Entire condo·Private host

Sanctuary in Paradise

Photo gallery for Sanctuary in Paradise

Outdoor dining
On the beach, sun-loungers, beach towels
On the beach, sun-loungers, beach towels
Outdoor pool
Unclassified image, 5 of 25, button

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire condo

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 693 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Dryer

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire condo to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Sanctuary in Paradise

This little corner of paradise is located on the 18th floor of Playa Azul 1, a beachfront building in the seaside town of Luquillo. From its spacious 27 ft balcony one looks out on an unobstructed, glorious sweep of tropical ocean and palm-treed beaches. Overwhelming eye candy that photos simply cannot capture (try as I may). The balcony is where a breakfast of mango, papaya and pineapple is lazily taken in the morning; where, ensconced in a hammock, piña colada in hand, we watch the day slowly fade to dusk; where dinner is served al fresco. It is the dolce farniente, sweet spot of our vacation.

The living space consists of two air conditioned bedrooms, each complete with in-suite bath, walk-in closet, and attractive furniture with ample storage space. Bedroom 1 has one queen sized bed and opens to the balcony. Bedroom 2 , a bit larger, has one queen sized bed, a new sleeper/sofa with full sized bed, and a wall of windows overlooking the ocean. A ceiling fan whoops up a gentle breeze if you prefer to shut out the breaking waves outside the window. Bed linen for all beds is high end cotton. So are the towels.

There is a fully equipped kitchen suitable for any culinary challenge. There is tableware for 8, enough that you don't need to run the dishwasher after every meal. There is also a washer and a dryer, so you can pack lightly when travelling.

The sitting room is situated between the two bedrooms, insuring privacy at both ends. It is comfortable without being stuffy. There is a TV with cable. There is a wifi connection and a landline phone (although your mobile will do just fine on the island). There is a mini library of take-one/leave-one beach reads, board games, and several complete (one hopes:-)) decks of cards . There is a wall of windows to let the outside in and a wonderful gentle breeze to keep things cool.

Playa Azul 1 is part of a gated complex of three buildings that share a swimming pool and basketball courts. The complex has its own security detail at the front gate, and the lobby of the building is manned 24 hours a day. The lobby key will also let you out the back door onto the local beach. It is a convenient elevator ride away, sparsely used and very pleasant. Beware however, it is not monitored by lifeguards, and undertow currents can at times be strong and challenging. There are in the apartment; coolers, folding chairs, and towels for your use on the beach. Alternatively, Balneario La Monserrate, AKA Luquillo Beach, the most renowned palmed beach on the island, is a picturesque stroll away along a secluded narrow stretch of beach, (or a 2 minute drive with plentiful parking). It has the benefit of lifeguards, very calm water and amenities such as food stands (yes, they serve piña coladas) and rentals of chaises-longues and umbrellas. The grounds are clean and well maintained: La Monserrate is a 'Blue Flag' rated beach by the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education).

Stores are close enough to be convenient for all necessities. Area supermarkets offer familiar goods in familiar settings, Walgreen is nearby for all your drugstore needs, there is a bank with an ATM right outside the gate and there is even a Wal-Mart and a small shopping center a short drive away. Although not everyone speaks English, generally, language is seldom a problem.

There is in the area a multitude of small friendly local restaurants for easy dining (for example, try the colorful 'kioscos' right down the street for surprisingly good eating or walk up to the Brass Cactus, an 'American' style sports bar right outside the gate). Our favorite is Lolita's, about 3 miles east on Rt 3. If you prefer upscale there are fine restaurants at the Conquistador hotel 15 min to the east or the Wyndham Rio Mar, 10 min to the west. If haute cuisine is what you want, San Juan, 45 min away, has a copious selection of fine world class eateries.

There is also plenty to do: casino, golf, scuba, hiking, swimming and sunbathing at any of several beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, deep sea fishing, zip-lining across the rain forest, touring the island's many wonders, day trips to Ponce, the Arecibo radiotelescope and other fabled destinations, sightseeing in Old San Juan (did you know that San Juan is the oldest city in American territory, founded in 1521 by Ponce de León, less than 30 years after Columbus made his voyage?), ferry rides to Vieques and other islands... In the apartment you'll find a binder where we compiled all our favorite things to do/places to go/where to eat. Google will proffer numerous suggestions on the subject of what to do in Puerto Rico... La Isla del Encanto.
Mi casa es su casa; Come stay with us, you'll be glad you did.

NB: A QUICK NOTE TO THE PARENTS OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN: The balcony of our 18th floor apartment is an ideal place for vegetative contemplation of the immensity of the universe. Beware however that there is a potential for problems if very young children are left unattended. This IS the 18th floor, and there are tables, chairs, outdoor furnishings and such that might serve as launching pads for a young hyperactive budding aviator curious to experience flight. It is not a totally insurmountable problem (most things can be moved away from the precipice) but I think you should be aware of the issue. Call me for more information.

