Just got back from a few days in Rincon and stayed at The Lazy Parrot. We drove from San Juan and didn't take along the directions on their website - but make sure you print them out and take them... there is some road work in Aguada (just before Rincon) so we had to ask a few times, but we got to the hotel with no problem as soon as we found the famous route 413 - 'The road to happiness'.
Lazy Parrot is right on route 413 which is the main road that runs 'above the beach' all along the 'Puntas' area beaches and then above the surfing coast, past the marina and into the small town.
Rincon is a little different from your usual beach resort - since there are lots of different beaches to explore, rather than one long beach 'strip' like we found in San Juan.
Since everyone has to have a car to explore the different beaches - The Lazy Parrot is a great place to base yourself. Easy access to virtually everything in Rincon... and plenty of parking just across the street. Best part of The Lazy Parrot is that after a day of hanging out at the beach, diving or horseback riding... you can just 'escape from everything' and relax in their 'country resort' type athmosphere...
The front of the inn is on 413 which can be busy at times - but the back of the inn is what sets this hotel apart from all the beach resorts.... Built into the side of the hills that circle the 'Puntas' beaches - The Lazy Parrot has a restaurant that gives a view of the ocean in the distance (over the hills). Going down one level, there is a great bar that overlooks the pool/jacuzzi/lunch snack bar below... The pool is surrounded by lots of flowers/palm trees so you really forget all the hustle/bustle of the beaches and just RELAX....
We had considered staying right on the beach - but we're glad that we chose the Parrot - since the beach areas tend to be busy with more people and activity... and at the Parrot we were only 3 minutes from the activity of the beach if we wanted it... but has the peace, quiet and nature back at the hotel to relax and get away from the world...
The staff was great, the included continental breakfast buffet had good strong Puerto Rican coffee, pastries, cereals, bagels, juice, etc... If you need more, there is a good bakery just next door for sandwiches or to stock your minifridge with sodas, etc.
Rooms were comfortable and had everything you need - cable TV, airco, ceiling fans, minifridge, telepnone, desk area and my cellphone even worked fine. Some rooms have a small deck area - and the upstairs rooms have a great view of the ocean in the distance....
Before I got to the hotel - I had fantasies of taking a morning walk down to the beach... but the beach in Puntas (Pools Beach and Sandy Beach) are down a steep hill... so even though The Lazy Parrot is only about 3 minutes from the beach by car - you wouldn't want to walk...
We were there mid-week - and the restaurant at Lazy Parrot was open every night - so we ate there most of the time.... restaurants at most of the beach hotels were only open on the weekend in summer.
We did go to the Mexican restaurant on the main town plaza which was nice and very reasonable. The town plaza has just been renovated and you have to check it out... its really nice at night and worth a visit....
Since The Lazy Parrot is in such a convenient location to explore the area - I think that we visited every beach in Rincon... at least to take a look.... The Puntas beaches right by the hotel are great for beach bars/volleyball/activity - but still lots of space for walking the sand...
The surfing beaches that border the lighthouse were pretty empty, since surfing season is during the winter - but were great when we wanted a 'private beach'... The beaches in the Corsega section were best for swimming... but also had more people (but still no where near crowded) and not so many beach bar type places to grab a drink...
Many times I'm reluctant to rent a car in new places - but driving in Rincon is easy - almost impossible to get lost and lots of fun to just take a side street and explore a new beach at the end of the block (all beaches are public so even at the big resorts - you can enjoy their beach)
We should have planned to stay more time - since we didn't get to go out to Dechescho (sp?) island which looms in the distance and would have been great for snorkeling. We also would have liked to take the sunset cruise or try the SNUBA. With so much to explore - we'll have to go back soon... and for sure we'll stay at Lazy Parrot... I definately have to come back to watch the surfing this winter!