Deborah, Cape Carteret, NC, November 2022
Carmen, Bayamón, PR, July 2022
Mia, Baltimore, MD, July 2022
Monica, New Haven, CT, July 2022
Garret, Waco, TX, June 2022
Julissa, Northampton, PA, June 2022
Aitssa, Miami, FL, June 2022
This is an excellent place to stay and enjoy Puerto Rico. Be ready for a great time by the beach or the pool or local eating places. Just bring along a good phone for directions in PR.
Shahryar, North Oaks, MN, June 2022
Alma and her team provided excellent service. They responded quickly to all my questions and requests. I would stay with them again.
James, Alexandria, VA, June 2022
Loved the villa! Alma and Alex were so great. My whole family enjoyed the villa so much. I am looking forward to returning. Thank you for everything!
Desiree, North Salt Lake, UT, May 2022
Amy, New York, NY, April 2022
Catherine, Hempstead, NY, April 2022
Maria, Verona, NJ, April 2022
Thomas, Fort Worth, TX, April 2022
Allison, La Grange, IL, March 2022
James, Washington, DC, March 2022
James, San Juan, PR, March 2022
Jesse, Chicago, IL, March 2022
Daniela, Baltimore, MD, March 2022
Grace, New York, NY, March 2022
Terra, Katy, TX, March 2022
The place is a paradise! Beautiful, stylish, comfortable, and kid-friendly on top of it. As part of the Ritz Carlton resort, the villa possesses all the comfort and service of a luxury hotel in combination with the privacy of a private home. Highly recommend!
Maria, Newton, MA, March 2022
Superb villa, outstanding space outside with table, chairs, patio sofas, and armchairs; great downstairs open concept, kitchen, and dining room. Tiles on the floors add to the character of the Spanish-style villa. We were two couples with 5 & 6 yrs old and had an absolute blast. 50 yards to the beach through a private gate in the back or 50 the other way to a pool. Gated community, safe and well kept. Hosts are very responsive, communication easy, and professional. Really no negatives. Highly recommend.
Adam, Needham, MA, February 2022
Very nice unit with a great location! We had a terrific stay! Want to return in 2023!
Timothy, Moorestown, NJ, January 2022
By far one of the nicest places we have stayed. The Villa was in the perfect location and had everything we needed. Wonderful area for kids with the pool, beach, and playground super close. Near town as well. Definitely plan on staying here again!
Kortney, Bethany Beach, DE, January 2022
Great place and great hosts. It’s a house in a gated community. The community has a private pool and a private beach (about 5 mins walk from the house). Beach is amazing, with great sand, and very few people. The house has 3 bedrooms upstairs and 1 bedroom downstairs. The living room is great, the kitchen too, and there are two terraces (front and back), with a grill in the backyard. The TV in the living room is great (with Roku). The couches are amazing. Hosts offered their help with everything and were very quick to respond. Regular cleaning during the stay is not included and needs to be paid for separately. Overall, highly recommended.
Ihar, New York, NY, December 2021
Alma and her staff are phenomenal. We had a few hiccups with our travel plans and they were able to accommodate us as well as help us find services and experiences to make our vacation even more amazing. The location is postcard-worthy. Highly recommend it for families of all sizes.
Lilah, Chicago, IL, December 2021
A fantastic family-friendly location and setup. Our family of 4 (2 kids 9 & 11) had a great time in Alma’s place. Walked to the beach, community pool, and close to great beaches in Dorado.
Lilly, Washington, DC, December 2021
We loved staying at Villas de Playa. The apartment is beautiful and clean. Our kids enjoyed playing in the little playground and the pool. The beach was very nice too. I would definitely stay here again!
Javier, Miami, FL, December 2021
Great location, just a short walk to the beach! Not very crowded, either, but we went the week before Christmas, so that might’ve helped. The place is very well kept, everything is quality, and the A/C was great. Alma and her team were terrific!
Mark, Indianapolis, IN, December 2021
We loved our stay in the villa! The pictures don’t show how much space there is, it’s a very large apartment with great air conditioning. We slept very well, and we enjoyed relaxing on the terrace. The beach is shared with the Hyatt next door, so we got a nice dinner there. On our last day, we had the large pool near the community building to ourselves. We are looking forward to going back!
Brian, McLean, VA, December 2021
Great property. Great neighborhood. Everything in the home was clean, in excellent condition, and easy to use. Alex was very responsive to the few questions we had. Highly recommend it for a family.
Francisco, San Juan, PR, November 2021
Quiet condo located right on the beach. Some restaurants are within walking distance. The manager was very accessible. Strongly advise a rental car as it is difficult to get an Uber or transportation. There is a small pool on site.
Monica, Hermiston, OR, August 2021
This rental is worth every penny! The house is much bigger than the pictures. The pictures do not do this rental justice. This is a safe gated private community. It is absolutely beautiful. It has everything you need. Great attention to detail. Definitely look forward to renting again.
Emily, Bronx, NY, September 2021
We traveled with a 2yr old and this was the perfect pace for us. Within walking distance, you can find a playground, a pool, and access to the beach. Also, lots of great places to eat within minutes of the village. The village was clean and had everything we needed. I do recommend asking for the grocery shopping before you arrive. It saved us time since we didn’t have to go to the supermarket.
Lucia, Springfield, VA, August 2021
Loved Alma’s place. The entire villa is pristine and white. It was so clean and accommodated our group of 2 adults and 3 children perfectly. They provided an abundance of pillows, linens, and towels. The community has a pool we visited several times. I loved that it was never crowded, at times it was just us. The private beach is nice also. Although we drove throughout the island to visit other beaches. The Airbnb offered several beach towels and 2 chairs. We were able to place an order for some food essentials with the host for a small fee. So the kitchen was already stocked with what we needed upon arrival. We stayed for about a week and made breakfast in the condo daily. The kitchen is equipped with anything you need to cook with. We chose to go out for lunch and dinner every day. There are so many good restaurants with authentic Puerto Rican food within a 5-minute or less drive. There are also several chain restaurants close by. Overall a 10 out of 10. Loved this place and can’t wait to return.
Tiffany, Perth Amboy, NJ, August 2021
The beach is one of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen. The property was well maintained and the apartment was very clean.
Maria, Auburn, GA, August 2021
Gorgeous place and extraordinary property! The interior is modern and well appointed and the outdoor living space is fantastic. Alma and her team are fabulous- incredibly responsive and knowledgeable/helpful. We look forward to our return!
Jean, Bethesda, MD, July 2021
Jasmin, Brooklyn, NY, June 2021
Amazing place, cozy and peaceful! My family had a beautiful time spending it after a long time of waiting because of the pandemic!!! It was better than expected!!! Can’t wait to go back!!!
Emanoel, San Lorenzo, PR, June 2021
Very clean and nicely appointed villa with modern amenities. The location is on the golf course and a bit far from the beach. Consequently, golf cart access is a must and was a huge benefit that one is available and on-site. Also, it is very important to get a temporary membership to the Ritz Carlton Club. If you don’t you get a temporary membership, then can’t use any of the Dorado Beach Reserve restaurants, pools, amenities, or beaches. Alma was very helpful and got us access after we arrived. Note that without that Club access, then any beach visits would require driving to a public beach outside of Dorado Beach Ritz Carlton Reserve kind of defeating the purpose of being in the Reserve.
Michael, Belleair, FL, June 2021
This Villa is really ideal for family and friends, the beach is just a walk away and the pool area is just perfect! Alex has perfect communication skills and is ready to help with everything you need during your stay! Really a great experience!
Raechel, Newark, NJ, June 2021
Nicole, Centerville, UT, June 2021
Great place: in a gated community with 3 private pools (we only used one), Tennis courts (in great shape), pool table, weight room, and a private entrance to the beach within about a 3-minute walk. Well stocked with kids’ water toys (boogie boards & floats), and tennis rackets (bring your own balls). Situated 40 minutes from old San Juan, and 75 minutes from El Yunque. Great stay for a family with kids, or just adults. Two thumbs up!
Tony, Grove, MN, June 2021
Great service and communication. Very helpful with answering questions and recommendations. Beautiful beautiful home everything was perfect. The beach was right there and the pool in a lovely gated community. My family and I highly recommend and will be coming back. Thank you
Bianca, Philadelphia, PA, May 2021
The pictures couldn’t convey the beauty of these accommodations. The description also failed to state how well we were taken care of and the attention to detail. If you’re traveling to the island you don’t need to stay anywhere else.
