Bahia bay puerto rico: Bahia Beach | Puerto Rico
St. Regis Bahia Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico – Resort Review
Last updated: May 16, 2022
I love visiting the St. Regis hotel near San Juan, Puerto Rico.
I’ve been there four times in the past 18 months… at least before Covid-19.
On this page I will collect my best tips and tricks for your visit. I’ll also list my favorite spots at the resort.
1 Introduction
2 My Best Tips For Your St Regis Visit
2.1 Fruit Bowl at Spa
2.2 Bike Rentals
3 Food: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4 Biologist Tour
5 Why I Like the St Regis Bahia Bay
5.1 Spa and Gym
5.2 Great Big Rooms
5.3 Beach Access and Aquatic Center Activities
5.4 Other Things
6 Bonus: Locals-Only Restaurant
7 Conclusion
7.1 Related Articles
Introduction
Hi! My name is Nick. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is my favorite hotel in the Caribbean.
March 2022 update: I recently went to this Four Seasons on the island of Lanai, Hawaii that I loved.
Me lounging at the “hidden beach” area at the St Regis Bahia Beach Resort. Email me if you want to know where it is!
The last time I went was in mid-February 2020. I learned a ton of new secrets, like: where to find the best burger, how to use the tennis courts, and who has the best post-workout milkshake.
My Best Tips For Your St Regis Visit
All of these things are free or complimentary, unless otherwise noted.
Fruit Bowl at Spa
Ask for a complimentary fruit bowl when lounging at the spa. My girlfriend likes the papaya juice, too.
Complimentary fruit bowl at the spa lounge area – and it tastes even better!
Bike Rentals
There are free bike rentals at the boat house. Use them to explore to the other center of activity: the beach house.
Technically, the maximum time you’re allowed to borrow the bicycle is 1 hour. But we often kept them for many more… and only got in trouble a few times 😂
Food: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Morning coffee station (7-10am) in Casa Grande has a few varieties of delicious muffins.
Almond milk is available here. This is a great pre-breakfast before the buffet at SeaGrapes.
Almond milk is available here. This is a great pre-breakfast before the buffet at SeaGrapes.Me in the lounge area at Casa Grande, the main club house at the St Regis near San Juan
- On weekends, there’s afternoon tea, coffee, and snacks in Casa Grande around 2pm. I think the champagne sabering is every day at 5pm.
- If you’re with a big group, dinner reservations at most of the property restaurants are mandatory.
- SeaGrapes healthy food: I liked the spinach salad with Mahi Mahi at SeaGrapes restaurant.
- We LOVED the burger down at the main bar. It was the best thing we ordered.
Biologist Tour
Once a week there is a tour of the property with an on-site biologist or naturalist. Do this tour!
One night while walking along the beach at the St Regis we happened upon this leatherback turtle laying her eggs!
Why I Like the St Regis Bahia Bay
There’s a lot to like about the St Regis in Puerto Rico. Being a Marriott property with a decent points redemption value sure helps!
2022 Update: Bonvoy regularly charges 85,000 points redemption for this hotel now, and the rate will likely increase soon.
Yikes!
But also:
Spa and Gym
The lounge area at the Iridium Spa at the St Regis in Puerto Rico is one of my favorite reasons to visit.
All guests have complimentary access to a cold plunge pool, hot tub, sauna, and steam room. Don’t forget to order the complimentary fruit bowl! (This is my favorite “hack” that they don’t tell you about.)
The gym has a wide variety of equipment, including plenty of free weights.
Great Big Rooms
Every room on the property has:
- Huge bathroom with overhead shower and big soaking bath tub
- Excellent temperature control
- Tall ceilings
- Calming color palette
- Good bed
- Nespresso coffee stations in all rooms
- Quality and abundant bath products
Beach Access and Aquatic Center Activities
The beach never felt crowded. The resort is nestled in a huge cove with tons of private beach access. You can also drive nearby for the rain forest, or even go deeper into the island to visit somewhere like the Plenitud sustainable eco-farm in Puerto Rico.
Looking out towards the beach, I think from the Pool House
There were nice, gentle waves most of the time. Sometimes there were larger waves that we enjoyed playing in.
Note: there’s no snorkeling on the property. The water was always a little murky and you’d probably have to wade out pretty far to get deep.
At the aquatic center, you can go kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and play on the huge floating jungle gym.
Am I 37 years old? Yes. Did I play on this like a little kid for at least 20 minutes? Yes.
Other Things
- Water stations are located everywhere. Fresh, delicious water to drink.
