It was 5:50 AM. The sun had just broken over the Caribbean horizon and begun to illuminate the community of Palmas Del Mar. There was a light drizzle, but in this part of Puerto Rico, that’s normal and temporary. I had a tee time in an hour and a half, a flight in 12 hours, and a rapidly approaching deadline. The end of my trip was imminent. Normally, I would have had pre-travel and work-related anxiety, but watching the sun climb, feeling the wet sand on my feet, and smelling the damp salt mist of the sea, I felt serene.
Photo: Wyndham Palmas Resort
This Puerto Rico Hotel Delivers Beachside Wellness and Island Flavors
This was a common theme throughout my stay at Wyndham Palmas Resort. From my welcoming arrival to my active itinerary and lavish meals, the resort’s focus on wellness and tranquility anchored the entire guest experience.
Arriving at the Wyndham Palmas Resort
Photo: Wyndham Palmas Resort
After landing at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, I met resort staff who drove us an hour southeast to Humacao. This small city is named after the Taíno chief who governed the Indigenous peoples of this region before Spanish arrival.
One of the resort staff members referred to Wyndham Palmas Resort as being located in a village within a village. Palmas Del Mar is a beach community within the larger municipality of Humacao, and Wyndham Palmas is then sort of another village within those two. Tucked between two golf courses and a nature preserve, the recently renovated resort is a beachside escape that breeds peace of mind.
Inside the newly renovated Wyndham Palmas Resort
Photos: Wyndham Palmas Resort
Upon arriving at Wyndham Palmas, I was greeted with a fresh lemonade as I checked in. The lobby’s cathedral ceilings and colorful and natural decor created the feeling of being at the beach despite being indoors.
The resort contains 107 rooms spread across three buildings. Its recent renovations are impossible not to notice as the entirety of the property is sleek, modern, and well-kept. My king room was feet from the Costa pool bar, and it bordered a walking path on one of the resort’s two golf courses. From my door, I could be in the pool in 30 seconds or on the beach in a few minutes.
Some of the new rooms provide suite living for larger groups, but my king was plenty spacious for a solo traveler. I sampled the carefully curated fruit and cheese plate in my room while flipping through the flat-screen TV from the couch.
After a golf cart tour of the property, I walked the beach and watched the local turtles swim and eat in the ponds. Wildlife was pretty abundant for a resort. In addition to the pond turtles, larger sea turtles were beginning their mating season and nesting in protected areas on the beach when I visited. Felix the iguana also makes guest appearances throughout the property, and the native coquí frogs serenade guests in the evenings.
Standout dining at the Wyndham Palmas Resort
Photos: Wyndham Palmas Resort
While the amenities, activities, and location were all superb, the dining experiences were the biggest highlight of my resort stay.
Chef Daniel Lugo has crafted an inspiring and authentic experience in Wyndham Palmas’ main restaurant, Trova. Its name references a traditional form of music in Puerto Rico. Much as the genre’s songs are an often extemporaneous and melodic form of storytelling, each dish on the menu tells a story. Whether it’s an homage to an ancient Taíno delicacy, a cultured twist on a dish that was formative to the chef’s childhood, or a love letter to the influence of the chef’s abuela (grandmother), every plate is as rooted in Puerto Rico as yuca itself.
After exploring the amenities, I had my first meal of local mahi tacos and fresh coconut water out of a Wyndham Palmas-branded coconut. The true spectacles came from dinner later that evening. Chef Lugo curated a beautiful tasting menu that perfectly showcased his talent and love of his homeland.
Every dish was exceptional, but I was especially struck by the first two appetizers and the entree finale. The nigiri de granitos were a marriage of a traditional Humacao staple — granito, or rice fritter — and a complement of fresh tuna. The ceviche came in another branded coconut with young coconut cured in a traditional citrus ceviche base. The dish blended a Latin American staple with one of the island’s most prevalent fruits.
Photos: Wyndham Palmas Resort
Finally, the carne guisada (beef stew) was the major tribute to the chef’s abuela. He joked that kids in Puerto Rico often argue over whose grandmother makes the best short rib. Chef Lugo’s would be hard to beat.
On the last night of my stay, the chef led a lobster asopao (rice stew) cooking class. In typical fashion, the dish began with a traditional simmering sofrito — the smell of grandma’s house. The decadent stew was also seasoned with achiote, a local spice that was formerly used by the Taíno as a sort of war paint. In the future, Wyndham Palmas will offer a number of similar immersive culinary experiences with Chef Lugo, including paella and other traditional Spanish and Puerto Rican dishes.
In addition to the magic of Trova, Café 1736 brings a convenient variety of quick treats. Its name refers to the year coffee was brought to Puerto Rico, and the cafe provided the freshest brews I’ve ever had. I also sampled some of the local kombuchas and a variety of fresh juices. I’m extremely grateful for my meals at Trova, but I certainly could have sustained myself on the local delicacy of quesitos (sweet cream cheese pastry), dulce de leche lattes, and green juice.
At every turn, the staff kept me hydrated and fueled for my itinerary.
Exploring the Wyndham Palmas Resort and beyond
Photo: Wyndham Palmas Resort
It’s difficult to be bored at Wyndham Palmas. It’s certainly possible to spend the majority of your time relaxing by the pool or on the beach, but there are also plenty of physical activities and exploration opportunities at your fingertips.
Within a short walk, or an even shorter golf cart or bike ride, you can play pickleball or tennis at the largest facility in Puerto Rico. The resort has an incredible team of yoga, meditation, and sound-healing instructors who guide guests through therapeutic experiences on property or in the nearby Pterocarpus tropical forest. I participated in a sound-healing session on the Aquamarina Lawn that left me feeling relaxed, recharged, and admittedly slightly sunburned.
My personal highlight, however, was playing an early 18 holes on the famed Flamboyán golf course. Built on a former sugar cane plantation, this course has hosted professional tournaments and is in pristine condition. The rains from the night before made for a slightly damp round, but as with much of my experience, it’s impossible not to be grateful when faced with the beauty and tranquility of this place. This is particularly noticeable on the 12th hole where the Caribbean Sea and palm trees form the perfect backdrop.
Photo: Wyndham Palmas Resort
Wyndham Palmas also offers transportation for further excursions, including trips to the largest national forest in Puerto Rico: El Yunque. An hour van ride up the coast provides a view into eastern Puerto Rico’s attractive coastline, while the forest itself plays host to more species of vegetation than the rest of the US national forests combined.
The resort staff is extremely willing and helpful to organize any and all of these activities for guests and will go above and beyond to personalize the experience.
When I left Puerto Rico, it was 5:10 PM. The sun was nearing the western horizon before setting. The skies were clear, and I was flying back to New York — grateful for a full stomach, already reminiscing over the eventful few days, and excited to one day return to Wyndham Palmas. 