Vacation Rentals by Owner
Beachfront Penthouse Condo Next to the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort [#113165] | View Property
Rio Grande
Condo, 3 Bedrooms + Loft, 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 6-8)
$500/nt
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Traveler Reviews (33)
Great place to get away from it all!
Guest: Julie M.
(Salem, MA)
Date of Stay: 03/21/12
Review Submitted: 03/29/12
We just returned for a wonderful week at this Villa. The Villa was just as pictured and described: lots of space, nicely furnished and just steps away from a very private beach. It was really wonderful to have such privacy and such nice amenities. The villa provided beach towels and 3 beach chairs to use down at the beach, and the villa pool had plenty of lounge chairs poolside. We stocked up the cooler with plenty of beer, wine, water and food to lounge the day away on the gorgeous beach. The villa also came with 3 boogie boards, which were great in the surf and the kids loved. There is an Amigo grocery store and Walgreens within a 10 minute drive, and a Walmart further down the road in Fajardo to stock up on food, booze and sunscreen. You can also walk up the beach about 20 minutes and get to the Wyndham Rio Mar resort. They have a couple of large pools, plenty of beach chairs, and a tiki bar with tropical drinks. All in all, we loved the large and spacious villa and patio, quiet beach and pool, and how easy the owner was to deal with. Very easy transaction and responsive to deal with. We will definitely be back!
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Great place to get away from it all!
Guest: Julie M.
(Salem, MA)
Date of Stay: 03/21/12
Review Submitted: 03/29/12
We just returned for a wonderful week at this Villa. The Villa was just as pictured and described: lots of space, nicely furnished and just steps away from a very private beach. It was really wonderful to have such privacy and such nice amenities. The villa provided beach towels and 3 beach chairs to use down at the beach, and the villa pool had plenty of lounge chairs poolside. We stocked up the cooler with plenty of beer, wine, water and food to lounge the day away on the gorgeous beach. The villa also came with 3 boogie boards, which were great in the surf and the kids loved. There is an Amigo grocery store and Walgreens within a 10 minute drive, and a Walmart further down the road in Fajardo to stock up on food, booze and sunscreen. You can also walk up the beach about 20 minutes and get to the Wyndham Rio Mar resort. They have a couple of large pools, plenty of beach chairs, and a tiki bar with tropical drinks. All in all, we loved the large and spacious villa and patio, quiet beach and pool, and how easy the owner was to deal with. Very easy transaction and responsive to deal with. We will definitely be back!
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Incredible Family Vacation
Guest: Lynn P.
Date of Stay: 03/10/12
Review Submitted: 03/29/12
We just returned from a 7 night stay with our two adult kids and their girlfriends. This is an excellent rental for a family vacation. We enjoyed relaxing by the pool and beach, the beautiful roof top dining area was so much fun for dinners, breakfast and hanging out playing cards and games at night. The property is well-maintained and the pictures do not do it justice. The owner is great to work with and everything was perfect. We hope to return sometime in the future.
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Unbelievable Location!
Guest: Tommy B.
(Rumford, Rhode Island)
Date of Stay: 03/01/12
Review Submitted: 04/11/12
I Recently had the opportunity to escape from a New England winter and spend 5 days in this beautiful tropical get away! This location could not be better! We enjoyed daily walks down the beach to the beautiful Wyndahm Rio mar, a nice day trip to the rain forest which is literally a 5 minute drive from the penthouse and a great day of exploring Old San Juan which is a forty minute drive that flies by! If you're looking for a place that offers a perfect location for exploring all Puerto Rico has to offer you've found it! Thank you Mark for your great recommendations and directions! I definitely look forward to visiting again! -T
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Quiet, comfortable and spacious
Guest: SL
Date of Stay: 01/19/12
Review Submitted: 01/30/12
Just as advertised, the unit is well furnished, well located and in a very quiet condo development. Mark is very easy to work with and was able to address several things remotely and quickly. A good choice for families who want to spread out comfortably.
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Wonderful Place
Guest: Dee D.