- Warm, accommodating, helpful staff. All fluent in English and willing to take time to answer questions and show you to directions
- Suntan lotion is available at the towel station.
- Convenient location: only 20 minutes from SJU airport by taxi.
- Special smoothie: We loved getting a $4 smoothie at the tennis courts. A great post-workout refreshment!
A great post-workout refreshment!Me and my girlfriend Rachel at the entrance of the St Regis in Puerto Rico. We are lit by the fires
Bonus: Locals-Only Restaurant
Hot tip: Visit the “secret” locals-only restaurant right near the entrance of the St Regis Bahia Beach Resort near San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As you are driving into the property and about to turn off the highway, look for El Verde BBQ. Order the chicken and the plantains.
- El Verde BBQ: Yelp, Foursquare, TripAdvisor
Conclusion
I really like this hotel and I plan to go back again soon.
I’ve got more “secret” tips, like where you can go on property for an awesome bike ride, or how to spot one of the rare manatees.
Want me to add those to this page? Or do you have any hot tips, advice, or suggestions for me to add? Email me here.
What you should do next…
1.Subscribe to my free Friends Newsletter.
You’ll get exclusive life hacks, business research, top tech gadgets, and see new productivity tips. See why 12,000 people say it is one of their favorite emails.
2. Get your 2-page Party Checklist from my book, The 2-Hour Cocktail Party
With over 19 things you can do right now to improve your next party. Plus an Executive Summary of the key lessons inside my book.
3. Read this list of my 21 favorite home gear items.
See my favorite electronics, kitchen toys, and even bathroom toiletries in one of my most popular blog posts ever.
What To REALLY Expect If You Stay
Pros
- Upscale private residences set on a pristine two-mile crescent beach
- Spacious condos with open layouts and full kitchens
- All units have furnished terraces
- Excellent 18-hole golf course, with a golf shop and driving range
- Two pools with ocean views (one for kids)
- Airy, well-equipped on-site fitness center
- Four on-site tennis courts
- Golf course eatery with causal fare and drinks
- Kids club with activities like treasure hunts and birdwatching
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
- Free on-site parking
See More
Pros
Cons
- No full-service restaurant or spa on-site
- No beach facilities
See More
Cons
Set between spectacular rainforest and two miles of pristine beachfront, Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club offers upscale private residences with access to amenities at the neighboring St.
Regis — so luxury here is on point. The property’s 30 units have open-plan living and dining areas, furnished terraces, gourmet kitchens, and contemporary decor. The Bahia’s highlight feature is its 18-hole golf course, and there’s also two pools, a spacious fitness center, and four tennis courts. However, guests need to drive to the St. Regis for full-service restaurants and the spa, and there are no facilities at the Bahia’s beach. Travelers seeking an exclusive stay closer to the action in San Juan can consider Condado Vanderbilt.
See More
Bottom Line
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Cribs
- Fitness Center
- Internet
- Pool
- Spa
See More Amenities
Scene
A chic, beachy resort and golfing utopia for well-heeled leisure travelers
The Bahia Beach Resort sits deep within a gated 483-acre nature reserve between lush, ancient rainforest, and pristine Atlantic beachfront.
The property shares an entrance with the St. Regis, and a long driveway leads to the Bahia Beach Club, which serves as Bahia’s HQ. Here, you’ll find reception, pools, and the golf clubhouse and shop. During our stay, the most activity was on the scenic golf course, framed by palm trees and beachfront. The vibe at this resort is laid-back with an air of prestige — but it isn’t stuffy. The Bahia draws discerning families seeking an exclusive home-away-from-home with the freedom to self-cater in style and also utilize fine hotel amenities.
See More
Scene
Location
On the northeast coast’s Bahia Beach, five minutes north of Rio Grande
The Bahia is hidden away in gated grounds on Puerto Rico’s northeast coast. The resort is about 35 minutes from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, 30 minutes from San Juan, 20 minutes from El Yunque National Forest, and about 10 minutes from downtown Rio Grande. Known more for its pristine, uncrowded beaches, Rio Grande offers travelers with a more relaxed, remote locale than neighboring nightlife hubs like San Juan.
There are a few local retail stores and small restaurants in the area, but the biggest highlight nearby is El Yunque with a slew of nature activities from ziplines to waterfall hikes on offer.
