Fodor's Expert Review Hix Island House

Constructed entirely of concrete and set in a tropical forest, the four buildings of this luxurious hotel echo the granite boulders strewn around Vieques, blending with the surroundings. Award-winning architect John Hix's spare aesthetic permeates guest rooms, which have dramatic lines and sexy curves. Some might find the property cold and uninviting, however, regardless of inspiration and originality. Sunny terraces, panoramic open walls, and private outdoor showers keep nature nearby, although the nighttime songs of coquí frogs might disrupt your sleep. The resort's embrace of the environment crosses from form to function in the use of recycled water and solar-power systems. A recent addition to the Hix property is Casa Solaris, so named because it is an entirely solar-powered guesthouse. Even the swimming pool is eco-friendly.