Beautiful Penthouse Condo

• Great Place, Great Trip!

  Great Place, Great Trip!

  • Guest Christer L.
  • Date of stay 02/21/13
  • Review Submitted 03/04/13
  We stayed here 2/21 through 2/27 and had an amazing trip. We had two families, four adults and four kids ages 8,6,2 and 19 months. It was a great time! Ray was always available via txt to answer any one of the two thousand questions I asked him during the trip. We had a late arriving flight and he stocked the fridge for us and picked up the baby rental gear, which was a HUGE help! We really loved the location on the island, about a half hour out of San Juan, twenty minutes to the rainforest and about thirty to Loquillo, forty to the marinas for the snorkeling excursions. I don't know if this is normal but we really did have the place to ourselves, apparently this is the low season?!? My kids loved the multiple pools, lazy river and water park. We actually liked the beach at the complex even more than Loquillo as we were pretty much the only people there, once there were a couple other families but it was for the most part quiet and peaceful. We had a great time grilling on the private terrace and making good use of the blender :-) Helpful tip - the surfaces around the pools hurt if you don't have calluses on the bottoms of your feet, bring some shoes to take off at the water's edge. Lesson learned for us on the first day and then it was a non-issue. We always talk about the next trip and next fun place we want to see on the next vacation... and I have to say that this time (for the first time) we talked about when we would come BACK.

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• Staying in Paradise!

  Staying in Paradise!

  • Guest Melody R.
  • Date of stay 02/01/13
  • Review Submitted 02/19/13
  I cannot thank Ray and Lisa enough for allowing us to have the use of their home! What a vacation we had; it was like stepping into Paradise and having a true home away from home. Ray met us in Old San Juan and helped us to find the complex and to direct us to groceries (much needed for us - a family of 6). We had cell numbers to call if we needed assistance of any kind. There were 6 areas to sit in throughout the condo and terrace, not including the dining room table. The rooms were big and bright, with extra linens and beach towels. They had everything I needed for cooking, including an espresso maker! The grounds were beautiful, as I mentioned above, I felt I was in Paradise every moment I was outside. We used all the pools, walked along the beach and our favourite was the winding river. From the living room you have the best view of the entire complex - palm trees, flowers, the river - AMAZING! We had plans to do excursions, (our son and daughter-in-law did) however, once I arrived I did not want to go anywhere else. The terrace was used constantly, our best times were coffee in the morning and watching the stars in the evening. Truly wonderful!! Thank you so much, your home is beautiful, thank you!! Melody

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• Keep It A Secret

  Keep It A Secret

  • Guest John R.
  • Date of stay 02/01/13
  • Review Submitted 02/19/13
  My family of five adults and a baby stayed at this condo complex for two weeks in February 2013. We found communicating by email with the owner, Lisa, very easy and effective and made all our arrangements in this way. The condo turned out to be exactly as shown in the pictures, spacious, clean, comfortable, seating arranged in groups to encourage conversation. We never felt cramped or in each other’s space. Three distinct seating areas are the living room, the loft and the terrace. Our favourite was the terrace with its patio table, umbrella and chairs and loungers. The walls are just high enough to ensure privacy but standing you can see the resort grounds, the ocean in the distance, the rain forest and more stars than you thought there were. The apartment was well stocked with towels, linens and other supplies which you will need during your stay. Everything is brand name, Frigidaire, Cuisinart, Sony, Bose, Weber with no “no name” stuff, like moving into your home, not an investment property designed for renters to live in. Well, ok, I didn’t check ALL the frying pans but there were six of those so I lost interest. Yes, Virginia, the kitchen is adequately equipped. The unit is located on the lazy river (really a lazy lake – it does not flow) and one of our big questions was “how far to the beach?”. Answer: 0.31 miles, not as the crow flies but as the path wanders. (Don’t ask how I know – just accept that I’m a geek.) That’s 545 yards but don’t be concerned because on the way you will be entertained by five swimming pools, four covered shelters, three hot tubs, two playgrounds and a Club House for your exercise. The beach is adequately wide and offers shade until your skin colour (now you know I’m Canadian) catches up to the locals and you can walk west along the beach farther than we ever felt the need to go. On the way you will pass two other resorts, both condos but somewhat plainer than Aquatika and this will reinforce that you chose right when you booked this lovely vacation home. The grounds are superbly landscaped and kept in top condition with palm trees, flowers and bushes everywhere. The view out the condo window is of palm trees and blue blue sky. So, make like Nike and “just do it”. Commit with Lisa, cash in your Air Miles, rent your car and give up the idea of steak on the bar-b-q because, if you’re like us, you can afford the condo or beef in Puerto Rico but not both.

