Located along a popular, well-trafficked tourist road, the three-and-a-half pearl Bacolet Beach Club sits on an intimate, secluded white-sand beach with lovely bay views. Features are impressive for a resort this size, and include two ample infinity pools, a beachfront bar, and a restaurant with all-day dining. The 20 rooms have homey and airy if slightly hodgepodge style, and most have four-poster canopy beds; all offer water-view balconies. Free hot breakfast buffet, parking, and Wi-Fi help add value. While the small beach disappears at high tide, it's still a major selling point; at the similarly priced Magdalena guests need to take a shuttle to the sand.

A peaceful, boutique property overlooking the ocean, Blue Haven is a popular choice among couples; though it does not have a full spa, massage services are available and the property is quiet and tranquil. Rooms feature elegant decor (picture hardwood floors, light materials, and four-poster beds), ocean views, and flat-screen TVs, but the bathrooms are small and the free Wi-Fi is almost impossible to connect to (guests have much better luck in the lobby). Though waters on the Caribbean side of the island may be more appealing, Blue Haven does grant access to a nice beach with a bar.