We just returned from a wonderful, relaxing one-week vacation at Villa Altamira and hope to return soon. The house was perfect for our family of seven: Our two young adult sons shared the downstairs suite, our married daughter, son-in-law and 7-year old granddaughter had the large bedroom on the main floor, and my husband and I took the upstairs bedroom. Everyone had their privacy, yet there was plenty of space for us to hang out together in the living/dining room area, on the spacious deck, and around the pool.
We loved the location -- an easy walk from the Isabella Segunda ferry dock and center of town. Isabella Segunda is the larger but quieter of the two towns on the island Esperanza has a more active nightlife, but Isabella Segunda has good markets, bakeries, bars and restaurants, and an authentic, relaxed charm that grew on us as the week went on.
The house is just as lovely as in the photos and extremely well supplied, with all the kitchen items, towels, beach chairs, BBQ grill, etc., one could want. We ate breakfast and a few dinners at home, packed the cooler with sandwiches and drinks to take to the beach, and ate most dinners out. The beds were extremely comfortable, and each bedroom had its own air conditioner, as well as ceiling fans, so we slept well.
We found Vieques to be warm and welcoming - and the beaches are just exquisite, each one with its own special character. We enjoyed exploring different beaches, although we found our favorite to be Sun Bay. We did some great snorkeling on the island, renting equipment from BlackBeard Sports, and also took the luminescent biobay kayak tour at night - a real treat. But honestly, the house, pool, and deck are so beautiful that you don't have to go anywhere. Watching sunsets from the deck were a special treat.
The owners were extremely up front and responsive to our concerns when we first contacted them. We initially had reservations about going to Vieques, wondering if the island had sufficiently recovered from Hurricane Maria to receive visitors. We are so glad we decided to go forward. The house is thoughtfully designed for guests and well-managed. Annette, the rental agent, and her colleague Melyssa were attentive to all our needs, answering all of our questions promptly by text and phone.
This is a great property, and if you're looking for a quiet vacation in a beautiful, relaxing spot, Vieques is a great place to go.