Review: Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

What a pointless review. Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties don't participate in Bonvoy. This is, first and foremost, a miles and points blog. Why not review one of the many points-participating hotels across several chains in Puerto Rico?

And yes, I think it is beyond stupid that timeshares participate in Bonvoy but Ritz-Carlton Reserve doesn't.

Amazing report; thank you for such a detailed posting. This place looks legit.

I admit that this is a nice hotel. It puts the other resort factory Ritz-Carlton properties to shame. However, I'm kind of appalled that for $1200-plus per night a resort fee is still charged. I mean, seriously? What do you get for $1200 a night if you still have to pay $120 or whatever in a resort fee for beach and gym access? That's beyond cheap. I guess there are a bunch of suckers because Puerto Rico is cheap and you could live like a king for $1200 a night in a rental or Airbnb.

Maybe I missed it but what was the pricing for f&B considering it seemed like a sort of captive resort? Also is a 1br suite a base room or were you upgraded? Kind of surprised you pulled the TA card for pricing - yeah it’s expensive but the value of a review in which the property knows Ford can steer business their way (and if they did any light googling, you) is going to be diminished as they fill your service requests first and make it not seem like the other ritz resort factories

Also $125 a day resort fee is unacceptable. Would you pay $125 a day to use a gym and kayak?? When you’re at this price point where you’re not competing for business but rather pricing for a unique experience it just needs to be included.

That was a helluva upgrade. Just looked and rates for that Suite are $3-4K/per night - definitely not the base room. Appreciate the solid f&b review, but the room and other parts won’t apply to the vast majority of us.

The (abandoned) hotel next to the Ritz used to be the Grand Hyatt. Connected to the former abandoned GH is a Hyatt Time Share called Hacienda Del Mar. The current Ritz Reserve location was a Hyatt as well. All three of these properties had reciprocal benefits. My family purchased a timeshare for 75-years. Both hotels within two years of the timeshare purchase closed. Current annual maintenance rates are 2K+ per year. NEVER EVER EVER PURCHASE A TIME SHARE.

Great post, again, Ben. Fantastic and comprehensive review, and thanks for going out of your way to get pictures (e.g., spa), even in a short stay. But that dirty martini doesn’t look anywhere near dirty enough! And are you not a blue cheese olive guy?

Pointless review? It was a fantastic review. I, and many others, appreciate the reviews of higher-end (non-points) properties from time to time.
The points properties in PR are pretty bland, the Ritz included. RC Dorado is far and away the best property on the island so yes, this was a relevant review.

Wow I thought $40 resort fees were disgusting enough. This place takes it to a whole new level.

To Daniel: I do agree with your conclusion regarding timeshare purchasing. Past July we did stay in Hacienda Del Mar on a paid rate ($180+tax) and it was very enjoyable. I talked to the manager of that Hyatt timeshare and he told me that they are owned by Marriott Vacation but operate under the Hyatt brand. The abandoned hotel next to the timeshare is being demolished and the plan is to rebuild it into JW Marriott in a few yeras. He did not know whether the timeshare will stay operational under the Hyatt brand. But you probably know all this.

this one is on the list. hopefully we can enter USA soon. (from Europe) Looks great, Did not stay at reserve property yet

Bland? Not sure I'd say so about the St Regis Bahia, which is definitely a "points" property. I'm excited that Amex Bonvoy Brilliant with its annual fee increase is potentially making the annual night certificates worth 85k points which will hopefully make that particular hotel redeemable on it which can have cash price of $1200 to $1500 a night!

@Ben. I have a question. In one of the photos it seems in the distance a guy is setting up his kiteboarding rig...but I can't tell for sure. Did you see anyone kitesurfing in the lagoon areas? This would be a big draw for me but is often not allowed at resort beaches like this.

Good review. It is insanely overpriced for the reason Ben mentioned in the first section; it is a tax haven for some of the wealthiest Americans with no capital gains taxes and low corporate tax rate with no federal taxes. The residences at the hotel have soared in price (from 1-3mm in 2016-17 to $10-25mm for same units today).

A new Four Seasons is opening in Fajardo supposedly next year so hopefully that will ease the prices at the Ritz Reserve when that happens.

Check out windsurfing at La Parguera in the southwest if the island.

Thanks Francisco, yeah, familiar with some of the usual spots. But to find high end resorts that allow it at their beaches as well is a double bonus on days you just want to roll out of a luxury room and get a session in outside your door.

I really don't know what to think of this. This is a nice review, but like many hotels reviewed here recently, a lot of these are completely out of reach for most of us (unless we have a travel advisor handy 😉 ).
The room in and of itself... heh. Looks fine I guess. The spa does look absolutely stunning though, really gorgeous!
The most shocking part to me is the bizarre $125 resort fee. Not because of the amount, but what the hell is the point of it? If people are going to pay at least $1200 per night, surely they can pay $1325 per night and it can be baked into the room rate instead ? And since there are no other resorts at that price point in PR, it seems unlikely that they are doing that to lower the room rate for search engines and compete with other properties, since there are none. Makes no sense to me.

