Parador Guanica 1929

This 1920s-era property has been well-preserved, with beautiful colonial architectural details and lush landscaping. A grand stone fountain and tile entryway, plus wicker rocking chairs on the outdoor balconies, all provide a sense of place -- a place that's relaxed and peaceful, that is. This small hotel is a member of the Paradores de Puerto Rico -- a network of small, privately owned hotels that must live up to certain quality standards. This translates into an exceptionally well-maintained property, especially for the two-pearl category in Puerto Rico. The pool serves as the only real social space where guests gather by day. Without any real nightlife (including a lack of liquor at the on-site restaurant), the property becomes quiet after dinner. This is a family-friendly property, but plenty of couples seeking a quiet escape make their way here as well. 

The hotel is situated on a small bay between a handful of towns in Guanica. The tiny towns are mostly residential, with only a few small, local restaurants, a supermarket, and a post office within an eight-minute drive. There is little within walking distance of the hotel, and a car will be necessary to explore the area. Visitors looking for more to do will need to drive 45 minutes to the coastal city of Ponce, with its retro Art Deco downtown and collection of foodie eateries. There, visitors will find a wealth of historical and cultural attractions, including the Museo de Arte de Ponce -- a modernist gem with an excellent modern and contemporary collection -- as well as the Centro Cultural de Ponce Carmen Sola de Pereira. While the hotel is on the water, there's no beach. It's a 10-minute drive to Playa Santa, and a 20-minute drive to Balneario Cana Gorda. Most travelers to Guanica arrive through Mercedita Airport (PSE) -- a small, international airport on the edge of Ponce. However, flights are also available via Eugenio Maria De Hostos (MAZ) which is reachable in less than an hour by car.

Rooms are clean and homey, with a simple aesthetic that's not exactly contemporary, but is plenty charming for a night or two. Terra cotta flooring, green wrought-iron headboards, and traditional cherry furniture have a subtle tropical vibe. Floral bedspreads are a bit dated, but everything is well kept and spotless.Each of the hotel’s 27 Standard Rooms is identical except for the bed configuration, which is available as either a single king bed or two double beds. All feature a simple, one-room layout with modest square footage comparable to a budget chain hotel. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, however, we found the service to be unreliable and spotty throughout our stay. Satellite TV is also available, though TVs are old tube units. Air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and microwaves are provided in every room.Bathrooms are small, though not cramped. Tile adorns the walls and floors, and fixtures are basic, but well-maintained. Walk-in shower stalls and generic bath products are all standard.

Features are predictably limited at this simple property, but there's still enough to make it an appealing bayside retreat. The modest pool is situated on a lovely garden terrace surrounded by centuries-old palm trees. An adjacent kiddy pool offers a bit of family-friendly outdoor space. Basic metal lounge chairs ring the area. While there are no umbrellas, the tall stands of nearby trees provide adequate shade throughout most of the day.The hotel’s unnamed restaurant features a combined indoor and open-air design with limited water views of nearby Bahia Noroeste. A simple breakfast is free daily, and selections are made from a list of three or four including American and traditional Puerto Rican fare. Lunch and dinner are both seafood-centric, with entrees centering around locally caught lobster, shrimp, and shellfish. Out of respect for the church across the street, the hotel’s restaurant does not serve alcohol.Additional amenities include a cramped fitness room with three basic machines and a handful of free weights. A coin-operated guest laundry room is also available nearby. Free parking is provided in an off-street lot.