The Views Will Take Your Breath Away - One Bedroom Romantic Villa on the Beach

• Heaven

  Heaven

  • Guest Andrea - PR
  • Date of stay 07/23/09
  • Review Submitted 07/28/09
  Just returned from my stay at Villa Rosa - Arecibo for 4 nights and it was absolutely wonderful. Pictures are beautiful but do not do it justice - even better in person! Large balcony to enjoy the sunrise and sunset, only steps to the beach and the house has everything you could possibly need - was told I only needed to bring beach towels - and this was the truth. Did not want to leave and can't wait to go back!

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

  Owner response: I am so glad that you feel this way about VillaRosa-Arecibo because it is our sentiments exactly. It is a little slice of heaven and we feel privileged to be able to share it with others.

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

• honeymoon retreat

  honeymoon retreat

  • Guest cheryl and neddy menay
  • Date of stay 03/25/13
  • Review Submitted 04/06/13
  We had the pleasure of staying at VillaRosa for our honeymoon after our wedding in Rincon. We usually stay in Rincon on our trips to PR but wanted to stay closer to some members of my husband's family living in Barceloneta. The house was exactly as portrayed with lovely grounds and breathtaking ocean views. It was a perfect size for a couple. The cove was not the best for swimming; shallow with a rings of rock which were slippery even with water shoes on. The cove was excellent for harboring our own personal aquarium... loads of sea urchins and colorful fish trapped in shallow pools; lovely to explore. For swimming, we would suggest the beach in Arecibo before the lighthouse or the surfing beach in Barceloneta... right off the same road the home sits on, about 5 min in either direction. The reason I rate this as a "good" instead of "excellent"; during the night, flood lights are on outside and the shades allow a lot of light into the bedrooms. We also used the air conditioner in the bedroom, but with that on as well as the lights... made sleeping a little difficult, even with the lovely sound of crashing waves directly under the home. Directions for some things in the home would be helpful such as how to use garbage disposal and coffee pot ( have to run grind cycle even if not grinding coffee, then it will brew). TV and internet worked very well and bed was very comfortable. If I could add a few things; beach towels would be nice as well as a couple of beach chairs, a table and chairs on the lovely lanai would be fabulous as we spent quite a bit of time out there. Getting to the beach requires some maneuvering and there were several people on the beach as we were there over a holiday, but loved direct access. The little bakery to the left (forgot the name) within walking distance has wonderful fresh baked bread every morning as well as great breakfast sandwiches. You can eat on the bench and watch the iguanas in the trees. Plenty of room outside for visits from family with beautiful grounds, loved listening to the parrots nesting in the palm trees beside the lanai. The hammock was excellent to rest in! The wine cooler in the kitchen was also a nice touch. We did not travel much, mostly relaxing and spending time with family. The lighthouse at Aricebo is a great day trip with a little water park for young children with some wonderful scenery. The caves at Camuy are also excellent. Not a touristy area but very relaxing and good way to see real beauty of PR.

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

  Owner response: We strongly discourage swimming in the cove. While the shallow lagoon is great for getting your beauty treatment of seawater and sand (nothing make your feet, elbows and any other hard spots softer), the undercurrent is too unpredictable for safe swimming in the cove itself. For swimming and paddle boarding, we love the beach in Arecibo before the lighthouse. If you are talking about the flood lights on the grounds, they should not have been on (very expensive to run), the on/off switch is in the house. These are there to light up the grounds when people have events. We have directions so I will make sure that Tata points them out to our guests. There is a folding table and four chairs in the closet. We will just have to do a better job showing the place when our guest arrive but please call Tata if you have any questions. She is there to help you and lives across the street so getting over to you is no problem.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Incredibly wonderful location and beach setting.

  Incredibly wonderful location and beach setting.

