Combate Beach Resort

Puerto Rico's parador program was established in 1973 in effort to persuade travelers to trade popular resort areas for the chance to experience the island's more rural destinations. The Parador Combate Beach draws budget-minded families and couples, who park their cars outside their rooms, grab their coolers and beach chairs, and head straight to the beach.

The property is the only hotel in the area, which consists mostly of treeless streets lined with tiny vacation homes. Guests come to Parador Combate Beach to escape the bustle of San Juan, spending their days lounging on the beach, bobbing in the calm water, and walking to Annie's Place for leisurely dinners of local Puerto Rican fare and fresh seafood overlooking the water.

The property is no-frills, offering a variety of basic, tidy rooms with queen-size beds and bunk beds geared to accommodate couples and families. Daily breakfast is served in a spacious, air-conditioned room that also houses the front desk. There's also a colorful boutique that sells necessities for the beach, a fenced-in pool, and the chance to rent kayaks or mountain bikes. While some rooms have balconies, the views of rooftops and the parking lot are unattractive. The main draw for the hotel is the access to Combate Beach, a somewhat secluded stretch of sand with calm aquamarine water and picnic tables.

Parador Combate Beach is located in Cabo Rojo, a small town on Puerto Rico's southwest coast that is known for its wildlife refuge, laid-back atmosphere, and abundance of small, locally owned restaurants and hotels. Guests can access Combate Beach via a locked gate, walk to nearby restaurants, and take a quick drive to one of the Caribbean's most beautiful lighthouses.

• One-minute walk to the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge
• 10-minute drive to Los Morrillos Lighthouse
• 10-minute drive to La Playuela Beach
• 10-minute drive to Boqueron Beach
• 10-minute drive to Boqueron State Forest
• 20-minute drive to downtown Cabo Rojo
• 30-minute drive to Eugenio M. De Hostos Airport, Mayaguez
• 90-minute drive to Rafael Hernandez Airport, Aguadilla,
• 90-minuted drive to Mercedita Airport, Ponce
• Two-hour, 30-minute drive to Luis Munoz Marin International Airport

Parador Combate Beach's 48 rooms are located in two separate properties. The Main Complex houses hotel rooms, the breakfast room, and the boutique, and has easy access to the pool and the gate that leads to the wildlife refuge and Combate Beach. Down the block, a second complex called the Hacienda holds a collection of Family Suites with separate living areas and kitchens.

The rooms in the Main Complex are located on the first or second floor, accessed via outdoor and interior hallways. Single Rooms, the slightly larger Single Deluxe Rooms, and the Honeymoon Suite are designed for couples with one queen- or king-size bed. The renovated Eco Suites, ideal for two friends traveling together, were constructed using environmentally friendly materials and come equipped with two full-sized bed positioned so that the foot of each bed faces the other. The Family Suites in the bright yellow Hacienda building have full-size futons in the living area in addition to the queen and bunk beds in the separate bedroom; these, and several other family-friendly room types, sleep up to four guests. Only the Triple Room sleeps up to six. The Hacienda building is surrounded by a white privacy fence and features shared outdoor space with a gazebo and lounge chairs.

All of the rooms feature a similar design with ceramic tile floors, sturdy dark wood furnishings, and accent walls painted cheerful colors of turquoise, peach, and lime green. The Honeymoon Suite, which features a separate living area and two balconies, is awash in soft hues of slate blue and finished with white bedding and decorated with crystal and brushed nickel accents.

All of the rooms have 32-inch LED TVs, clock radios, mini-fridges, and small dining tables with two chairs. The bathrooms are basic, furnished with single vanities with brown laminate countertops, walk-in showers, and neutral-color ceramic tiles with glass tile accents.

Access to Combate Beach is the main attraction for the hotel and guests can easily walk to the beach via a keyed access gate. The hotel also features a fenced pool and an adjacent volleyball court. A large covered area with chairs and lounge-type seating was designed for family gatherings and small events. Daily breakfast includes a buffet of toast, cereal, and coffee, but guests are also able to order a la carte from the menu for more substantial offerings such as omelets and pancakes.