In the morning, it is common to see people walking or jogging around the property before the heat. Security has a major presence and guests should feel completely safe wandering the grounds any time of day or night. Many guests spend their days on the golf course, tennis courts, or just hitting the pool. Guests usually include golfers, groups on business retreats, and those who only came because they got a deal on a flash sale site.

A beach is a short walk away - it's pretty to look at, and a great place to enjoy a drink, but swimming is often not allowed due to rough waves. The pool is the main daytime attraction and guests tend to stay here through the day napping or making use of the swim-up pool bar and grill. The lobby leads to a small casino, two other restaurants, and the cozy wine bar. There is a lobby bar, which tends to only see action on the weekends, as well as a bakery for breakfast pastries, coffee and sweets through the day. The lobby is one large open-air space accented with bright red fabric banners. There is a hotel turnaround entrance surrounded by lush vegetation and flowering red trees, and then guests have an option to self-park in the lot, which is a bit of a walk away, or use valet service. Visitors will then continue to wind their way past golf courses and housing complexes (keep an eye out for signs - it can be easy to get lost in this mega-community, which is also home to villas and condos). A road winds up to the main gate, where a security guard will check names and direct guests to the hotel. The entrance to Palmas del Mar is impressive in size. A free shuttle is on offer to get around the grounds, but a car is recommended to do any sort of sightseeing. Nightlife is limited, though a small casino, karaoke, and a wine bar help stave off evening boredom. Overall, this predictable vacation spot is best suited for retreat groups and golf lovers - there are two 18-hole courses in the property. Amenities such as tennis and day passes to the Beach Club (which has a larger pool, but rough ocean waves) tend to cost extra.

Rooms are basic and clean (though there may be minor maintenance issues, as this is an older property), and guests can feel free to explore the secure grounds or simply laze around the pool and pool bar. This 107-room Wyndham is the only hotel in the massive 30-year-old Palmas Del Mar - the largest resort community in Puerto Rico, taking up nearly 3,000 acres on the eastern coast. We will update our review as soon as we have more information.

This property was impacted by Hurricane Maria in September 2017.

Casino Doral Resort at Palmas Del Mar