See More
Location
Rooms
Chic with contemporary decor, plus full kitchens and furnished terraces
The contemporary condos at the Bahia have one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts with open floor plans. Decor varies, but the general aesthetic is chic, with bleached wood furniture and armchairs covered in attractive modern prints, and sophisticated neutral tones with beachy accents. All units come with full kitchens that are equipped with stainless steel fridges, islands with sinks and high stools, dishwashers, coffeemakers, microwaves, and cookware, and some have Nespresso machines. There are also large dining tables, spacious living rooms with flat-screen TVs, and furnished terraces. Sleek bathrooms have roomy walk-in showers and a generous supply of L’Occitane products, and some have deep tubs.
Views are either of the golf course or beach.
See More
Rooms
Features
Spacious gym, 18-hole golf course, and tennis courts, but no on-site restaurant or spa
This resort’s star feature is the 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., which has a driving range and an upscale golf shop. Another property highlight is the luxurious pavilion that houses the spacious fitness center, with separate areas for spinning, pilates, weight-training, and cardio, plus there’s a fruit smoothie bar. There’s also two on-site pools (one for kids) with plenty of loungers and poolside cabanas, and four on-site tennis courts.
Casual eats are served at Cocoteros, located at the golf course’s ninth hole, and carts cruise around with drinks and nibbles for players. There are a few deli-style items for breakfast here, but full meals are otherwise offered at the St. Regis restaurants. The closest is the Beach Club, an upscale affair with a bar, and a choice of indoor and terrace seating overlooking the pool and beach.
The Bahia offers free on-site parking and Wi-Fi throughout, and there are elevators to reach second-floor units.
Guests also have access to other St. Regis amenities, including the exquisite Remede Spa; and restaurants including Fern (a Jean-Georges establishment), Seagrapes (a poolside restaurant), and the St. Regis Lobby Bar. Loaner bicycles, kayaks, and paddle boards are available at the boathouse, which has a floating water park for kids. Nature walks, river tours, bird watching, and nighttime kayaking to a bioluminescent bay can also be arranged here. Children are catered to at the Iguana Kids Club, which has everything from treasure hunts to birdwatching.
See More
Features
Scene
A chic, beachy resort and golfing utopia for well-heeled leisure travelers
The Bahia Beach Resort sits deep within a gated 483-acre nature reserve between lush, ancient rainforest, and pristine Atlantic beachfront. The property shares an entrance with the St.
Regis, and a long driveway leads to the Bahia Beach Club, which serves as Bahia’s HQ. Here, you’ll find reception, pools, and the golf clubhouse and shop. During our stay, the most activity was on the scenic golf course, framed by palm trees and beachfront. The vibe at this resort is laid-back with an air of prestige — but it isn’t stuffy. The Bahia draws discerning families seeking an exclusive home-away-from-home with the freedom to self-cater in style and also utilize fine hotel amenities.
See More
Scene
Location
On the northeast coast’s Bahia Beach, five minutes north of Rio Grande
The Bahia is hidden away in gated grounds on Puerto Rico’s northeast coast. The resort is about 35 minutes from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, 30 minutes from San Juan, 20 minutes from El Yunque National Forest, and about 10 minutes from downtown Rio Grande. Known more for its pristine, uncrowded beaches, Rio Grande offers travelers with a more relaxed, remote locale than neighboring nightlife hubs like San Juan.
There are a few local retail stores and small restaurants in the area, but the biggest highlight nearby is El Yunque with a slew of nature activities from ziplines to waterfall hikes on offer.
See More
Location
Rooms
Chic with contemporary decor, plus full kitchens and furnished terraces
The contemporary condos at the Bahia have one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts with open floor plans. Decor varies, but the general aesthetic is chic, with bleached wood furniture and armchairs covered in attractive modern prints, and sophisticated neutral tones with beachy accents. All units come with full kitchens that are equipped with stainless steel fridges, islands with sinks and high stools, dishwashers, coffeemakers, microwaves, and cookware, and some have Nespresso machines. There are also large dining tables, spacious living rooms with flat-screen TVs, and furnished terraces. Sleek bathrooms have roomy walk-in showers and a generous supply of L’Occitane products, and some have deep tubs.
Views are either of the golf course or beach.
See More
Rooms
Features
Spacious gym, 18-hole golf course, and tennis courts, but no on-site restaurant or spa
This resort’s star feature is the 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., which has a driving range and an upscale golf shop. Another property highlight is the luxurious pavilion that houses the spacious fitness center, with separate areas for spinning, pilates, weight-training, and cardio, plus there’s a fruit smoothie bar. There’s also two on-site pools (one for kids) with plenty of loungers and poolside cabanas, and four on-site tennis courts.
