Puerto Rico Paradise: St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort

09 Mar 2020
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5 min read
Puerto Rico’s first ultra-luxury resort, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, is tropical bliss at its best. With contemporary rooms, lively restaurants and bars, an ocean-side pool and sensational spa, there is no better place to soak up the island life than at this Bahia Beach gem. 

Located on a former coconut plantation between the El Yunque National Forest and Espíritu Santo River State Preserve, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is set on 483 pristine acres of verdant island land. The first St Regis resort in the Caribbean, it embraces the beauty of its natural surrounds, offering access to flourishing flora-filled landscapes, breathtaking ocean views, two miles of private beach and two private bird sanctuaries.

The resort, which underwent a $60 million renovation in 2018, was designed by celebrated Puerto Rican designer Nono Maldonado in collaboration with internationally renowned design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates out of San Francisco. Taking inspiration from the surrounding sea, sand and foliage, the 139 refurbished rooms and suites boast a light, modern and organic aesthetic in a contemporary and residential setting. A serene color palette featuring white and light blue hues enhance the surrounding ocean and lush tropical garden views from the rooms and suites while custom furniture pieces evoke the welcoming feel of a sumptuous home. The resort has 35 suite categories, along with a governor’s suite, that all have private terraces from which to soak up the surrounding paradisaical vistas.

Casa Grande, the warm, lively and glamorous gathering space that welcomes guests upon arrival at the resort, also underwent renovation in 2018. The two-story building overlooks the turquoise ocean waters, and invites guests to take a moment to relax and enjoy the sublime setting. In the evenings, the exciting champagne-sabering ritual is a must-watch.

The resort is host to a variety of of distinct culinary venues serving fresh, farm-to-table cuisine. Paros is the resort’s signature fine dining restaurant and serves refined, modern Greek cuisine in a stylish and relaxed setting reminiscent of a chic Mediterranean village. The menu features authentic mezze and the freshest raw or grilled seafood that highlight the vibrancy of Greek and Mediterranean flavors. These mouth-watering dishes are served alongside a selection of fine wines and carefully crafted cocktails. Located on the second floor of Casa Grande, Paros has indoor seating, a bar and a terrace with floor-to-ceiling glass windows brimming with sweeping ocean and island views.

The St. Regis Bar is an intimate space adjacent to the lobby that invites guests to savor a delectable menu of light small bites alongside an Old Fashioned or classic Bloody Mary cocktail. Above the bar, The Long Awaited Voyage, a restored mural by Puerto Rican artist Arnaldo Roche Rabell anchors the elegant venue. A beachfront terrace also forms part of the bar area, allowing guests to enjoy delicious beverage creations to the backdrop of the alluring Atlantic.

The poolside restaurant, Seagrapes, offers a varied menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner with both indoor and outdoor seating options. With the brick oven pizza taking center stage, Seagrapes specializes in custom pizzas and other delectable dishes to be savored poolside or in an exclusive cabana. This relaxing spot is the idyllic place to indulge in one of the resort’s unique cocktails or frozen drinks, with daily iced tea rituals and a curated selection of Puerto Rico’s finest rums on offer

The resort plans to launch Beach Shak, a beachside bar and eatery that will offer a variety of smoothies, coffee drinks, and local bites. Guests also have the option to dine at Beach Club by Jose Enrique at Bahia Beach Resort’s Beach Club, which showcases a menu of traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, giving diners an authentic taste of the Caribbean island.

In addition to these culinary offerings, guests staying in the suites can take advantage of the brand’s legendary St. Regis Butler Service as well. As one of the first St. Regis Hotels & Resorts to establish the brand’s new Butler Services program, all guests staying at the property will have access to unparalleled, around-the-clock service to ensure their stay is tailored to their tastes and preferences. This hallmark service includes unpacking and packing, beverage service, garment pressing and more.

For the ultimate relaxing and rejuvenating experience, the resort’s Iridium Spa is the place to be. The first of its kind, this wellness-centered, immersive spa experience pays homage to the glamour of The St. Regis’ founding patroness Caroline Astor while reflecting the natural splendor and rich culture of Puerto Rico. The Iridium Spa offers an extensive menu of unique customized and results-oriented treatments that use precious local ingredients such as gold, coffee, tropical fruits and rum. The latest personalized services are available through a one-of-a-kind Synergy Decanter Table, allowing guests to tailor their treatments by selecting their own custom blend of essential oils and local herbs. With revitalization as its aim, the dazzling spa’s facilities include relaxation areas, steam and sauna facilities, cold and hot plunge pools, ten treatment rooms, an exercise area and a fully equipped state-of-the-art fitness center.

Other lovely places to unwind within the resort are at the two private bird sanctuaries, the four deco turf tennis courts, the ocean-front golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. or the numerous biking, walking and running trails nestled under an emerald green canopy of tropical foliage. There is also a on-site “green team” led by a marine biologist where guests can learn about environmental conservation, a St. Regis Kids Club for the little ones, a 24-hour concierge and thanks to a new collaboration with Aquavento Water Sports, the resort offers guests equipment for watersports such as surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing and fishing in any of the surrounding lakes.

With its extensive amenities and glorious setting, the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is the perfect place to host a graceful soirée. Boasting 27,000 square feet of function space including three outdoor lawn event spaces, and the Astor Ballroom, the resort sets the stage for grand weddings and occasions in true St. Regis style.

For guests interested in volunteer opportunities and activities that give back to the community and destination, St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort works in collaboration with the Bahia Beach Resort Golf Club and its non-profit organization Alma de Bahia to proudly offer support to communities in need in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort has also been lauded for its exceptional commitment to environmentally-thoughtful development with Audubon’s International Gold Signature Sanctuary certification. In addition to the dedicated “green team”, the property has a garden that supplies fresh produce to all of the resort’s restaurants and offers a home to hens producing eggs. Through the Soul of Bahia, the guests are invited to enjoy activities such as nature tours and kayak excursions to learn about the property’s rich natural surroundings.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is also in the midst of their new $85 million beachfront, ultra-luxury residential development, Ocean Drive as well as the The Atlantic Drive Estates development. Compromised of 30 luxurious condominium residences in three beachfront buildings, The Ocean Drive Beachfront Residences will offer three- and four-bedroom residences and penthouse models ranging in size from 3,379 to 4,048 square feet of interior space. Residents will also have access to five-star hotel services and amenities as provided by St. Regis, a two-mile stretch of crescent beach and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Atlantic Drive Estates is a collection of coastal home sites with a prime location just west of The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort. This exclusive collection of luxury property sites provides residents with the ideal opportunity to custom-design and build their own premier homes on premium beachfront, golf and lake sites. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort has also announced plans for a $30 million expansion to the resort that will occupy a secluded stretch of land adjacent to the current guest room accommodations and add 60 oceanfront rooms to the hotel’s inventory.

The resort is a short 30-minute drive from the vibrant town of Old San Juan and the San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. It is the only Gold-certified Audubon Signature Sanctuary in Puerto Rico and holds a five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide. It is also Puerto Rico’s first AAA Five Diamond rated resort.

To find out more and book, visit their website or send them an email