Royal Isabela – Hotel Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What stands out as you first arrive? It has to be the stone tower rising from a cliff. Royal Isabela resembles a fortress, especially from a distance. But La Casa, the property's main building, was actually patterned after an antique sugar mill: a tribute to the island’s agricultural history. The hotel painstakingly maintains its 426 oceanfront acres as part nature preserve, part golf course, with an ethic dedicated to conservation. Rainwater is recycled, an on-site organic farm supplies the restaurant, and even the golf course is sustainably maintained. What's the backstory? Founded by brothers Stanley and Charlie Pasarell, tennis pros turned golf enthusiasts, the Royal Isabela opened in 2012, pioneering luxury tourism in the island's northwest. The rooms themselves: What are they like? Twenty casitas, each with 1500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, are clustered in the cliffs and surrounded by greenery. Features include tall, wood-beamed ceilings, cocoa-colored wood floors and furniture, large living rooms, private plunge pools, terraces, expansive bathrooms, and vast views. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi is part of the daily resort fee (20% of the daily rate). How are the on-site dining options? The best seats at Jota restaurant are on the outdoor terrace, which overlooks the ocean and the golf course. The restaurant sources fruits and vegetables grown on the property, and secures its fish from local waters. The Croquet Bar serves cocktails and small bites. What type of traveler will you find here? Nature lovers in golf clothing. Where on the island is it located? What is there to do nearby? The hotel is a 10-minute drive from the charming, sleepy beach town of Isabela, 30 minutes from Rafael Hernandez International airport in Aguadilla, and an hour and 45 minutes from San Juan. What should we be sure to do while staying here? The wildlife is one of the highlights—it’s as if Animal Planet is shooting a series on the front lawn. Take advantage of humpback whale sightings (from January to April), sea turtle sightings, and a natural aviary filled with birds and butterflies. La Casa has a large, centralized pool; the beach is a good climb down a pathway carved into the cliff; and the grounds have a grass tennis court and croquet lawn, too. Non-golfers have other options: fishing, kite surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, and biking. Cooking classes, massages, and yoga are also available. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? Come when privacy, luxury, nature, and golf are all priorities." - Kathleen Squires
