Las Palmas Café

The owners of the Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa, Sapo Corporation, entrusted V Architecture with the design for the renovation of Las Palmas Café which is the resort’s three-meal, informal restaurant, and bar. The Copamarina is nestled at the edge of a gorgeous nature reserve in Guánica on Puerto Rico’s marvelous Southwest coast. This privileged setting along route PR-333 with a very distinct climate, vegetation, and colors served as the inspiration for the various design elements for the restaurant’s renovation.

The updated design involved the extension of the existing covered, open-air terrace to maximize the space and to take advantage of the views all around the adjacent gardens, the resort’s main pool, a kids’ playground, and, of course, the fantastic beach. The colors and materials bring in the surrounding sandstone hues, the arid intricacies of the dry forest, and the deep blue-greens of the Caribbean Sea as grace notes on a unifying up-to-date neutral palette. The project also boasts an impressive mosaic mural by CeRo Design studio well integrated into the design concepts.

With the addition of a mere 924 square feet of new roofed area, the project, with an improved layout was able to increase seating by 220% while organizing the space in three discrete areas to add flexibility to the way the restaurant and bar can now be used. This includes the opportunity to hold private events that were not possible with the previous layout. One of the prominent areas is the relocated bar that is now sited in its own space, closer to the lobby, to the pool and to the East lawn for special events as well. A proper reception and waiting area were also added to help manage the increased capacity.

Las Palmas Café reopened in February 2020 and is now a hub of activity within the Copamarina resort. With 3,500 square feet and revamped finishes, it is sure to have an impact on the guest’s comfort and enjoyment. The renovation contributes to the activation of the internal tourism industry in Puerto Rico and the commercial dynamics in the area, generating new jobs and stimulating the economy for Puerto Rico’s southwest region. The project had an investment of around $550,000.