Date of Stay: 10/03/11
Review Submitted: 12/06/11
Let me start off my saying I highly recommend this place. The apartment and complex was just as described. It looked just like the pictures. It was beautifully furnished. The apartment and complex were well kept and clean. The owners ensured that your stay was pleasant and hassle free. There were toiletries such as soaps, toilet tissue, paper towel, bath and beach towels, and beach chairs made accessible just as if you stayed in a hotel. The only thing we had to provide for ourselves were our clothes and food. Another amenity provided was the high speed wireless internet connection. I brought my laptop and was able to surf the web and conduct business that couldn't wait for my return to NY. We travelled with a 2 year old and another couple who had a 8 month old. At no time were we concerned for the safety of our children as the place is relatively baby proofed, without compromising style and aesthetics, and safety gates were provided for the stairs. The apartment was huge. We had enough space and privacy for each family unit. This was mostly a relaxing vacation for us, so for the most part we layed around on the beach. The beach was clean, free of debri and completely empty. We were the only people on the beach for almost the entire week. Only on one occassion we saw another person from another complex as she jogged by. However, there are plenty of things to do. The owners have a book with a list of attractions and things to do, places to eat and visit. I do recommend a car. Although everything including attractions are in close proximity, they are by no means within walking distance. Overall, I highly recommend this place, especially for people who do not want the party to occur where they sleep. The place is quiet and relaxing but activities are close by. A person can partake in plenty of lively activities but still come back to a relaxing environment. I enjoyed myself immensely and so did my husband and the other couple we vacationed with. We would definitely stay here again and would recommend to our families and friends.
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Memorable Family Vacation in Paradise!
Guest: Spring Break Travelers
(Midwest US)
Date of Stay: 03/25/11
Review Submitted: 04/20/11
Villa Encanto was the perfect home away from home for our family vacation (2 adults/2 teen) in Puerto Rico. The website descriptions and photos come close to describing and showcasing the wonderful place...but you have to see it to believe it. The condo was well-appointed and had everything we needed for a fabulous week of vacation. The rental of this unit was seamless and the owners have taken care to be certain that everything is ready to go...including a check-in call upon arrival. The unit is centrally located in Rio Grande, so pack a swimsuit (beach towels are provided!) and sandals, sunscreen and a pair of walking shoes and then head out...everything from a day of swimming in the ocean to reading a book on the beautiful AND private beach to a walk in the rainforest, a trip to Old San Juan and even kayaking in the bioflourescent bay are all easy to do using this condo as a home base. After a full day of adventure, grill out on the beautiful rooftop patio or head up the hill to eat at Richie's and enjoy the view. The only thing missing from this vacation? Just needed another week! Vacation money well spent...This vacation and condo gets a 5-STAR rating from our entire family.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Fabulous!
Guest: Steve
(Leominster, MA)
Date of Stay: 02/20/11
Review Submitted: 02/25/11
Just returned from a trip to Puerto Rico with my wife and two kids. Our stay at Villa Encanto was awesome! The condo is exactly as described with lots of space, a great layout, and nice decor. It was in excellent condition inside and out (ground keepers were working on the property every day to keep it looking great). The roof-top terrace was great for cook-out/dinner, sunbathing during the day, and stargazing at night. The condo had everything you would need and was well organized (so you could easily find stuff). The pool and ocean were right there and we were lucky enough to be there when hardly anyone else was there. Many times we had the pool area and beach area to ourselves. The owner provides a booklet with great advise on restaurants (definitely go to Metropol for excellent local food and Palios for excellent Italian food). The owner was great to coordinate with and his directions made it very easy to get to there from the airport. We will definitely stay here again.
Owner response:Thanks so much for the nice review, Steve. We try very hard to deliver not just a beautiful accommodations, but a great location and overall experience for our guests. My wife and I chose this area to buy our condo because it was located on a secluded, practically deserted beach yet, it's so convenient and close to the rain forest, the Wyndham Rio Mar, Old San Juan and the airport, supermarkets, shopping, etc. We put our hearts and souls into making it a fantastic second home for us when we're down from New York visiting my wife's family in Puerto Rico every few months. That's why we keep it as updated, clean and well-maintained as we can. I wish we didn't have to rent it, but we're just not there enough to justify the cost. Hence, we decided to rent the condo as a vacation villa to help pay the mortgage. That's why we don't give you flat pillows, lousy kitchen stuff or cheap towels. We wouldn't want to use that stuff when we were there! I also try to make the rental process as organized and smooth for you as possible. We have very detailed directions for our guests, including to and from the airport, organized check-in/check-out information, and pre-paid envelope to return the keys when you return from your vacation. I always make myself available by phone or email if you need anything while you're there in the condo. I've found that when renting my vacation property, people really appreciate little details like these, and it's so easy to do. The extra effort I put in trying to make your vacation one of your most memorable, is worth it. We have return guests and we get new rentals referred from previous guests, and that makes me proud of the job we do. Again Steve, thanks for your nice review, and we hope to see you again! Mark
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Excellent Spot for Family Vacation
Guest: Santina
(Wexford, PA)
Date of Stay: 08/10/10
Review Submitted: 08/30/10
My family of seven ( 6 adults & 1 teenager) had an incredible time at Villa Encanto. It is even more beautiful than it looks in the photos! As others have indicated, many times we felt we had the gorgeous beach and pool to ourselves! The condo was clean, nicely furnished, and had all the comforts of home. The location is central to many activities including, Old San Juan, El Conquistador, Luquillo, El Yunque and of course, Wyndham Rio Mar. Mark was very helpful throughout the trip planning process. He even called upon our arrival to make sure everything met with our approval! We enjoyed cooking in several nights and dining on the rooftop deck. We also dined out at Richie's, Palios at Wyndham Rio Mar and Antojitos. My family was so happy to be all together in such a beautiful place. They kept telling me what a great job I did in finding a slice of paradise!! I highly recommend Villa Encanto. We'll definitely be back!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, sightseeing.