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• Excellent Condo...We had 4 adults and 2 children...and it was perfect for us!

  Excellent Condo...We had 4 adults and 2 children...and it was perfect for us!

  • Guest VRBOuser
  • Date of stay 11/02/12
  • Review Submitted 11/18/12
  It was our first time using VRBO.com and we were a little nervous about it. The condo was absolutely beautiful and was completely stocked with EVERYTHING you could possibly need. The kitchen had plenty of pots, pans, baking dishes, etc. The 3rd bedroom had a closet full of beach toys, chairs and even an umbrella, (which we really needed on our visit to Culebra...a must see)! They have thought of everything and we were very pleased! Many nights we didn't need the air conditioning and it was lovely to open the windows and to fall asleep listening to the tree frogs croaking! The kids (8 and 10 years old) enjoyed the water park and even the adults loved the waterslide! Aquatika is a gated community and we felt VERY safe, as the Loiza Police Department is right outside the gate! We visited El Yunque Rainforest on two different days and it was literally 15 min. away. We spoke to a local who told us about Juan Diego Falls, which many tourists pass by. We spent the day swimming in the waterfall and it was just us...very private. (We hiked La Mina falls which are VERY crowded, and nothing like the Juan Diego Falls). My husband went scuba diving in Fajardo and the rest of us spent the day at Seven Seas Beach. Our favorite day was when we took the ferry from Fajardo and went to Culebra...the most beautiful island! It had the best beach/snorkeling/clearest water in all of Puerto Rico. We shopped at Ralph's Warehouse for food and its right next to a TJMaxx, which made some in our party very happy! We took Ramon up on his recommendation to eat at El Jefe's located in the Loquillo kiosks...very good, THICK burgers! We also enjoyed eating where the locals eat at El Verde's, no one spoke a word of English, but that was the fun of it! We were there for election week and they take their elections very seriously, and almost every day we were there leading up to election night we saw demonstrations and trucks (with the biggest speakers you've ever seen) playing Spanish music. There were also a lot of roadside parties with music and food...yes, it caused a lot of traffic, but there was definitely an excitement in the air! On election night we barbecued up on the roof top deck and enjoyed listening to music and watching the fireworks on display! Ramon was sweet enough to send us a text telling us that most places are closed on Election Day and to be home early as there is a lot of traffic the night before. A beautiful place to stay, close to everything!

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing, families with young children.

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• Great family vacation!

  Great family vacation!

  • Guest Mat
  • Date of stay 03/25/12
  • Review Submitted 04/06/12
  We spent 10 days at Aquatika unit 3003 in the end of March/beginning of April 2012. The condo looked exactly like the pictures. The outdoor terrace on the roof is amazing, with table, lounge chairs, bar, BBQ. We did eat almost all our meals there. There is a Ralphs food warehouse less than 10 minutes from the complex where you can buy anything you need. They also have a great selection of prepared local food specialties. The owners were so kind providing us with accurate driving directions from the airport and even offering us to buy groceries before we arrive. The complex featured an amazing array of activities for all ages. Our kids, 2 and 5 had a blast in the pools, at the parks and on the beach. Note that the waterslide is only open during weekends and has a height requirement of 48 inches (which was a little disappointment for our adventure-seeker 5 yr old!). In the condo, you have all the necessary beach toys, towels, putters (for the mini-golf) and more toys that you can borrow... so no need to bring yours! The condo is located approximately halfway in the complex, so you can walk to the ocean in approx 5 minutes. We felt the location was perfect four our travel needs. Yes, you are approx 45 min from Old San Juan but you are much closer to the rain forest (less than 15 min) and the ferry to the spectacular islands of Culebra and Vieques (less than 30 min). And getting back to the condo each night, we felt like in our little oasis of peace, which would maybe have been difficult to find in the city. As for the surroundings, not much to do in the town of Loiza. We knew it was a poor neighborhood but we never felt threatened, day or night (not anywhere else in PR for that matter). People were always so nice and welcoming. A good plus is the security at the complex (gate + guards checking visitors ID's). All in all it was a great family vacation. We will certainly return to Puerto Rico and would not hesitate in renting again this condo from Ramon and Lisa. Thanks!

