Las Casitas Village, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Las Casitas feels exclusive and sophisticated, which is exactly what the many travelers who flock here are seeking. While it bears the Waldorf Astoria name, the style here is a little more humble than one might expect, and is equal parts homey and tropical. The property is set back from the road and surrounded by tropical gardens, which helps set the quiet tone right away. Rooms are spread out across the grounds, which allows for a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere with a nice dash of privacy. With three private pools, there are plenty of places for guests to relax, though the main pool does tend to be busy during the day. The two restaurants are also busy during the day, but aren’t open at night, so nightlife is mostly found at the sister resort, El Conquistador. Though technically family-friendly, there are few kid-friendly activities directly on-site here, so travelers should expect to see more romantic couples and retirees than families. 

Las Casitas is perched on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, granting spectacular views of the sunrise. While the seclusion is a major plus for most guests, there's nothing to see or do within an easy walk. The main complex of El Conquistador, this property's sister resort, is a seven-minute shuttle ride from Las Casitas, and is home to restaurants, shops, and Coqui Water Park. From there, it's a 10-minute water taxi ride to Palomino Island, which is home to beaches and water sports. Otherwise, the resort is located a 15-minute drive from downtown Fajardo, which features a few shops and restaurants. The main entrance to El Yunque Rain Forest is a 35-minute drive from the hotel, where there are hiking trails and waterfalls. Travelers should allow over an hour to get to the Luis Munoz Marin Airport in San Juan, though there is an airport shuttle available for an additional fee. 

Across all categories, rooms have a sophisticated and modern charm, though the tropical-home look might appear dated to some guests. Many of the rooms at Las Casitas are privately owned, so the decor varies a bit and some aren't as fresh as others. Rooms range in size from traditional hotel rooms to Three-Bedroom Casitas with full kitchens. Expect to see lots of Caribbean colors like deep red and green, with muted tones and rattan furniture throughout. The abundance of tropical decor and prints are nice enough, but can't help but feel a little thematic in many rooms.Standard features include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, safes, and coffeemakers. Rooms are spacious, with plenty of closet space plus double, queen, or king-size beds. Many rooms also include the option for personalized butler services and grocery shopping services. The One-, Two-, and Three-Bedroom Casitas are nice upgrades. They feature dining areas with wooden tables, bar stools, and plenty of extra sitting space, as well as full kitchens with microwaves, utensils, ovens, and plenty of counter space for cooking. Many rooms feature private balconies with a few lounge chairs and spectacular views of the ocean.Bathrooms are spacious, though again the homey look can feel less than modern. They're done in marble tiles and include antique-style fixtures plus generous vanity space. All come with bathrobes, bath slippers, hairdryers, and Ferragamo bath products. The Hydra spa tubs are a nice extra in some rooms.

Las Casitas has plenty of outstanding features to keep everyone happy, though compared to its behemoth neighbor -- El Conquistador -- options are a bit limited. There are two smaller pool terraces and one main spacious infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The latter features plenty of blue lounge chairs, a handful of blue umbrellas, and a secluded infinity hot tub overlooking the ocean -- the setting is quite stunning and a real highlight at Las Casitas. There's also a towel stand with lemon water.There are only two restaurants on-site, Casitas Cafe and Ventana del Caribe. Casitas Cafe is open for breakfast, where guests can expect eggs, fresh fruit, brioche french toast, and traditional Puerto Rican coffee. Ventana del Caribe offers a casual grill fare for lunch and is situated adjacent to the main infinity pool, with stunning ocean views. Unfortunately, neither of the resort's own restaurants serve dinner, so guests will need to trek to El Conquistador. That property features 23 restaurants and bars ranging from fine dining Italian to casual al fresco dining. El Conquistador also has seven 24-hour pools, a lazy river at Coqui Water Park, and two beaches on Palomino Island. There are plenty of wellness options there as well, with two spacious and modern fitness centers and two spas. Additional perks include two game rooms, shopping, a golf course, and a moderately sized business center. A free shuttle runs to El Conquistador destinations throughout the day.There is plenty of self parking and valet parking, but guests should note there are fees for both. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.