Spacious Condo, great location. Attentive Owner.
Guest: Bay Area Family
(SF, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/05/10
Review Submitted: 07/26/10
Our family, 4 teenagers / 2 adults, stayed 8 nights at the beginning of July. We very much enjoyed the peaceful environment and clean beach. The condo is spacious and has a large rooftop terrace ideal for relaxing at the end of the day. Not even the refrig going on the blink towards the end of our stay impacted our enjoyment. (The owner, Mark, called me within an hour of receiving my message and immediately offered a partial refund for the inconvenience. His prompt action and kind offer was greatly appreciated.) All three bedrooms have individual air conditioners which worked perfectly. The loft is not air conditioned, but windows provide a nice breeze and there are several ceiling and floor fans that help out. The pool was warm, as was the beach. On many nights it seemed like we had it all to ourselves. The location is ideal as it is close to many outdoor activities - El Yunque is only minutes away and Fajardo (scuba diving/kayaking/Bioluminous Bay) is less than 30 minutes east. There is also a golf course next door at the Wyndham hotel. It only took us about 25 minutes to get into Old San Juan and another 10 - 15 minutes to the Barcadi distillery. Driving is very easy and the roads in this part of the island are excellent. Mark provides great driving directions from the airport (via the toll road) to the condo when he mails the keys. He also has a guest book with driving directions to local attractions/supermarkets/drug store, etc. Getting GPS in your rental car really is not necessary. Save the $. All in all, the condo helped to make our vacation a special one. You'll enjoy your stay!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.
Guestbook comment
Guest: Familytraveler5
(Lake Forest, IL)
Date of Stay: 03/29/10
Review Submitted: 04/21/10
This property is as good as it looks! The condo unit is in great condition and has everything you could need. The complex is also in great condition. The pool and the beach were beautiful and well maintained. We loved the rooftop deck! The complex felt safe and secure with on site security. The owner was great to work with, very organized and easy to deal with. Sometimes things don't turn out to be as nice in person as on the web, that is not the case here, it was even better!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Rio Mar condo rental
Guest: CT from Boston
(Boston MA)
Date of Stay: 03/13/10
Review Submitted: 03/24/10
I just returned from a truly magical week spent at this property. The condo was spectacular, with a rooftop indoor-outdoor penthouse porch with a view to die for towards the rainforest , and always a refreshing breeze. The location was very convenient to restaurants and shopping. The master bedroom was out of a magazine. Overall a wonderful experience start to finish. The owner was also very organized and extremely helpful and accessible. .
Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Perfect family vacation!
Guest: Florencia G.
(Lexington, MA)
Date of Stay: 03/04/10
Review Submitted: 03/30/10
Dear Mark, Just a few comments about our week spent at your beautiful property at Rio Del Mar.My parents, my husband and our three children loved the place.The grounds were inmaculate,the pool,the playground,the private beach were beyond what we expected. In spite of some rain we were able to eat outside on your lovely terrace almost every night.Your place had everything we needed. Your folder with suggestions was quite helpful. We will definitely go back next year and hopefully make it a family tradition.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Guest: Simon Family1
(Gary, IN)
Date of Stay: 12/27/09
Review Submitted: 12/27/09
Great accomadations, beautiful private beach,perfect location with easy access to San Juan and Fajardo. We had a wonderful week and would highly recommend.
