About this hotel
General information
Royal Isabela is a private estate of some 730 hectares on the limestone cliffs of Puerto Rico’s north-west coast, just outside the town of Isabela. Guests stay in just 20 standalone casitas scattered across pasture, coastal forest and tropical gardens, so space and quiet are never in short supply. The land has slowly returned to the wild, with native woodland back on the hills, and the remains of an old railway line – bridges and tunnels that once linked Isabela with Quebradillas – still run through the grounds.
A championship golf course follows the cliff edge, with the Atlantic in view from every hole. Close by, an organic farm of around two hectares supplies the kitchens daily with vegetables, herbs and fruit, and guests can ask for a guided walk through the beds. The whole place is built around an unhurried pace and privacy: walks on the estate trails, dinner on a terrace above the ocean, yoga on the clifftops.
Location
The estate lies in Isabela on Puerto Rico’s north-west coast, on cliffs above the Atlantic and Playa El Pastillo. San Juan is a 2–2.5-hour drive away along the PR-22 and PR-2 highways; the hotel recommends hiring a car and suggests booking transfers from San Juan international airport and Aguadilla airport with the local operators it names. Helicopter transfers to and from the San Juan metropolitan area can also be arranged on request.
Spa
There is no spa building: massages, facials and body treatments are given in the guest’s own casita, from a menu that includes Royal Treatment, Root to Rise, Las Piedras, Nesting Ritual, Coastal Buff, The Harlequin and Face of Calm. Private yoga with an instructor takes place on the clifftops, on the yoga deck or in the casita, and can be paired with coffee, tea or a chef-prepared breakfast. A private sound bath with crystal and metal singing bowls can be held under the trees, by the river, near the sea or in the casita.
Sports & leisure
Royal Isabela Golf Club has a championship course on the clifftops above the ocean, a Pro Shop, club hire and private lessons with the resident professionals for players of every level. The estate also has tennis courts and two pools; there is no gym. Guided experiences with a private guide include:
- 4x4 Safari Adventure – an off-road drive across the estate in a classic Land Rover Defender, past bluffs, grassland and river crossings
- Bluff to Blue – a gentle walk of about 3 km from the limestone bluffs down to the tide pools of Playa El Pastillo
- Rail Trail – a 3 km or 8 km walk along the old railway route with the estate’s biologist, for birdlife and the rare Atlantea tulita butterfly
- The Coastal Circuit – rides on Santa Cruz Heckler e-bikes through grassland and along clifftop trails
- River & Rhythm – kayak or stand-up paddleboard on the Río Guajataca between limestone walls and tropical canopy
- Ride Into Rhythm – e-bike and river paddle combined, finished with a chef-prepared picnic
- Foil Voyage – eFoil sessions on a Lift board on the river or the ocean with an instructor
- Surfari – trips in a 4x4 van with a surf guide for intermediate and advanced surfers to reef and point breaks between Arecibo and Rincón; Beginner Breaks – a three-day course for first-timers with a certified instructor
- Rappelling the Cliffs – a guided rope descent down the estate’s limestone walls
- Skyline Sojourn Heli-Tour – a helicopter flight over Puerto Rico’s canyons, rivers and coastline
- Spirit of Isabela – a three-hour tour of the town of Isabela, its culture and coast
Restaurants & bars
Cooking on the estate draws on its own organic farm, local farmers and nearby fishermen; room service is available to casita guests.
- La Casa – the main farm-to-table restaurant with an open-air terrace within sound of the ocean; breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus brunch at weekends
- Bar Atlantea – ocean and fairway views, wines, local craft beers, house cocktails built on Puerto Rican rum and island-style small plates
- The Grill – an open-air pavilion under a vaulted timber roof beside the golf course; breakfast and lunch Tuesday to Sunday, smoothies and açaí bowls
- A Table for Two – a private dinner for two in a secluded corner of the estate from the restaurant menu, Monday to Thursday with advance notice
- The Private Table – an al fresco table for up to six beside a herb garden with Atlantic views, seasonal menus by advance reservation
Swimming
Two pools are reserved for staying guests – one beside the casitas and a lap pool next to the tennis courts – and every casita has its own heated plunge pool on the terrace. Below the cliffs lies Playa El Pastillo, a beach of golden sand, palms and natural tide pools, reached by a tropical and at times demanding path. The Pastillo Beach Escape adds a Defender ride to the beach, umbrellas, chairs, snorkel masks and a chef-prepared picnic. In season, humpback whales can be seen offshore.
Pets
Pets are not permitted anywhere on the estate, including the casitas, restaurants and golf course; trained service animals are welcome in line with the law.
Rooms
Twenty standalone casitas in four categories, from the Nature View King Bed Casita among tropical gardens to the Presidential Suite above the ocean; each has a private terrace with its own heated plunge pool.
The casitas have a king bed, a bathroom with a separate bathtub, rain shower and twin vanities, individually controlled air conditioning, a mirror TV in the living area, a Nespresso machine and teas, an in-room bar and mini fridge, a safe, free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and turndown.
Nature View King Bed Casita
A casita set among tropical gardens with a king bed, a living room and a generous terrace for dining outdoors and its own heated plunge pool. For two adults.
King Ocean View Casita
A black four-poster king bed beneath a beamed ceiling, a sitting area, a built-in bar and a deep soaking tub; the deck, with loungers, a pergola and a private plunge pool, faces the Atlantic. For two adults.
Royal Suite
A king bed, a spacious living room, a private plunge pool and a panoramic terrace looking out to the ocean. For two adults.
Presidential Suite
A king bed, a large living room, a private plunge pool and a floating deck for sunsets over the Atlantic, with room for dining on the terrace. For two adults.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.