"A seaside estate born from a 1950s Rockefeller vision, this intimate retreat sits on a long, coveted stretch of coastline with 96 rooms and villas that emphasize ocean views. The property’s standout is the expansive Spa Botánico, a five-acre wellness sanctuary featuring an on-site apothecary, treehouse-style treatment rooms, and 10 freestanding spa villas—an immersive spa experience that competes with the best in the Caribbean." - Carley Rojas Avila Carley Rojas Avila Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, and content marketer. She is an expert on Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, as she lived and worked in four different countries in that region. Carley founded the digital travel publications Loosely Local and Home to Havana. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A palm-fringed, pristine resort retreat just a short distance from the energetic city, operating as a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and offering a bespoke luxury experience highlighted by championship golf courses and the sanctuary-esque Spa Botánico, which features treehouse treatment rooms." - Carley Rojas Avila Carley Rojas Avila Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, and content marketer. She is an expert on Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, as she lived and worked in four different countries in that region. Carley founded the digital travel publications Loosely Local and Home to Havana. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Set on land reimagined by Laurance Rockefeller as a nature preserve, this Reserve property on Puerto Rico’s northern coast emphasizes spacious, nature-facing accommodations (entry-level rooms start near 900 sq ft) and personalized service via an assigned embajador. The resort offers multiple restaurants including waterfront COA and Positivo Sand Bar, expansive residences with golf carts, and robust environmental programming such as Ambassadors of the Environment that educates guests and children about biodiversity and conservation." - Laura Begley Bloom
"December is prime time to soak up the sunshine and local culture. Culinary delights include Noche Puertorriqueña (Christmas Eve dinner), with live entertainment and cooking classes to learn how to make some of the island’s most delicious holiday dishes. Look out for festive family-friendly activities, ranging from ornament-making sessions and building gingerbread houses to Santa's scavenger hunt, classic movie nights under the night sky, and singing local Christmas songs. Need a little R&R? Book the apple cinnamon scrub and massage at the spa." - Lindsay Cohn Lindsay Cohn Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, T
"An accessible island getaway with a mix of adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration."