El Blok’s strikingly modern aesthetic, pared-down vibe, and uncompromising comfort make it a surprising Caribbean find. Located in the small coastal town of Esperanza on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, the 22-room hotel opened its doors in 2014. San Juan–based architecture firm Fuster + Partners is behind the cool, contemporary design, with concrete wrapping the exterior, a central light well illuminating the interior, and a rooftop pool drawing guests from the beach just across the street. The furniture was carved from locally sourced driftwood and hardwoods, and works by Puerto Rican artists Javier and Jaime Suarez decorate the common areas. Distinctive touches such as an after-hours vending machine, Aesop amenities, and an obsession with local coffee contribute to an alternative yet luxe vibe. Should you ever want to leave the property, the El Bike program enables guests to explore Vieques without renting a car.
El Blok
El Blok
El Blok
El Blok
El Blok
El Blok
El Blok
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El Blok: A Puerto Rico Star Chef's New Beach Retreat
“Everything should be simple at the beach,” says Simon Baeyertz, co-owner of El Blok, a new hotel on the island of Vieques, just off the east coast of mainland Puerto Rico. 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. “I like to say we’re a restaurant with rooms above,” Baeyertz says. This appeared in the May 2014 issue.
El Blok: A Star Chef's New Beach Retreat
“Everything should be simple at the beach,” says Simon Baeyertz, co-owner of El Blok, a new hotel on the island of Vieques, just off the east coast of mainland Puerto Rico. 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. “I like to say we’re a restaurant with rooms above,” Baeyertz says.
