“Hacer nada; que bueno es, después descansar, aun mejor.”

This Spanish proverb, which loosely translates to: “How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward,” perfectly sums up my visit to the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico. Upon arrival, a salty ocean breeze whipped through my hair and the repetitive call of coqui frogs filled my ears. The soothing sounds of waves crashing on the shore made time slow down and my worries disappear. It was a welcome change from the usual sensory overload of traffic jams and email notifications. 

While the pursuit of tranquility has become a luxury in itself, at this resort luxury is not just attainable, it’s an art form. With 579 rooms and suites, the property is, well, grand. It’s the kind of place where you can get lost (in a good way), whether you’re exploring the sprawling grounds or simply lounging by one of the many pools. But it’s not just the resort; it’s the people who work there, who always welcomed me with a smile and made me feel instantly at home.

STREET CRED: IT’S ALL ABOUT LOCATION

Located in Rio Grande on 72 acres of protected natural surroundings at the foothills of the El Yunque rainforest, the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico is a 30-minute drive from San Juan. It’s also less than 20 minutes from Luquillo, a popular beach town and home of around 60 family-owned kioskos—food stalls where you can find island delicacies like mofongo and alcapurrias. El Yunque is home to several beautiful waterfalls, natural pools, and hiking trails.

Their motto is “doing nothing means everything,” which is evident in the peaceful, laid-back atmosphere and country-club inspired feel. However, with a private beach and two 18-hole championship golf courses, 17 restaurants and a top-notch spa, I found there’s always something to do there.

WHO HANGS HERE: IS THIS HOTEL FOR YOU?

The hotel caters to anyone looking to relax and unwind—whether that’s couples seeking a romantic getaway, families looking for fun and adventure, or solo travelers. It’s also a great spot for weddings, with its opulent ballrooms and outdoor beachfront event space. 

The resort is popular among business travelers, who have access to state-of-the-art technology and AV systems. Avid golfers are also fans of this property, which hosts the annual PGA golf tour tournament, the Puerto Rico Open and features a TopGolf Swing Suite.

THE STRAIGHT GOODS: WHAT’S IN THE ROOM?

The property’s hotel rooms are known for being the largest in Puerto Rico, and during my visit I stayed in their newest luxury room offering–Villas en la Reserva, part of Hyatt’s hotel-within-a-hotel concept. It has its own private check-in area and amenities like an interior courtyard and an outdoor swimming pool lined with cabanas and loungers. Situated in a secluded part of the resort, the 93 villas are sleek and contemporary. 

My villa was spacious, with a king-sized bed, separate living room with a queen-sized sleeper sofa, jetted deep-soaking tub and rainfall shower, and exceptionally large closets perfect for extended stays. It also had a balcony overlooking the ocean. There, I sipped coffee and watched an iguana perched in a coconut palm. The kitchen had a Keurig coffee maker and mini fridge stocked with sodas and water.

GOOD EATS: COCKTAILS AND CUISINE

I didn’t get a chance to dine at all of the restaurants on-site, but my favorite was Prime 787, a steakhouse and the adjacent Martini Bar. The decor itself is stunning, while the dishes (like the filet of beef and garlic mashed potatoes) were extremely decadent. True to its name, the Martini Bar offers a selection of martinis, including a key lime pie martini, espressotini and a coco-guava martini, as well as sake, beer and wine.

Hands down, the best part about waking up every morning was hearing the breakfast cart outside my door, which delivered fresh pan sabao and coffee to every guest staying in the villas. Villas en La Reserva guests also have close access to La Mina, an outdoor restaurant serving drinks and a seafood-forward menu, and Molido, a coffee shop. For a casual lunch, Picalo Gallo, a colorful food truck next to the main pool area, offers sliders, tostones and tuna nachos.

BRAGGING RIGHTS: WHAT ELSE HAS IT GOT?

Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico partnered with a nearby craft brewery to launch its own signature beer–PRadise Bliss Lager, which blends guava, passionfruit and orange to create a light and crisp craft brew. You’ll find this beer everywhere within the resort–even in the form of popsicles. They donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of each beer to support Puerto Rico’s local economy.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS: WHAT STOOD OUT?

I’m always seeking an opportunity to unwind, and my visit to the Rainforest Spa was one of the highlights. The treatments include massages, body scrubs and wraps, and facials that bring together the elements of air, water, fire and earth. My favorite was the Mint Espresso Break, a sugar scrub made with cacao, coffee, Madagascar vanilla and seaweed extracts. Spa guests can also enjoy the private pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room.

After my treatment, I wandered over to the hammock garden, a cluster of macraméd hammocks nestled on the beach. As I swayed in the ocean breeze, a nearby server offered me a piña colada. Of course, I couldn’t resist. 

PARTING SHOT: IF WE COULD CHANGE ONE THING

During my stay, the only glitch was the check-out process, which could be improved. I’m not certain if it was an especially busy day since there was a conference going on there, but I waited in line for over 45 minutes. Since I prefer to check out in person, I’d be sure to allot enough time for that in the future.

Rates at the hotel start at around US$228 per night for a standard room.

Photos courtesy of Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico.

Danielle was a guest of the hotel during her stay. The hotel had no editorial input for this review.