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

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• Happy Family from GA. Grand parents,dauhter & son-in-law,and grand daughters.

  Happy Family from GA. Grand parents,dauhter & son-in-law,and grand daughters.

  • Guest Pappap
  • Date of stay 07/11/11
  • Review Submitted 07/21/11
  We stayed at Ramon & Lisa's fantastic condo . When we arrive it did not take long until we felt at home.The place is beautiful and very relaxing. Thank you both for all your help.Ramon the dinner a Richeys was very good.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with young children.

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• Wonderful Vacation

  Wonderful Vacation

  • Guest Happy Family
  • Date of stay 12/14/10
  • Review Submitted 01/24/11
  How does one describe a perfect place? A place which you will remember and want to come back again? This is how we feel about Lisa and Ramon's condo. It is very spacious, clean and equipped with everything you may possibly need during your stay. Our favorite area was on the rooftop terrace, where we had many meals, relaxed in comfortable chairs, looked at the stars in the evening. Lisa and Ramon are very professional and accomodating in handling all matters related to our stay. In addition, Aquatika is a very safe complex with many pools suitable for children, a mini-gol and playgrounds. It is also located very close to various beaches, the rain forest, San Juan and other tourist attractions. It allows you to explore the island and relax back at the complex at the same time. We are already thinking about coming back. Thank you, Lisa and Ramon for making our vacation such a pleasurable one.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children.

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• A++ Perfection!

  A++ Perfection!

  • Guest Cali-family
  • Date of stay 08/31/10
  • Review Submitted 09/10/10
  I don’t want to sound over the top but our week in Puerto Rico was the best trip we have taken ever!! Lisa was very helpful and professional. She responded very quickly our request and was great with all the details. My husband and I made this trip with our 3 kids to celebrate my oldest daughter’s birthday and we were absolutely floored by the penthouse and the location. The condo is gorgeous and I honestly got the impression I was staying in a 5 star resort. I was blown away by how big it actually was. We welcomed each morning by eating breakfast in the outdoor terrace and wrapped up each day by relaxing by the pool, in the well maintained playgrounds or playing beach volleyball. After 10 hours of traveling from California, when we arrived to our surprise Lisa had the apartment decorated for my daughter’s birthday with balloons and there was even a birthday cake in the refrigerator. What a great start! We had made arrangements with her to have groceries in the apartment for our arrival and everything we asked for was there. There were so many details for everyone like pool and beach toys for the kids. We we’re very impressed with the Bose iPod dock, the Bose outdoor speaker system, the expresso coffee maker, all the books and magazines, island maps, and so many other things that made this vacation just perfect. It was our children’s first time in Puerto Rico and we wanted to explore the island with them. We we’re able to visit El Yunque Rainforest, Old San Juan, the Luquillo “balneario”, the Rio Camuy Cave Park and the Arecibo Observatory. Lisa even helped us book a snorkeling trip to one of the small islands in the east side and to go kayaking on the phosphorescent bay in Fajardo!! Thank you Lisa and Ray. We will treasure this vacation forever!!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/10

• HOT, HOT, HOT!

  HOT, HOT, HOT!