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Guest: Bill Harris1
(Little Rock, AR)
Date of Stay: 07/27/09
Review Submitted: 07/27/09
My wife, two daughters(21 & 18 yo), brother-in-law, nephew and I stayed in this condo the last week of June 2009. What a wonderful place, beautiful beach, good golf courses, very close to the rain forest and many other activities. The owner was great to deal with and everything was just as he said it would be. If you are looking for a place to lay back at the beach, I highly recommend here. Bill Harris
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09
Review Submitted: 03/29/09
Wow! This was a marvelous place to stay in PR. The location was perfect---close to activities and yet so very private. We were often the only ones on the gorgeous beach! The property was everything promised and having a washer/dryer on site allowed us to pack light for air travel. The owners were a dream to deal with from their prompt e-mails and phone calls, to their well organized Puerto Rico information binder awaiting us upon arrival. We would definitely return to this lovely property!
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Karen D.
(Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 03/01/09
Review Submitted: 03/14/09
Fantastic! The condo is large and beautifully appointed, and dealing with the owner was a joy. Our vacation was multi-generational (grandparents to toddler) and the house allowed all to enjoy our joint and separate schedules. Best location we can imagine on the northeast coast -easy walk to the waves or a short drive to just about anywhere, while the near private beach and quiet, comfortable living provided R&R for all. We would definitely like to go again.
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08
Review Submitted: 07/01/08
We really loved this property! It is beautifully appointed and has everything you will ever need. We were close to El Yunque to hike the in the rain forest, near enough to San Juan to go in for a day trip and also close to day trips out to snorkel and visit the bio bay! Everything was close by and the private pool and beach are a great asset. Because we had a party of 7, our favorite room was the private patio where we spent a lot of our time. The convenience of being able to "cook" was also nice. The owners have provided very specific directions and visitor information which made the process seamless. We would definitely visit again!
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: John H.
(Woodstock, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/01/08
Review Submitted: 05/03/08
This is a delightful place. The beach really is nearly private, even on the weekend. The condo is very well appointed, and the owner is delightful and full of information. I've rented several places through VRBO in several countries, and this is one of the best!
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/08
Review Submitted: 04/22/08
Our stay at Villa Encanto was perfect. Staying in early April,we had warm sunny days and balmy nites. The condo was very nicely laid out, and the terrace quickly became our favorite place to be. Well supplied kitchen and we cooked seafood from the localfish market. Also enjoyed the fresh fruit. Short walk to a wonderful beach where we walked daily. Very clean grounds and private areas. Would definitely stay again.
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/08
Review Submitted: 04/21/08
We had a lovely time staying here. The The condo was a perfect fit for 8 adults. We had the grounds and beach to ourselves. We spent much of our time on the spacious terrace. I would certainly recommend this condo to any one thinking about a vacation in Puerrto Rico.
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/08
Review Submitted: 03/30/08
We just got back from a family reunion in Puerto Rico and had the pleasure of sharing Villa Encanto with two of our children, a brother and sister in law. We were all very pleased with the condo. It's location is ideal, since it is close to so many different activities. Our stay was very busy due to the PR Open Golf Tournament and the end of Holy Week which is a long weekend for most puertorricans. In spite of this, it was easy driving to most places and the beach was excellent. Villa Encanto is very spacious with lots of outside balconies and an enormous terrace that invites a sleep outside. The orientation book was excellent and the owners are very gracious and helpful. All you need to make yourself at home is your personal items, everything else is provided. I highly recommend this Condo for your next vacation. We will surely return.
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A little piece of paradise
Guest: TriciaC
(WI)
Date of Stay: 03/01/08
Review Submitted: 03/22/08
We are just back from a wonderful Spring Break trip where we stayed at Villa Encanto. As others have stated, the location on the Island is great for its proximity to El Yunque, Fajardo, Old San Juan, etc. There were great restaurants in the area, plus the convenience of groceries nearby. There are a few things that make this a spectacular condo. First, the beach. It really is nearly private. We kept waiting for it to get busy on the weekend or as we headed into Semana Santa, but it was nearly private, with some shady spots, with the perfect amount of waves. It's such a short walk down there, and you can even hear the water from the condo. Second, the terrace is really fabulous. We spent the majority of our time in the condo outside on the terrace. I watched the sunrise over El Yunque every morning. Third, the hospitality of your hosts is great. They provide enough of the basics to get you started, plus a wonderful information book. The towels, beach towels, beach chairs, bedding, etc are all great quality so not typical "rental" ammenities. We fell in love Puerto Rico, and no one wanted to return. Do not hesitate to book this condo.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guestbook Comment
Guest: TriciaC
(WI)
Date of Stay: 03/01/08
Review Submitted: 03/21/08
We are just back from a wonderful Spring Break trip where we stayed at Villa Encanto. As others have stated, the location on the Island is great for its proximity to El Yunque, Fajardo, Old San Juan, etc. There were great restaurants in the area, plus the convenience of groceries nearby. There are a few things that make this a spectacular condo. First, the beach. It really is nearly private. We kept waiting for it to get busy on the weekend or as we headed into Semana Santa, but it was nearly private, with some shady spots, with the perfect amount of waves. It's such a short walk down there, and you can even hear the water from the condo. Second, the terrace is really fabulous. We spent the majority of our time in the condo outside on the terrace. I watched the sunrise over El Yunque every morning. Third, the hospitality of your hosts is great. They provide enough of the basics to get you started, plus a wonderful information book. The towels, beach towels, beach chairs, bedding, etc are all great quality so not typical "rental" ammenities. We fell in love Puerto Rico, and no one wanted to return. Do not hesitate to book this condo.
