Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort

The Rio Mar’s
garden-filled grounds are a perfect match for the wonderful natural scenery
that surrounds it, with the ocean and El Yunque National Park both visible from
the property. The resort offers a huge array of on-site entertainment, a
particularly important feature considering that there’s little to see and do in
the surrounding area. Even still, the Rio Mar is a better fit for guests with
their own transportation because those without will need to rely on taxis or
find themselves stranded at the resort.

The hotel’s
casino and numerous bars seem to set the stage for partying, yet, for the most
part, the Rio Mar doesn’t attract partiers. Guests here seem more
interested in dozing by the pool, strolling down the long coastline, or taking
trips to nearby El Yunque National Park. This subdued atmosphere, combined with
a kids’ pool, a great line-up of kid-friendly activities, and large guest
rooms, make the hotel a popular choice for families. The proximity to El
Yunque coupled with plenty of on-site activities also make this resort a good fit for
active travelers.

Rio Mar is set in a picturesque location, with a long
stretch of coast on one side and the lush greenery of El Yunque National Park
defining the horizon on the other. Although the setting is big on natural
beauty, it’s lacking when it comes to dining and attractions. There’s virtually
nothing of interest within walking distance, making a car essential for guests who want to
explore the island or dine outside of the resort. El Yunque is a 13-minute drive away, and it’s just under a 20-minute
drive to the nearest metro area, downtown Rio Grande. Luis Munoz Marin
International Airport can be reached in 25 minutes by car, and Old San Juan is
an hour away.

Guest rooms
at Rio Mar Beach Resort are bright and contemporary, featuring neutral color schemes
with pops of orange or blue fabrics. Most beds have tall headboards reminiscent
of tatami mats and artwork ranging from prints of dominos to colorful
abstracts. All rooms include narrow balconies with views of the leafy resort
grounds, the coast, or El Yunque Rainforest. Rooms also have coffee- and
tea-making facilities and flat-screen TVs. Some suites offer separate living areas with sofa beds, in addition to dining rooms, wrap-around balconies, and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Bathrooms are big and come with toiletries, and while the fixtures in the shower/tub combos look a bit dated, the
square sinks are sleek and modern.

The hotel offers two large, lagoon-shaped pools: an
adults-only pool with a waterfall feature and an activity pool. The activity pool offers a waterslide, kids’ wading pool, and a volleyball net. The pools are surrounded by comfy blue
lounge chairs and beach umbrellas, and each includes an adjacent, in-ground hot tub.
The concrete deck area is softened by palm trees and other tropical greenery and has a few square cabanas. The pool area opens up onto a wide
stretch of serene golden-sand beach with loungers.

The Mandarin Spa offers a range of therapeutic treatments and
beauty services, including massages, scrubs, facials, and nail and hair
care. The spa’s pleasant relaxation and meditation area features
floor-to-ceiling windows that face toward the ocean. There's also a plain but practical fitness center with cardio and strength-training
equipment.

There are nine dining venues on-site, in addition to two
bars. Food is pricey overall and most guests report that the quality is average. The lower-level
Marbella restaurant features pillars that stretch dramatically upward toward the lobby, as well as huge windows with garden and ocean views. Seabreeze and
Tiki Hut Bar & Grill offer breezy, poolside dining.

Recreation activities abound at the resort, and there's even a casino with table games, video poker, and slot machines. Staff organize regular activities for guests, ranging
from beach volleyball to nature walks. Special activities are available for
kids, including iguana feeding, cooking classes, and face painting, among
others. The resort encompasses two championship golf courses, the River Course and the Ocean Course. There's also an enormous tennis center featuring 13 courts, including four illuminated for nighttime matches.

The hotel has a huge amount of indoor and outdoor event space, including 24 meeting rooms. Wedding planning services are
available. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, and both self-parking and valet
parking are available for additional fees.