Hotel Villa Cofresí is a family-owned oceanfront hotel in Rincón, Puerto Rico, offering beach access, a pool, delicious food, and the famous “Pirate Special” cocktail served in a coconut.
Heading Back to Puerto Rico For Food and Sun
Having a Puerto Rican daughter-in-law may make me a bit biased, but it’s in my own opinion that Puerto Rico is one of the most beautiful places to visit. The island, approximately 110 miles long, is surrounded by water, making for gorgeous views.
However, on top of the picturesque scenery, the food is an attraction as well. I’d move to Puerto Rico just to eat Arroz con Gandules, Bistec Encebollado (steak and onions), and Sweet Plantains every single day!
The last time we traveled to Puerto Rico, it was a stay in Fajardo, all the way on the east coast. This time, we chose to visit the west coast town of Rincón, and stay at Hotel Villa Cofresí.
Hotel Villa Cofresí Location
Villa Cofresí Hotel is located steps from Rincón Beach in close proximity to the cutest downtown with unique stores, restaurants, and cafes.
I will first say that the beach area is not very large (actually narrow), but it’s very clean and the waves were nice and calm. There were much less rocks in this area, as opposed to other rockier areas of the same beach. So, swimming was easier and more enjoyable.
Now, for getting to Rincón. We flew directly to the Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, the second largest airport in Puerto Rico. From the airport, it was an easy 30-minute drive to the hotel. Duly note that you could fly into the Jose Marin Airport in San Juan but that would require a two-hour drive.
We took the recommendation from family to rent a car so that we could drive to the area’s attractions and highlights that we had planned to visit. The hotel offers free parking.
About two miles from the hotel, is the El Faro Lighthouse. Also nearby and walkable, is the Playa Oeste Gallery, Rincón Art Walk, the Eco Café, and the Plaza de la Amistad.
Family-Run Hotel Filled With History
Founded in 1965 by Rubén and Rita Caro, what started out as Rincón’s first hotel, is currently managed by their children. The Caro family has preserved the legacy of hospitality for more than six decades, now into the third generation.
There is something special about a family-owned hotel, knowing that the owners were actually born and raised right there. It is evident that they pay close attention to making each guest have a good vacation experience while keeping their own family traditions going strong.
What Makes This Hotel Stand Out?
One step into the spacious open-air lobby overlooking the ocean was just the welcome that we needed. Then we walked up to the second-floor sundeck and terrace, and I felt like I was aboard a cruise ship having the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop as far as my eyes could see.
Hotel Villa Cofresí is a seaside paradise, but it was the family-style hospitality that makes it different from typical Caribbean accommodations. On one hand, it’s a lively, playful atmosphere great for families, and on the other hand, it’s laid back and could make for a romantic getaway.
We have already considered the idea of holding a meeting or convention here.
Welcoming Atmosphere
From check-in to check-out, the hospitality and customer service was as good as we heard. I thought it was moving to see a portrait of the late original owner at the front desk. The four siblings that manage the hotel are doing a great job, as the hotel is obviously popular with locals as well.
What set the staff at Villa Cofresí apart from other hotels, is witnessing them go out of their way to handle guest concerns. I watched a mother and her young son (toddler age) at the front desk mention that the child lost a stuffed toy dog at the pool and not only did the team members promise to look for it, but they gave the child a new stuffed animal souvenir to snuggle with.
Another family had an air conditioner issue in their guest room and they were immediately moved to another room, with no hesitation or excuses from the staff. Their expressions are genuine, something that many brand name hotel chains simply don’t exhibit.
I will also point out that the property is not huge and I think the compactness makes it more quaint, comfortable, and manageable. The property is immaculate and well maintained.
Hotel Amenities
The outdoor space provides fun activities in a compact environment. We loved the outdoor pool and appreciated the several access points to the beach.
Other amenities include a souvenir shop, arcade room with video games, fitness center, plus a pool table and ping pong table on the terrace.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, in all rooms and public areas.
We were happy to see that the hotel provides chairs and umbrellas on the beach. We spent hours each day sitting on the sand enjoying the ocean. The water was not too cold and not too warm – and calm enough to feel safe while wading in the waves.