Keywords: Puerto Rico apartment rental, oceanfront, beachfront, 2bdrm 2bth, condo, condominium, vacation rental, beachfront, Caribbean, flat, let, vacation rental,

Property manager

Rachel Rosenheck and Gary Puglia (son-in-law)

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool
  • Outdoor pool

Internet

  • Available in the condo: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Lift
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the ocean

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Water sports equipment
  • Basketball nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1,000 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number 193578

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Sanctuary Paradise Condo Luquillo
Sanctuary Paradise Luquillo
Condo
Sanctuary in Paradise Condo
Sanctuary in Paradise Luquillo
Sanctuary in Paradise Condo Luquillo

About the area

Map
Luquillo

What's nearby

  • Azul Beach - 1 min walk
  • Luquillo Beach - 3 min drive
  • Carabali Rainforest Park - 7 min drive
  • Wyndham Rio Mar Golf Course - 8 min drive
  • Wyndham Rio Mar Casino - 10 min drive

Getting around

  • San Juan (SJU-Luis Munoz Marin Intl.) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Kioskos De Luquillo - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪A Fuego Bar & Restaurant - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Wendy’s - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Latin Gyros - ‬20 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does Sanctuary in Paradise have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Sanctuary in Paradise pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Sanctuary in Paradise?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sanctuary in Paradise?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Sanctuary in Paradise located?

Nestled on the beach, this Mata de Plátano condo building is within 1 mi (2 km) of Azul Beach and Luquillo Beach. La Pared Beach and La Selva are also within 15 minutes.

Sanctuary in Paradise Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 156 out of 179 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 179 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 179 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 179 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 179 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exactly what we were looking for
Amazing view!!! This was everything we needed for vacation accommodations!!! The outdoor space was perfect for meals. The location and beach were perfect for fun and entertainment! We did have a car to go to restaurants and other beaches. Communication with property owners was prompt! We loved it!
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Isabelle M.

Liked: Cleanliness
1 year anniversary
My husband had a wonderful time while staying here. It was in a wonderful location! Loved being right on the beach and being only a few minutes away from the Luquillo kiosks. This was the perfect place to rest and enjoy our time in Puerto Rico🇵🇷💖
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dawn G., North Bergen, NJ

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

James M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location and a very nice condo
View was amazing and close to the beach and with nice local restaurants.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angel A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mother-in-Law
The place was beautiful, very clean, had all beach accessories like beach chairs and beach wagon to take your chairs, cooler, and towels. Gary and Rachel were always available to answers any questions and assist us with all request. I will be staying again in there sanctuary next time I come to Puerto Rico.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl H.

Liked: Cleanliness
You will love it here.
This condo took quite a search on line trying to find a place with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with showers, a balcony, pool, and on the beach at a decent price. We were beyond impressed. The view from every room is ALL beach/ocean, and EVERYTHING needed is in the unit (other than groceries of course). We would return and recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pablo S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Houstonians in Luquilli. 2-minute walk to the beach
This is our second time staying in Luquillo, and it did not disappoint. The condo had everything we needed. Local grocery stores across the street or commute to Walmart for additional items. You don't have to travel far for good food, La Fonda for lunch or dinner, or Simple Breakfast for pancakes and dirty chia latte. El Patio (outdoorspace) is a great place where locals to hang out for good food and music. We enjoyed the crashing of waves and salsa music almost every evening there. La Estacion in Fajardo is another fav of ours. One thing to consider during your stay here is that the living room/kitchen does not have a dedicated AC unit. This was not a problem as we spent very little time indoors. The two bedrooms DO have AC. One of the beds squeaked every time one of us moved; my wife and I are heavy sleepers, so it did not pose a problem for us. The Apple controller must be connected to the power supply to work. They have a large indoor swing in the living; we shoved it into a corner. Two chairs would suit the space better than the swing, IMO.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eric R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Great location, great views, great beach! Luquillo is close to so much. Plus, the home is very comfortable and relaxing - perfect to simply gaze at the ocean!
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mustafa A.

Liked: Cleanliness
It was a joy to stay there
The view was amazing. Check in process was super smooth. We even got in the house an hour early.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing beach condo
Words cannot describe how absolutely perfect this beach condo was. A view of the beach Playa Azul from the back balcony and a view of El Yunque Rain Forrest from the front. Safe and secure property, lovely neighborhood. Supermarket, bank, restaurants, Walgreens nearby. Smooth. Check-in. Beautiful beachy condo with all of the amenities needed. Definitely recommend! I hope to be back again for another stay here next summer.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristen K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pure bliss
I usually don’t leave reviews but I read tons or them.. here is how our stay went at this beautiful apartment.. My husband, 2 kids aged 10 and 14, and I arrived to the condo with ease. We used “Playa Azul Tower 2” in gps to get us there, however, the building is actually Tower 1. The guard at the entrance was helpful in getting us all set to enter and exit the gate throughout our stay. Upon entering the condo, the view had us all mesmerized. Absolutely stunning. We felt right at home with the decor and thoughtful touches throughout. After checking the place out, we got our swim suits on and grabbed the complimentary chairs, towels, and beach wagon and headed down to the beach. There are keys that you must take to get through the entrances to the building, pool, and beach.. there’s a little color coordinated square that helps you keep track of which key is which. There wasn’t a wait time for the elevators the whole time we were there… the beach and pool are a one minute walk. They were perfect. The location is so convenient.. only a 10 minute drive to the El Yunque Rainforest, 20 minutes to Fajardo, 5 minutes to the infamous Luquillo kiosks, right on the beach front street close to shopping and restaurants, 30 mins to the ferry port in Ceiba. The hosts were very fast in communication when I thought our AC wasn’t working. It turns out we had accidentally changed the mode and got it worked out. Do not hesitate to book this little abode over the ocean!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Venine R.

