What a beautiful property! I was staying at the Christian radio station WIVV next door when I stumbled across this place.
Unfortunately, the house burned to the ground, and the owners left. The resort part is still in very nice shape, though empty. The place is abandoned, from what I can make out.
A few years more, and the jungle will take over. Someone should hurry up and redo the place!
3 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful.
This was a totally relaxing getaway.Visited: October 2006
Posted by molly
I went to La Finca Caribe in the off season in October. The caretakers at this time were kind, helpful and responsive to my questions about the island and my needs as a paying guest.
I prefer casual, private and rustic retreats when I vacation, and found La Finca to be a most charming, private, beautiful and out-of-the way place.
The crickets and coquis begin a beautiful chorus of their song at sunset and through the evening. There is lush jungle all around the edge of the property.
On the upstairs back porch of the big house is a hammock from which to view the eastern Caribbean sunrise - or simply a view of the ocean anytime.
One can refresh and cool off in the pool on the grounds - and skinny dipping at night with a full moon is a marvelous experience.
I have suggested to my friends that this is a great place to celebrate weddings, birthdays or just being together with family and friends in a Robinson Crusoe feeling environment.
Snorkeling, diving, fishing boat trips, kayaking in the Biobay or in the ocean are some of the activities to be enjoyed on Vieques.
La Finca was the ideal "home" for us while we had our ocean adventures and is a place I plan to return to stay time and time again.
I recommend it without any reservation and with great enthusiasm to anyone searching for a cozy, rustic and private getaway feeling that La Finca Caribe provides at very reasonable low rates.
6 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
This was a perfect location.Visited: November 2006
Posted by amanda_tata,_new_yor
We enjoyed the convenience of Tradewinds, which was within walking distance of everything- Sun Bay (our favorite beach on the island!); kayak rentals (great exercise!); cute shops (although we bought all our tee shirts at Tradewinds gift shop- great selection!);and bars.
We did some great snorkeling right in front of Tradewinds. The restaurant was amazing. We can't wait to come back!
Although our room was fine, the next time we're going to try and book an upstairs suite (they only take reservations on these a month in advance). Regardless of which room we get, we will always stay at Tradewinds!
11 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
attractions, Vieques Island traveler review
One of the coolest things I have ever done!
Posted by ThomAndShawna
Swimming in this bay at night was one of the neatest things I have ever done. As you swim, or just let water roll down your arm the water sparkles with these little flashes. Really special.
10 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
We loved La Finca. We stayed in the "Cabana", which was a detached cottage that can sleep four to five people, but my husband and I had it all to ourselves for $110/night. We loved the privacy and seclusion.
The Cabana had its own kitchen, a deck with a table and a hammock that had a view of the sea. Our room on the second floor also had a view of the sea. We loved the outdoor shower.
This type of place is definitely not for everyone - you have to be willing to sleep under mosquito nets and be comfortable with lizards, cockroaches and other bugs living with you.
The pool was nice. We didn't go to the guesthouse too much, but it seemed nice.
5 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
We just returned from a special stay in Vieques, and we loved The Bravo Beach Hotel.
Thomas, the manager, was wonderful. He definitely seemed to work too hard!
The best rooms were three through seven. They were simply furnished and included Frette linens and robes. Everything was white and impeccably clean. All of the rooms (except one and two) overlooked the water. If travel is with two couples, there was a two-bedroom apartment, and it was lovely.
The food (tapas) was served Thursday-Sunday, and was delicious. Food service was outside overlooking a pool and ocean - it was beautiful. Beach chairs and coolers were available for trips to perfect beaches. Red and Blue were our favorites.
Restaurants of choice were Media Luna and Tropical Baby. Rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle, because getting to beaches was sometimes rough. But it was worth it for the white sand and blue water shaded by palm trees!
13 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
This was a lovely place on beautiful water.Visited: January 2006
Posted by lfcarol
We recently returned home after a wonderful stay at the Blue Horizon. The room was perfectly appointed, and the weather was great.