Casual eats are served at Cocoteros, located at the golf course’s ninth hole, and carts cruise around with drinks and nibbles for players. There are a few deli-style items for breakfast here, but full meals are otherwise offered at the St. Regis restaurants. The closest is the Beach Club, an upscale affair with a bar, and a choice of indoor and terrace seating overlooking the pool and beach.
The Bahia offers free on-site parking and Wi-Fi throughout, and there are elevators to reach second-floor units.
Guests also have access to other St. Regis amenities, including the exquisite Remede Spa; and restaurants including Fern (a Jean-Georges establishment), Seagrapes (a poolside restaurant), and the St. Regis Lobby Bar. Loaner bicycles, kayaks, and paddle boards are available at the boathouse, which has a floating water park for kids. Nature walks, river tours, bird watching, and nighttime kayaking to a bioluminescent bay can also be arranged here. Children are catered to at the Iguana Kids Club, which has everything from treasure hunts to birdwatching.
See More
Features
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Airport Transportation
Balcony / Terrace / Patio
Beach
Cabanas
Cable
Cribs
Fitness Center
Full Kitchen
Internet
Kids Allowed
Pool
Poolside Drink Service
Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space
Spa
Supervised Kids Activities
Swim-Up Bar
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed.
Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
| CLASSIC MEDITERRANEAN FROM BARCELONA Mediterranean CLASSIC MEDITERRANEAN FROM BARCELONA Barcelona, Spain-in the sea-Chivita-ketack / Rome, Italy-in the sea-Piraeus / Athens, Greece-Izmir, Turkey-in the sea-Aleksan |
| EAST CARIBBEAN USA, Caribbean Islands, Central America EAST CARIBBEAN Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA – At Sea – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Charlotte Amalie, St. |
| Eastern Caribbean USA, Caribbean, Central America Eastern Caribbean Fort Lleoddale, Florida-Nassau, Bahami Islands-in the sea-Charlotte Amalia, Saint-Tomas-Filipsburg, Saint Maarten-in the sea-in m |
| WESTERN CARIBBEAN USA, Caribbean Islands, Central America WESTERN CARIBBEAN Tampa, Florida, USA – Key West, Florida, USA – offshore – Belize City, Belize – Mahogany Bay, Honduras – Costa Maya, Mexico – offshore MIAMI AND EASTERN CARIBBEAN Miami/Florida, USA – At Sea – Samana, Dominican Republic – St. |
| TREASURES OF THE EMIRATES Persian Gulf and Red SeaTREASURES OF THE EMIRATES Dubai, UAE – Dubai, UAE – Muscat, Oman – Fujairah, UAE – Abu Dhabi, UAE – Bahrain – Dubai, UAE – Dubai, UAE |
| Eastern Caribbean USA, Caribbean, Central America Eastern Caribbean Fort Lauderdale, USA – at sea – Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands – St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA – Philipsburg, Fr. St. Maarten – at sea |
| “WESTERN CARIBBEAN” USA, Caribbean Islands, Central America “WESTERN CARIBBEAN” Tampa, Florida, USA – Key West, Florida, USA – offshore – Falmouth, Jamaica – Georgetown, Cayman Islands – Cozumel, Mexico – offshore RIO DE GENEIRO Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – at sea – Salvador de Bahia, Brazil – Illeus, Brazil – at sea – Ilhabela, Brazil – Santos, Brazil – Rio de J |
| CARIBBEAN from Guadeloupe USA, Caribbean Islands, Central AmericaCARIBBEAN from Guadeloupe Punt E Pitr, Guideloup-Filipsburg, Saint Maarten-La Roman, Dominican Republic-Island of Katalina, Dominican Republic-Cake |
| WESTERN CARIBBEAN USA, Caribbean Islands, Central America WESTERN CARIBBEAN Miami/Florida, USA – at sea – Georgetown, Grand Cayman – about. Cozumel, Mexico – at sea – Miami/Florida, USA |
| South Caribbean USA, Caribbean, Central America South Caribbean Fort Lauderdale, USA – at sea – at sea – Aruba – Bonaire – Grenada – Dominica – St. Thomas, USA, Virgin Islands – at |
| SOUTH CARIBBEAN USA, Caribbean Islands, Central America SOUTH CARIBBEAN Fort Lleoddale, USA-Half Moon Kay, Bagama-Grand Terk, Terks and Kaikos-Samana, Dominican Republic-In the Sea-Bonera, Antilles & |
Thomas – Philipsburg, St. Maarten – At Sea – At Mo 
Thomas, Virgin Islands – Tortola, British Virgin Islands 
Thomas – Philipsburg, St. Maarten – offshore – offshore 
Thomas – Philipsburg, St. Maarten – at sea – at sea