Matthew, Fort Smith, AZ, May 2021
Wow! I almost don’t want to tell anyone about this location so it doesn’t become too popular. First, the condo was beautiful and huge. 3 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms. The rooms are all very good sizes. The whole unit was very big. You can easily fit 10 people comfortably. The unit has all the amenities you’ll need, pots, pans, plates, towels, etc. There was even an abundance of toiletries if you didn’t bring your own. The unit was very clean and obviously well maintained. I truly don’t feel the pictures do the unit justice. Next is the location. I love the location. The private beach access is a very short walk and the beach is never busy. Even on the weekend, there were maybe 30 people on the whole beach. Besides being able to social distance due to covid you can have your own space. The beach of course was stunning. We only went to one pool and although not super big it was nice and also empty. There are plenty of restaurants nearby and a Walmart 15mins away. You’re a 40 min drive from San Juan. For me it’s perfect you are still secluded when you want to but can drive to the more tourist area when you want to. We will definitely be coming back.
Laura, Casselberry, FL, April 2021
Great place to stay. Very nice community and such a spacious condo. Alma and her team were amazing with tips and help throughout the week.
Alyssa, New York, NY, January 2021
Amazing place and great hospitality. We stayed here while waiting to close on our new home in Puerto Rico and the team was great making our stay wonderful. Awesome communication which is refreshing! Would totally stay here again. The pool also opened halfway through our stay as the Covid restrictions loosened. Great pool and great beach just a short walk away!
Andrew, Waconia, MN, January 2021
We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful condo!! It has been recently renovated and is very stylishly decorated and very clean. The bathrooms are all nice, clean, and new, and the kitchen is also brand new and fully stocked with anything you may need to cook, bake, etc. The condo is spacious and has a large washer and dryer. The outdoor space is incredible. It’s so nice to have your own private pool and hot tub and a large patio that has parts that are covered and uncovered. The backyard/patio gets plenty of sunshine, and the fire pit is a perfect place to end each day! The Dorado Beach area is very family-friendly and the golf cart that came with the condo made it very easy to get around the area. We highly recommend this property and its hosts and hope to come back soon!
Callie, Brooklyn, NY, December 2020
Aaron, Chicago, IL, December 2020
My husband and I had a wonderful stay at the Villa. It really felt like a home away from home. The accommodations were wonderful and Alma and her team took great care of us. The location we stayed at was like living in paradise.
Cynthia, Brooklyn, NY, December 2020
We had a wonderful stay at Alma’s property. The community is safe, beautiful, and quiet. The beach is no more than a 3 min walk and is one of the most picturesque beaches on the island. The villa is spacious, comfortable, and clean, with a gorgeous terrace. The villa is equipped with all of the necessities. But what we appreciated most was how responsive and helpful Alma always was. Any questions we had were answered right away. Highly recommend.
Alyona, New York, NY, December 2020
This is a large apartment occupying the first floor in a two-story building, which is one of the many similar villas comprising a nicely manicured and well-maintained gated community. 3-minute walk to a nearly private beach that is very clean. The pools on site are perfectly maintained and the ‘community center’ with its clean open space and a few facilities adds a nice convenient touch. The house is well stocked with everything from beach towels and chairs to trash bags and cleaning supplies, it all came in handy. Lakeside is 5-7 minute drive to several shops and restaurants, a huge variety of beaches offering everything from snorkeling to surfing in dramatic settings is within a 30-minute drive for those who want a change of scenery.
Anastacia, Washington, DC, November 2020
Alma’s place is stunning and sparkling clean. I would strongly recommend this place if you wanna have a relaxing vacation near the beach side for about a week or so.
Keshav, New York, NY, November 2020
This place was awesome! Thank you and Alex for the amazing stay. Hopefully, I will be able to rent there again.
Matthew, Las Vegas, NV, September 2020
Very clean. Great location. Amazing service. I’m happy. Thank you!
Karl, Ashburn, VA, August 2020
Great service, made it extra special. Thank you! Loved it!
Jessica, Ozone Park, NY, September 2020
When we first stumbled upon this Villa on AirBnB, it seemed almost too good to be true. There must be a catch! But everything was as perfect as it seemed online. Alma is the most thoughtful, gracious host. She provided us with all the information we needed. The Villa is just perfect! The kitchen is spacious and contains everything one needs. The beds are comfortable, and the bathrooms and terrace are excellent. The location is incredible. Alma had excellent recommendations and was of great help. The Villa is a short walking distance to the beach. The only thing separating you from the beach is a gate. Thanks, Alma and Lakeside Villas for a wonderful week. We will definitely be back.
Benecia, Linden, NJ, August 2020
This was my first Airbnb and it was a great experience. The Villa Searenity in Dorado, Puerto Rico is beautiful, clean, and spacious. The best thing was having the private pool with all this Covid-19 and pools and beaches close my grown-up kids and their significant others had a blast in the pool. The hospitality was great thank you to Alma for this excellent place. We will be back and hope that others could come and enjoy this paradise. Thank you.
Migdalia, Chicago, IL, August 2020
Great place to relax and have fun with the family.
Pedro, Guaynabo, PR, August 2020
Our stay at Lakeside Villas in Dorado was truly memorable! I’d like to highlight the level of cleanliness of this place as well as the responsiveness of our host. We had everything we needed during our stay. Everyone we met was very friendly and the location is absolutely perfect! Unfortunately, we weren’t able to enjoy the pools because of the current government restrictions, but we enjoyed walking around the common areas with the dog and being able to easily access the breathtakingly beautiful beach. We’re already looking forward to our next stay at this little piece of paradise!
Julian, Carson, CA, July 2020
The Villa is beautiful, well-appointed, and well-closed to beach access. It is a very privileged place and we spend a wonderful time sharing with family.
Priscilla, Bayamon, PR, July 2020
I love the place. My son fell in love. Good location for a family. If I ever come back I would love to stay again.
Elianny, Bronx, NY, July 2020
The place was great and just like I expected. It was stocked with everything we needed, a great pool and playground for the kids in the community and the private beach was beautiful which was 5min away. I would definitely stay here again the next time I visit.
Naseer, North Plainfield, NJ, July 2020
During this Covid 19 times, it’s hard to find a good place that you can actually enjoy but this place was absolutely perfect, we had access to the pool(just need to reserve) and full access to a semi Private beach just within a walking step. We had a few issues with the A/C but It was resolved in a quick manner by Alex the property manager(Alex you are awesome) we did 28 days stay and we still did not want to leave. This was a true paradise, thank you, Alma, for giving me and my family the ultimate vacation experience to be remembered in years to come. I definitely recommend this place for its safety and for its amenities.
Amaury, Staten Island, NY, June 2020
Alma is very responsive and quick to get things taken care of. Our stay was wonderful. We’ve booked 2 stays with Alma in the last month. She has a great team.
Missy, Tulsa, OK, July 2020
The villa is beautiful and very comfortable. It was very clean and we enjoyed the amazing resort facilities Dorado Beach provides.
Alexandra, San Juan, PR, July 2020
Alma’s place is excellent. Really sets a high standard for all the other hosts. Communication was top, the staff is available 24 hours for your service and questions The villa is exactly as described We really enjoyed our stay.
Aviv, Las Vegas, NV, June 2020
The place was very nice and clean. Alma was very easy to communicate with and extremely helpful with our last-minute reservation. She was able to get us on the same day. Alex was also very responsive and helpful.
Zaida, Aurora, CO, June 2020
The property is great! It’s right next to the family-friendly pool and within a five-minute walk to the beach. The villa was super spacious and well equipped as well. We really enjoyed spending time on the outdoor terrace as well. Alma & Alex were also great and accommodating hosts. We will definitely look to book again!
Juan, San Juan, PR, June 2020
Javier, Guaynabo, PR, May 2022
Villa Oleana
☆☆☆☆☆
“The property has a great location with a 3 min walk to the beach. The villa is very comfortable with three bedrooms, great lake views and fully nicely furnished. Alex and Alma are great hosts!”
–Andrea, Guaynabo, PR, May 2020
Andrea, Guaynabo, PR, May 2020
This home is in a wonderful neighborhood and is a short walk to the beach. Alma and Alex are wonderful hosts!