  • Guest Katherine
  • Date of stay 06/28/10
  • Review Submitted 08/08/10
  We are two couples from Florida. We were excited about coming to PR for the week for golf and enjoyment. Imagine our surprise when we arrived and found that this condo is very nice and well furnished. HOWEVER...only the BEDROOMS are AIR CONDITIONED. So....the master has a bed and bath in the cool and whoever stays in the other "cool" bedrooms are subjected to heat and bugs (from open windows) from the hall bathroom that is NOT air conditioned. While our bed initially had two broken slates, the owner was gracious enough to come out from San Juan and fix it. The kitchen, which is almost unbearable in the heat, has many plugs in oulets that blow circuits. As an example, we somehow blew two separate microwaves. The refrig also has an ice maker that does not work. Finally....don't plan on dining out anywhere in the vacinity in the evening. This condo, while secure in a gated community, is located in a slum like community that would make evening outings questionable, if not dangerous. Plan to buy food at the local grocer and cook "in" every night. Oh yes, one last thing...no electric dishwasher....except those of us standing over the sink...not my type of vacation...at all! Consequently, I would caution all potential rentors to make sure you are comfortable with what I have shared. It was a long HOT week in Puerto Rico.....

  Owner response: We are very sorry this party had a Hot stay. The main renter whom made this inquiry not only asked extensively about all sorts of things before his arrival but was more than graciously helped by my wife and myself in their extensive quest to play golf. Nowhere on our web page does it say our unit is centrally air conditioned. But people seem to assume. They also read and signed a contract that specifically stated that weather conditions and what the renter could tolerate was their responsibility. PR is in the tropics and it can get very hot. Imagine that! But they graciously ran the air conditioning units in the all 3 bedrooms 24 hrs. even when not there, something we specifically say to not do in our contract and we should have retained their deposit but did not do so. We just chucked it up to bad luck and ate the additional $100 over our normal light bill. We do not also advertise a dishwasher in our listing. Once again this renter assumed. Renter please check the amenities list. He was looking for an inexpensive vacation just like his golf rates and I guess he thought he would be staying at some luxury spa. Unfortunately electrical surges damage appliances not blown plugs. It blew out 2 microwaves in 1 week. As home owners we can't always predict when something will break down. But we did immediately go and buy a new one and took it there. We didn't know all the bathrooms in the house had to have A.C. Once again, our listing on the web site never says anything to that effect. So I guess the couple in the bedroom with an in suite bathroom were the lucky ones and the owners of the property have a terrible place. His assessment of the area is quite sad. We have had many happy quests over these 3 years and will continue to have them in the future. Sometimes certain quests assume certain things and then blame the renters for their own lack of proper research or just what they are looking for when seeking a home owner rental. In their search for "deals" they put to one side just what is acceptable to them on a personal level. If dinning out within a 5 minute radius of your unit is a must, then you should stay where this can be a reality and not an inconvenience and then complain. And I really don't know how this renter could have possibly tolerated being upstairs in the out doors deck with bar and BBQ when it's so hot and bugs are everywhere. Looks like we managed to do something right. Or maybe not.

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• A DREAM VACATION

  A DREAM VACATION

  • Guest Class of 2009
  • Date of stay 05/22/09
  • Review Submitted 07/08/09
  This trip was my daughters high school school graduation present . We had 6 people in our party.The plan was to stay in Puerto Rico for a few days then board a Royal Caribbean cruise.After searching for weeks for a place to stay We choice this place because in the pictures it looked so clean and well decorated.I emailed Lisa a few questions. When she responed to my email i knew we had picked the right place.She was awesome I felt as if i had a friend who would take care of us and take she did.She gave us idea of tours and place to eat at .She did say once you get here you will not want to leave.Man was she right. What a great place it was very clean well decorated and just beauitful..Thank you for taking care of all of us from the minute we stepped off the air plane to the time we left.Thank you for helping to make this a dream vacation and sharing your place with us. The buzz around Louisiana is about you all.We wish you well and hope to see you soon.Thanks

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing, people with disabilities, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 17/18

Rates from $150-$225/night (3 nights minimum)
Applicable Rates Depending on Number of People.
$200 Refundable security deposit.
$150 Utilities Charge For More Than 4 Persons may apply.
$200 deposit to book credited towards stay.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.