It’s the first of its kind in the Americas and merely the second in the entire portfolio, so we’re sure Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will make a splash when it welcomes its first guests on the memorable date of 12-12-12. Sitting on Puerto Rico’s northern coast, the 1,400-acre resort is just 15 miles west of the bustling city of San Juan. Though it hasn’t opened its doors yet, there’s a lot to be excited about. Here are five of our favorite features:
1. Proximity to nature. Built on what was once Laurance S. Rockefeller’s eco-friendly estate, Dorado Beach offers all kinds of activities to soak up the area’s natural beauty. Whether you’re walking along the 11-mile Rockefeller Nature Trail or setting out on an eco-adventure with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, there’s plenty to explore at this Puerto Rican haven.
2. World-class golf. Dorado Beach boasts three stunning 18-hole golf courses originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. PGA veteran or not, you’ll be teeing off on top-notch courses with stellar views. If you’re looking for a warm-up, head to the Pineapple Course, which is the friendlier of the two plantation courses (the other is the Sugarcane Course) with fewer forced carries. In fall 2013, the resort will welcome a fourth option, the redesigned West Course.
3. The splendor of Su Casa. The reserve’s 6,000-square-foot, four-bedroom private villa was restored to its 1920s magnificence and comes complete with its very own infinity-edge pool. Book this Spanish hacienda and you’ll gain a private concierge for the entirety of your stay plus jaw-dropping views of the ocean and easy access to the soft sand.
4. Mi Casa by José Andrés. Playing on the name of the historic villa, Su Casa, Forbes Travel Guide Tastemaker José Andrés serves up his unique cuisine at this beachfront restaurant, offering Caribbean fusion fare with lively tastes from Spain and flavorful American cooking.
5. A soothing sanctuary. The five-acre Spa Botánico combines Puerto Rican ingredients with indigenous soothing traditions in a variety of locales. Opt for a signature hammock massage in one of two open-air tree houses, then relax in the Purification Gardens with their warm and cool pools, waterfall showers and steam pavilions. The rest of the treatments take place in the treatment pavilions and Apothecary Portal.
Photos Courtesy of Eric Christensen