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/08
Review Submitted: 03/17/08
This spacious condo provides a wonderful homebase while visiting PR. Walk and swim on a private beach, enjoy the refreshing, clean pool. Explore El Yunque, Luqillo Beach (a local favorite)just a short car ride away. After a busy day touring the Island, return to the beautifully decorated, fully equiped condo and enjoy the breezy terrace with beautiful views. It was a wonderful place for our family vacation.
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Jonathan Olson_HAC118288
(Huntington, NY)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07
Review Submitted: 12/29/07
This villa apartment is spectacular. The apartment is stunning, with very tasteful furniture, massive space and all amenities. The complex is beautiful, and very private. The beach is 50 yards away, and wonderful--warm water, great waves, and beautiful surroundings. My family went on several outings--El Yunque rainforest is minutes away, and 30 minutes to a biolumenescent kayak tour, both of which were spectacular. We didn't even need to go to the Wyndham resort next door, except to rent boogie boards, but that is also gorgeous, with a casino and great restaurants. This was one of our best family vacations ever. We had the beach virtually to ourselves every day, all day long. You cannot go wrong with this place. High speed wireless internet, amazing terrace for meals. I can't wait to go back.
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Rob McIver_HAC115976
(Odenton, MD)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07
Review Submitted: 11/30/07
What an Awesome Place!! We just returned from a wonderful Thanksgiving week at Villa Encanto! The condo is gorgeous and we basically had the whole property to ourselves. We were just a short drive from any thing we wanted to do. Golfing, Fishing, Snorkeling and the Rain Forest were all within easy reach! I can't wait to get back to Villa Encanto for my next Puerto Rican Get-a-way!!
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Very nice place to stay
Guest: Dallas_traveler
(Dallas, TX, USA)
Date of Stay: 11/01/07
Review Submitted: 11/26/07
I recently stayed at this unit with a group of 6, and we enjoyed our time there. The unit is well outfitted and is on a gorgeous stretch of beach. The complex also did not have many other people there; so, we didn't have to fight any crowds. The other big benefit of the location is its proximity to the rainforest and its hiking trails, which are only about 10 minutes away at the most. If I had to say anything negative about the unit, it's that there is no AC in the living room, which did not pose a substantial problem as cross-ventilation from opening windows and AC units in each bedroom helped with temperature control. The large patio with grill was also a welcome feature of the unit. Other notes: The drive to Old San Juan is around 35 to 40 minutes. The owner of the property did a fantastic job responding to questions and issues.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guestbook Comment
Guest: David, Tommy, Jason, Davey
(Piscataway, New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 07/01/07
Review Submitted: 07/28/07
Just returned from a stay with my 3 boys. Had a tremendous time. Condo has everything. Equipped with all ammenities, was like a home away from home. Grounds were kept immaculate, pool and beach very close by. Would definitely stay again if returning to PR.
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Thomas Butler
(New York, New York)
Date of Stay: 04/01/07
Review Submitted: 04/12/07
A heavenly experience. Minutes from the rain forest, golf, horseback riding, ferry to Culebra, shopping and dining, this condo sets the bar for all other vacation rentals. Big, roomy condo perfect for small groups and centrally located between the pool and ocean makes staying home a strong option.
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Guestbook Comment
Guest: Nancy and Paul
(Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 01/01/07
Review Submitted: 01/28/07
We had the pleasure of staying in this contemporary condo in early October. It is beautifully decorated and fully equipped with all modern ammenities. The complex is brand new and the condo has a very clever and comfortable floorplan. The open, shaded, rooftop terrace is huge and spectacular - a perfect place for cocktails, BBQ or just watching the sunsets. We are looking forward to our next stay!
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