  • Guest Lauri L.
  • Date of stay 01/14/13
  • Review Submitted 01/29/13
  My husband and I just returned from our first trip to Puerto Rico. After reading several travel books, I had decided that we wanted to stay centrally located to easily access all the wonderful adventures Puerto Rico has to offer. I was aware that Arecibo was not a tourist destination however the location is ideal. If you want to vacation with all the other tourists, this would not be your choice, however if you want a beautiful setting and home in the heart of PR, this property can not be beat. This location was spectacular and my husband is still ranting and raving to anyone who will listen how incredible the beach and home were. The house was set on spacious land with the ocean and beach as our front door. I had read that the north shore can be dangerous to swim in due to the high surf, however due to the protected nature of the cove, swimming and exploring were easily accomplished. Despite having plans to be out and about everyday, we cancelled several days just to enjoy the property and surroundings. Myrtle, the owner, provided great service, directions and suggestions and the reservation process was smooth. I hope to be back soon to one of the VillaRosa properties.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Great Villa, Breathtaking Surroundings

  Great Villa, Breathtaking Surroundings

  • Guest Lisa M.
  • Date of stay 12/24/12
  • Review Submitted 01/09/13
  This was one of the most spectacular landscapes I have ever seen. When we arrived, the ocean was really rough so the waves crash up over the rocks surrounding the cove. The sound and view with the power of the ocean is overwhelming, in a good way. This creates a saltwater river that runs through the beach, bringing a lot more fish and creatures. We even saw an octopus! Even though the ocean was rough the first two days, the beach and swimming area were very calm b/c they are protected by the landscape of the floor of the beach. The last few days the ocean was much more calm and it seemed like a different place. We feel very lucky to have experienced both rough and calm seas. The house itself is really nice, new, clean with all amenities anyone could ask for. Overall this is one of the best vacations I have ever been on. The reasons for only four stars is: 1. We were not told that we need to buy laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, trash bags, etc... The small necessities needed for a comfortable vacation. We stopped to get groceries before we arrived but had to go back out the next day to get those things and it was Christmas and FYI you are not allowed to buy things like soap and clothing and chips and soda on Christmas in Puerto Rico. This would have been nice to know before we arrived b/c we had to go to the store a third time to get supplies. 2. We wish we would have gotten more instructions about the house in the welcome package or when we arrived. (such as the garbage disposal switch is under the sink, wifi needed a password but the internet cord was there to plug in and worked fine, no toilet paper in the toilet, etc... ) 3. The property is all gated but the house next door allows people in to use the beach. So everyday about 5-15 people were coming to use the beach. We didn't mind but it would have been nice to know this happens b/c we were told to keep the car gate locked to keep people from using the private property. Minor complaints for such a great experience. Definitely glad we found this amazing property. Beautiful!

  Owner response: I am so glad that your experience outweighed your minor complaints. Unfortunately, like most of the world these days, there are no private beaches in Puerto Rico. Although I can prevent people from coming onto my property by keeping the gate shut, ( most of the time it is tourist who come onto the property to check it out), I can not stop my neighbors from doing their business next to me. Compared to most beaches this is a private beach. You have given me a good idea. I will work on including a sugested shopping list in my package to make sure that understand what is not included. We do not include any personal items. We find it more cost efficient to have people purchase these items because it is not fair to spread that cost to everyone when some people never use them and others want to do loads of laundry. The reason I have Tata meet you at the property and don't just send you keys, is so that you can get full instructions on how to operate the house. Tata is always only a phone call away. Thank you so much for you suggestions. We will make sure to follow through.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Wedding Venue

  Wedding Venue

  • Guest Amy B.
  • Date of stay 12/30/12
  • Review Submitted 01/07/13
  I was deployed and planning my wedding. I came home and had 2 months to finalize everything. When we arrived at this home, words cannot describe how cozy and beautiful it was. The house was accommodating for our small family, the wedding, reception and our guests. Many compliments came from our guests. We would definitely pick this place again just for a weeks get-away from the hustle bustle of home life in the States. The land was cleaned and cleared of debris, the house was spotless and supplied with things you usually forget. Everything we needed was there. If you are planning an event, this local is a great place and I strongly recommend it to anyone. Our reservations changed several times, but the owner was as accommodating as she possibly could be. The caretaker was absolutely wonderful in addressing our needs or general questions. She was absolutely pleasant to work with. Some might say it was pricey, but I feel that I got my money's worth and more. A breathtaking view for the wedding pics, ceremony, reception, etc.