We visited a beach a day. The sand was white and the water was blue (and not cold). It was refreshing. The restaurant at the inn was delicious, and Alex, the bartender, made the rum drinks just like we love them.
The owners were kind, and told us that very soon the kitchen will expand the menu and service. We liked the location - just outside of town.
Don't miss the Biobay trip, and do jump off the boat for the "fireworks". We used Island Adventures, and they were good. Tradwinds Restaurant, Island Steak House and Bili's were the "not to miss" restaurants. Red and Blue beaches were beautiful.
6 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
This hotel had poor management and inhospitable service.Visited: December 2005
Posted by cfpagano
We stayed at the Inn between Christmas 2005 and New Year's. We had high hopes for the Inn based on all the positive press, but it was unfortunately a big disappointment.
While the setting was lovely with a great view of the Caribbean, we could not enjoy the time spent at the Inn because the management was so poor. It was not at all the relaxing vacation we had hoped for.
The Inn's web site indicated the restaurant would re-open after renovations in mid-December. We confirmed this by phone in mid-December, and our reservations for the restaurant were accepted. When we arrived, we learned that the restaurant would be closed for the entire duration of our stay. In addition, the bar was closed for renovations as well - and we had no advance notice of this either.
This "full-service" inn was no more than a B&B, and breakfast was slow and mediocre (and not included in the price of the room). The management and the owner seemed unapologetic, and repeatedly demanded to know who told us on the phone that the restaurant would be open, as if we were lying.
The Inn also threw a New Year's Eve party that the guests were charged $175 each to attend (down from the original proposed $250 pp). If everything had been spectacular up until then, we might have considered attending, although the price seemed exorbitant for guests who were already spending over $300 a night to stay here. We were thrilled we had made other plans for the evening - especially once we heard advertisements inviting the locals for only $40 per person to attend.
If you have made your reservations already, switch. It will save you a lot of frustration- and money. Just go for drinks (but call first!), if you are that compelled by the web site to see the grounds. You will have a far more relaxing and hospitable experience if you stay somewhere- anywhere- else.
6 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
They know what you need to really enjoy this island - and they provide it. As simple as it seems, they had a great Continental breakfast, great "whatever you want" packed picnic lunch/drinks, beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, and snorkel and boogie board stuff.
It was also easy to make reservations for dinner and other things around the island. We loved the tapas bar/restaurant. We would return to Vieques and also to Bravo Beach Resort.
7 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
This is the best romantic property in Vieques.Visited: August 2005
Posted by olgakyzyma
We stayed at the Bravo in August. It was a great location (secluded and private). They also had great food and a very attentive staff. The ocean view from our balcony was awesome!
Bravo Beach is greatly recommend to all. It is the best romantic place in Puerto Rico.
6 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
The Hacienda is intimate, friendly, and quiet.Visited: November 2005
Posted by bflat00
Don't expect anything but privacy and being well tended to. At the Hacienda, we experienced courtesy, cleanliness and comfort while in a Caribbean paradise.
I suggest eating breakfast. It was substantial, fresh, and delightful menu for any tastes. There was a short half-mile walk to town for dinner. It was also adjacent to the BioBay Tour - the one "must" thing to do. Don't ask, just do it! And, it's free!
There was also a fully stocked 24-7 self bar in the lobby where you are on the honor system. There was an ice machine on site, and a small, locally run store a half a block "down the hill".
It was located "up" off the beach. We could walk, or hop a hotel shuttle to a beach (beach towel and chair comp'd in your room). Being up off the beach, I never once used the room's air conditioning as the breeze and ceiling fan was all that was needed.
I was here Monday-Friday for a small company retreat. The library accommodated the 14 employees for discussions and presentations. Working Groups would break to the swimming pool or second floor veranda. "Hot spots" for hotel provided wireless internet access. Cell phones were no problem.
There was no cheesy hotel entertainment. Well, actually there was no night life at all other than the romancing coquis-tree frogs! I didn't look for any. Socializing with the friendly locals at the near-by restaurant/bars was enough - and it was all part of the island charm.
