Royal Isabela

About

Royal Isabela is an exclusive oceanfront luxury resort, golf club, and residential community located along the dramatic cliffs of Isabela, Puerto Rico. It is renowned for its championship "Links at Royal Isabela" golf course, exquisite casitas and villas often featuring private plunge pools, and a commitment to preserving the natural beauty of its coastal setting. The property offers a serene, upscale retreat with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and a focus on sustainable luxury.

Royal Isabela's accommodations, such as its casitas and villas, frequently include private plunge pools. While specific temperature information for these or any main pools is not publicly detailed, in the tropical climate of Puerto Rico, such pools are generally at a comfortable ambient temperature, primarily used for cooling and relaxation, rather than being explicitly heated.

What are people saying (AI review summary)? Royal Isabela is widely praised for its breathtaking natural beauty, stunning views, and serene atmosphere, with several guests highlighting it as a truly special place. Some guests experienced exceptional service from specific staff members like Pedro, Jorge, and Juan Fernandez, enjoyed delicious food, and found the villas stunning. However, numerous reviews point to significant inconsistencies in service, with complaints of indifferent or inattentive staff, long waits, and a lack of basic guest care (e.g., no complimentary water). Dining options were frequently described as limited and steeply overpriced, with concerns raised about questionable 'farm-to-table' claims and unsanitary food handling. Cleanliness was also an issue for some, citing spider webs and dust, alongside maintenance problems such as broken AC. Many reviewers felt that despite the luxury price point, the overall guest experience, especially concerning hospitality, cleanliness, and value, did not live up to the resort's stunning setting.

Location

Gallery

Amenities

• Good for Children
• Accepts Credit Cards
• Accessible Entrance

Reviews

Listing Reviews

July 13th, 2025

Roxanne Santiago

This place is beautiful, the views are gorgeous and breathtaking. Our server Pedro was amazing. So friendly and outgoing, very informative on food prep and recommendations and he was attentive to us. I’ve been on the island for 3 years and this food and service are the best I have had. Cooked with such savor and perfection. We only stood to eat and did not stay in a villa.

July 21st, 2025

Prachi Patel

The property at Royal Isabela is undeniably stunning, with breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere that feels like an escape from the everyday. Unfortunately, the service experience doesn’t match the setting. Despite its luxury price point, basic guest care leaves much to be desired. Staff interactions often come across as indifferent, and something as simple as a complimentary bottle of water isn’t provided, which feels petty for a resort of this caliber. Dining options are very limited, and the food—while decent—is steeply overpriced, which makes it hard to justify. Housekeeping also needs attention. Spider webs on the ceilings and heavy dust on the curtains make the rooms feel neglected. Opening and closing the drapes shouldn’t leave you needing a shower. If Royal Isabela wants to live up to its promise of luxury, significant improvements in hospitality and cleanliness are necessary. The setting may be five stars, but the guest experience doesn’t come close—especially when guests are paying a fortune to stay here.

June 27th, 2025

Jess M

We stayed at the Royal Isabela to celebrate a birthday, and it was incredible! The staff are excellent, the villas are stunning, and the restaurant was delicious. We also did surfing lessons and paddle boarding with Jorge, who was absolutely fantastic- professional, patient, and made both experiences so much fun. Highly recommend! This is such a special place and we can't wait to go back!

July 23rd, 2025

Christian Hernandez

ALL HYPE, NO SUBSTANCE!!! Showed up, hostess was MIA for 5min. Finally was seated, waiter was scrolling on his phone in the table next to us. Someone was vacuuming the restaurant in the middle of the service. Waiter gave us the wrong menus & disappeared. My dad is still waiting for his beer. Their whole vibe is farm to table & locally sourced ingredients but their “catch of the day” was Salmon. I’m curious where do they fish Salmon in Puerto Rico. The waiter was serving a juice for the table next to us and grabbed the pineapple with his hands without washing them. Also the air conditioner was broken & fans were malfunctioning. For such an “upscale” place; the food and the service were VERY underwhelming. There’s waaaaay better places on the island. I SUGGEST SPENDING YOUR MONEY ELSEWHERE.

July 14th, 2025

Kemar P

The staff created an excellent experience and provided a high level of service. Our hotel experience was exceptional. Juan Fernandez went above and beyond to ensure we were well accommodated. I would definitely recommend staying here!