  Owner response: We aim to please our guest whenever possible. Just let us know what you need and if there's any way we can accommodate you we will. Your wedding pictures were beautiful and will give you memories for a lifetime. I hope that we will be your host for many anniversaries to come. Be safe on your next assignment.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Heaven on earth

  Heaven on earth

  • Guest Rachel D.
  • Date of stay 10/26/12
  • Review Submitted 11/07/12
  A glimpse of heaven on earth!!! Our first thought as we entered Villa Rosa, Arecibo. Absolute peace and tranquility, as if you had just left the world behind and entered a dream. Where else could you watch the sun set and the moon rise at the same time from your private terrace, while the ocean is whispering lullabies? We left Villa Rosa with a sense of wellbeing that we have not found at any spa or any other place of our myriad travels. Our 50th wedding anniversary was truly golden. We are home now renewed and revitalized. We'll be back again and again. Thank you so very much for this special gift. Joseph and Rachel Diggs, Nashville, TN

  Owner response: Nothing pleases us more than a happy customer. VillaRosa - Arecibo is indeed a very special place. Perfect for restoring the body, mind and soul. We look forward to you many visits.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Beautiful

  Beautiful

  • Guest M~A
  • Date of stay 03/09/12
  • Review Submitted 09/06/12
  I don't normally leave reviews and read one of the reviews that seemed like she wasn't satisfied. My partner and I stayed here back in March of this year. Even though I thought the house wasnt as nice as the pictures, being right on the ocean and hearing the waves, the views- that was pretty darn awesome. I took hundreds of pictures. The reviewer who stayed at the end of March complained about left over food. I actually liked when they actually do that. I mean more of the condiments, a lot of people are traveling from the U.S. so I don't want to go out and buy ketchup when I'll use it for only one day. I actually got sunburned and bought the relief stuff, I knew I couldn't take it on the plane with me so I left it there in case someone else could use it. If she was talking about full course meals then that's different. You know what I do when I go down there and don't finish all my food? I feed it to the stray dogs/cats, they sure could use it. Overall the stay was very nice, we felt like we had the beach to ourselves so that was a plus.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Amazing Home!

  Amazing Home!

  • Guest Barbara D.
  • Date of stay 04/25/12
  • Review Submitted 04/29/12
  This home was just what our souls needed.....peaceful, quiet, ocean sounds at night, and an amazing almost private swimming beach. The veranda provided the perfect setting to read, daydream, and stare at the incredible view and watch the waves. The house was clean, decorated nicely and fully equipped. What a great find for our Puerto Rico stay. Gene and Barb from Denver, CO

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

  Owner response: Isn't it a great place? I tell you, as many times as I have seen those waves crash up against those rocks I am still in love with the pure scenic beauty of the place. So glad you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for visiting.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Like no vacation

