The atmosphere surrounding a luxury vacation to an exotic locale usually falls somewhere in the spectrum between desolate and frenetic—the best of both worlds, as the saying goes, is not an easy accomplishment. Vacation spots can often be categorized into either grand, active resorts, or serene, exclusive ones. The chance to doze in a hammock at sunset one evening and gamble and dance into the night the next is a compromise accepted by most travelers, but at The Westin Rio Mar Beach, minutes east of the cultural hybrid city of San Juan on Puerto Rico’s northeast coast, grand amenities wed with a warm, exquisite ambiance to form one of the Caribbean’s eminent beachfront resorts.

Wedged between the sand-tinged blue waters of the South Atlantic and the nearby El Yunque Caribbean Rainforest, The Westin Rio Mar Beach is nestled snugly between dramatic landscapes, forming a perfect backdrop to this island playground and providing stunning views from each of the hotel’s 600 distinguished guest rooms. Featuring the Westin’s renowned ‘Heavenly Bed’ and ‘Heavenly Bath’ programs in each of these superbly appointed suites, guests are guaranteed satisfaction with their private quarters. The (anything-but-standard) resort rooms, right up to the two-bedroom Atlantic and Governor’s Suites, feature lush, polished hardwood furnishings, Italian tile, and plush comfortable fabrics and linens. Private balconies are all furnished, allowing guest to enjoy their view of either of the brilliant blue ocean, the Puerto Rican mountainside, or one of the two golf courses, in the absolute tranquility of their own private space.

It’s a fine enough place to enjoy what The Westin Rio Mar Beach has to offer, but overusing in-room services can lead to missing out on the hotel’s eight wonderful restaurants, each with its own niche in the international culinary canon. Palio is the Rio Mar’s crown dining jewel, a AAA four-star dining room that features flavours from Northern Italy in elegant surroundings. No taste will go unsatisfied here. Shimas brings the best of East Asian cuisine to Puerto Rico, Marbella offers traditional North American fare and is open for all three meals daily, and Ajili Mojili is a celebration of the island’s own authentic foods and flavours, featuring time-honoured recipes passed down through generations of Puerto Rican families. An evening here is a must on your visit. Cobitos offers an upscale bistro menu in a stunning, open-air setting, a perfect choice for that evening sunset on a night with a gentle breeze. The Grille Room lets golfers grab a bite between rounds at the two golf courses and transforms to formal dining in the evening, and the poolside Club Coqui offers a great menu of snacks and sandwiches for those lounging poolside. Lastly, a Tex-Mex menu greets diners at Cactus Jack’s above the Tennis Center. For drinks, the beachfront Tiki Bar is a great choice in the day, while Boleros Lounge is a fine, late-night casual choice. The Spanish-Caribbean flair at the Lobby Bar is enhanced by late-night dancing, while Player's Lounge offers a more energetic evening atmosphere, and can be found adjacent to the casino. There is truly something for everyone here, and the variety isn’t limited to food and drink.