Laura, Marathon FL, Villa Coral Reef, March 2020
Our stay at Alma’s place was fantastic. 2 adults, 4 kids and there was plenty of room for us all. The beach is perfect and extremely secluded. And the pool and tennis courts are within a minute walk. Restaurants and an amazing coffee shop (Cuatro Sombras) are minutes away. We ate out most of the time, but the full kitchen and grill came in handy for at least one meal per day. The grocery store is right down the road. Alma and Alex were crazy responsive, and helped with recommendations on places to go and things to do. We would definitely recommend Alma’s place
Jeff, Ashland, MA – Villa Ileana, February 2020
This was a great place for our family. Lots of space for the kids to run around with the playground, pool, and beach right there. The villa space was clean and well kept. We had a great stay and would recommend this for other families
Melissa, Wauwautosa, WI- Villa Brisas del Mar, February 2020
The pictures were more than accurate. The Villa was beautiful, clean, great location. Will not be disappointed.
Edmee, Atwater, MN- Villa De Palma, February 2020
We loved our fabulous stay in Puerto Rico at Alama’s! The whole team was wonderful and responsive– Louie was a great onsite contact and both he and Alex were super responsive to any of our questions and needs. I was there for my birthday with family and they gave us a wonderful welcome/birthday fruit basket! In addition, we loved how close to the beaches we were and yet how quiet it was when we came back to the Villa. Also, the ability to do laundry in the apartment was great after days at the beaches and hikes. I wish we had been able to stay longer!
Patricia, Gaithersburg, MD- Villa Catalina February 2020
“Always very attentive to our needs, the house with the best details, comfortable, practical and beautiful at the same time, I would certainly stay here again, it is very quiet, safe and perfect for children”
Yunuen, Villa Brisas Del Mar — October 2019
“I would call this beautiful condo Quiet Paradise. If you want excitement, lots of people, noise and entertainment, this place is not for you. But wow, it is such a relaxing, laid back and “recharge your batteries” kind of place. It is great for families with small children for sure. The ocean views are just a dream. The sound of the waves took me back to my childhood in PR. I had not been in the Dorado area for more than 20 years and I wanted to return and check it out with my husband. We stayed a few nights before at the Embassy Suites. The condo is not luxurious but tasteful and very well appointed. Driving to and from the San Juan/Isla Verde area was very easy using the Expressway (Ruta 22). We were in awe to see how Nature has healed itself after the hurricane. Dorado is a nice town, shopping is very easy and close. The Costa Dorada complex is just fabulous, well groomed, clean and quiet. We loved its architecture and white exteriors. The topography of the entire area is breathtaking. We felt very safe (you need to get through 2 gates). The condo has everything you need with outside closets fully supplied, including a tub. The beach is just steps away. We spent an entire day just sitting under a palm tree and relaxing, we even ate lunch there. We also explored the Puerto Nuevo beach in Vega Baja and Mar Chiquita in Manati, I highly recommend both especially the first one (weekdays are probably less crowded; no chairs/umbrellas available though). Dorado has a great location for traveling and seeing other areas, we just ran out of time. We had dinner one night at the Ritz Carlton, it is absolutely beautiful. You can only gain access there with a dinner reservation. We also enjoyed dinner at the Metropol (we are regulars when in PR). Alma, Luis and Alex were great hosts. Alex was very easy to work with for a couple of minor issues. We will definitely come back. Hopefully by then the golf course will be reopened, as we heard.”
Isabel, Glen Mills, PA , Villa Bella Mar — October 2019
“We spent 2 weeks with my family (4 adults and 3 kids from 1 to 15 yo) at Lakeside Villas and it was really nice. The spot, near the beach is fantastic. Lakeside Villas is clean, safe and with the pools and tennis courts, there are plenty of things to do. The appartment is well furnished, spacious, and very comfortable. Alma and her team are very nice and they really work hard to give you all the informations you need (and quickly!). I definitely recommend this place.”
-Stephane, Fontenay-sous-Bois, France (August 2015)
Villa Ileana
★★★★★
The house was great for our big family. The beach was close and the back patio was nice to hang out.
Jessica, Cypress, Texas, Villa Loyda — July 2019
Our stay at the villa was enjoyable. The unit was nicely furnished, very clean, and beautiful. Our host was very hospitable and available. We would definitely return!!
Marie, New Jersey – July 2019
The villa I stayed in was very cute and clean. It also has a lot of space and bathrooms. I really enjoyed staying at the villa. We all enjoyed the space and especially the patio outside …was fantastic! I highly recommend!
Jennifer, Centennial, Colorado -July 2019
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was a great place for our family of 8 to stay. Great kitchen, comfortable seating, plenty of amenities, including a pool right outside your door, and a short walk to a nearly private beach! We rented cars, and visited El Junque, Cerro Gordo hiking trail and beach, Arecibo, Fajardo, Culebra and Flamenco Beach, and went deep sea fishing, snorkeling, and ziplining. A great trip with excellent suggestions from Alma and Luis!
Cynthia, Marion Station, Maryland – July 2019
We had a wonderful vacation with the villa as our home base! Spacious villa, deck with an ocean view… beautiful surroundings The location was amazing- we loved the short walk to the beach and pool, and the beach was practically a private beach. The villa was perfect for our needs. We also greatly appreciate how responsive Alex was.
Abbie, Wolcott, Connecticut, July 2019
The villa and the complex will exceed your expectations… home and the view from the balcony is perfect! If you have a large family or traveling with another family the villa is set up great for a group of 8 or smaller. The 8 of us had plenty of space and the bed arrangement was ideal for my parents, my aunt, and my immediate family. The 3 full bathrooms and 3 bedrooms are great! The master bedroom is beautiful and spacious.
We loved the pool and the beach. You can see the ocean from the balcony while rocking on their chairs. The pool is clean and a nice size. The beach felt like a private beach the entire time and very safe. Perfect location and villa!
I especially need to thank Alex, our contact person, and Luis for all of their patience with my flat tire issue on the way from the airport. Also, a huge thanks to Alex for helping me find a driver to pick up my husband and my two older children from the airport at midnight. Thank you for the perfect vacation!
Blanca, North Liberty, Iowa – July 2019
We had a great time at this villa. The photos do not begin to capture the spacious two story living area and the wonderful ocean views. The kitchen was fully equipped with everything we could possibly need and the beds were super comfy with plush linen. The resort is amazing, and we took full advantage of the Dorado Beach Club amenities at Encanto. Super excited about the Kite surfing minutes away from the villa (expensive though…) and being surrounded by championship golf courses. The beach is miles long, there is an area perfect for water sports and surfing and then an area that has clear still water with a rock barrier perfect for families. I am definitely coming back with my family next time. The hosting service was fantastic. Alma and Louie met us at the villa and showed us around. Anytime I had any questions, they were available- they even stocked up the fridge with goodies before we arrived. I can see why they are SuperHosts and why they call their company Paradise.
Anton, Toronto, Canada – July 2019
The villa and the complex will exceed your expectations. If you have a large family or traveling with another family the villa is set up great for a group of 8 or smaller. The 3 full bathrooms and 3 bedrooms are great! The master bedroom is beautiful and spacious. You can see the ocean from the balcony while rocking on their chairs. The pool is clean and a nice size. The beach felt like a private beach the entire time and very safe. Perfect location and villa!
Blanca, North Liberty, Iowa – July 2019
Lakeside Villas is a perfect getaway! Perfect for families. Private security gated community. Beautiful grounds, pool, and beach.
Andres, Lake Mary, FL, July 2019
Villa Antonio was a great vacation house for our family vacation with 9 of us. Great location right on the beach with private access to the beach and great snorkeling right out of our back yard! There is even a nice surf break a little paddle out to the reef. Hikes over to the park were nice too. The amenities were great and we had all the kitchen appliances and kitchenware we needed. AC worked well though the living room is really meant to be opened up to the deck with fans and the ocean breeze to keep you cool and happy. The covered deck was awesome to just hang out on and watch the waves roll in. We were super happy with the place and I would definitely recommend it especially as Dorado is a good launching point for many adventures. Great responsiveness by the host and great recommendations for how to spend our days. Would definitely stay here again!
Chris, Trumbull, CT – June 2019
The pictures doesn’t do this place any justice. Perfect location on the beach. Alma was very accommodating with quick response time.
Veniece, Plano, Texas, June 2019
Our stay at the Lakeside Villas was wonderful. The villa is simply stunning and beautiful. We stayed there for a week with family and we couldn’t be happier. My only regret is that we had to leave. The villa is spacious with amazing high ceilings which give it a majestic look. The pool is literally outside your patio door and it was fantastic. The villa has everything you can possibly need from pots and pans in the kitchen to beach chairs. Whenever we had a question about anything Alex was there to help us. The villa is ideal for family getaways. It is extremely comfortable. The villa is situated close to everything from beaches to restaurants. You cannot go wrong with this property and I can’t wait to go back. Thank you Alma!!!!
