Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort — Hotel in Río Grande

This was a fabulous hotel! We were very happy to have chosen it after looking at various hotels in the area.

If you drive up to the front of the hotel, after handing your car over to the valet, you walk into the vast lobby with the windows, looking out across the lush trees and the beach in the distance. The lobby area encompasses the Wyndham side, and the Margaritaville side, so it is very large. There is a large bar on the Margaritaville side that hosts live music. We never went to the bar, but did hear the music a couple of times, which was wonderful. The Wyndham side has a grand seating area with a piano in the center, though I’m not sure if anybody ever officially plays it.

The front desk staff are very friendly, very accommodating, as is the concierge. However, one big letdown was being snagged by the concierge immediately after check-in, which we knew was a trap. Though she was very friendly, and very helpful trying to get us acclimated to the hotel and resort, and giving us ideas of where to go in the area, etc., it ended up that she was hoping to sign us up for a welcome tour the next morning of the Margaritaville part of the hotel, which we suspected would inevitably include buying timeshares if we did the tour. Been there, done that. We strongly declined her offer, which she accepted without pushback. This is something that hotels often do to guests just arriving, and it’s a terrible welcome. Makes you feel like you’re walking into some kind of sketchy operation.

The room was magnificent! It was extremely spacious, and well designed. We had a beautiful balcony that looked out over the property with a view of the ocean in the distance. It was gorgeous! It really helped to calm the fiasco with the concierge just before. The room had all the expected amenities, although there didn’t seem to be anything on the house in terms of the minibar or anything.

Again, a normal bathroom! Hallelujah! It was decently spacious, with a bathtub/shower situation, and no frosted windows looking into the room.

We didn’t try many of the restaurants or amenities in the hotel, although we did try one of the outdoor bars, which had a good menu, good drinks, friendly service, but was disappointingly very americanized, even playing country music.

I did also take advantage of the gym, which is located in the hotel spa. It’s a rather small gym, and no windows. The strength training machines are jammed into a tight area at the back of the gym. They’re in good condition, but they are old. However, there is something that hits every body part. There are several treadmills with a couple of bikes. The free weight area is very tight, just 2 benches.

Because our last hotel had heated pools, I got really spoiled, and couldn’t go into these pools, which are unfortunately not heated. lol! However, this hotel has three outdoor pools, all of which look wonderful, one of which is for children and looks like a lot of fun. The central pool is surrounded by cabanas that look very comfortable. There are larger cabanas that you can reserve for larger groups of people that also look very comfortable and inviting. There are areas where you can play soccer or something similar, and even an area with outdoor table tennis tables.

With the hotel being on the beach, you can certainly go for strolls along the beach, or just run right out and enjoy your day on the sand and in the water. There is a jet ski rental place on the beach, which we only discovered later after jet skiing elsewhere.

When it comes to driving, you can either use the valet, or do self parking, which is a bit cheaper than the valet per day.

What I liked about this hotel is that instead of having key cards, they gave you wrist bands with a magnetic piece. I found that much nicer to use; there was much less of a possibility of losing it or demagnetizing it as opposed to a key card.

I would definitely recommend this hotel to anybody looking for a luxurious getaway, and I look forward to...

First I’d like to comment on the food: I would not have expected that in a small town like Rio Grande, Puerto Rico on the edge of the El Yunque rainforest, to find such exceptional cuisine. The cuisine at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf and Beach Resort rivals the best cuisine in Paris, London and Hawai’i. Each restaurant here from “Palio” (their fine dining restaurant) to “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” on the beach humorously named outlet, the food is exceptional. The mahi mahi at the bar was better than the finest restaurants in Hawai’i. The food at Palio was fantastic. Roots Coastal Kitchen’s adjoining Mirabella has a breakfast buffet that’s unrivaled, and dinner at the more casual but still upscale Roots (amazingly) was as wonderful as Palio. And don’t forget to visit Iguanas to sample fantastic traditional Puerto Rican food, again upscale.

And beyond food, so much at this resort is exceptional. The people are the true asset, beautiful, kind, friendly and authentic. I’m sure they are all carefully trained, but it’s clear that it goes beyond that. Like so many in this wonderful land, they are good people and that, you can’t train.

The grounds are stunning, the beach tranquil, isolated and gorgeous, the interior of the hotel, spacious and welcoming, the rooms comfortable and well thought (with a Kohler shower so nice I’ve been ordered by my interior designer wife to copy it and re do our master bathroom in my home) and all of this is pre renovation.

And I can’t forget the unforgettable Mandora Spa with professional staff and a beautiful space. During my wife’s massage she accidentally lost a diamond stud earring. When we later told the staff, long after we left (and realized the loss) they went to where they store the used bedding, did a thorough search and amazingly found the earring. What kind people!

