Why go
For Puerto Rico’s famed lively energy – beach by day, fiesta by night. Parguera Plaza Hotel speaks to honeymooners who’re looking for that perfect balance of laid-back beach time with some buzzy Puerto Rican restaurants, shops, and waterborne activities. Enjoy a morning of jetskiing followed by an afternoon of galleries and savouring tapas. For those who prefer a dynamic local adventure over the quiet tropical Island vibes, this is the honeymoon for you.
Honeymoon style?
For honeymooners after something a little more authentic, the adult-only Parguera Plaza Hotel is the antithesis of the typical sprawling beachfront resort. The hotel’s location offers proximity to La Parguera’s charming array of restaurants and coffee houses, as well as its nature reserves, glistening cays, and even a bioluminescent bay within easy reach.
Set the scene
Following an expansive refurbishment, Parguera Plaza Hotel now offers honeymooners a smooth, adult-only escape; all centred around a cabana-framed pool. Just beside it, a rum-heavy bar is framed by bright, blue-printed tiles and capped with a thatched shack-style roof. Inside, whites and blues reign supreme, while a nautical, club Tropicana theme is diluted with modern touches and clean, minimalist lines. Cane chairs and large plant pots scatter concrete floors, while wicker-framed mirrors and tapestries strung together by local artisans frame the walls. The al fresco Brújula Restaurant spills out along the pool terrace and lures in guests with enticing uplighting and aromas of grilled meat and seafood.
Rooms
Pale blue and white rooms are decorated in local artisans and designers’ work – from framed clay work to woven wicker plates, while large beds with cushioned headboards are framed by retro-style bedside tables. The overall style is minimalist but comfortable and anchored in its location, with rustic sliding doors leading to monochrome and unapologetically modern bathrooms. Just 27 rooms keep things intimate, with the opportunity to mingle with fellow guests in the next pool cabana or stay firmly within your honeymoon bubble.
Food & Drink
Along with the hotel overhaul came a rethink of the menus and foodie offering, with Brújula Restaurant honouring the Puerto Rican knack for grilling local meat and Atlantic plunder. The restaurant is the beating heart of the hotel – an easygoing, poolside lunch spot and a glowy, atmospheric evening scene where pinchos (Puerto Rican grilled pork or chicken skewers) are washed down with several rounds of rum cocktails. Couples with a taste for fine wine will relish the hotel’s new wine bar and well-stocked cellar, with the opportunity to sample some classics as well as a few unique wines, while the hotel’s own coffee shop is a nod to Puerto Rico’s coffee-making prowess (Parguera Plaza’s doesn’t mess around – the ultimate fuel kickstarting a day of culture and high-energy watersports). Honeymooners can shake up a week or so here with the hotel’s three other restaurants echoing Puerto Rico’s own culinary patchwork – Moons Bar & Tapas, Isla Cueva, and Reserva 304
Family-friendly
Parguera Plaza Hotel reopened with an adult-only mission – one that guarantees honeymooners the tranquillity they came for – with the added fun of a lively atmosphere post-Piña Coladas, all without the interruption of children.
Spa
Watch this space. As part of the renovation, Parguera Plaza Hotel has eked out a corner of to create a cozy, boutique spa. A compact list of therapies is designed to further relax guests and will be the ultimate tonic for honeymooners after the flight from London, or for rejuvenation before diving into La Parguera’s raft of outdoorsy activities.
The Story
Following a refurbishment to the tune of $3.5 million, Parguera Plaza Hotel reopened its doors exclusively for adults (music to the ears of most honeymooners). Added to the Puerto Rican mix are a microbrewery, a spa, and rooms redesigned by local artisans and artists. Nestled in one of the world’s most staggeringly beautiful nature reserves, the boutique hotel is the ultimate launchpad for exploring La Parguera, offering a secluded haven for couples.
Location
Only a 45-minute transfer from Eugenio María de Hostos airport, Parguera Plaza Hotel is located in a heart-stoppingly beautiful part of Lajas. The hotel can organise memorable experiences such as guided tours to the keys; boat rides keeping eyes peeled for marine life or slinking off the back in a wetsuit, and trips to the famous bioluminescent bay (the only one on the Island you can swim in). It’s in prime position for those seeking a mix of beach and cultural adventures in Puerto Rico.
Doubles from £127
To book, visit: pargueraplaza.com
Related Article: Honeymoon review: Condado Ocean Club