Gloria, New Jersey, June 2019
Villa Tangerine was a perfect set up for my family (7 of us). Each of the 3 bedrooms had its own bathroom. The closets were so big that they can be bedrooms themselves. Large living room and kitchen. We enjoyed the outdoor patio. It had tons of seating. Having a laundry in the unit was a big plus. They have a few extras in this unit like sand toys and beach towels and beach chairs. The kitchen is stocked with pretty much anything you need to prepare a meal. Each room has its individual air conditioner which all seemed to work on full blast when on. Not an issue since the main switches are accessible. WiFi and cable TV in Unit. The community is gated and security patrol all day and night. We felt completely safe throughout our stay. There are 3 pools in the community with amazing seating areas. There is a small Private beach connected to the community. Cerro Gordo and Dorado beach were just a few minutes drive away. Supermarket and restaurants are very close by. All driving distance though. Alma, Alex and Louie were quick to respond to any questions we had during our stay. We would recommend this community to our family and return again.
Angela, New York, June 2019
We stayed in Puerto Rico for a girls trip and I must say this place exceeded expectations. The staff were always pleasant and helpful. Alex, the property manager always made himself available for any questions that we made have had. Louie, one of the Alex’ assistants was amazing. He gave us great tips on places to eat and visit. Waking up and going to sleep to the sounds of the ocean was like a dream. Can’t wait for the next trip!
Jamilla, Philadelphia, June 2019
The hosts were exceptional. Responsive and helpful. Gave us great local tips. The beach was private and secluded! Great quiet getaway. The condo was spacious and a great layout for a family vacation.
Lois, New York, NY, May 2019
Beautiful, comfortable house in a quiet, secure neighborhood. Plenty of amenities. It was well stocked and had everything we needed plus more. Thank you Alma.
Evelyn, May 2019
This was our 1st time using AirB&B, we were so nervous at first but SO GLAD we did! BEAUTIFUL VILLA! It truly was paradise ! We had everything needed for the perfect vacation, attention to every detail is above and beyond throughout the entire villa. Beds and linens so comfortable, the large spacious home is beautifully decorated, every room is warm and inviting , high ceilings, loved the artwork throughout, plenty of beach chairs & umbrellas, we were the only ones on the beach all week!! We felt like it was our own private beach in paradise sitting under our favorite palm trees! We loved every minute of it ! Alma thought of everything to make her guests feel at home. A huge linen closet full of clean towels. Kitchen has everything and more, I loved waking up to the birds singing, coffee on the patio, and the pool ( and decorative lake ) right outside the French doors is priceless! We had geckos, turtles and all kinds of Birds visiting every morning. Such a beautiful view right from the patio, and just steps to the pool. Also we fell in love with the beach on the property, it has amazing snorkeling at the right side and we love to snorkel! The beach itself is stunning. It was our favorite beach out of all that we visited & we didn’t even have to leave the villa. We had everything right there for us, even the tropical fish! Louis was so nice , he gave us great tips and a tour of the local area when we arrived. It was a pleasure to be greeted by someone so personable! every store you could need from grocery, CVS, Walgreens, even Marshall’s is within 5-10 minutes up the road plus tons of restaurants. And I can’t say enough about Alex, we were so impressed. His response was immediate any time day or night. He was right there with anything we needed. We are already talking about when we can come back ! I know I read and reread all the reviews before booking, so I hope my review will be helpful. I know the pictures are lovely , but they do not do it justice. This is a really beautiful, clean villa with all the comforts of home in a gated secure community with beautiful grounds. We felt very safe when we were here at the Villa. Beach is literally a 1 minute walk straight ahead.
Mary, Hudson, New Hampshire, May 2019
Thank you so much for lending us your beautiful home again last week. We had an amazing time!
At the villa we cooked fish, watched Game of Thrones, and laughed ourselves silly playing some godawful tennis. Among our many adventures I count 6 ocean beaches, 2 La Parguera snorkeling adventures (reef + bio bay, which was astonishing), and 4 river swimming holes, each more spectacular than the last.
And the food was fabulous! Roxanne speaks Spanish, which enabled more culinary adventures than when I traveled alone. Highlights were the sampler platter at Deaverdura in OSJ, a lechonera in Guavate, and many roadside food stands.
Thank you again, this trip created memories for a lifetime.
Mike and Roxanne, Massachusetts, 2019
Awesome location with a beautiful view. The unit was well equipped and nicely appointed. We had a great time and would definitely go back.
Don, Ohio, 2019
We traveled to PR for Spring Break with our three kids (6,4,2) and had a wonderful time. The Villa is an easy 30-40 minute drive from the airport. We arrived and the fridge was stocked full of essentials and dinner was delivered from a local BBQ place. Alex was wonderful and took care of everything (including delivering a blender so we could make Pina Coladas). After arriving we walked out on the veranda (the perfect spot to sit, relax and have meals) to a lush lawn, a pond full of friendly ducks and turtles and a large swimming pool equipped with a 1 ft deep baby area and 4 ft max depth throughout the pool. A perfect setup. The walk to the beach is about 5 minutes and we literally had it to ourselves. A short walk to the other end of the beach revealed an area protected from the waves and a perfect area for our kids to swim. The villa was equipped with all the umbrellas and beach chairs we needed. The Villa itself is spacious and includes a large living area and kitchen. WIFI worked great as did cell phones (no extra charges for US carriers). Venturing out was also easy and fun. The town of Dorado is close and full of restaurants and shops. There are two grocery stores (SuperMax and Amigo) within a 10 minute drive. The local food was fresh and delicious. We took day trips to old San Juan to walk around and fly kites and another trip to the rain forest. Close to the villa is beach/park called Cerro Gordo. It’s the local public beach – very lively, fun and safe. There are hiking trails nearby which offer sweeping views of the ocean and waves crashing and spraying on rocks. I didn’t know that PR was so beautiful. The combination of the convenience, service, location and beauty made Villa de Palma the perfect choice for our family vacation.
April 2019
Nice Villa in a beautiful area. Great customer service. Host is super helpful and kind. We enjoyed the quiet surroundings and you can’t beat how beautiful the resort is!
Megan, Massachusetts, April 2019
Alma manages several apartments and although we originally booked Villa Aguamarina, we never stayed there, but got transferred to Villa Sunset. Villa Sunset is a lovely apartment in a beautiful location just by the ocean. We really enjoyed our stay there and Alma and Alex were very responsive and helpful. I would definitely stay there again!
Fanney, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2019
Everything was perfect and better than expected. Great host! Very professional and always available.
Javier, Romania, 2019
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Our family had a wonderful time at this Villa. It was beautiful inside(clean) and AC worked great. We felt like we had the beach to ourselves and everyone was super friendly. Lucky enough to have beach stuff in the villa for our kiddo as well. Also we forgot our hats so having that there was just such a nice touch. Thank you for a memorable vacation.
Lizz, Golden, CO, 2019
The photos do not do this location justice. The beach is fantastic if you want a quiet experience away from the crowds. The waves are just perfect for my preteens to play in and for me to feel that they are safe. The condo was comfortable, spacious and well appointed with plenty of extra towels and blankets and kitchen utensils. Alma and her team are incredibly thoughtful and responsive. Be sure to check her recommendations for local activities
Amy, Chicago, 2019
Happy Family ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Great hacienda for a week long stay in Puerto Rico! Lovely and spacious with areas to accommodate everyone’s vacation choices. Nice pools and great access to beautiful and mostly empty beach. The covered patio with hammock and constant breezes was this mom’s favorite perch. Kitchen is well equipped, nice bedrooms and bathrooms and plenty of towels for bathing and beach.
Tracy, Minnesota, 2019
Our two families had a lovely time staying at Villa Blue Sea in the Costa Dorada community of Dorodo, PR. (4 adults, 3 pre-school aged kids, one baby). The two levels of the unit have massive picture window/doors that open completely from the entire communal space (kitchen/dining/living room) out to a wonderful covered patio, and two of the three upstairs bedroom that have the most beautiful and direct view of the waves and ocean. We enjoyed this open, light-filled and breezy space and the lovely sounds that go with it so much!! Only used the AC at night despite hot weather, because the ocean breeze and ceiling fans moved the perfect amount of air through the house. The property has direct beach access to a small and lovely beach, and well as a pool with kids pool on the grounds. Rinse off showers are included at both. There is a big grill on the porch and lots of seating. Beds were comfortable and and sufficient linens provided. Alma and her team were very response to our requests and during the welcome walk-through. Would come back in an instant!!
Patricia, Cambridge MA, 2019
Another 5 star review!
