Parador Villas del Mar Hau

The entrance to the property is off a side road with funky signs that point guests to the lobby building. Parking can be done in front of the lobby or along the road, but spots get snagged early by locals who come for the beach, which has public access.Once checked in, guests can either keep their spot or inquire about parking closer to the unit. Brightly colored little cottages (with one or two floors) line the road all the way through the property. Yellow, turquoise, coral, and lime green exteriors create a cheerful feel, and are broken up only by a basketball court, tennis court, and a rectangular pool.The family-friendly environment is evident at the beach with groups of adults and kids playing in the calm water. The sand is separated from the property by a handmade twig fence and charming pathways line the front of the cottages. The restaurant and bar serves lunch and dinner with fun open-air atmosphere that plays upbeat local music, which can be heard at the beach. While there is a fun evening crowd, the bar shuts down around 11 p.m. so those nearby do not have to worry about loud noise after midnight.

This little property is tucked away on a side road on the northwestern coast near the town of Isabela. This is an area of Puerto Rico known as Porta del Sol, "Doorway to the Sun," which makes up the entire west coast of the island. It is an easy 30-minute drive from Aguadilla, where Puerto Rico's second largest airport, Rafael Hernandez, receives daily flights from the U.S.(mostly from the east coast). Visitors can  also fly into San Juan airport and drive two hours. Either way, renting a car is recommended, so that guests have access to other attractions in the area. Isabela -- smaller than Aguadilla, but closer -- has a town center and grocery store for essentials to stock the fridges. There are is also a movie theater, water park, and mall nearby to help keep kids entertained.

There are 46 studio, one- and two-bedroom units here lined up along either side of the little road that travels through the property. Depending on the side, the view from the front porch is either of the beach or the aforementioned road. On the plus side, these authentic cottages have neat original touches. On the downside, there may be some maintenance issues, which should be brought to the attention of the front desk staff. The furnishings were getting updated to a more contemporary style in 2014, but some older pieces may show some wear and tear. All come with slatted screen windows, AC units, ceiling fans, Cable TV. Bathrooms tend to be on the smaller side (except for the handicap units) with walk-in showers and limited toiletries.Some units have kitchenettes with mini-fridges, coffeemakers, microwaves and dining sets, while two bedroom units have separate kitchens (better equipped than the kitchenettes) and living rooms.The one-bedroom king bed option (with or a without kitchen) is best suited for couples.

Families tend to stay here more than anyone else, not only because of the two-bedroom units, but also because the beach has calm waves for all ages. There is a vending kiosk area set up by the beach entrance selling ice cream, snacks, and beach accessories (beware: The hotel does not provide beach chairs or towels). Since this beach is popular with locals, there is a more distinct Puerto Rican vibe -- more so than other beaches that attract mostly guests. That being said, guests will have plenty of space to spread out between two areas split by natural cove.On the back part of the property near the lobby building is a small rectangular pool with a handful of lounge chairs. Along this area is a tennis court and basketball court. Volleyball is also available.The restaurant on-site serves local specialties such as mahi mahi, red snapper, and mofongo (a local plantain dish), as well as angus beef and a wide selection of domestic and international beers. Some nice wines and tropical drinks are also offered. The restaurant is open-air with tall ceilings, interesting lighting, and upbeat music that creates a fun ambiance during the day and all the way until 11 p.m. at night. Weddings are popular here and there is an outdoor space for private events in front of the restaurant.Guests can do laundry on-site. Wi-Fi and parking are free.