As Puerto Ricos luxury-hotel landscape goes ever more upscale, angling to lure travelers from St. Barts and the British Virgin Islands with a new level of cachet and the always-appealing conveniences of American currency and proximity to the U.S. mainland, the islands newest resorts have also become contenders for the best nature-meets-luxury experiences anywhere. <\/p>\n
The 28,500-acre El Yunque rain forest, otherworldly bioluminescent bays and a host of tropical fauna (you will know the coqu frogs chorus by day two of your vacation) provide some of the regions most unique natural attractions. A handful of tucked-into-the-palms resorts supply the chic accommodations, excellent cuisine and polished service that are redrawing the map of the Caribbeans top hotels and putting Puerto Rico on high-end travelers radars. To see why the island is one of our favorite hot spots this year, go now and check into one of these three properties that seamlessly blend luxury with nature. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserves Positivo Private Cabanas, photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company <\/p>\n
Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve The luxe factor: Opened in 2012 as the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Americas and the second in the world, Dorado Beachs 114 rooms and suitesand one 8,000-square-foot presidential mansionfeature over-the-top amenities such as private plunge pools and not one, but two rainforest showers (indoors and out). Personal embajadores (ambassadors) take care of every request, making your vacation on this secluded stretch of shoreline feel effortless, from securing reservations at signature restaurant Mi Casa by Jos Andrs to indulging in a massage (using oils infused with herbs grown onsite) at Spa Botnico. We recommend reserving one of two tree house treatment platforms for an elevated hammock massage overlooking the spas five wild acres. <\/p>\n
The nature factor: Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve was designed with LEED certification in mind and is keen on connecting guests to the environment. Fittingly for a resort built on land first developed by conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, nature-imbued options abound, including the eponymous 11-mile Rockefeller nature trail. Jean-Michel Cousteaus Ambassadors of the Environment program immerses adults and children in Puerto Ricos natural wonders; the lengthy activity catalog runs from a nighttime snorkeling adventure through coral reefs to an ecochefs class in which kids visit the resorts chefs garden and prepare snacks in a solar oven. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico, photo courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. <\/p>\n
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico The luxe factor: A newcomer in 2010, this sprawling St. Regis property offers something for everyone on its verdant grounds. There is the oceanfront Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course and the indoor-outdoor Remde Spa that incorporates local products such as rum, coffee and even gold into its treatments. The celebrity chef whos put down stakes here is Jean-Georges Vongerichten, with Fern restaurant. And guest rooms pay exceptional attention to detail, down to coconut turndown treats (including the delicious coconut kiss cookies) that recall the resorts past life as a coconut plantation. Topping it off are those only-at-St.-Regis celebrationsa daily iced-tea ritual, champagne sabering and koi fish feeding. <\/p>\n
The nature factor: The sole St. Regis in the Caribbean is also the regions only Certified Gold Audubon Signature Sanctuary. For a primer, set up a custom bird-watching tour with a resort naturalist or join a scheduled nature or kayak tour; youll learn all about the three onsite islands that double as bird sanctuaries. Beyond beaches, the propertys 438 acres also offer miles of rivers and trails, and a boathouse where you can take out kayaks, sailboats, paddleboards and equipment for catch-and-release fishing. The boathouse also hosts a touch tank for kids as well as the resorts bird-rescue program. <\/p>\n
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3 Puerto Rico Resorts For An Eco-Luxe Escape<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As Puerto Ricos luxury-hotel landscape goes ever more upscale, angling to lure travelers from St. Continue reading