This was the perfect place for our family to stay. The view is outstanding! It is in a great part of town next to a ton of locals restaurants, grocery stores, and anything else you could need. Alex and Alma were super helpful and made sure we had everything we needed! We highly recommend staying here!”
Ashley, Dorado, PR, 2019
A Room With a Spectacular View
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Steven, Maureen and I had a wonderful stay. Villa Bella Mar was the perfect villa for us. Starting with the spectacular view. It was the ultimate place for calm, quiet and stress free days. It was a great home base for other activities we did around the island. We will definitely keep this villa in mind for our next visit. . A Thank You to Alex for all his help. He was great, responding quickly to our questions. A shout out to Alma for making the whole rental process a breeze. Thank you.
Irving S., New York, March 2019
Beautiful Villa in a Private Tropical Paradise
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was our third visit to Puerto Rico and our first to Lakeside Villas in Dorado. We absolutely loved everything about Villa Iris, including the beautiful artwork. Alma was very easy to work with and if we had questions or needed anything she immediately replied. The villa was very comfortable and had everything we needed for our 10 day stay. It had one of the best views of our incredible private beach. Dorado was a great location and we could get to most anywhere we wanted to go within 30 minutes. El Ojo del Buey Park was a hidden gem just down the road to the east. We went to Arecibo, which was about 30 minutes west, and visited Cueva Ventana (Window Cave), Chorros del Rio Hondo (a beautiful waterfall), and the Arecibo lighthouse, which had the most incredible views and bluest water. We ate at Arreciff 681 in Arecibo, which is a very cool beach bar with incredible food. The Bacardi Distillery is also worth a visit, along with a ferry ride to Old San Juan. There were so many great places to eat in Old San Juan, but two favorites were Ostra Cosa and La Garita. The adrenaline junkies went ziplining at Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park. We hiked El Yunque twice and it was just as spectacular as we remember. There was only one trail that was closed but everything else was open all the way to the top. Puerto Rico is back baby!!
Heather from Michigan, 2019
” OUTSTANDING ” ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Our stay at Villa Gardenia was far more beautiful then what we were expecting . 0ur stay was from January 31-February 7 . We arrived in San Juan proceeded to get our rent a car & headed to the Villa , Alex was waiting for us and went over all our Villa had to offer . It was “CLEAN” & perfect Alex made our welcome very special Thank You Alex . Back tracking working with Alma ( Paradise Villas ) was a complete pleasure Thank You as well Alma . We plan on coming back to Puerto Rico next February and we will be in contact with Alma ( Paradise Villas ) to arrange our accommodations . Thank you again Alma & Alex We Loved our stay at the Villa Gardenia
Pascal, Illinois, Feb. 2019
Alma’s villa exceeded the expectations of myself and my other seven traveling companions. We were very pleased with the accommodations (comfortable beds, ample linens, outfitted kitchen) and the cleanliness of the villa and grounds. We had the beach to ourselves the majority of our stay and there were always lounge chairs available at the pools. The gated entry made us feel safe and we felt comfortable walking around the grounds in the evenings. Per Alma’s recommendation, we were able to take advantage of the local grocery store (Amigo) and a little roadside bar we found on the way to Paradise Villas. She also provided us the name of a local tour guide who brought us to a cave and some waterfalls in the rain forest, at what we agreed was a very reasonable price. The distance from San Juan was perfect. We felt as though we were at a secluded resort, but we were only a 30 minute drive to the city. (I would highly recommend renting a car!) Honestly, there’s nothing I would change. Thanks, Alma!
Molly, MN – Feb., 2019
This villa was GREAT and excellent value – the villa is MUCH nicer than even the photos show. Pleasantly surprised. Very spacious and fully equipped with everything we needed for our stay. Beds were super comfy with fresh linen- smart TV in the living room with leather couches – wifi strong – Alma and Alex were amazing – they had a gift bag for us upon arrival with lots of essentials and gave us tons of tips about the island. The villa is in gated community right on the beach and we could walk out from our patio to the beach or pool in minutes. Loved the breezes on patio and the large BBQ. Definitely coming back to Villa Giovanni.
Alan, January 2019
Villa Concha at Lakeside Villas
We had a great time at this rental. The home was lovely. It was great to spend our mornings on the patio outside with the chairs and hammock. The beds were comfy – and the home had everything you would expect from a beach house. Lots of good beaches near the home. It was a good base for us to explore Northwest PR. Highly recommend.
Sanjay, January, 2019
We had a wonderful holiday at Alma’s villa. The place is very spacious with huge bedrooms and a nice living area with a big TV with premium channels. Nice outdoor area with a hammock as well. Pools on the property are very nice and well maintained. The beach is a very short walk away and it is beautiful and was not at all crowded. Great time had by all!
Jane, London UK 2018
Outstanding!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I moved to another villa (Gardenia) due to accessibility issues for my 90 year old mom. The new villa was all one floor and larger with 3BR and 3baths. The villa was gorgeous – clean, extremely comfortable and had plenty of everything you would need for a stay. Everyone in my party loved the place, the location and the private beach! Alex, the Guest Services Manager, was very friendly and responsive. I’m sure he gets the same questions from guests over and over again but he always responded in a kind and caring way. Alma was extremely pleasant to work with! She thought about all of my guests and asked questions to ensure everyone would be comfortable in the villa. She responds quickly to emails and is very detailed in her responses. Overall, everything was wonderful and I would definitely stay again on my next trip!
Sonia, New Jersey, November 2018
Firstly, the Location was exactly where we wanted to be, since it was right on the Dorado Ritz property. The house had many amenities, one of my favorites was the golf cart, which I used daily to explore the property. Secondly the house was very comfortable, and I loved the kitchen, and every time I had a question, I had a number to call, and the helper was just fantastic. (the helper picked up groceries for me and was available on the phone any time (6am or 12midnight) that I needed him). I had such a great time. I will absolutely be coming back.
Shane, October 2018
Villa Gardenia at Lakeside Villas
I do not know how to begin to describe my experience with Alma. When I contacted her about a rental – I had been having a difficult time. But, even though we did not know one another, Alma was very sensitive to our situation and took care of things very quickly. Within a few hours Alma found us an excellent place – Villa Gardenia – which turned out to be a home-from-home for our family. It’s located in a real paradise – including ocean views and access to a private beach. The villa is full of books and, among other things, my family and I were able to enjoy a lot of reading. Security is excellent, and their personnel were very kind. Our stay in the villa coincided with the passage of a hurricane which hit the island. Alma sent employees to secure the property and to make sure we felt safe. Finally, throughout our stay, Alex was always cheerfully ready, willing and able to help with anything that was necessary. What else could I add to this review? I know there’s more but let me finish by saying I plan on returning with my family to once again enjoy this WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.
GCG, September 2017
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A beautiful piece of paradise. Modern, clean with an open layout. This villa was the perfect compliment to the breathtaking view outside. The real showstopper is the scene from the balconies especially at sunset. All the necessary amenities were included, even relaxing beach chairs. A tropical home away from home! We would love to come back again and will suggest this rental to everyone!
CW, North Carolina, 2018
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We stayed at the Villa Blue Sea in July 2017. My husband and I, my son and daughter and her boyfriend. What a beautiful condo! Just loved it – the view of the ocean, waking up in the morning and hearing the ocean waves. Must say, I was very sad to leave the area. I will recommend the Villa Blue Sea to all my friends.
PC from Texas, 2018
Second time just as great as the first – WE LOVE IT
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
For those looking for a worry-free vacation with all the comforts of home ( and perhaps even better), Vila Ileana is the place to be! Perfectly appointed with comfortable and stylish furnishings, and equipped with all the gadgets for a comfortable stay. The bedrooms are spacious and clean, light bright and airy. Dine on the patio or enjoy your cafe on the expansive veranda. This was our second visit, and it appears to be our annual visit. The staff is accommodating and full of useful tips and information. The location is private and secure. There are no worries at Villa Ileana. Just bring your bathing suits!
DH from LA, 2018
Alma’s staff was a pleasure to work with. They made the process of checking in seamless and made sure we were very well taken care of for the entire trip. The place was a great value and location is unbeatable.
MB from WA, 2018
Beautiful. Clean. Perfect. Nearby restaurants, grocery store, beaches. Highly highly recommend.
