These Lavish Puerto Rican Hotels Are Working To Preserve El Yunque

Famed for its towering mountains and pristine beaches, the island of Puerto Rico offers a spectacular array of natural destinations to explore all within its boundaries, yet when it comes to true splendor, it’s tough to beat El Yunque National Forest. This sprawling green space measures in at just over 115 square kilometers, with a massive array of native birds, amphibians and insects calling the region home. Given the region’s diversity of wildlife and strong cultural significance within Puerto Rico’s indigenous Taíno culture, preserving the flora, fauna and landscapes found throughout El Yunque is of utmost importance—and fortunately, some of the island’s top organizations have united in hopes of accomplishing just that.

In an effort to bolster conservation efforts across the forest, two of Puerto Rico’s Wyndham properties—the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest, Beach and Golf Resort and the Wyndham Palmas Beach and Golf Resort—have entered into a partnership with the Friends of El Yunque Foundation, a Puerto Rican nonprofit that operates in tandem with the United States Forest Service to bolster tourism within the rainforest. The union offers the opportunity for guests to pledge $1 to the organization with each stay at either hotel, and upon entering this partnership, Friends of El Yunque has the potential to receive $350,000 annually, with proceeds going to expand conservation-driven tourism development as well as programs for the local youth—a projection that the Wydham Rio Mar’s staff are all too happy to hear.

“El Yunque, Puerto Rico’s natural treasure, feeds Rio Mar’s glistening coasts with bountiful water, nutrients, history, geological marvels and wildlife

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Cathedral City Hotels Near the Palm Springs Airport

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Golf Resort

Nine tennis courts, 27 holes of golf, a full-service spa, and a giant azure pool. What more do you need? How about pickleball, racquetball, basketball, bocce ball, and horseshoes? They have that too. When hunger strikes, DoubleTree’s Polanco Kitchen serves a mix of SoCal-inspired flatbreads, seasonal salads, and specialties like Tajín-crusted salmon with cilantro pesto and green papaya slaw. Plus, brunch is available all day. DoubleTree regulars know the cherry on top is the fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie that greets you at check-in.

67967 Vista Chino, Cathedral City
760-322-7000
doubletreepalmsprings.com

Homewood Suites by Hilton

Conveniently sited minutes from the airport, freeway, and downtown Palm Springs, this 197-room property offers condo-style suites for extended stays. Some rooms and the expansive pool area overlook the 18th hole of the adjacent Cimarrón Golf Resort’s Boulder Course with views of Mount San Jacinto as a backdrop. Pets are welcome, hot breakfast is on the house, and every Wednesday evening, the hotel hosts a complimentary cocktail hour for guests.

67711 30th Ave., Cathedral City
760-980-7070

hilton.com

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