Grand Bahi­a Ocean View Hotel

While the location directly on Cabo Rojo's beaches is a major draw, this hotel isn't capitalizing on its prime real estate. In fact, things here are in pretty dire shape. The decor is emblematic of a hotel in transition. The lovely water feature near the pool, private beachfront cabanas with billowing white curtains, and an intimate beach bar all offer at least the sheen of a polished hotel, but that's only surface deep. Notable areas of chipped paint and a general lack of maintenance in the rooms and common areas reveal the hotel’s age. The ample infinity pool, wide beachfront, and large restaurant and bar are all more than adequate to accommodate the number of rooms, so guests will rarely feel crowded. With a kiddy pool and multiple beds in many rooms, guests will likely find just as many couples as vacationing families.

The hotel is situated on a beachfront stretch of quiet thoroughfare that connects the Cabo Rojo peninsula to the small town of Las Arenas -- an eight-minute drive away. There are no restaurants, shops, or services within walking distance of the hotel -- in fact, it's sandwiched between two nature reserves owned by the National Parks Service. Both areas are excellent for bird and wildlife watching, and iconic  offers a pharmacy, a supermarket, and several local and chain restaurants. The island’s famous Cabo Rojo Lighthouse and Playa Sucia are also eight minutes away by car. The picture-perfect La Playuela beach, in a cliff-flanked cove at the tip of Cabo Rojo, is only 10 minutes away by car. The nearest airport, Eugenio Maria De Hostos (MAZ), in Mayaguez is reachable in less than an hour. Additional flights -- both local and international -- are available through Aguadilla’s Rafael Hernandez Airport (BQN), 90 minutes north. No airport shuttle is available to/from the hotel. Taxi service is ubiquitous and relatively affordable throughout the island, although long-distance fares can prove expensive. Rental car counters are available in both airport terminals with rates comparable to other Caribbean destinations.

Room decor is unpredictable and the hotel requests that guests call ahead of time to manage expectations. Many rooms feature drab, uninspired aesthetics that consist of mismatched dark wood furniture, faded tile flooring, and little to no decorations to remind guests they’re in the Caribbean. Other rooms are a bit brighter and have more modern touches including white furniture, leather headboards, and brushed metal chairs. They still look very much like budget motel rooms, but they are a bit more pleasant.Rooms are available in one- and two-bed configurations. Floor space in both is comparable to a mid-range chain hotel. Layouts vary slightly from room to room and a few feature small couches or sitting areas. A handful of rooms also offer small private balconies with lovely sea views. The list of amenities is brief: flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and coffeemakers are the only noteworthy features. There is no in-room Wi-Fi available, and guests have reported fees for things like electricity and air-conditioning. Many also note that rooms feel overwhelmingly humid.The hotel’s age is most evident in the bathroom decor and appointments. Cheap faucets, salt-worn fixtures, and missing grout or paint are par for the course here. Standard shower/tub combinations are available in every room.

Although the hotel houses only two dozen rooms, there are a decent number of amenities here. The large Agua al Cuello restaurant offers three distinct spaces, including a slightly more refined indoor dining area, an open-air area with beautiful sea views, and an adjacent bar. The menu features a wide range of dishes but focuses primarily on steak, lobster, and other local seafood. Vegetarian and children’s menus are also available. Free breakfast and dinner vouchers are provided in most stay packages. Unfortunately, the food is poorly reviewed for both selection and quality.Like all beaches in Puerto Rico, the beach at Grand Bahia Ocean View Hotel is technically open to the public. However, the hotel’s unique geography -- sandwiched between two large expanses of preserved national parkland -- ensures that guests typically have the sand all to themselves. A dozen lounge chairs and a handful of cabanas provide ample relaxation space. Water sports are limited to kayaks and snorkel gear, and there are fees for both. As the beach faces an open, unprotected area of the Caribbean Sea, the condition of the water depends largely on the weather and time of year.The hotel’s main infinity pool is arguably its best feature. A small, lovely waterfall anchors the interior side, while the opposite side is steps from the sea with a panoramic view of the beach. Plenty of lounge chairs are also provided, especially given the hotel’s small capacity. Unfortunately, the lack of umbrellas means the surrounding area is exposed to the sun throughout the day. There's also a shallower kids' pool.