Amazing stay October 2012

Gigi (Arizona)
Review submitted: October 24, 2012   Date of arrival: October 13, 2012

Thank you so much for making our stay in Puerto Rico a memorable experience. My family loved the villa and I hope to book it again when we return in two years. The views were magnificent and we were very comfortable.

Allowing us to arrive early made my father's birthday celebration a truly special occasion and we are so grateful for your flexibility. I would recommend you to anyone who is looking for villa accomodations in Puerto Rico.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 1 / 1

Much better than staying at the hotel

W. Anderson (Boston, MA)
Review submitted: September 9, 2012   Date of arrival: August 18, 2012

At first we were a little nervous since we didn't know if Hurricane Isaac had affected the island and/or resort and were also concerned about bad weather. Xavier assured us that the Hurricane had not hit the island and that the rain that came with it didn't affected them in any way at the resort. When we drove into the resort we were impressed by the large beautiful landscape and lush vegetation and we were eager to start our vacation. Upon arrival into the villas, an employee of Xavier greeted us warmly and showed us to the 2 bedroom/2bath villa that we rented. From the moment we stepped inside, we were all smiles since we could actually see the beach from every corner. The place was spotless clean and beautifully decorated. The Villa Concierge associated with this rental, Ina, told us to contact her throughout our stay since she was physically at the lobby of the Ocean Villas during the day. We knew that this was a rental property and not a hotel so there were no expectations of hotel services, but knowing that Ina was there to assist us and we were not just there "on our own" was a huge plus (we learned that Xavier owns some of the villas and he also manages others, so he actually rents a desk at the lobby of the building and has a Villa Concierge there to assist only his guests!).
The close proximity to the Wyndham Hotel made it close enough to walk to the restaurants, bars, and Casino at night, but was equally the perfect distance to leave all the noise and activity from the hotel behind. The villas have their own two huge pools that were so private and relaxing that we never went back to the hotel's pools which were always crowded. We also took advantage that we had a full kitchen at our villa so we would prepare breakfast and eat in the balcony overlooking the beach, spend the day at the pools and/or beach and go up the elevator to have lunch at our villa. In the evenings we would always go out for dinner. Just by having breakfast and lunch at the villa saved us hundreds of dollars since food at the resort is expensive (like in any other hotel or resort of its kind). From the restaurants we visited we very much enjoyed La Estancia (located at the resort's Golf Club) and also La Parrilla Restaurant which is located outside the resort in the nearby Luquillo kiosks.
Since it was low season we got an excellent rate from Xavier, and we felt very good always dealing with him and his staff. Thanks Xavier for a very memorable vacation!!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 0 / 0

Trully beachfront!

Dawn W. (Beaverdam, VA)
Review submitted: August 17, 2012   Date of arrival: August 3, 2012

We are leaving our week long visit tomorrow, and can't say enough great things about our stay. The views are incredible and can see the entire beach. The service has been fantastic, and having an on-site Concierge desk associated with this villa was very helpfull. The pools are so beautiful...and so quiet compared to the hotel's pools. We loved having access to the hotel restaurants, casino, pool and activites while being able to stay in our own quiet area. The beautiful beach is even quiet...we were able to find a large area of our own every single day and rarely saw other guests...unless we wanted to, of course. Thank you so much for making this the vacation of a lifetime! We already can't wait to come back!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 1 / 1

Nice, but pictures aren't accurate

luv2travel6033 (Suwanee, GA USA)
Review submitted: July 6, 2012   Date of arrival: June 23, 2012

Beautiful views, close to beach. Nice condo but the pictures shown are not what the condo really looks liKe. I had inquired to Xavier regarding the accuracy of the pictures and he did not reveal that the condo was only a similar model. The Master bedroom did not have a door to the balcony. The kitchen is totally different. The ceiling fans and ice maker did not work. Xavier said the condo had been upgraded however the dishwasher was old and rusted on the bottom and the new upgrades dont appear near as nice as the pictures. It was not as clean as pictured. There is no carpet as pictured but tile which is nice. I would say it is more like a 3 star hotel but with amazing views. The hot tub at the villas was not hot at all and when asked to turn on the heat, they said they could not heat it. The grounds to the place are beautiful. When we spoke with Xavier regarding the difference between the pictures and the actual condo he did offer a refund for the unused days. I would recommend this condo overall I only wish the pictures were accurate. We ate at Lolita's, and La Parilla in Luquillo and both had really good food.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 0 / 0

Best Vacation!

Jenny (Stamford, TX)
Review submitted: August 7, 2011   Date of arrival: August 2, 2011

This was truly the best vacation our family has
ever taken! The villa was exactly as described
and maybe even better!! The amenities at the
villas and the resort were great and the views
were amazing. We are already planning our next
trip!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 0 / 1

Perfect Spring Break Vacation

mdube (Minnesota)
Review submitted: March 25, 2011   Date of arrival: March 17, 2011

My family of 5 (children aged 9-14) discussed at length where we wanted to spend our 1st family Spring Vacation. We ultimately chose Puerto Rico as that country seemed to have everything we were looking for: safe country, ease to get around, history, lots of things to do (beaches, pools, rainforest, local eateries, etc). We were so pleased, we have talked about going back to Puerto Rico for our next trip!