Liked: Cleanliness
My Son's 21st Birthday Trip
The property was beautiful with breathtaking views. The host was terrific!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debbie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely condo
My husband, son and I stayed in this condo for a week and loved every minute of it. This condo in Luquillo is a perfect location… lots of local restaurants and shops, close to San Juan and El Yunque, and on a beautiful beach. The condo itself was clean and nicely appointed. Each bedroom has its own bathroom and the kitchen had plenty of space. The balcony is definitely the best feature. When we weren’t on the beach or exploring the island, we were sitting on the balcony. The breeze off of the ocean was wonderful. The owners were easy to get in touch with and very friendly. I hope to visit again soon and will definitely get in touch with the owners about renting again
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Benjamin W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Option with a Few Drawbacks
To begin, the best attribute this property boasts is a stunning view of Playa Azul, which is an absolutely beautiful blue hue, especially when overlooking the beach from 18 stories up. The apartment itself is clean and relatively spacious considering the location. The kitchen is well stocked with cookware, restaurants and shops are nearby, and it is just a short drive to popular locations like Luquillo Beach, the ferry, El Yunque, etc. While these amenities are in excellent, the apartment does have one or two drawbacks from a family perspective. First off, we were only given one key, and the door to the apartment is key in-key out only. Effectively, the only way to leave the apartment is to either leave together as a group, lock people in the apartment with no means of escape in case of an emergency, or leave the door unlocked, something we were not comfortable with considering some of the wild gatherings happening at night along the edge of the beach. Yes, the complex itself is gated, but we watched people slip through the gates at times without keying in. The addition of a second key would easily solve this is problem. Beyond the key issue and some of the aforementioned noise at night, this apartment makes for an excellent, comfortable stay right on the beach!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Joselyn G.

Best view
This little apartment had such a BEAUTIFUL view we were amazed and it was so nice to wake up and all you see is the ocean! I wish the place was a little bit more cleaned the mattress were dirty wish they used bed covers that zip up but other than that we loved it.. it’s by restaurants, fast food, gas stations. We would deff stay there again!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Latoya

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property host and the property manager were very accommodating. The property itself is beautiful, I will revisit.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kari W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
Very secure, clean property. Very easy beach access, wonderful swimming pool and tennis courts. Well equipped kitchen. Good drinking water and refrigerator with Icemaker. Many great food options within walking distance of property. Staff working at the property were excellent and very helpful. No complaints or regrets booking!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peter D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent view
Great apartment with unbelievable view of the ocean.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Maureen D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice view and excellent breezes
The stay was pleasant enough and the place was quite acceptable for the price. The one issue the fam was concerned about is that we couldn't get TV access until we called for help. Followed instructions that need to be rewritten.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Navin J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent Condo with beautiful views
We had a great stay at this condo in PR. The views are beautiful. The condo was easily accessible. Easy access to the beach. The condo has everything a family needs for a great vacation.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jesus P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Dream vacations!
Everything was perfect. The promp service of the owner & property manager service and the neatnest of the place was perfect. Most definetively we will return. Thank you, Pinero Family
Stayed 17 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Liz B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy and relaxing beachfront stay
We loved our stay in Loquillo. Great access point to El Yunque and the eastern end of Puerto Rico. What an adorable place. Cozy and incredible ocean views. Loved listening to the waves.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family’s 1st trip to Puerto Rico
Great location, convenient to rain forest, amenities, and family beach.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Kerrie H., Atlanta, Ga

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Location
We absolutely loved the location, view and beach here. The balcony is huge, the condo is fairly spacious, the kitchen is well stocked and having a washer and dryer was wonderful. The owner was very responsive when we had an issue with a window and dishwasher. The only reason it wasn’t a 5 star is there are no blinds/shades which makes the condo super hot (the dated ac units really couldn’t keep up), too bright at times and hard to sleep. They have suction cup drapes that don’t work very well and are hard to deal with. I would recommend the condo but there really needs to be some roll up shades installed to not block the view but help with items listed above.
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jim K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place!
Easy access to the beach and Luquillo. It has everything you need.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023