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Top 20 Resorts & Hotels of 2021:

No.10: Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve, Puerto Rico

· Travel News,Caribbean

 

We are back to it, with a goal of finishing the top 10 this month, let's go!  Today we break into the Top 10.  While Four Seasons Resorts has already been well repped within this countdown today brings us the first Ritz Carlton resort on the list, and this isn't just any Ritz Carlton Resort.  The is a Ritz Carlton Reserve.   Wait you ask? What is Ritz Carlton Reserve, and how does it differ from a Ritz Cartlon Resort?  Well keep reading to find out.  As we go from the Mayakoba region of Cancun, Mexico we now head back into the heart of the Caribbean, and the US Island of Puerto Rico, where the Dorado Beach is located.

Countdown is based on overall clientele in 2021. 

Our Top 20

#10 - Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve - Puerto Rico

Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve

My Preferred Partner Client Benefits Include:

(please reachout to secure your preferred client benefits)

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Buffet breakfast for two guests per bedroom
  • $100 USD Equivalent Food & Beverage credit or Spa credit per room to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full, non-transferable)
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve

Welcome to Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve.  A Ritz Carlton Reserve is very exclusive, and it is basically the luxury private boutique side of Ritz Carlton.  As Ritz Carlton Resorts tend to be on the large side with 100s of rooms and on large landscapes or built up in highrises.  You just have to take a look at the new Ritz Carlton Resort in Turks & Caicos to see that.   Ritz Carlton Reserves are much smaller, and Ritz is very careful with its selection of Reserve Resorts and locations.  To date only 4 exist in the entire world.  One in Bali, One in Thailand, One in Cabo, and the Dorado Beach.  So YES, this is the only reserve in the US, the only reserve in the entire Caribbean, and one of only two on this side of the world.

Ritz Carlton Reserves are considered for luxury clients seeking to discover a singular location & peerless resort that, through its asthetic, design and incredible services, has a distinctive personality that blends together the culture, history and heritage of its setting. The Reserve brand is distinguished from other Ritz Carltons by offering guests’ exotic, hand-selected ‘hideaway’ destinations globally; a relaxed, casually elegant atmosphere; and an even greater level of individualized service through a higher staff to guest ratio.

Dorado Beach is an exotic Reserve sanctuary and is the first of its kind in the US, with its beautiful secluded location, intimate luxurious accommodations, exclusive amenities, and personalized Embajador service.  Consisting of 115 oceanfront rooms, suites & residences spread across 50 acres on one mile of beach, it is a luxurious island sanctuary that is on a wonderful coral reef with blue Caribbean waters and a lush tropical coastal rainforest setting. 

Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve

Dorado Beach is located in the community of Dorado, which is a beach town just outside of San Juan.  From the airport it would take you about 40 minute by car.  The Dorado area consist of two beaches know as East Beach & West Beach.  Ritz Carlton has rooms that overlook both beaches.  The resort is only two stories high and your entry level rooms are either ocean view or plunge pool walkout.  So every room on the base floor will come with a plunge pool, but you will not have a plunge pool if you opt for the 2nd floor ocean view rooms.   You can choose your room location to be on either beach, as they have the same rooms on both beaches with the main pools and central part of the resort in between the two beaches.  These are actually the only 'rooms' on property.  You next go into suites and residences of which once again you have east and west beaches in either one or two bedroom suites to choose from.  Residences are found futher down one side of the beach for the most part, and are available in two and three bedroom, as well as a 4 bedroom penthouse and a 5 bedroom villa.

Plunge Pool Room at Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve

 

Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve

 

Spa Botanico at Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve

The resort has three main dining venues.  The best of these is COA where the signature dishes are prepared over a traditional spanish wood burning oven, known as a Mi Brasa.  With a lovely al fresco setting against the sound of the ocean waves and gourmet cuisine, makes COA the place to dine at Dorado Beach, oh and did I forget to mention it's 3,200 bottle wine cellar. 

The other two options consit of The Encanto Beach Club & Grill, and the Posi+ivo sand bar.  Dining at Posi+ivo is a reminder that even the simplest things can bring great joy. A colorful sunset as it melts into the ocean.  The feeling of sand between your toes. The incredible flavor of pure ingredients. Open to the elements yet shaded by a beautifully carved ceiling, Posi+Ivo Sand Bar features Asian-inspired and Latin fusion dishes that invite diners to experience different culinary traditions in one sitting.   The open-air Encanto Beach Club Bar and Grill invites guests to partake in one of the world’s oldest traditions: sharing a meal. The poolside, beachfront restaurant features Mediterranean coastal cuisine, island-inspired cocktails and grilled meats and seafood.  

Lastly Dorado Beach features an interesting Culinary Center.  Hosted within a beautiful, residential-inspired kitchen, the center hosts wine dinners and cooking classes showcasing seasonal ingredients and international cuisines. Led by their culinary experts, hands-on classes teach professional techniques and creative recipes for all skill levels, and five-course wine dinners feature course-by-course pairings. The Culinary Center also hosts themed journeys including a market featuring fresh produce flown in from Miami. Classes and wine dinners are intimate gatherings of no more than 10 guests and should be reserved prior to or upon arrival.

 

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Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is an exclusive and expansive residential retreat with scenic and private views of the ocean; seamlessly weave luxury living space from the indoors out and a string of opulent amenities.

An unparalleled level of individualized guest service enhanced by the local customs and flavors of Puerto Rico awaits. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve was ‘grandfathered’ to be built on the footprint of the former Laurance Rockefeller estate, allowing for every guestroom and restaurant to rest directly on the beach, only steps from sea.

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a harmonious sense of place that blends masterfully into the natural surroundings invites guests to arrive spellbound – and depart speechless.

 

Posi+ivo, at Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve

 

Thank you for your interest & any potential reservation and I invite you to become a preferred client of mine with Avenue Two Travel!  Please contact me to discuss the Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve in more detail and to secure your preferred status client reservations.

Other Honors for Dorado Beach in 2021:

#2 in US, #9 in Caribbean & Mexico

All Images Courtesy of & used with permission by Ritz Carlton & Dorado Beach Management

 

The Top 20 of 2021 so far:

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