Caribe Playa Beach Hotel

With its white-trimmed buildings, palm trees
swaying in the breeze, and gorgeous ocean views, Caribe Playa Beach Resort fits
the image of an idyllic beach retreat. It’s a little rough-around-the edges,
with scuffed furniture, outdated bathrooms, and bits of chipped paint here and
there. The small reception area opens up into an airy restaurant with striking
ocean views. The grounds feature delightful gardens of magnolias, heliconias,
and other tropical flowers and trees. The blossoming gardens, abundant
hammocks, and rhythmic sounds of the tide create a calm, hushed atmosphere. We
spotted a fairly even mix of couples and families during our visit. The
location appeals to guests who want to explore the island’s countryside, and a
car is basically a necessity here.

Caribe
Playa Beach Resort is located in Patillas, a quiet municipality on the island’s
southeastern coast. It’s a perfect setting for guests who want to see a less
touristy side of Puerto Rico and relax on secluded stretches of beachfront.
The hotel is located just off Highway 3, a small backroad with minimal traffic.
The highway is lined with a number of local restaurants, although few are found
within walking distance of the hotel. El Yunque National Park is about 80 minutes away. It’s about a 90-minute drive to Old San Juan,
as well as tourist hubs like Condado and Isla Verde, and it takes about the same amount of time to reach Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

Guest rooms at Caribe Playa Beach Resort are a touch more fashionable than the usual budget fare, with bedding and throw pillows adorned with large stenciled flowers. A soft color scheme of pastel yellow, white, and gray gives a milder take on the typically vibrant Caribbean colors. Some beds have attractive wood-paneled headboards in a sunburst motif, and all rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and long wall-mounted desks. Large closets offer shelving and hangers. On the downside, the wooden side tables and chairs look fairly worn and rooms feel dark. Utilitarian bathrooms have showers only and bars of soap. Counter space here is minimal and the fixtures are dated. 

For a budget property that's on the small side, Caribe Playa Beach Resort does a good job of covering the basics for a beach property: sun, sand, and meals with ocean views. The hotel offers a medium-size outdoor pool, as well as a little round kids’ pool. The pool area is basic but pretty, surrounded by palm trees and lounge chairs. A white latticed fence allows for partial views of the beach. The property is set on several hundred yards of crescent-shaped beachfront. Backed by palm trees, the strip of sand found here is quite narrow but scenic, although there is a fair amount of ocean debris. Manatees and whales can sometimes be spotted in the waters off the coast. Numerous hammocks tied between palm trees are found throughout the hotel’s leafy grounds, providing wonderful views of the ocean.The hotel’s open-air restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant is simple and inviting, with wooden tables, colorful floor tiles, and spectacular ocean views. There’s a cozy reading area just beyond the restaurant, with books artfully arranged on the walls and cute swinging chairs.The property includes two free self-parking areas. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, but some guests report the connection is weak in rooms. Licensed physical therapists offer massages as well as alternative therapies like Reiki in small treatment rooms. In-room treatments are also available.