Vacation Rentals by Owner

Excellent Stay

Guest: Jim (St. Paul, MN)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 04/06/11

Our family (spouse and 4 kids) stayed for a week. We had a great time. The kids loved the pool and the beach and took advantage of the tennis and basketball courts as well. The on-site staff and residents were all friendly and helpful. The trip info that was sent to us by the owner was helpful although the internet is the best. We did cook a fair amount, since my oldest daughter got sick at a local resturant. The supermarket was great and convenient. The location was great for Biobay, Zipline, beach and rain forest hikes. The drive into San Juan was not very long and timed just right for our youngest to take a nap on the way back from Old San Juan. The amendities provided in the condo were very nice and convenient. A special shout out to the previous renters for leaving a half a bottle of rum in the refrig. What a nice surprise after a long day of travel.

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

Paradise in PR - March 2011

Guest: Pete and friends (Troy, NY)
Date of Stay: 03/04/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

As usual (this was the 4th or 5th time), we enjoyed Casa Helene immensely. The apt. is always clean and well-maintained and we spent lots of time on the wonderful balcony enjoying the views of the beach and ocean, as well as the pool complex and rain forest. The public beach in front of the complex is actually more beautiful than the nearby renowned Luquillo Beach and practically empty on weekdays. We just grabbed a towel and a chair (lots of beach stuff in the closet) and were on the beach in a couple of minutes. And the pool in the complex is huge and spectacular - well maintained and with plenty of chairs and chaise lounges. Excellent restaurants nearby and the owner provides lots of up-to-date info. on them and other things to do. But we also cooked - the kitchen has everything one needs - and there is a supermarket nearby. Also, we bought local oranges along the highway and had lots of fresh-squeezed orange juice. I would recommend the apt. to anyone.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.

Fabulous vacation!!

Guest: Nina (Lancaster, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 01/18/11 Review Submitted: 06/08/11

My husband and I went to this penthouse suite with 2 other couples and couldn't have been happier. The views were spectacular, the kitchen well stocked and there were many amenities. It was quiet on the top floor and yet you were close to sights and restaurants. We loved the caves, the mountains, and the beach. Who could resist coffee on the porch at the beginning of the day and wine in the evening. It was fabulous and we plan on returning.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: James
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 08/11/10

I would like to thank you on behalf of those of us who visited La Casa de Helene the week of June 19th. Rarely have we ever encountered a more congenial place and certainly never a place with better organization and courtesy to its occupants. The amount of information available and equipment on hand was as impressive as it was helpful. I look forward to coming to Luquillo again and feeling the wonderful trade winds flow through. There is a lot of beauty and remembrance in your place. Thanks for sharing it. As I mentioned, you will most surely hear from us again. I love Puerto Rico and have visited many times. I used to teach a course on P.R. history and culture and have traveled down with students a couple of times as well. Now I simply want to relax, show the island to my grandchildren, dance a bit of salsa and have some wine on your balcony in the evening. James fromConnecticut

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Penthouse condo

Guest: Bigwill39 (Phoenix, AZ)
Date of Stay: 06/07/10 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

First impressions: dirty... Upon entering the condo I noticed how hot it was inside so I went to turn on the ceiling fans until I noticed how covered in dust they were. The owners do not allow you to run the air conditioners if no one is in the room so the condo was constantly getting too hot & there was no way I was going to use the dirty ceiling fans. The bathrooms are very small & desperately need to be updated. The kitchen additionally is very tight. Overall, too many rules & not enough amenities to make this worthwhile. I would rather have spent a little more money to have a more comfortable, maintained & clean condo.

