Casa Grande Mountain Retreat - Adults Only

We were sorry to leave, especially knowing we might never see Caramelo again. He’s a sweet local dog who escorted us to our cabin and kept dropping by during our stay. We arrived late, and he was there to greet us. The staff were wonderful, and the breakfast basket was put together just how we wanted it. The mountain setting around Utuado is beautiful and so peaceful.

The jungle sounds were part of what made our stay so lovely. We loved hearing the rain and coquis, though light sleepers might want earplugs. The food, wine, amenities, and surroundings all went beyond what we expected. Getting up the mountain takes a capable car, so plan for that. This place is well worth the trip, and we’re already looking forward to coming back next year.

The setting was wonderfully quiet, just right for disconnecting and spending time in nature. We stayed two nights and found the rooms clean, with comfortable beds. Having a hammock by each room was a nice extra. Dinner at the on-site restaurant was excellent, though the menu stays mostly the same; they did offer a special on our second night. There was wine, but I was surprised they didn’t have cocktails, soda, or coffee with dinner. Shops and markets aren’t nearby, so we drove out to Utuado for a couple of groceries. The lack of AC was fine at night in early May. For the drive, skip Google Maps and use the hotel’s directions, or you may wind up on a precarious mountaintop road with hairpin turns.

The drive in is narrow and full of twists, about 1.5 lanes, but we managed it. We went out exploring each day and loved returning to this beautiful refuge in the evenings. Casa Grande feels secluded among dense foliage, with lovely views all around. Each room has its own balcony or deck, hammock, and café table and chairs, which made morning coffee and evening cocktails especially nice. There’s no AC, but the screened jalousie windows let in the breeze and the nighttime chorus of frogs. It felt like sleeping with a rainforest sound machine. The staff were friendly and helpful, and we loved the dog who greets everyone. The food was excellent and reasonably priced. My small gripe is that the dinner menu is limited and doesn’t rotate, so foodies looking for new dishes will need to eat off site. It’s a uniquely beautiful place with a rustic luxury feel, and I’d recommend it if you want to unwind somewhere special.