Royal Isabela

Top choice in North Coast


The Royal Isabela marries luxury with a strong environmental ethos, as good as anything on the island. The vision of Stanley and Charlie Pasarell has risen out of a former sugarcane plantation into an enticing tract of vegetated cliffs, rocky coves and undulating, copse-fringed greenery. Colonial-style rooms are studies in understated chic; there's a full list of services to boot.

The 20-odd idyllic casitas are cocooned away within the folds of this estate, so hidden that you can barely see one from the next. Needless to say, they're a soliloquy in style, with dark-wood flooring, carved beds, walk-in four-jet showers and luxe toiletries. Each has its own private plunge pool and paths wind down to private alfresco dining areas – ideal for honeymooners.

As for the 19th hole of the resort's golf course, the vista across the grounds, sweeping to the sea, is magnificent. Next to the open-air bar is the terracotta-roofed restaurant Jota.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby North Coast attractions

1. Observation Tower

5.37 MILES

Just up from the ranger's station in the Bosque Estatal de Guajataca, this multi-tier timber tower yields some superb views of the surrounding forest. It…

2. Bosque Estatal de Guajataca

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3. Palacete Los Moreau

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4. Cueva del Viento

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5. Playa Survival

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6. Gozalandia

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7. Lago Guajataca

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8. San Sebastián Market

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