Hotel Cielo Mar

The Cielo Mar entrance can be difficult to find on arrival since it is located along a local backroad. There is a grassy area with palm trees and a pretty fountain that leads to the main entrance. From this angle, the pale yellow and orange three-story buildings that frame the parking lot seem larger than they are (in fact, they house only 72 rooms). Inside the lobby, though, the property is quite compact. There a few seating areas (this is the only place to use Wi-Fi). Kids may be running back and forth from the arcade room to the candy machines in the vending area, which also has a microwave and two tables.

Along the main hallway are some enclosed event rooms that lead to Terramar, the main restaurant and bar for all three meals. This restaurant is open-air and faces west for ocean views beyond, while the new modern restaurant Ambience next door (dinner only), is indoor, with large windows to let in the view. A pathway from Terramar leads to the outdoor pool area that has a large whale kiddy slide, mini-waterfalls, and faux caves. Since the hotel is not on a beach, expect the pool to be busy. There is large covered terrace with views great views that is used for private events -- this is the big attraction for weddings. At night, adults and kids may feel bored since the pool closes early and the bars are not open late either.

Cielo Mar is located on the northwest side of Puerto Rico, also known as Porta del Sol, "Doorway to the Sun" -- an area that makes up the entire western coast of the island. The hotel is near the town of Aquadilla which holds Puerto Rico's second largest airport, Rafael Hernandez, for daily flights from the U.S. (mostly from the east coast). It is an easy 15-minute drive from this airport, or visitors can fly into San Juan airport and drive two hours. Either way, guests are recommended to rent a car while staying at Cielo Mar since everything -- including beaches -- will require wheels. (Many nearby beaches are open to the public and the front desk will provide directions.) Aguadilla has several grocery stores to pick up essentials for stocking the mini-fridges, and there is also a movie theater, water park, and mall nearby to help keep kids entertained.

The rooms are not a highlight at Cielo Mar, but they are consistently low in price. Now that hotel's new Ambience Lounge & Restaurant is open, the owners plan to make improvements to the rooms (though a date is not set). Until that happens, guests can expect somewhat dingy decor and unattractive overhead lighting, beds with outdated bedspreads, drab brown drapes, tube televisions, and tile floors that could use a good scrub. There is a wooden headboard with a generic framed picture above, a desk and chair, mini-fridge, and closet near the door. Walk-in showers have limited towels and toiletries; tiling might show cracks and showerheads need replacing.

Queen-size, full-size beds, or double beds are available; the latter are the best bet for families since rooms do not have pull-out sofas. Some rooms have balconies that face the ocean (the third floor has the best views) while others face the rear with just a window that overlooks the parking lot.

Some have complained of a musty smell in both rooms and hallways.

Since the hotel is not located on the beach, the outdoor pool is more often than not the hotel's most popular place, especially for kids. A large whale is the main attraction, and has steps and a mini-slide. There is another waterslide that connects the front and back pool sections along with several little caves and waterfalls. The pool is surrounded by lounge chairs, a whirlpool, and smaller pool for young children, and it closes around 7 p.m.

Ambience Lounge & Restaurant is the newest and most modern area of the hotel with an attractive turquoise blue and white decor, a mix of high-top low-top tables, and one long communal area for sipping cocktails. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in the ocean views (this direction also faces sunset) and a patio door leads to a balcony for photos. Ambience focuses on fresh seafood and produce and is open for dinner only.

Next door to Ambience is the open-air Terramar restaurant -- the main dining area for the hotel, serving all three meals. It offers basic breakfast and lunch menus, and at dinner the focus is on steaks and seafood. Tables surround the main bar area, but drinks are not served late into the evening. Guests looking to party should stock their mini-fridges.

The hotel offers four event rooms for meeting or weddings of up to 300 people. The highlight is the covered open-air terrace with ocean views, which sits next to Terramar.

The lobby has a small arcade game room, and a vending area with machines selling coffee, soda/water, and candy. There are two tables and a communal microwave here.

Parking is free, and Wi-Fi is available in the lobby.