WG from Texas, 2018
Villa Ileana at Lakeside Villas is the best ever! This property is so relaxing and beautiful, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Alma and Alex are the BEST. I would recommend this place to everyone I know. It’s good, clean and hospitable – with everything in the Villa that you need or want. There are the Beaches, Salsa Dancing, Caving, Bacardi Rum Tours, Rain Forest and much, much more! We wanted to stay extra days. We’ll be back again and will stay at the same Villa Ileana at Lakeside Villas. Do not forget to ask for Alex – we loved him. He’ll answer every question you need to be answered. I would rate this as 6 stars.
Vivian, June 2017
The house is awesome. It’s huge (massive bedrooms, and living spaces), spotlessly clean, well appointed, and tastefully decorated (which can be really hard to find on Airbnb). The onsite pool and one-minute walk to the beach were great. Neaby Cerro Gorda is a lovely place to explore. Overall, It’s a great value if you want to be in the Dorado area
L.E., Ann Arbor Michigan, 2018
Three weeks in paradise doesn’t say enough
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The property was exactly as described as on the website, beautiful and fit for a king. Everything you needed was there and if not all you had to do was call Alex and he would provide. The unit was spotless inside and the grounds were beautifully maintained.
We planned this trip two years in advance to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary and once the time came the three weeks flew by. All our guests were taken back by Villa and the grounds. They still can’t stop talking about the wonderful time they had here and exploring Puerto Rico. We also had a chance to meet Alma and she invited us to be her Guest at an after party at the Ritz Carlton. Another great memory!
This is a place I would recommend for family and friends who want to get away from it all and explore on their own. We visited the Camuy Caves, Arecibo Telescope, Dorado Beach and Old San Juan a must. There is plenty to do and see for everyone.
We will be back.
SM from California, June 2017
The condo was very nice, including furnishings, good beds and linens., and we loved the huge porch ! The complex had great grounds and the pools were lovely! Good restaurants in Dorado, plus lovely beaches nearby! Alma and Alex were awesome assisting us! We would definitely stay here again!
MB – July 2017
Stunning Ocean Views
My family and I had the most amazing time at the villa. Everything was super clean and the floorplan was a great layout. There wasn’t AC in the living area, but it was no problem because it was such an open floorplan, you just opened all the windows and doors and got the greatest ocean breeze that kept you cool. The back bedrooms stayed super cold with awesome AC and the beds were super comfy. The only thing was it can get noisy at night but that’s PR and we were there over 4th of July so noise is expected. The downstairs neighbors were super nice and friendly too. There was such great communication with Alma & Alex and checking in and out was a breeze. They really made it so simple and provided such great detail, I never worried about a thing. I think my family found there new annual summer beach rental – we will definitely be back next year!
Lacey, Summer 2017
The spacious Villa de Palma provided us with a peaceful respite from the hustle and the bustle away from the larger metropolitan areas, yet it was close enough to shopping malls and other beach resorts in the Dorado area. The serenity of the complex was therapeutic to us. Every morning, we woke up to the chirping of song birds. We played many rounds of dominoes at the patio table, while enjoying outdoors BBQ dinners. The many rounds of Table Tennis at the Rec Center, just a few steps away, finally improved my game. Alex was awesome, just a phone call or text message away. Thank you, Lizzie for offering your concierge services, but we were familiar with the island and its entertainment.
Elsa from California – Spring 2017
Perfect villa to relax and have a blast!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
It’s my second time choosing to stay at Villa Gardenia! I love this beautiful, extra spacious, comfortable house steps from the most amazing beach spot in Dorado. The beach is almost completely private! This villa is immaculately clean and beautifully decorated. It’s the perfect place to relax, entertain and play at the beach! You won’t need to bring anything. My boys had a blast running the ways on the boogie boards, playing in the gorgeous sand and loving every minute of it. I love to sit in the terrace outside with a good book while the boys enjoyed the facilities inside this safe, quiet and friendly community of villas. The location works out great too as Dorado has many nice restaurants, supermarkets and stores to visit. Plus the easy access to San Juan makes it perfect for me to visit relatives and have them come visit us. I cannot say enough what an amazing spot this.
Marieli S. from TX, June, 2017
Our stay was phenomenal. The pictures were exactly as described and there was a beach right beside us. The house was clean and the fact that it came with a laundry machine was great! The host was very attentive and whenever we needed anything they would immediately do whatever they could to assure that we had a lovely stay! Will definitely go back in the future!
Rachel L – June 2017
Comfortable, Well-appointed Villa
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We stayed for a week in the villa – two adults and three teenage girls. My daughters loved the place. It was spacious – 4 bedrooms, a big living room, dining area and a well-stocked kitchen, plus three bathrooms – and well-appointed, precisely as described in the advertisement. The inside and outside space were immaculate on arrival and we used both generously during the week. Nice backyard patio table – perfect for breakfast! The villa was also conveniently located – about a 30 minute drive to Old San Juan. The liaison, Alex, was helpful on our arrival and responsive to our needs during the week. The entire complex was well-run. It is a very safe, well-maintained gated community with a pool and access to the ocean.
M.R, March 2017
“My wife and I were looking for a nice place to celebrate our anniversary this summer. We wanted a place near the beach, near all of the popular sites but away from the mainstream traffic, and large enough to accommodate our entire family. Dorado Reef checked all of the boxes and more… From the beginning, Alma was very helpful in making sure the accommodations met all of our needs. She was always responsive and seemed genuinely concerned with making sure our stay was a good one.
Once the arrangements were made, it was time to take our trip. I expected a nice villa in a well-maintained community but what we saw more than exceeded my expectations. The villa was absolutely beautiful and the grounds were so well planned and maintained, I can see myself spending a full vacation there without ever leaving the villa. We arrived and met with Alex who showed us around the villa and the grounds. Alex was also very accommodating. He was always happy to help us find what we needed and even made a few phone calls to help set up reservations for us. He went above and beyond to make sure our stay went well.
The villa was clean and well furnished throughout. The beach was a short 5-minute walk or an easy 2-minute drive away. (A golf cart is provided.) We were there for eight days and in the end, it really wasn’t enough.
Dorado itself is beautiful and everything you need is nearby but if you want to venture out, many of the popular stops are nearby. My family and I fell in love with the area and spent a lot of time in the Villa or on the beach. We’re already thinking about our next trip back…
Thank you, Alma & Alex for all your help in making this an amazing experience for me and my family.”
Ana V. from NJ – July 2016
“The villa is very spacious and immaculately clean. There is a large atrium with very pleasant acoustics. The air conditioning system is divided into zones to spare the owners from the ridiculous electrical rates on the island, but is very powerful and provides immediate relief when breezes through the house are not sufficient.
The immediate surroundings are lovely. The patio overlooks a pond with interesting black-and-white ducks, a tree where small black birds with unusual calls roost, and a pool. I opted for the nearby beach, within a 5-minute walk, over the pool. Along the walk are little crabs that dart in and out of holes near the path, more unusual tropical birds, and, after dark, mesmerizing sounds of birds and tree frogs from the adjacent forest. Behind this beach is a small open-air restaurant for when you’d prefer a 10-minute walk along the beach to cooking or driving anywhere.
I felt very safe in this community, security is very tight and the surrounding fence is not something anyone would want to climb. I even got a knock on the door from an observant security guard who noticed that I had left the dome light on my rental car on.
The owner, Alma, provides a detailed welcome letter with information about the villa, local area, and PR in general, and there are more detailed resources in the villa, including a notebook with laminated sheets for various day trips (e.g. Camuy Caverns + Arecibo, El Yunque + Luquillo + Fajardo). The local manager, Alex, shows you around the villa when you arrive, answers any questions you have, and is always on call to help. I only needed basic shopping advice and directions to a nice local body surfing beach I’d heard about, but I had the feeling that if I’d had engine trouble up in the mountains somewhere, Alex would have bailed me out.
The island itself is magical. My two highlights were the sights and sounds of El Yunque rain forest, and the enormous Arecibo radio telescope. Both had me slack-jawed in amazement .
I had a great week in Puerto Rico. I highly recommend this villa.”
M.D. Boston, MA – May 2015
“My husband and I plus another couple spent a most wonderful week at 0-3 Villa DePalma at the Paradise Villas and Vacations in Dorado, Puerto Rico…Alma, the owner of this beautiful villa was so very nice and most helpful. She provided us with very detailed arrival and start-up information about the villa and area. She also helped to facilitate a very convenient car rental and golf dates. Her recommendations on restaurants were spot-on. Grappa’s was wonderful as well as the Chop House. We ate at both of these restaurants a couple of times each. Dinner at the Ritz was truly a memorable evening. Also, Alex Espin (the villa’s guest services manager was also most helpful. Both alex and alma were there personally to greet us on our arrival. The weather for the week was gorgeous!!! Grocery shopping was close by and easy. The pool was beautiful and the beach was just a few minutes away… This was one of our most favorite vacations.. An absolutely beautiful location, gorgeous weather, great restaurants with delicious food, great golf courses, wonderful pool and nearby beach. Also, Puerto Rico is an easy flight from Boston and no customs to go throught for us… We certainly hope to go back and visit soon… Thank you alma and alex…This is truly Paradise!”
