Our stay at Solimar

Guest: Steve (Mt. Pleasant, SC USA)
Date of Stay: 01/12/12 Review Submitted: 01/18/12

Solimar is all that is marketed to be... and more. We were met at a pre-arranged location, and were guided to the house. The house is situated at the top of an overlook about 200 feet above the ocean...nice, and close enough to hear the ocean. The house was clean and well maintained. The owner of the property was very helpful in all aspects of the house (in fact, we got lost once and she stayed on phone with us and guided us to our destination). I would recommend a GPS device to assit with navigation around Isabela as street signs are minimal. We have a small child and the house was VERY suitable for children. We will be returning to Isabela in the future and will definately return to Solimar. Definately a respite of tranquility in a beautiful location. Thanks, Maria for your hospitality!

Owner response:Thank you for your review! We try and think of ways to make our guest's experience in "Solimar" as stress free as possible, this is why we greet our quests. As you noted, the GPS device does work in the Island and really does help. We hope that you will come again and stay a little longer next time! Again Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review. Regards, David and Maria

Recommended for:Sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Fantastic house

Guest: CA (Brookline, MA)
Date of Stay: 12/23/11 Review Submitted: 01/02/12

Clean, open, airy, sunny, great location. Privacy, views, well-equipped, comfortable beds, gorgeous flowers, deck, lawn, fresh bananas. Close to gorgeous beaches. Friendly, helpful owners. We loved it!

Owner response:Thank you very much for your thoughtful review. We try very hard to make sure our quests do not have to worry about "the little" things needed for a comfortable vacation(we worry about that). We are so happy you noticed! Hope to see you again soon!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

5 STARS!

Guest: Ricardo Quiñones-Cerezo
Date of Stay: 11/18/11 Review Submitted: 11/25/11

OUTSTANDING!, It was amazing, I'll like to appreciate this opportunity to thank you and your Mom with everything that you did for my spouse and me. We will go back as soon as we get a chance. THANKS for everything! Fam. Quiñones-Matos

Recommended for:

wonderful property

Guest: Fred (Lancaster County, PA)
Date of Stay: 01/18/11 Review Submitted: 02/03/11

We really enjoyed our two weeks at Solimar. Fine weather, beautiful house and beautiful views. We especially enjoyed the balcony and were able to watch humpback whales during our stay. The house had everything we needed and is well maintained. Did most of our own cooking using food purchased at local markets. Had a few meals at Happy Bellies, good Pina Coladas and beach view. Maria is very helpful and easy to work with. Would have liked to have been able to stay for a couple more weeks.

Owner response:Happy you got to see the whales! We try very hard to make our quest feel comfortable and at home by providing all the necessities. I am glad we succeded in making your stay a memorable one. We hope you will come an stay with us again whenever you are in Puerto Rico. Warm regards, David and Maria

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

We made a good choice!

Guest: Santhosh & Sharlette (Grand Forks, ND, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/24/10 Review Submitted: 01/18/11

Our family (of five) stayed at Maria’s Isabela Vacation House Rental “Solimar” for eight nights between Christmas Eve 2010 and New Year 2011. It was one of the best family holidays we have ever had. “Solimar” is a spacious, self contained home with breath taking views of the ocean, beaches, and the new golf course. Isabela, a sleepy little town which comes to life usually in the evenings, has all the basic facilities like grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, etc. We arrived on Christmas Eve from North Dakota, Minnesota and New York, and were met by Maria’s mother (an affectionate lady who speaks adequate English) at a meeting point and were taken to “Solimar”. After long flights and a 2 hour drive from San Juan, we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted with fresh tender coconuts and a bottle of wine! The accommodation and the views were even more beautiful than we had pictured. During our stay in “Solimar” we explored all the nearby beaches, tried out some restaurants, visited the Arecibo Observatory, Bacardi rum factory (in San Juan), and the El Yunque Rain Forest park. As all the trips to the bio luminescent bays at Vieques island were booked, we ended up selecting a combined snorkeling and bio bay trip (including a light dinner) with Paradise Scuba and Snorkeling Center in La Parguera, which turned out to be absolutely great, and much cheaper as well! We also found some excellent public tennis courts right opposite to the Aguadilla airport. The golf course near “Solimar” once completed, is expected to be the largest in the Caribbean! We had a few rainy days while we were there and thanks to Maria, the house is stocked with several board games, playing cards and DVDs etc. It was great to simply laze around, cook our own food (you get fresh fish at the market), lie on the hammock, read, relax and watch the rainbows and occasional ships pass by. Maria was prompt in responding to e-mails, phone calls and in returning the deposit. She gave clear instructions and genuinely cared for our comfort and enjoyment during our stay. One suggestion to those who plan to stay at “Solimar” in the future - explore the flight options to and from Aguadilla airport - you will save a lot of driving time and may even find cheaper fares as compared to San Juan. GPS does not work well in Puerto Rico and so make sure to take Maria’s help when you first arrive at “Solimar”. If we go back to Puerto Rico, “Solimar” is where we will stay!