Owner response:This guest asked for a refund following his 7-day vacation & then posted this retaliatory review when the property owner did not yield to this demand. Please be advised this website does not validate & police or otherwise protect property owners from reviews such as this failed attempt at extortion.. The following are the property owner’s correction of the false representations made by this guest. Temperature – The condominium is kept shut-tight when not in use to keep it free of the very fine sand particles of the adjacent beach that wisps up into the condominium from the wonderful Trade Winds that grace this largely open-air home. The condominium is eminently comfortable with opened balcony door and windows. Air conditioning is not needed except in the bedrooms in the summer months for sleeping. Cleanliness – The condominium is thoroughly cleaned after every guest stay. However, even up on the 22nd floor of this penthouse, sand finds it way up into this open-air condominium as occurs in any beachfront home. The homeowner informs potential guests during the application process to expect fine sand particles that may wisp up from the beach & accumulate on the floors and other condominium surfaces such as the tops of ceiling-fan blades. Bathrooms and Kitchen – This luxury penthouse has three condominium size full bathrooms & a finely appointed full kitchen. All kitchen appliances & bathroom fixtures are up-to-date including glass shower enclosures & safety hand holds. Condominium Rules – The condominium rules are those established by the Playa Azul Homeowners Board of Directors & building management, & the property owner only makes reasonable & respectful requests that you would ask of guests occupying your home in your absence. Air Conditioner Use – This open-air condominium by building design only needs & has air conditioners in the bedrooms. The homeowner wants guests to be comfortable, but asks them to exercise the same reasonable air-conditioning energy conservation practices they would follow in their homes, & not be energy wasteful in running the air conditioners when they are not present in the bedrooms for an appreciable length of time such as being out of the condominium. Summary – You shall not find a larger, finer, better-kept, more comfortable, & more up-to-date beachfront condominium in Puerto Rico.

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Guest: Bonnie
Date of Stay: 06/02/10 Review Submitted: 08/11/10

It was wonderful returning to your “Paradise penthouse” in Luquillo. It felt just like going home. We had a wonderful time and have already starting planning a return trip in 2012 or 2013. Thanks for sharing a little bit of paradise with us. Bonnie (again) now in Minnesota

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LIVING THE DREAM!!!

Guest: Mike and Bonnie (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/27/11

Staying at Casa de Helene was like experiencing a vacation from "lifestyles of the rich and famous" at a fraction of the cost. The owners of the condo supply a wonderful itinerary of things to do on your vacation in Puerto Rico along with personal recommendations that are "spot on". If rest and relaxation are your preference, you never have to leave this luxurious condo. It is very spacious and stylishly decorated. We enjoyed breakfast on the 30' balcony, changing into our bathing suits and spending the day at the beautiful white sandy beach right outside our door. (The owner had "little extras" like towels, chairs and a cooler so you could pack snacks and refreshments.) In the evenings we enjoyed cocktails on the balcony while viewing the spectacular sunsets. You'll have all the comforts of home in an exotic setting...There are three bedrooms and baths, a large dining area, spacious living room with a flat-screen tv, kitchen and washer/dryer. The condo has air conditioning, but we enjoyed leaving the doors open and letting the natural ocean breeze cool us. We have spent two 14 day vacations at this condo and plan on returning for future visits. We thank the owners for sharing their little piece of paradise with us.

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

Spacious, well-appointed, restful condo

Guest: Bonnie (Arlington, VA)
Date of Stay: 01/21/10 Review Submitted: 06/10/11

Thanks so much for allowing us to use this wonderful condo retreat. My husband and I spent a lovely week with two other couples and didn't feel the least bit crowded with 6 of us and 3 bathrooms, We're still remembering the incredible views of the beach and sunset from the enormous balcony, the absolute peace and quiet, and the proximity to the beach for long walks. The condo building is older but well maintained and nicely updated with an abundance of comfortable chairs and couches, flat screen tvs, WiFi, etc. We had everything we needed in the kitchen to cook and even throw a Superbowl party and entertain guests. We really appreciated the thoughtful and detailed information for guests on local sights, tours, and restaurants. Loquillo was a perfect launching place for trips to Old San Juan, the rainforest, the Cumay Caves, etc. We look forward to returning and have already recommended it to friends.

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

Guest: Steve & Amy
Date of Stay: 08/11/09 Review Submitted: 08/10/09

I just wanted to let you know that we had a great time and found the condo to be outstanding. We especially liked the suggestions and directions that you gave us and have in the condo, we were lucky enough to be able to eat at all the places you suggested and found them excellent. We also sailed on the Erin Go Bragh and had a great time. Playa Azul is a great beach, we only walked over to Luquillo Beach once and decided that Playa Azul was better. We did eat at the Kioskos a few times. Thanks again, the condo and all the information you provided really helped us enjoy our time in Puerto Rico.

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Guest: Diane
Date of Stay: 05/13/09 Review Submitted: 05/12/09

We really enjoyed our time in Puerto Rico and were very grateful that we could call your beautiful penthouse suite our home away from home last week. The condo was conviently located near some of our favorite places in Puerto Rico, including El Yunque and the Biobay in Fajardo. And we definately took full advantage of the gorgeous beach right outside your front door!