Speaking of people our server at Palio Lucbeth I believe was her name was so amazing and we bonded like she was family.

And I must also say a word about Eunice Santos, one of the executive managers. Her grace and customer service was top notch. The hotel is lucky to have her.

The location of the resort is 15 minutes from the El Yunque Rainforest, a national treasure and must visit. Opposed to all the hotels on the “strip” by San Juan, 10 minutes from the airport, this hotel is intelligently situated in a place that feel much more like Puerto Rico. Leave the grounds, and you are in real Puerto Rico, little villages and natural splendor.

When you want to go to San Juan, just hop in a rental car (recommended to be able to self explore Puerto Rico) and you’re just 45 minutes from nightlife, art, food and fantastic music, such as at Carli’s where you can experience the piano bar restaurant owned any by Carli Muñoz the former Beach Boys pianist who often performs there along with many other greats. And prior to dinner, sit outside and hear the Samba and Bossa Nova guitar and voice of the amazingly talented Roberto.

Be sure to leave time to visit the incredible Museo de Arte Puerto Rico, it’s stunning.

And finally I’m a filmmaker and all I want to do now is produce a documentary about Puerto Rico and how places like this resort exemplify the people of Puerto Rico. My company also has a meeting planning division and after touring their wonderful conference space with a huge ballroom and its high ceiling (perfect for productions like I produce) I can’t wait to bring a meeting here. The hotel nicely separates into three parts: The adult guest area, the area perfect for families and the conference area and they all meet in the meet in the middle. Separate but together. It’s like three resorts in one - very thoughtfully and cleverly designed. . The above just touches on Puerto Rico and this tremendous resort, which I might add is also very reasonably priced, compared to the stratospheric Ritz Carlton...

🌴 Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort – A Slice of Paradise in Puerto Rico! 🌴 I cannot say enough amazing things about our recent 7-night stay at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort in Puerto Rico! From the moment we arrived, we felt like we had stepped into a tropical dream. The wind off the ocean kept the sun from ever feeling too hot, which made every beach day absolutely perfect. The beach itself was stunning—soft golden sand, sparkling blue water, and plenty of space to relax or play. What we loved most were the different pool areas, each with their own unique vibe and energy. Whether we wanted a quiet morning by the infinity pool or a fun afternoon at the activity pool with music and games for the kids, there was always a perfect spot waiting for us. The rooms were newly renovated, fresh and comfortable, with modern touches and super cozy beds that made it easy to unwind each night. And for someone like me who tries to eat healthy even on vacation, I was thrilled that every single restaurant had delicious salads and healthy options that didn’t feel like an afterthought. Truly a win! The kids had the time of their lives—exploring the nearby rainforest, feeding iguanas, and discovering all kinds of nature without ever having to leave the resort. That’s right—we didn’t leave the resort once in 7 days because there was simply no reason to! Everything we could’ve hoped for was right there: great food, family-friendly fun, natural beauty, and total relaxation. This resort is now at the top of our list for family vacations, and we’ll absolutely be coming back. Thank you, Wyndham Rio Mar, for giving us the perfect balance of adventure, rest, and unforgettable memories. 🌞🌊🍍

✨ Unforgettable Experience, Thanks to an Incredible Team! ✨ Our stay was made absolutely magical by the amazing staff who went above and beyond at every turn! First, a heartfelt thank you to Gabriel, the true angel behind the reflexology massage and sound experience. His intuitive touch and calming energy transported me to another realm—my body and spirit felt completely renewed. Bianca was a total gem at the Explorers Club! She lit up my youngest child’s world by introducing him to the wonders of Puerto Rico’s birds, flowers, and native plants. Her passion for nature and her patient, playful teaching style left a beautiful impression we’ll carry with us. Carlos—what can I say?! He’s the Tiki Bar legend! His beachside cocktails were absolute perfection, served with a smile and just the right amount of tropical magic. I already miss his daiquiris! At 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Eddie made dining an experience, not just a meal. Friendly, attentive, and always one step ahead, he made us feel like VIPs every single day. LeBron, our phenomenal concierge, made everything seamless—whether we needed directions, dinner reservations, or just a friendly face, he was always there with great advice and warmth. And last but not least, sweet Ana, who greeted us with sunshine every morning at breakfast and kindly helped us practice our Spanish! Her joy was contagious and made us feel right at home. Every staff member we encountered truly made our trip unforgettable. Their kindness, attention to detail, and warm hospitality are what make this resort so special. We can’t wait to come back! 🌴💛...