Diane, Marblehead, MA – Feb 2014
“House perfect. Incredibly spacious and beautifully furnished, yet kid friendly. We were six, three generations. Breakfast on the patio, perhaps a rest in the hammock or swing chair. No! We’ll save that for later; everyone into the pool, 20 strides away. Good morning ducks. Yes, it’s another perfect day in Paradise.
Restaurant favorites. Grappa, charming and excellent. A La Vera, outdoor and fun. Surprisingly good food. Try everything. Marmalade, in Old San Juan. Expensive and excellent. Also stunning. The one extravagant meal to have. Delightful way to go: drive to the 50 cent ferry which drops you at the foot of Old San Juan. Especially if you brought kids, ask alma to provide contact to get into the Watermill, an incredibly brilliant water park. My #1 kids attraction in PR, adults too. Great vacation. Thank you, Alex, for being the perfect “concierge” and friend.”
Arnie, 2014
“Paradise Villas and Alma helped our family plan a wonderful vacation at the Ritz Carlton reserve private homes. Given the unpredictable weather of Puerto Rico, Alma organized several itineraries for our family to choose from on a daily basis. Puerto Rico has a lot to offer for families of any ages and Alma is the tour planner that knows it all.”
P.V., Connecticut, Jan. 2014
“I am a Project Manager who has had a project running in Barceloneta for a period of 8 months and had chosen Lakeside Villas as our nesting place for the duration. The service that Alma provided in setting up the rentals as well as the service from the different landlords, Jeanette, Sandra, & Frank has been great. We have found the property quite comfortable and very luxurious, should we require further housing in the area we wont hesitate to inquire at Lakeside.”
Joseph, 2013
Great and spacious base camp for PR adventure – Excellent base camp for 7 of us on a week-long trip to PR. Close to beach, convenient location, very spacious, let us relax, do our own cooking, highly secure. Manager extremely nice and accommodating. Would definitely choose this again!
M.R., Conecticut, March 2013
“We stayed at the Villa over Thanksgiving week with our 4 boys (ages 15-23). The location was very centrally located and the villa was beautiful. It was perfect for our family. Everyone had their own space. The beach was within walking distance and was beautiful. The water was absolutely gorgeous while we were there. The villa complex was a little “quiet” for my boys taste but it made for memorable family time. The only thing missing was a jacuzzi! The patio was wonderful for eating breakfast in the morning or after the beach. We could have used 1 extra week to just relax after we did all our excursions around Puerto Rico. We went surfing in Rincon, snorkeling in Culebra, toured the forts in Old San Juan, went on a biobay electric boat tour (amazing!), hiked the rain forest, visited El Cuevo del Indio (breathtaking views). I would highly recommend this villa and Dorado. Puerto Rico is amazing! Many thanks to Alma for her hospitality and to Rosa for helping us out while we were in Puerto Rico.”
G.J., New Jersey, Nov. 2012
“Three generations of my family spent spring break at Alma’s villa. We had a great time. The swimming pool is just behind the house and the beach is two short blocks away. My grandkids loved having both available and the adults enjoyed not having to pack up and drive. Lakeside villas is centrally located on the island so we were able to do easy day trips to visit beaches and caves to the west and El Yunque and a bioluminescent bay in the east. Some of us were even brave enough to try the Trapeze School of New York which has opened a venue in San Juan. Alma’s villa is great place for a relaxing family vacation!”
Charlie H, March 2013
“Your location was beautiful, we all decided you had the best location on the whole property. We admired the view every meal during our week here. Our 1 and a half year old loved the pool, playground and rearranging the flags on the putting green. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful home with us! Prospero año Nuevo!”
Jen, Dave + Erik, Philadelphia, PA; Joyce, Seattle, WA; Jo and Time, Chicago, IL, 2013
Thank you for sharing your Puerto Rican home with us- we enjoyed it so much! The first few days we had the entire complex to ourselves- just a few people around- and the pool all for us. It was heavenly and a nice surprise. We ventured out this week- to Old San Juan, to Arecibo (interesting drive but attractions were closed, so not really worth it) and to Fajardo for a catamaran/snorkeling trip (great!). We also ate out most of the week avoiding the “American restaurants. We particularly loved Grappas in Dorado Centro, Sweet Ann Cakes and the roadside stand across the street from the Hyatt (fantastic empanadas). Overall it was a wonderful week and we were all enchanted with the PR people and culture. Thanks again- we will be back!
Kathy and Jeff C and family, Cincinnati, OH, 2013
Thank you for letting my family and I stay at your wonderful home. I had so much fun and enjoyed myself greatly. We went to lots of fun places and restaurants. We also enjoyed the pool. We met some nice people at the pool too. My mom and I went to the spa. She got a hot stone massage and I got an amazing chocolate back rub.
Lauren I, 2013
Thank you so much for allowing us to stay in your wonderful home. It is just as amazing as I ever remember it. We had a great time; went to El Moro, El Yunque, the Bacardi factory, spent quality time at the beach and pools and went to Old San Juan a few times. Grappa and Chop house were great, especially Grappa (asparagus risotto… yum!). We also went to an authentic Puerto Rican restaurant in San Juan called Jose Enrique (176 Duffault Street)- Yellow Tailed snapper, unbelievable. This couldn’t be more picturesque or perfect for our group – thank you again so much!
Meredith, Bryden, Jen Wu, Erica, Jill, Liza, Kelly and Dana (Boston and Washington DC), 2013
“We really enjoyed our time at your home away from home. I really wish we could have stayed longer. The super max has fantastic sushi for those wanting to enjoy on your patio. Will definitely recommend to friends and would love to come again.”
Brent, Susan, Shelton and Family, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, 2013
Thank you so much for letting us stay at your villa, its wonderful here. We all had such a good time and are sad to leave today. We all really enjoyed sitting out on the patio in the mornings and evenings. It’s so relaxing listening to the coquis. We enjoyed having visits from the iguanas, anoies, birds and ducks. For anyone visiting the villa we highly recommend having Yolanda come and cook some dinners for you. She came and cooked five times for us and each dinner was more amazing than the last. We were able to have an opportunity to sample home cooked Puerto Rican meals most tourists don’t have the chance to have. Yolanda’s coconut pudding is a slice of heaven! Yolanda is a wonderful cook and so friendly. She taught us a lot about life in Puerto Rico, and answered all of our questions. Things we think are worth a visit: Old San Juan, El Yunque, a kayak trip at night to one of the bioluminescent bays. We went to the one in Fajardo. We also went to a great restaurant in town called El Capitan. They have great seafood. Thanks so much.
The Fox/Corn family and Betsy, 2012
Thank you for sharing your lovely home. We had a fantastic time here. Wish we could stay forever. Your home is so peaceful and beautiful. We felt secure at all times. This is paradise, again we thank you.
PS: Baby London, loved feeding the ducks and swimming in the pool.
Ivan, March, 2011
Fantastic Vacation Retreat!
“We recently returned from a blissful Christmas week stay at Lakeside Villas — a total treat! Two parents and three boys — ages 10, 15 and 17 and this place had something for each of us. Beautiful accommodations, pristine beaches and LOTS of nearby attractions. The villa itself and the small community are spotless and serene. The owner, Alma, was warm, welcoming and extremely knowledgeable about what to do, where to go & what to see. It’s rare to meet someone so genuinely enthusiastic and helpful! Cannot recommend more highly!”
Mary from NYC, 2011
When the temperature is 14 below zero at home, ANY PLACE warm would seem ideal, but we hit the jackpot. Our two weeks plus two days (we were stranded 48 hours because of bad weather stateside) was a delightful taste of paradise. Alma’s three bedroom villa is nicely appointed, the beds are very comfortable, and having a separate bathrooms for each bedroom is definitely a plus! The location is ideal, just minutes from Dorado and some terrific restaurants, very close to beautiful golf courses, and grocery stores also close by.
The villa community is completely gated, so we always felt safe. Alma’s property has a premier location. Her patio faces a lovely lagoon and is literally steps from the pool. The beach, a five minute trek, is absolutely beautiful- sandy bottom, fun waves, delightful in every way. The water was close to 80 degrees –like velvet!!