I don't think I like how your upstairs neighbors have such a view of your private pool. Doesn't feel very private.

I am not sure why people would not choose the Ritz Carlton over this property. While this property looks stunning, one major issue as many have mentioned is that you are kind of stuck. They probably charge enough for meals because almost no place else to go. Besides the resort fee, I agree if they charged a little more for the rooms nobody would notice. However, remember that Reserve properties are not part of Marriott. These properties can be booked with Marriott, but you will not earn nights, points, or be able to redeem points there. It's not like the regular Ritz Carlton is a bad choice and is much cheaper at best. The price of $1300 per night that people are mentioning is their off season rate!

I am not sure why people would not choose the Ritz Carlton or the St Regis resort over this property. While this property looks stunning, one major issue as many have mentioned is that you are kind of stuck. They probably charge enough for meals because almost no place else to go. Besides the resort fee, I agree if they charged a little more for the rooms nobody would notice. However, remember that Reserve properties are not part of Marriott. These properties can be booked with Marriott, but you will not earn nights, points, or be able to redeem points there. It's not like the regular Ritz Carlton is a bad choice and is much cheaper at best. The price of $1300 per night that people are mentioning is their off season rate!

@Clem, Hotels separate out the resort fee charges instead of folding it into their regular room rate because they don’t have to pay a percentage of the resort fee to travel agents. Typically the travel agent who book your room get a cut of your room rate.

@Lucky, checkout Cheval Blanc Randheli’s spa island. That is the best spa facility I have ever been to. To get on the spa island, resort transport you on a private boat that glides over crystal clear water. Then you land at a stunning facility with gorgeous artwork on walls not to mention stunning view you can look out to. Once you are check in, you are lead to a gorgeous villa. Each freestanding treatment villa comes with its own shower, rest room, etc.. Not to mention trove of Guerlain product you can slap onto your face and body for “free”. In addition, best massage I ever had at any spa hands down.

Bonvoy just isn't that important to Marriott's strategy, otherwise they would find a way (aka incent) these owners along with Edition and R-C to fully participate in the program. It's just a cost center that I think they'd be more happy not having to deal with.

The room seems a bit meh. Not bad, but not worth the price. The 'private' pool is not private at all. And I would never stay at a hotel that charges 125 USD for a daily 'resort fee'.
Beyond that, the grounds seem quite lovely and the setting certainly looks pleasant. But to try to argue that the 125 USD per day resort fee is value for money just really feels cheeky. Also, how dare they add the rum welcome drink to the resort fee amenities. If that is part of what you are paying for, you should either get it every day, or you should pay less after the first night. And apparently you said the water park is only open certain days, yet that is also included in the resort fee. I imagine they do not offer you a reimbursement when that is closed.
I mean, obviously resort fees are scams, but when they don't even offer you the amenities they claim you are paying for, then it seems like even more of a scam.

The "regular" Ritz-Carlton, as far as I know, has been closed since the September 2017 hurricanes. I don't believe it has reopened. Before the hurricane, like the also destroyed Ritz-Carlton a hundred miles away on St. Thomas, was very old and outdated. We did 6 corporate events (12-15 rooms per event) in a span of 3 months in San Juan and didn't get an upgrade or club lounge access once. They've reopened the Ritz-Carlton on St. Thomas but the rates are crazy expensive, especially with the resort fee. Service is horrible in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There's no way I would pay those rates. I'd rather pay $150 a night at the Margaritaville Vacation Club some 10 minutes away and use my savings on meals and activities.

You don't have to be a wealthy American. Almost any American who can work remotely with clients on the mainland in advertising, financial services, IT, public relations, business consulting, etc. can move to Puerto Rico, stay for 6 months and 1 day out of every year, and basically get away with no federal taxes and very little Puerto Rico territorial taxes. The key is you can't provide a service within Puerto Rico. They're hoping property taxes and other locally generated spending makes up for what they lose in capturing your income taxes.

Nice review. Would definitely stay there at say maybe half the price.

Ben is one of the few travels bloggers posting real reviews at this point, so the concentration on very high end resorts where cash is the main or only option is noticeable. We all know PR is a destination more and more people want to visit. Would be great to see reviews of properties like Hilton Caribe or whatever in addition to reviews of high end stuff like this. With millions traveling today (so travel is definitely “back” for many), the lack of new travel reviews makes little sense

Really hate Marriott has RC Reserve and Bulgari which all don't even earn points on stay. No redeeming is sad enough, but not even getting points for my bucks? For the splurge moment, I'd go with truly independent hotel then.

Lol at everyone complaining about the resort fee, it's called supply and demand.
Would you rather prefer $1325 a night with zero resort fee or $1200+125 resort fee. It's the same thing.

Ben. What an amazing and thorough review. The place looks great but I also agree it’s ridiculous to be asked to pay an additional resort fee when you are over $1000 a night. However not a bad stop off for your positioning flight lol. Can’t wait to read your reviews in London

great overall review!! wish it were cheaper to stay there and the $125 resort fee is way overboard!!