Along the beach, there is a vendor that conveniently rents water sports equipment and activities such as kayaks, jet-skis, stand-up paddle boards, and banana boat rides.
Up on the second floor is a separate deck area with tables and chairs, a great place to just sit and read a book while enjoying the ocean breeze.
Guest Rooms
The three-level hotel offers 110+ guest rooms ranging from efficiency and standard up to deluxe and apartment type suites with fully equipped kitchens and two bedrooms.
We stayed in an ocean front room on the first floor. It was decently spacious and featured a desk area. Despite the hot weather, the room was pleasantly cooled by the air conditioning unit.
The room was clean, but the Caribbean décor and patterned bedspread is not the most modern. To be frank, at first I was turned off, but the simplicity of the room grew on me. Technically, we were visiting Rincón for the beach and the food. We didn’t spend much time in the room.
As with most hotels, the room offered free Wi-Fi, a television with satellite channels, mini-fridge, coffee/tea maker, iron/ironing board, and in-room safe.
The bed was comfortable enough to sleep well, and the room was quiet except for the delightful waves crashing in the background. It was like a sleep machine with “ocean” sounds except this was real.
Bathroom amenities include a separate toilet and a shower area, along with a hair dryer and towels. We were so appreciative to have the housekeeping team visit the room daily.
Note that the hotel bar stays open until midnight so avoid a guest room located on that side. The noise level, especially during Thursday Karaoke Nights, could be a bother unless you partake in joining in on the fun.
Hotel Bar and Restaurants
La Ana de Cofresí is not just another hotel restaurant. It’s full of history, dating back to 1965, and – we learned – is recognized as one of the best restaurants in Rincón.
We ate breakfast and dinner here every day of our hotel stay. We enjoyed lunch and snacks downtown while looked around.
Breakfast is included in the price for most rooms (except efficiency rooms). Breakfast includes cooked to order eggs plus continental style offerings including coffee and juice. One note, the restaurant does not open until 8am so if you’re an early riser, don’t plan on coffee and breakfast to watch the sunrise.
The menu is a cross between the freshest fish, succulent Angus beef, and my favorite, Puerto Rican cuisine. You must try the mofongo!
The outside bar overlooking the beach and ocean – Bohío Beach Bar – is the center of action from the time it opens at 10 a.m. until it closes at midnight.
We tried the famous house drink, “Pirate Special”, served in a fresh coconut. The drink is said to be a mixture of several kinds of rum, coconut milk, and a hint of cinnamon. I think I would have liked it better without the rum.
Things to Do in Rincón
While we enjoyed the hotel property most, we did spend a few hours in the early afternoon to see some sights and enjoy lunch downtown.
One evening, we (and what appeared to be dozens of hotel guests) took a stroll through the streets of downtown Rincón. We were thrilled that we caught Rincón’s Art Walk that is only presented on Thursday evenings. The colorful shops and art galleries made for a fun night where we bought more than a few hand-crafted items as souvenirs.
Of course, we also stopped at the local bars for pina coladas and snack shops for delicious Puerto Rican pastries such as Mallorcas and Quesitos.
The Rincón Lighthouse Park (El Faro) was another highlight. You can only imagine how many photos I took of the lighthouse and stunning surroundings. However, it was the cool ocean breeze that will stand out in my vacation memories.
Takeaways: Do I Recommend the Hotel?
The Hotel Villa Cofresí is in a great Rincón location, close to everything. It was not overly crowded and we had plenty of room to sunbathe away from other hotel guests.
Just to repeat, if you’re expecting a plush bed comforter with a pillowtop mattress, you will be disappointed with the bedspread covering the bed. Like I said, it was nice but just not described as plush. With that being said, perhaps the hotel will do some updating. Don’t avoid staying here because of a blanket, you’d be missing out on a memorable vacation experience.
We plan to make many more trips to Puerto Rico and would definitely consider staying at this hotel again. We have been continually recommending this hotel to friends and family.
- Family-owned for 60+ years
- Spacious guest rooms, prices reasonable
- Easy access to beach area
- Swimming pool with an ocean view
- Authentic Puerto Rican food
- Outdoor bar with special “coconut” cocktails
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls Deland, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered travel or consumer advice. Inn amenities, prices, policies, and availability may change. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when planning travel.