Parador Boquemar

One of many small paradores that dot the landscape across Puerto Rico, this one isn't exactly near the top of the heap when it comes to quality. Things are fine enough -- interiors are clean and it's well-situated for wandering the bars and restaurants of Boqueron -- but at the end of the day, problems do plague this property. The hotel’s exterior color scheme of blue and orange is a bold choice against the area’s many drab storefronts. However, decor inside consists of dark wood furniture and neutral colors on every surface, providing a largely forgettable look. With just a modest pool (that could use a sprucing up) and a restaurant that's not loved by previous guests, most guests are families and couples who simply use this as a cheap, reliably clean jumping off point for exploring the area, including the nearby beach.

Situated in the center of Boqueron, the hotel is within a three-minute walk of a dozen restaurants and bars. The area’s famously beautiful Boqueron Beach is located directly across the street as well. However, to see any of western Puerto Rico's other destinations, a car will be necessary. A supermarket, pharmacy, and shopping center are 15 minutes away by car near the center of Cabo Rojo. Cabo Rojo Lighthouse and La Playuela beach are reachable by car in less than 30 minutes. Mayaguez’s Eugenio Maria De Hostos Airport (MAZ) -- is 45 minutes north by car. Flight options can be extremely limited, however. Consequently, many guests to western Puerto Rico arrive via Aguadilla’s Rafael Hernandez Airport (BQN). While more than an hour’s drive away, the airport offers far more flights, particularly for international travelers.

Rooms are mostly clean and simply decorated. Salmon-colored tile floors, dated rattan furniture, and generic, island-inspired artwork are about all there is when it comes to decor. Colors skew blue and white, and beds are done in white or patterned bedspreads.The 75 rooms are divided among four categories that differ primarily in size and bed configuration. Entry-level, first-floor Standard Rooms offer a one-room floor plan with square footage comparable to a budget motel room. Deluxe and Deluxe Plus rooms provide an almost identical layout but with up to 50 percent more floor space and private balconies. Junior Suites offer king-size beds, but curiously lack the typical multi-room suite layout. These feature larger private balconies, including (optional) limited views of Boqueron Beach. All categories feature flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. However, the latter is only available via a paid, per-device plan. Air-conditioning and mini-fridges are also standard.Bathrooms are clean and basic as well. A white and cream palette covers almost every surface. Generic bath products and walk-in shower stalls are standard in every category. Noise can be an issue from both traffic and nearby bars well into the night.

As a relatively small, two-and-a-half-pearl property, the list of on-site amenities is brief. La Cascada Restaurant is a casual, breakfast-only dining space that serves a free continental breakfast and additional a la carte options. The menu consists of typical Western favorites -- pancakes, omelets, and coffee/tea service. Reviews are underwhelming at best. The small, adjacent bar is similarly casual, with a full liquor menu of beer, wine, and cocktails available. The modest outdoor pool is clean and relatively well-maintained, with a shallow kiddy pool immediately adjacent. A dozen lounge and patio chairs line the edges of the space. However, the high walls surrounding the pool area provide a claustrophobic sense of being “sandwiched” between the hotel and adjacent building. Even without umbrellas, the layout does afford plenty of shade for the entire pool area.While parking is at a premium throughout Boqueron, the hotel provides an off-street lot with ample space to self-park.