Owner response:I am so very happy that you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for your extensive review, it truly made our day. I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Recommended for:Sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

We had a Wonderful Time!

Guest: LZ (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 11/23/10 Review Submitted: 12/29/10

We had wonderful 4 very relaxing days at this most incredible house in Isabela Puerto Rico. The panoramic view of the ocean from the huge balcony is spectacular, and we could even see the beautiful blue ocean, the palm trees, flowers and birds from very window in the house. We felt so lucky to find this prefect place to stay and enjoy. My parents are retired art professors from Beijing, China, they were so inspired by the house, the views and the beautiful surroundings, They have finished more dozen sketches and watercolors in 4 days. We have driven to some nearby areas, we enjoyed it. However we found Isabela is the place we love the most, perhaps the house really made us to fall in love with this area. Thank you, Maria for the joyful and memorable experience your wonderful place has offered us! Thank you and your mother for being so kind and helpful!

Owner response: I am so happy that you enjoyed your stay in our house. Please thank your parents for the painting, let them know that I think it was wonderful and that I will be using the painting for my "thank you" cards this year (I will send them one). Thank you so much for such a wonderful review. Many, many blessings for 2011!! I look forward to seeing you again!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Talk About Heaven on Earth!!

Guest: Mari & Alex (Bronx, New York)
Date of Stay: 06/09/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

If you're looking for a safe, quiet, tranquille place to stay w/fantastic views, this is the place to be. You will feel comfortable and right at home as soon as you walk it. Great kitchen for those who like to cook, spectacular panaramic view of the ocean and the rooms and beds are comfortable. The house is nicely decorated and VERY clean and stocked with whatever you need (towels, beach gear, pots and pan, plates, glasses etc). The views alone is worth the price of rental. You won't find any hotel or resort with this view for this price (trust me I've looked), plus you get so much more than you would from a hotel, not to mention PRIVACY. Also, the neigbors are great and very helpful if you run into any unexpected problems. I guarantee anyone who stays here will not want to leave. Thank you very much Maria and David for a memorable stay. We hope to be back again very soon, if you will have us :-)

Owner response:Thank you so much for your kind words. We look forward to having you stay with us again. Warm regards, Maria and David

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car.

Perfect Vacation

Guest: Derek W (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 03/20/10 Review Submitted: 04/12/10

We had a perfect vacation at this house! The view from the deck was absolutely incredible and we spent most of our days when we were home out on the deck! We actually saw whales swimming by a few mornings. Everything was clean, the space in the house was perfect (we had 6 people there for 1/2 week and 4 for the rest of the week and had plenty of room). Everything about this vacation was great, I cant wait to go back again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Comfortable; great view and a fun area!

Guest: Ron, Joan and Alayna (Lethbridge, Alberta Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/21/10 Review Submitted: 03/01/10

Thank you very much, Maria for the opportunity to stay and enjoy your home. The amenities and location are great and there are many fantastic places that few tourists and even Puerto Ricans go to. We loved the karst scenery and walking trails of Bosque Estatal De Guajataca and the region from Aguadilla to San Sebastian and Quebradillas. The beaches were great but one must be careful because of sheer force and riptide at some. We really liked Crash Boat, El Tunel, Isabela and Jacinto beaches. The area restaurants are just okay, and we would recommend renters to buy groceries and cook at the property. Then you can enjoy the view and the sound of the ocean even more! We look forward to coming back someday!

Owner response:Thank you very much Ron for taking the time to write about your stay with us. We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay in our home. I truly hope you and your family will come again in the near future and stay with us for a longer period of time. Peace and Happiness Maria and David

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+.

Thanks for a Wonderful Vacation

Guest: Marie & Mike (Brooklyn, NY)
Date of Stay: 01/15/09 Review Submitted: 02/24/10

I just wanted to say what a wonderful time we had at this beautiful house in Isabella, PR. The grounds, house and views are lovely! The house was also comfortable and clean! We enjoyed snorkeling at the beaches, trying all the local foods as well as looking for sea glass. We even made it to nearby Rincon and San Juan. We liked the hammock so much that we bought one for our home! We would love to visit this house again sometime. Thanks for a great vacation!

Owner response:We look forward to seeing you again. Very happy that you enjoyed our home as well as your stay in Puerto Rico. Come back soon!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.