico).
Connect with Fora to plan and book your stay at O:live.
2. Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve: a unique place to stay in Puerto Rico with rich natural scenery
Three miles of gorgeous, white-sand beach and 50 acres of verdant nature preserve are the setting for Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Guests can enjoy personalized butler service, a range of exclusive amenities and experiences — including a five-acre spa and yacht trip around the island and more — at this five-star resort designed for the discerning traveler.
The surrounding area is also well known for its upscale amenities and luxury golf course.
3. Condado Vanderbilt Hotel: a historic summer-home-turned-world-class hotel
The Condado Vanderbilt Hotel originally served as the summer home of Frederick William Vanderbilt, grandson of the famous industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt. Despite a bevy of refurbishments meant to bring the hotel into the 21st century, the Condado Vanderbilt still retains much of its original architecture and decor from the late 1800s.
As beautiful as the hotel’s interior is, the hotel’s glorious view of the ocean from its boardwalk and terraces cannot be matched.
The Condado Vanderbilt is also near to many of the island’s coolest sights, like El Yunque National Forest and Old San Juan (in fact, staying here isn’t a bad idea for a Puerto Rico bachelorette party).
4. Hotel El Convento: one of the most unique places to stay in historic Old San Juan
Originally built in the 1600s as a Carmelite convent, Hotel El Convento is one of the island’s most storied hotels, and one of the most unique places to stay in Puerto Rico.
As for the hotel’s location, Old San Juan nears the top of the list of the best areas to stay in Puerto Rico thanks to its vibrant historical architecture and lively streets. There are a lot of fun things to do in Old San Juan, too, from exploring the ruins of El Morro to sampling piña coladas in the place they were invented.
5. The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan: Isla Verde’s preeminent resort
The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan features an array of cultural experiences, an always-open casino, a full spa and much more. Best of all, access to Isla Verde Beach, where private cabanas are available to hotel guests, is as simple as exiting the resort’s ocean-facing doors.
Connect with Fora to plan and book your stay at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan, and to get VIP hotel perks and upgrades at no extra cost.
6. Royal Isabela: a remote golf resort and unique place to stay on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast
The Royal Isabela sits atop a small cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the resort’s elite golf course.
The hotel itself is intended as a relaxing getaway surrounded by a breathtaking natural setting. Each room features a private balcony that provides breathtaking views as well as outdoor showers that allow guests to enjoy the ocean breeze.
And while the Royal Isabela feels cut off from the outside world because of its hilltop setting and scenic grounds, the charming and historic city of Isabela is only a short drive away.
7. Condado Ocean Club: a unique boutique hotel in one of San Juan’s coolest districts
The Condado Ocean Club is a beachside boutique hotel with an awesome rooftop infinity pool offering beautiful views of the Atlantic, the Condado Lagoon and San Juan.
Unlike many of the hotels in Condado and throughout the capital, the Condado Ocean Club adopts a minimalist contemporary decor, helping make it one of the most unique places to stay in Puerto Rico. While simple, the aesthetic is decidedly luxurious and comfortable.
Book with Fora to upgade your stay at Condado Ocean Club.
In the meantime, check out our guide to day trips from San Juan.
8. O:LV Fifty Five Hotel: a sophisticated boutique hotel overlooking Condado Lagoon
The O:LV Fifty Five is one of Condado’s newer luxe hotels and features a bold style complete with ornate, handmade furnishings, contemporary designs and high-end amenities. The adults-only hotel also overlooks Condado Lagoon, just a couple blocks away.
9. Fairmont El San Juan Hotel: a storied hotel and one of the most unique places to stay in Puerto Rico
Since the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel first opened its doors in 1958, it’s hosted a number of celebrities, from Frank Sinatra to John Legend. The El San Juan Hotel has long had a reputation as an exclusive resort and features a breathtakingly opulent interior, with gilded chandeliers, ornate archways and marble floors.
When you’re not enjoying the hotel’s picturesque beach access or massive pools, you can ante up in the attached Foxwoods El San Juan Casino.
10. El Blok Hotel: a stylishly unique place to stay on Puerto Rico’s Vieques Island
It’s hard to miss El Blok Hotel with its unorthodox façade and delightful interior, which earns the hotel its place among the most unique places to stay in Puerto Rico. Accommodations here are simple yet artful, with an emphasis on relaxation.
There’s room for adventure, too. Many of the most adventurous things to do in Puerto Rico can be found on or near the Island of Vieques, including exploring the world-famous bioluminescent bays (also a fun thing to do in Puerto Rico with kids).
11. Hyatt Hacienda Del Mar: an elite, five-star resort in Dorado
The Hyatt Hacienda Del Mar resort intertwines Puerto Rican culture and architecture styles with contemporary accommodations for an experience that’s both culturally immersive and upscale. Guests can choose from spacious high-rise rooms or private villas, both offering views of Puerto Rico’s northern coast and the Atlantic.
Connect with Fora to plan and book your stay at Hacienda Del Mar (or the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico, which sits on a lone peninsula on the island’s northeastern coast).
12. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico: an incredible beachside golf resort in Rio Grande
Verdant gardens, a contemporary façade and a stunning tropical setting make The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort one of the most gorgeous, one-of-a-kind properties in Puerto Rico.
The 483-acre resort includes golf courses, extensive beach access and a range of attractions and fine dining options for a self-contained trip. Its convenient location near El Yunque Forest, San Juan and Vieques also makes it a unique place to stay in Puerto Rico for those looking to get out and explore.
Book with Fora and stay at the coolest & most unique places in Puerto Rico
The best way to book accommodations at any of the most unique places to stay in Puerto Rico? Connect with Fora to plan and book your getaway today.
Whether you’re looking to get off the beaten path or see all the most popular hotspots, we'll help you plan the trip you desire most. Even better, when you book your accommodations with us, you’ll access all sorts of exciting hotel perks like complimentary resort credits, room upgrades and more.
Not sure Puerto Rico’s unique places to stay are right for your next trip? Check out our guides to the most unique places to stay in New Orleans, the most unique places to visit in Japan and the most unique places to visit in Spain.
