Luxury hotel brand Auberge will make its Puerto Rico debut with the opening of Moncayo, Auberge Resorts Collection in 2027.
The waterfront hotel will be part of Moncayo, a 1,100-acre private village on the island’s eastern coast (about 34 miles from San Juan) that will include a 400-acre nature reserve, a 100-acre organic farm and nursery, an 18-hole Mackenzie & Ebert-designed golf course and 400 residences.
“We are honored to have been chosen to manage this remarkable Caribbean property that will set new standards for luxury in Puerto Rico and globally,” said Dan Friedkin, chairman of Auberge Resorts Collection. “Moncayo is an exciting addition to our collection of hotels, resorts and residences, and it aligns perfectly with our continued expansion into the most alluring destinations in the world.”
Nestled between the jungle-covered mountains of El Yunque National Forest and the Caribbean’s largest marina, Puerto del Rey, the Puerto Rico hotel will provide a base for easy day trips to the nearby Spanish, U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and beyond via boat.
But travelers will stay busy back in Puerto Rico with a program of Auberge-curated experiences that explore island life, the area’s impressive biodiversity and the vibrant culture. The engaging activities will include guided jungle hikes, salsa nights and diving and sport fishing adventures.
The hotel will mark the brand’s second property in the Caribbean, joining Etéreo in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. “We are delighted to expand Auberge’s global portfolio in the Caribbean’s most exciting and dynamic new luxury destination, Moncayo,” said Christian Clerc, president and CEO of Auberge Resorts Collection. “The resort will provide one-of-a-kind experiences that will immerse guests and residents in Puerto Rico’s natural beauty and cultural richness, serving as the heartbeat of this thriving new community. The villas and residences will offer the rare opportunity to call this captivating destination home.”
While the residences will enjoy added privacy tucked along the hillside, Moncayo will sit on the on the white sand beach. Toronto-based Studio Paolo Ferrari (the firm behind the sleek, futuristic villa interiors at the new Shebara Resort in the Red Sea) will design the 68-suite, 15-villa resort. Every suite, villa and private residence will have unobstructed Caribbean Sea views that stretch from nearby Isla de Ramos to Vieques and Culebra.
To further immerse guests in nature, each suite will come with its own garden with water features, plunge pools, landscaped decks and cabanas. Inside, the light-filled units will possess natural materials, sand-toned colors, spacious living and dining spaces and one or two bedrooms. Cultural touches and design details will lend a sense of place.
The standalone villas also will offer a scenic oceanfront locale, but the luxurious three- and four-bedroom structures unfold over two expansive levels. That will mean more sea vistas from the indoor and outdoor kitchen and dining and entertainment areas. The villas open onto infinity swimming and spa pools.
The fully appointed residences will provide generous outdoor spaces, chef’s kitchens, open-plan layouts and access to a dedicated Clubhouse and fitness and wellness facilities. Owners will have the opportunity to join The Moncayo Ocean Club, a private club.
Other amenities to watch for at the luxury hotel include oversized, natural-edge swimming pools that cascade to the beachfront. In a bid to become a culinary hot spot in the region, Moncayo will have a host of dining and drinking spots, including hilltop restaurants, a rooftop bar, waterside eateries and lounges, all with cuisine that spans from local to global. The Auberge Spa will draw from the island’s tropical medicinal plants and Taíno healing traditions for tailored wellness journeys.
Then there are the amenities in the wider Moncayo community. It was conceived by Hart Howerton, a company that specializes in unique environments that prioritize natural resources, like Half Moon, Salamander Collection in Jamaica; Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina; Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection in Los Cabos; and The Cloister and The Lodge at Sea Island in Georgia.
In Moncayo, it sought to build a longevity-enhancing village whose restaurants and market get produce from an onsite 100-acre organic farm that adheres to eco-conscious, regenerative agriculture practices. The vast nature reserve will rim the championship golf course, and other golf offerings include a family-friendly nine-hole course and an undulating two-acre putting park. A K-12 international school and comprehensive medical and wellness centers will be available as well.
