Puerto Rico is a frequent target of tropical storms and hurricanes — including currently with Hurricane Ernesto — during this time of year, but the island continues persevere as a top-notch golf destination. Voted to Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best ranking as the Top 5 Favorite Resorts in Puerto Rico recently were:
- Fairmont El San Juan Hotel: San Juan
- The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Rio Grande
- Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Dorado
- Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort, Rio Grande
- Condado Vanderbilt Hotel: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Discover Puerto Rico is monitoring the current weather situation with updates.
Nos. 2 through 4 are considered golf resorts. Bahia Beach Resort features a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design; TPC Dorado Beach features the East and Sugarcane courses; and Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest offers championship courses designed by Tom and George Fazio and Greg Norman.
There are 18 courses throughout Puerto Rico with two more currently under construction. In addition, there are more than 4,000 restaurants, and an array of award-winning experiences for everyone’s taste.
TICKING DOWN TO FALL
Here in the United States, the fall equinox — more commonly known as the first day of autumn or fall — will arrive on Sunday, Sept. 22. And at 8:44 a.m. to be more specific.
But it’s not too early to start planning for those fall and winter travels.
Sea Pines Resort, located on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, recently announced its Getaway Vacation Package, which gets a jump on fall by starting Aug. 30 and running to Feb. 21, 2025. The packages includes a 10% discount on minimum three-night stays in a Harbour Town home or villa. While the package includes complimentary dining and other amenities, the big draw is preferred golf rates at the resort’s three championship golf courses — including Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage.
A TREND IN TRAVELLING
The results of a single earnings call may not signify a trend, but when some of the travel industry’s major players begin echoing the same line of thought, then warning signs take on added significance.
A recent Wall Street Journal article reported that a slowdown is beginning to occur in the travel economy, especially among U.S. consumers. Consumers are still traveling, but have become more selective in their planning.
According to the Journal, “High-income consumers continue to travel but have favored international destinations, skipping out on domestic trips like theme-park visits.” Lower-income consumers’ options are fewer.
“They’ve spent all that money,” Hilton chief executive Chris Nassetta said in a recent earnings call. “They’re now borrowing more and so they have less available, less disposable income and capacity to do anything, including travel.”