  Like no vacation

  • Guest Kristen A.
  • Date of stay 03/31/12
  • Review Submitted 04/06/12
  Like No Vacation For our vacation we decided to rent in two different parts of the island. The second part of our trip was to be spent in Villarosa. From the reviews on Homeaway it looked like a great vacation spot. And it appeared to be child friendly. However, upon arriving we learned that the toilet was not working AND there were signs posted about not throwing toilet paper in the toilet. While I can handle this request my 4 year old child is not at all accustomed to this process and I felt it should have been mentioned in the property description or at least before our arrival so we could decide if it was a deal breaker or not (I would prefer to not spend my vacation pulling paper products out of the toilet). The groundskeeper did quickly fix the toilet after we called her, but it seemed odd that if the place had been cleaned before our arrival the toilet would not have been in disrepair (how do you properly clean a toilet without flushing it?). There was also food left in the fridge from a previous renter which added to the feeling that the place had not have been cleaned before our arrival. We expected the facilities to be like the other "homeaway" rental we experienced on the trip in as much as they should be functional and properly cleaned. Add to the uncertainty of cleanliness a swarm of mosquitos resulting in over a dozen bites in half an hour and we could not stay at the property. The mosquito population at Villarosa was like nothing we have ever seen on the island in 13 years of vacationing in Puerto Rico. The other places we stayed during this same trip had mosquitoes but not swarms of them like at Villarosa. We were covered in bites from the mosquitoes who entered the house while we were unloading the car (not leaving doors open during this process, just simply opening the door to enter the house). There were so many that the groundskeeper even mentioned them, and there was no way to escape them. There were no mosquito nets available, there were no citronella candles, there were no repellents and there was no mention of where to purchase any of these items to make the stay at the property possible for our family. The renter knew we were traveling with our 4 year old child and it is not safe to be outside (or inside if someone recently opened a door) with an unmanageable mosquito situation like the one at Villarosa. We asked for some concession on the charges and there is none. We fully understand paying for part of the stay becaus

  Owner response: Thank you for your review. I appreciate your business and your feedback on your stay at VillaRosa. Regarding the toilet facilities –Unfortunately, as with septic systems in Puerto Rico, (and in many parts of the world including our place in the mountains in Colorado), there can be difficulties handling large amounts of paper waste. We therefore ask our female guests (you know how much paper we ladies use) to avoid putting non soiled toilet paper in the toilets. The sign in the bathroom is a friendly reminder. Tata is an incredible cleaner. The only problem with the toilet was that the chain had fallen off the hook which is why it was so quickly repaired. We constantly get praises from tenants about how spotless the house was when they arrive. Regarding the items in the fridge – I purposefully leave condiments, spices, and other handy non-perishable items in the fridge for our guests, to save them from having to purchase such items. This started at the suggestion of a tenant when we first opened. However, had you mentioned to Tata that this was not acceptable to you she would have cleared the fridge of all items for your stay. Lastly, I am very sorry to hear about the mosquitoes. As Puerto Rico is a tropical climate, mosquitoes can be difficult to avoid. However had you called me I would have toldTata to set up some tiki torches around the house. I would also have suggested that you get some mosquito repellent. We do provide a list of stores in the area and how to get to them in the pre-arrival package. I am sure that your 4 year old would have had the time of her life on one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. My grandchildren (ages 2, 4, 11 and 13) they can never get enough. We have to pry them from the beach. The reasons I did not offer any refund for your stay was because you chose to leave the Villa without the calling me, allowing me the opportunity to help. This is a residential property and although we know that things will go wrong from time to time we encourage all our clients to call as soon as they aren’t happy as we are committed to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. We pride ourselves in getting any problem taken care of as quickly and as unobtrusively as possible and of course if we are unable to do so we gladly do refunds. I hope the remainder or your trip went well and that you will continue to explore Puerto Rico. Kind Regards, Myrtle-Rose Greene, Owner – VillaRosa Vacation Rentals

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Absolutely great

  Absolutely great

  • Guest Joe D.
  • Date of stay 02/12/12
  • Review Submitted 02/23/12
  A terrific house in a wonderful location, right on the cove and beach with wonderful views. Clean house, fully equipped, very private (except on the weekend when you share the beach with locals, but no worries). Really enjoyed the changing nature of the sea - calm and tranquil one day, then the waves crashing on and over nearby protective cliffs the next - very fun to watch and get close to if you choose. Nearby restaurants were great - Salitre is a must, exceptional value. Would definitely return and recommend to anyone.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Payment is usually accepted in the quoted currency ($) unless the currency and the amount is specifically agreed in advance with the owner / advertiser.

Additional information about rental rates:

Fees and Taxes:

• Tax Rate 10%
• Cleaning $50