Linda and Burr were the gracious owners who lived on the third floor. They were there 24-7 for anything guests needed. The hotel proudly displayed the quote "ornaments of a house are the guests in it". They have created an environment where one certainly feels that way.
23 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
manager RUDE receptionist STUPIDVisited: October 2005
Posted by valerieahms
I planned my vacation on Vieques around my stay at The Inn. I checked in and was on my way to my room when I learned that the kitchen had a fire so there was no food no bar and I was isolated. The receptionist said that he had told me that the restaurant wasn't open and that I needed a car. He didn't. Why would I make that up? The next day I called the manager and was told "that everyone knows that the restaurant is closed. Didn't you check the website?" The manager refused to return my deposit even though I didn't stay there. "Dispute this with your credit card" I think James Weis should know how his people run his hotel or is he too busy?
2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
We found the manager to be rude, and the receptionist uniformed.Visited: October 2005
Posted by valerieahms
I planned my vacation on Vieques around my stay at The Inn. I checked in, and was on my way to my room when I learned that the kitchen had a fire. So there was no food, no bar, and I was isolated.
The receptionist said that he had told me that the restaurant wasn't open and that I needed a car. He didn't. Why would I make that up?
The next day, I called the manager and was told that "everyone knows that the restaurant is closed. Didn't you check the website?" The manager refused to return my deposit - even though I didn't stay here. I was told to "dispute this with your credit card".
I think James Weis should know how his people run his hotel - or is he too busy?
5 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
First of all, Hix Island House was simply beautiful! Upon our arrival, Kurt and Christianna, the property managers, gave us a brief tour leading back to Casa Triangular Matisse Unit. That was where we had the honor of spending two nights.
When we walked in the unit, there was fresh baked bread and a refrigerator full of eggs, milk, juice, cereal, butter and coffee! This place had it all!
After we finished checking out all the features of this wonderful room, I took the wife to see the BioBay. The BioBay alone was enough reason to visit Vieques and stay at the Hix Island House. Kurt gave me excellent directions to the place.
When we got back, it rained, which was absolutely beautiful and wonderful, considering there were no windows or doors in the unit. We sat back and watched the beautiful night sky as the clouds passed and revealed a night sky that would make any city slicker move to Puerto Rico.
After the storm, we went up to the roof and relaxed as we tried to guess all the constellations. When it was time to sleep, we simply surrounded the bed with the mosquito net and slept like never before. It was so peaceful!
The second day we rode around the entire island to visit the beaches and see some historical sites, like the Masonic Temple in Gringo Beach. Upon our arrival back to Hix, Christianna met us and gave us a tour of all the units, as we had one of two rooms that was actually occupied. I actually got the idea from one of the reviews I read here (thanks!).
Christianna showed us all the rooms, plus she showed us the solar panels used for heating, and the rain water cistern they use to produce their own water. We saw 11 of the 13 units, as we had one and one was rented. If I had the chance, I would take my wife back and spend one night in each unit. They all had a different feel, but were all unlike any room I have ever visited!
I can go on and on about how wonderful Hix Island House really was. I could type for days about how professional and gracious our hosts, Kurt and Christianna, were.
So to save you from reading a book about how much my wife and I loved this place and how I would recommend this place to every person I know, I will just say this: Hix Island House was awesome!
Kurt and Christianna were two of the best property managers I have ever had the opportunity of meeting. I pray our paths cross again, so I can thank them again for a wonderful honeymoon/vacation! Please tell Nana, the resident pet/property manager. We miss her.
2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
Treat yourself to total relaxation and beauty.Visited: July 2005
Posted by carolmor
Hix Island House is an amazingly beautiful experience. If you are looking for a tranquil, quiet environment that intersects with nature--and is totally designed for the comfort of guests-- this is the experience for you.
The hosts are gracious. The home baked bread each morning is delicious. The mango trees, dripping with fruit, on the way to a clean, outdoor pool . You get the idea.
This is perfect for adult guests. It is a wonderful place for couples in love and for those who enjoy a peaceful place. It is a private space, designed for your pleasure.
1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.