Puerto Rico: There's so much to do on this island. The ocean beaches kept us near our rental for much of our stay. The ocean water was fairly warm (about 80F), much warmer than some of the northern Caribbean countries. We had thought our kids would spend most of their time at the nice pools at our rental, but they wound up spending 80+% in the ocean. I had pictured lounging at a picturesque, waveless beach (like one sees in magazine photos)...but this is NOT what we experienced. We were told the waves were a little larger than normal, and they were far from waveless....but turns out this was an absolute blessing for our family, as our children loved the waves. Clear water, super soft sand. Boogie-board haven!! Almost everyone (locals) we ran into spoke very good English, and everyone was very nice! There were enough American-based stores to feel very comfortable as well. Driving around was easy. Love, Love Puerto Rico!!

Rental was great... We were upgraded at our arrival! (best available was provided). Very clean, very spacious...steps away from the beach (pictures don't lie). Xavier was very prompt in responding to questions before our trip, which is why we rented from his group. There are 2 main rental groups at the Ocean Villas. Not sure of the other, absolutely would not hesitate to rent from Xavier again, though. Suite-style of our rental worked well for our family. Concierge was not always around....plan activities ahead and you'll be fine. Not a guarantee to use Rio Mar resort pools...we were able to on some days, not on weekend...seems like a "Gentlemen's agreement" exists between Ocean villas and resort...no one would discuss details. Resort Tiki bar was expensive, but we expected that, so no issue.

Recommendations: Rio Mar area beaches are wonderful! We think BETTER than Luquillo's beach! Go to old San Juan, El Yunque, and Culebra (great beach+snorkeling). Enjoy the beach! Bio-luminescent kayaking was cool..go on earlier timeslot if you have kids. Loved Tasca Ole restaurant in Fajardo!

Thanks Xavier!!!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 4 / 4

Recommended

emdill (Boston, MA)
Review submitted: January 22, 2011   Date of arrival: December 26, 2010

The villa was wonderful. It was beautifully furnished and maintained. The views were beautiful. It was great to have access to the resort while at the same time having the privacy of the villa.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 4 / 4

GO TO PUERTO RICO!!!

Mark (East Rochester, NY)
Review submitted: September 2, 2010   Date of arrival: August 7, 2010

My family has been traveling to Puerto Rico for the last 6 summers with our 4 children - Now (23, 20, and 17, 12) We have been to San Juan, Dorado, Fajardo and other places, but we LOVE the Rio Grande area and especially THIS VILLA at RIO MAR. This Ocean villa is remarkable! Extremely clean, well designed plan, comfortable & spacious, and functional. The breathtaking views, impecable beach, and friendly people make this "Ocean Villa" always a special place. The swimming pools are the amazing, by far the cleanest,freshest and most taken care of outdoor pools our family has ever stayed in year after year. The grounds are beautifully designed and also highly maintained as well.
We have had full access to the hotel and do enjoy the amenities of the resort along with the quietness and togetherness of staying in this Villa.

We are a beach family who have been to several beaches on the East Coast, but nothing can compare to the restful and enjoying vacation we experience in Puerto Rico at Rio Mar. When we ask the kids where they want to go each summer they keep saying "The Villas" as if they have become our sumer place to be.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 6 / 6

AL STUECK (MUNDELEIN, ILLINOIS)
Review submitted: January 28, 2010   Date of arrival: January 28, 2010

INCREDIBLE VIEWS-FROM THE BACK IS THE RAIN FOREST-FROM THE FRONT-THE OCEAN-VERY LUXURIOUS-VERY SAFE-EXCELLENT LOCAL RESTAURANTS-GREAT PLACE TO RELAX AND RECHARGE

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 8 / 8

Worth every penny!

Alaine (Hollis, NH USA)
Review submitted: June 16, 2009   Date of arrival: April 25, 2009

Having never been to this resort, we weren't sure if it was worth paying double to stay in an ocean villa vs. a golf villa. In the end, because we have three small children, we felt it would be better to be closer to the ocean. Boy, we were thrilled we made that decision. It was worth every penny extra to be so close to the beach. From our first floor balcony, we were about 20 yards from the pool and then another 20 to the beach; it was absolutely beautiful (not to mention extremely convienant). The condo was immaculate and very nicely furnished. Check in was easy (the rental agency has a desk right in the lobby). I also imagine, if we did have a problem with anything, it would have been taken care of immediately because the rental agency has an office at the resort. The pool was wonderful for families, especially those with young children. The Wyndham was just a short stroll along an ocean front path. At the hotel there are many restaurants, small casino, children's camp, pool with waterslide, adult only pool, etc. We would reccomend this resort and highly reccomend this rental agency.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 8 / 8