Dale A Doerr, Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 2011
Your villa has to be the prime Lake Side Villa property with your very spacious two floors and a most inviting veranda. The setting is so private. The lake and pool just off your patio and the beach only a few minutes walk away make your villa the perfect R+R location. Having the Wi-Fi access was just the best. The beach with its perfect sand and fun to swim in breakers was almost exclusively ours during our stay. In the mornings we just relaxed, swam, read and then in the afternoons toured the sites. We visited Old San Juan of course as well as the distillery, the rain forest, the caves as well as the local area and restaurants. Having the car with GPS was the way to go. Thank you for making your home away from home available to us.
Hank Conklin and Carol Pierson, November 2010
The villa was great. My friends wowed when walking into the spacious and nicely decorated property. The manager and the cleaning lady were both responsive and helpful. Our stay was very much enjoyed, especially by the kids.
Xuetao Hu, North Carolina, December 2008
“I want to heartily recommend Alma Bair’s Beach Villa house if you are looking at renting a place in Puerto Rico. I did an extensive search of homes that would accommodate my family for a Puerto Rican vacation. I contacted 50 different available places and narrowed my selection down to five. I then made a trip to Puerto Rico to check out each of the rental homes. By far, Alma’s property stood head and shoulders above the rest of the places that I saw.
Let me tell you why I say this. First, the house is located in the beautiful Dorado Beach area which is a half hour drive from the Luis Munoz Marin Airport. The house is beautifully architected in the Spanish styling. It is a gated and guarded community and the guards walk around not only during the day but also at night. We felt very secure. The guards were also very friendly.
There is one large master bedroom and two good sized bedrooms each with their own full bathroom. This was perfect for my family as it allowed everyone the privacy they needed and sufficient space to get ready for a night out or a walk to the beach. I enjoyed my early mornings on the patio with a cup of coffee and local pastry while I watched the sun rise and just spent quiet time reflecting. This is how a vacation should be.
The patio of house is right in front of the pool where we spent time every day. A short walk down a path and through a keyed gate and you are on the beach. The beaches in the Condado and Isla Verde areas can be rough but the beach that is accessible from the house was much calmer. Having access to the Dorado Beach Hyatt facilities was also very nice as it is right next door to the housing complex. We also had time to use the properties tennis court which is nice and we were the only ones playing. There also is a ping pong table but we did not have time to use it.
The dining room table is large and we had room to seat 12 people at it. My wife is from Puerto Rico and her family came over to celebrate a birthday with us so the space was convenient to accommodate all of us at one table. The kitchen came in handy as it not only allowed us to save money by preparing our own breakfast and occasional dinner but also allowed us to chat around the kitchen as we prepared our food.
As for site seeing, most tourist locations are a short drive away. We were able to visit the Caverns of Camuy, the Arecibo Observatory, the Morro, Old San Juan all of which are within 30 minutes or less from the house.
I have traveled to Puerto Rico on business and on vacation no less than a dozen times and I would have to say that this past vacation was the best by far thanks in great part to the wonderful accommodations available at Alma’s house. We will utilize this again in future trips to Puerto Rico and I highly recommend it to you, except for the week that we would use it. Enjoy.”
DRA, Illinois, December 2008
We really enjoyed our stay in your beautiful villa. It is really a piece of paradise. We will definitely be back and I will refer it to all my colleagues.
AT, New York, August 2008
We had a terrific stay at your Lakeside Villa in Dorado, Puerto Rico. I have to say that we didn’t want to leave at all. We enjoyed the pool area, the access to the beach was just a few steps away, the back terrace was very spacious and it was perfect to spend quality family time and enjoy a nice conversation. If you want to spend quite and relaxing time, this is the place for it. There was no need to leave the villa to grab a bite. We came with groceries and prepared meals. There was plenty of space for everyone. We will definately come back again in the future if the villa is available.
Again, you have a beautiful spot in gorgeous Dorado, Puerto Rico.
Arnaldo and Amarilis Claudio, Florida, July 2008
“Our vacation was extraordinary.
First of all – your beautiful, spacious, comfortable home. From the lovely terra cotta floors to the tile details to the generously stocked kitchen and refrigerator – it was wonderful. We came in thirsty and tired and immediately got refreshed and were off and running within an hour. It was so kind of you to let us have access to your supply closet. It was such a treat not to have to run out to the grocery immediately and be able to find a snack for everyone. We replenished it with great joy and thanks.
Secondly – the setting is a vacationer’s paradise. We had a early dinner at the Cerromar timeshares the first day in the open air restaurant right off of the beach. What an introduction to this beautiful island. Our college kids checked out the resort and decided it was a definite for the next day. So, late morning Thursday they saunter over to the beach with their $25 each to be told ‘No – no need to pay – come and enjoy’ – which they did every day. Endless hours on the lazy river, battles on the courts (beach volleyball, pool volleyball), daily comparisons of the best hot tub experience, and of course the beautiful beach and the warm waters of the Caribbean. It couldn’t have been better. (Dan and I proffered that since three of the four college students were ‘bathing beauties’ – and the person taking the money a male – they were given the VIP treatment.)
Thirdly – the Villa itself – the wonderful porch; the fountain with the constant soothing sound of water; the pool; the pool house with ping pong; the putting green and gorgeous tennis courts – all used daily by the Raibley Bryden entourage.
And all of this….and we were seemingly the only ones there – hardly ever saw anyone except the grounds people and security. What a great place – we LOVED it.
Fourthly – Hector – what a gem of a person. He was waiting for us at the airport and took us to the Villa as well as a wonderful day in the rain forest. He was kind, caring and very willing to share his local knowledge and information with all of our curious guests. Thanks so much for putting us in contact with him. He loves you guys. He said he has never met such sweet, nice people. We all concurred.
Thank you is so inadequate to express what a wonderful seven days we had. We are rested, relaxed and rejuvenated. Thank you for a life time of wonderful memories.”
Rebecca – Massachusetts Winter 2007
“Puerto Rico was great. Something to do for everyone. Walking on the beach in the warm rain. Shopping in Old San Juan. Great photo opts there , too. The architecture with it’s beautiful tilework and balconies is wonderful! The trip to the rain forest was a favorite of us all (we have 3 boys and they are still talking about it! Look for the giant snails on the trees). Finding the waterfall was an added treat and a must do (bring water shoes if you have sensitive feet like me). Another wonderful thing to do is to take a catamaran / snorkeling trip. The name of the group we went with was East Winds. The boat was clean and the food was delicious. Lots of interesting and colorful fish that we have never seen before. Afterwards we went to Loquillo Beach which was a great beach for the wave / surfer enthusiast. And of course, just staying on the beach at the villas was a great way to spend the day. Plus access to the Hyatt’s waterslide and lazy river (lined with tropical plants and palms) makes you feel you are somewhere very special. We all returned very tan and very relaxed.
Thank you Alma & Allan!”
The Hathaway’s – Connecticut August 2007
“Just wanted to let you know we’re back and we had a wonderful time. What a great place you have there! Beautiful and peaceful. We had great weather – only one rainy afternoon which still did not impede my husband and his brother’s golf outing. We loved the water park at the beginning and end of our week. We had a lovely walk through Old San Juan and El Morro. We took a snorkeling excursion to Culebra we enjoyed it so much that we turned it into an overnight visit.
Again, we had a perfect vacation and loved discovering Puerto Rico. We probably wouldn’t have ever ended up there otherwise – now we’d love to return- there’s so much left to see!”
RH, Massachusetts, March 2006
“Just a note to let you know we returned safely from Paradise on Tuesday. Thank you very much for your extended hospitality through the Nor’easter! It is hard to believe that the full moon shining on the sea is the same moon we see here!
Your villa is beautiful – I love your furnishings, wall sconces, and great ceramics and glassware!
We had a great time with Tropical Trail Rides at Jobos Beach, and found a wonderful, casual restaurant nearby called Happy Belly’s, which I mentioned in your guest book. We also found the Magna Villa Panaderia near Wendy’s on 693 to have good, reasonably priced breakfasts (though of course you don’t get to walk along the beach to arrive there)! The kids loved Johnny Rockets, and we enjoyed Su Casa and Zen Garden too.”
JL, Massachusetts, February 2006
“I wanted to express what a terrific stay we had as your guests in Dorado. Such a spacious & comfortable villa was an excellent setting for a relaxing winter retreat. We enjoyed the proximity of the swimming pool and the playground, and felt like we were the only guests there. The children loved to watch the ducks march past the patio.”