The Caribbean Journal staff report that the neighborhood of Esperanza on the island of Vieques— just off the east coast of mainland Puerto Rico—now has a new boutique hotel, El Blok. The article states that El Blok is “not quite like any other hotel in the region” and is “something of an architectural marvel, a funky, eclectic and beautiful structure designed by San Juan-based architectural firm Fuster + Architects.”
Afar Magazine’s Jen Murphy describes the hotel: “A white concrete latticework exterior encircles 22 rooms, which feature brightly colored Spanish floor tiles. The restaurant serves as the hotel’s social center, and San Juan star chef José Enrique serves refined takes on Puerto Rican cuisine, such as bacon-and-egg empanadas, and lamb and pork cooked on an oversize rotisserie. Murphy quotes Simon Baeyertz, co-owner of El Blok, who says “Everything should be simple at the beach [. . .] “I like to say we’re a restaurant with rooms above.”
For full article and more photos, see http://www.caribjournal.com/2014/08/19/the-caribbeans-newest-boutique-hotel-opens-in-vieques/
Photo above (and additional information) from http://www.afar.com/highlights/el-blok-a-puerto-rico-star-chefs-new-beach-retreat
Also see http://dominicavibes.dm/ten-new-caribbean-hotels-for-2014/
