Nestled on a former coconut plantation, this beachfront resort boasts luxe amenities, exceptional service, and stunning views of El Yunque's lush rainforest.
"The roster of daily activities gets the festive treatment. Decorate gingerbread houses, snuggle up for themed movie nights under the stars, gather for the nightly menorah lighting during Hanukkah, and roast s’mores by the fire. Festive feasts include Christmas Eve dinner and the New Year's celebration at the Estate Lawn. After all that fun, plus feeding koi fish and turtles, bird watching, climbing on the playground, and doing seasonal arts and crafts at the Tortuga Kids Club, children will go to bed with more than just visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads." - 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
"Twinkling, polished elegance pervades the entire St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort oceanfront complex, where pathways wind through perfectly manicured gardens, opening into an expansive, two-mile long beach. Built on a former sugar cane and coconut farm, the luxurious property originally opened in 2010. The 139 dolphin-gray and sand-dollar-white rooms were designed by celebrated local designer Nono Maldonado. You could hold a convention in the giant bathrooms, which have rain showers and soaking tubs. And the Iridium spa has a Jacuzzi, steam rooms, cold pools, a sauna, and yoga and Pilates classes. The massage villas incorporate rum, coffee, and tropical fruits into treatments And the two-mile-long beach is yours to explore." - Kathleen Squires
"The St. Regis Bahia Resort is anything but boring. The property, set on a former coconut plantation, is perched between the lush El Yunque National Forest and the Atlantic Ocean. The property has two miles of secluded beach, a pool with private cabanas, and a golf course. And in addition to its distinct setting, each room has a private terrace and marble bathrooms with giant soaking tubs." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"Whether planning a destination wedding, or temporarily migrating with a flock of friends and family, chart a course for your very own Caribbean castle: the just-opened Casa Estancias, a five-bedroom private estate that sleeps ten. The accommodations offer a cool, contemporary contrast to its lush tropical setting: an oasis of ultra-modern design, with a private pool right out of a James Bond film, located just steps from the resort’s two-mile stretch of beach. Access the 14,000-square-feet villa through a private drive that leads directly to the entrance, where guests literally walk on water—a tranquil pool landscaped with welcoming palm trees and fountains. It’s the latest offering from The St. Regis Bahia Beach, where luxury meets sustainability and that rare bird of a St. Regis tradition—its legendary Butler Service—is right at home amidst some of the world’s most exotic and fascinating feathered creatures. The ravishing Rio Grande resort is a mere 30-minute drive from Old San Juan, and 16 miles from Puerto Rico’s Luis Munoz International Airport (the Caribbean’s largest hub). Situated between the El Yunque National Forest and Espiritu Santo River State Preserve, The St. Regis Bahia Beach transformed a 483-acre coconut plantation into a leader in luxury accommodations. Here, The St. Regis’s renowned hospitality extends to the wild neighbors with plumage. Upholding the highest standards of conservation, more than 65 percent of the property is preserved as green areas, sanctuaries, and nature trails—to the delight of eco-conscious guests. This property proudly features two bird sanctuaries, including the Caribbean’s first and only certified Gold Audubon Signature Sanctuary. Nature lovers will feel instantly at home. The resort takes eco-tourism to the next level with a tennis center, golf course, and boat house for water sports in addition to four miles of nature trails, 70 acres of lakes, and guest rooms with unforgettable ocean and garden views. And no matter how hard you stretch yourself, there’s a whirlpool to help you wind down (in addition to soothing massages on offer at the Iridium Spa). Recharge at Paros Signature Restaurant, which transports the tavern-style flavors of Greece and the Mediterranean to Puerto Rico. You’ll dine formally on the freshest fruits of the sea, with brilliant beach views from your table. For more casual fare in the open air, Seagrapes serves eclectic cuisine in a colorful setting. Sit down to bistro fare prepared with fresh ingredients (there’s an adjacent nursery). The kids in your party—or your inner child—will especially enjoy the hand-tossed pizza."
"In the shadow of El Yunque, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is situated on 483 acres of former coconut plantation and native maritime forest. There are still plenty of palms here, but now the flora also includes all manner of tropical flowers and trees, positioned around numerous trails for walking, running, and biking. Families love the resort for its many amenities, from four tennis courts and a Robert Trent Jones Jr.–branded golf course to a luxurious spa and state-of-the-art fitness center. Part of a $60 million renovation following Hurricane Maria, the hotel now features a design by celebrated Puerto Rican designer Nono Maldonado and San Francisco–based firm Hirsch Bedner Associates. The plantation-style dark woods and warm browns have been swapped out for more modern, sea-inspired colors, and the 139 rooms have a chic, residential feel, with sprawling bathrooms, private terraces, and glass bar cabinets that can be stocked to your personal tastes by a 24-hour butler." - AFAR Editors
