We stayed at Carole's place for three days in early February 2010. It really was fantastic and just what we were looking for. We are the type of travelers that would rather open our veins than stay at an all-inclusive resort (like the tacky Rio Mar nearby), so it's usually B&Bs and guesthouses for us. But even some of those are hit-and-miss: cloyingly obsequious innkeepers who think they're your new best friend, or ferocious ones that have "Do Not..." signs posted all over their properties or give you the eye for being one minute late for breakfast. But Carole's place hit a sweet spot for the way we travel, and staying there really did make our visit to Luquillo Beach and El Yunque that much better. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, Carole was warm, inviting, and very helpful -- then she basically went away and let us do our own thing. We got the sense that she would have helped us with anything we would have needed, but we were fine on our own. It's not a strict B&B because there no breakfast was served (although Carole did prepare a pot of oatmeal for us before she left for her dayjob), but we didn't need or want that -- the food kioscos nearby are great. (And there are few things more annoying than the forced cordiality of making inane B&B chit-chat with a stranger over dry banana pancakes and weak coffee.) Because Carole only has one unit to rent, you have the run of the place -- the added privacy is wonderful, and probably the best thing about the place. (The private waterfall nearby is nice, too.)
The room is great if you like quirky places. The bed was plush and comfortable, and the best thing about the room was that Carole seemed to anticipate little needs -- there's a nice reading lamp clipped on the headboard, there's a whole shelf of sunscreen and bug spray, plenty of bath and beach towels, a coffee maker in the room (and fresh coffee in the fridge), bottles of water and snacks (helpful during our hike up El Yunque), clothing and coat hooks everywhere, plenty of hot water in the sunken shower area, enough pots, pans, and utensils to cook all your meals, and a nice Adirondack chair on the back porch of the villa. It's not the Connaught or Raffles, but Carole has been on the property for years and it's cool to see personality everywhere on the property. Her two black Labs are sweet and friendly, too.
Some things to keep in mind: you will need a car, and don't expect to walk out of the villa and just stumble onto the beach. Luquillo Beach, Coco Beach, the famous food kiosks, and the entrance to the El Yunque trails are all 10-20 minutes away by car. You'll have one or two mosquitoes in your room (there's a moquito net.) And here is no WIFI (hint, hint, Carole.)
What you get in exchange is your own place on a property that literally abuts the Caribbean National Forest, with beautiful views that extend over the hills and out to the sea, and, at night, you can sit on the backporch, listen the sound of the forest, and look up into a startingly clear night sky -- beer in your hand, crickets and coqui frogs all around you, the wonder of Orion above.
(Also, the photos on her website don't do justice to the place, so we're taking the liberty of some photos that we took.)
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