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Luquillo beach condo

Guest: Kansas boy (Wichita, KS USA)
Date of Stay: 06/25/08 Review Submitted: 07/08/08

Plenty of room in this condo, and access to the Luquillo beach is excellent. On-site pools also good as was access from San Juan. Decor of condo is quite dated but in good shape. Owner shares lots of extra's including coolers, folding chairs, boogie boards, etc. Great TV's in all the rooms including a giant one in the living room. View from balconey is wonderful. Air conditioners had a hard time keeping up in the bedrooms at night.

Owner response:Very pleased our guests greatly enjoyed their stay and all the fine amenities of the condominium. In terms of the two slight caveats. First, the furniture is mostly heavy-duty rustic Caribbean bamboo for this beachfront condominium, and may look dated for that reason. However, all pieces were reupholstered a year ago, and they look and are bright, fresh, and clean. Second, the three bedroom air conditioners by design are over-capacity for the cooling-rating for the size of the rooms. Most guests do not even use them as the rooms are quite comfortable with open windows and ceiling fans. Even in July and August, the air conditioners are far more than adequate, unless one requires a near freezing temperature.

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

Guest: Bonnie
Date of Stay: 06/17/04 Review Submitted: 06/16/04

Thank you for sharing your PR home with us. It is beautiful & we had a fabulous vacation. The little extras provided additional pleasures to our stay, i.e., beach towels, cooler for beach, body boards, beach chairs. We have traveled to the Caribbean for the past 15 years and have never so thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. And the sunsets at no additional charge were fantastic. I saw a picture of a beautiful lady on the dresser & presumed it was your mom. God certainly blessed your family & now us with her life. Thank you again & we hope you continue offering your home for our future enjoyment. Regards. Bonnie

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Guest: Dennis
Date of Stay: 09/15/03 Review Submitted: 09/14/03

Richard, We really enjoyed your condo this summer in Puerto Rico! You have a wonderful place. We did visit the rain forest twice and loved it! Dennis

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Guest: Jan
Date of Stay: 09/13/03 Review Submitted: 09/12/03

Dear Richard: We certainly enjoyed the beauty of Puerto Rico and the magnificent view from the balcony of your mother's home. Thank you for making this space available. It was a very special place. Jan

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Guest: Hoa
Date of Stay: 06/20/03 Review Submitted: 06/19/03

Richard, We just completed our vacation. We enjoyed it very Much - Your condo and the Luquillo beaches. The condo is very easy to maintain daily, and you organized everything well with good instruction. The Luquillo beaches are great! We also went to Culebra, and also enjoyed very much Flamenco beach. Thanks for renting the condo to us. I read some of your mother's cooking books left on shelf in the Regent bedroom. By the way, thanks for leaving us some frozen vegetables. We will sure rent your condo again if we come back to Luquillo next year. With regards, Hoa

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Guest: Jenifer
Date of Stay: 06/17/03 Review Submitted: 06/16/03

Hi Richard, We had a wonderful time at your home in Luquillo. I am so glad everything worked out. We left plenty of little condiments that should absolutely keep for quite some time and other non-perishable items. We would love to come and stay every year if possible, so you will certainly be hearing from us again. My grandfather says the only problem with the place is that is so beautiful, you never want to leave. I felt the same way. Your mother must have been a wonderful women, you can feel it in her home. Thanks again for helping us in such a quick moment and for assuring our fantastic time. Jenifer

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Guest: Vicki
Date of Stay: 05/26/03 Review Submitted: 05/25/03

Richard The condo & the complex grew on us. We didn't want to leave. That breeze from the trade winds was wonderful. We wanted to sleep to the sound of the waves, so we didn't turn on the a/c. Trade winds kept you comfortable without a/c. The friendly people everywhere falls into the 'like most' category. We enjoyed everything we tried. Went to Las Croabas, found a steel drum band & locals starting talking to us & buying us drinks. The sailboat ride was pleasant - a beach with crystal clear water all to ourselves. The 1/2 day in the rain forest was outstanding - it said tours are at 9:30, 11:30 - we got there at 10:30 & they took us on a private one. Drove across the island on Hwy 52 - the most beautiful valleys I've ever seen. Walked around old San Juan & had lunch at Amadeus Cafe - yummy. I'd recommend it. It's a far journey for us Arizonans, but well worth it. It's paradise. It's almost the same climate as Hawaii, only cheaper. It's really a charming place. You may be hearing from our friends or us if we go back to Puerto Rico. Thanks for everything. Vicki

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