Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

arrived at the Dorado Ritz Carlton Reserve on Friday, August 29th for a three-night stay. I entrusted my new Audi Q6 to the valet. On Monday, after paying slightly over $7,000 for the weekend, the valet returned my car and I left. When I got home, I immediately noticed fresh scratches on the front left bumper. I called the hotel right away. They said they would review the cameras. The next day, the hotel’s head of security told me I should file a police report, which I did. A few days later, I was contacted by Mrs. Luz Ortiz, auto adjuster from AIG Insurance (the hotel’s insurer), asking for documents to initiate a claim. I submitted everything, including a professional body shop quote of $947. Today, I received an “offer” from AIG for only $702.47. This entire process has been unacceptable: • Not once has the hotel management reached out to apologize or acknowledge what happened. • No explanation has been given as to who was responsible for the damage while my car was in their custody. • After spending over $7,000 for a supposedly five-star experience, I’m left with both damage to my car and an insulting lowball settlement offer. The main reason I am posting this review is to warn future guests: 👉 Always inspect your car carefully after using valet service — even at a five-star hotel. You never know if you might be the next victim. Dorado Ritz Carlton Reserve completely failed in customer care, accountability, and basic respect for a guest who trusted them with their property. I cannot recommend this resort to anyone.

This hotel is incredible. The property is absolutely gorgeous. The rooms are fantastic. The food is amazing and the service is great. We will definitely be back!

I’ve been to Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, four times now and every single visit has been incredible. The service is always above and beyond, which honestly isn’t something you can always expect on the island. From the second you arrive, the team makes you feel genuinely cared for. They’re warm, attentive, and always one step ahead, so you never have to think about what you might need next. It never feels forced or transactional. Each time I’ve come back, there’s been some small, thoughtful detail that makes me feel remembered and appreciated. The property is beautiful — the beach, the grounds, everything is kept to perfection — but it’s really the people that make it special. I’ve never left feeling anything other than relaxed, happy, and already planning my next trip. Dorado Beach has become my standard for what great hospitality should be.

The most beautiful resort property my wife and I have ever been to. We were in room 322 for four nights. The room was incredibly beautiful with the beach just steps away outside our room. Every single person we came across was friendly and helpful. Pool beautiful, beach incredible, service so attentive it almost made me feel uncomfortable (I managed). We went to Coa for dinner outside by the beach and it was so good we came back again the next night. Honestly can’t think of a single thing they could do differently to improve. They’ve achieved perfection. Just a sublime place with incredible people.

My time at the Ritz was the best vacation of my life. When you arrive on property you are greeted by the staff with such warmth and delicious popsicles. The view from reception is breathtaking and on the day we arrived the ocean glimmered. Our Embajador led us to our room and gave us a mini tour on our way there. We were upgraded to a room with a plunge pool and private path down to the beach. That alone was worth the hefty price tag in my opinion. Your view is stunning and the property is beautifully maintained with nature surrounding you and beautiful landscaping carressing the property. My boyfriend proposed to me while we were there and the staff made our celebration so special with a beautiful flower arrangement, rose petals and chocolate coqui frogs waiting for us after dinner. The dinner staff at Coa also presented us with a very sweet picture frame and the date of our engagement which is now one of my most treasured possessions. We stayed on property for five days and decided not to do any day trips as we have been to Puerto Rico before and after a very stressful year I just wanted peace and quiet which is exactly what I got. The spa staff is incredible (kind, gorgeous and so skilled). My facial was incredible and my skin looked like a million bucks afterward. The spa amenities are lovely but I wish there was more seating outdoors in the women's area as there were only three large lounge chairs around the pool but there were at least five women sharing the space at the time I was there. Not a huge deal, and the area around the pool is a bit small so I'm not sure that can be changed but just an observation if they ever renovate this area. There are a couple of things to note if you're on the fence about booking a vacation here: -Open air dining and birds. The birds run this resort. They were there first. You will encounter birds but you get used to it. -The staff is world class and so so kind. They go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and are the loveliest people in the hospitality field IMO. -There is a huge golf course on property so it attracts golf people and their families. I do not golf so this was not something I really cared about. -The restaurants on property are mostly excellent. The best breakfast and lunch will be at Coa - their breakfast menu is straightforward and the staff is wonderful and kind. The lunch menu features Puerto Rican food with a twist. Don't be scared - their version of bacalao is actually a sauteed piece of Cod that is delicious. -We had dinner at Positivo, Coa and Fleur de sal. Positivo has half of the restaurant on sand and this restaurant is surrounded by a LOT of birds (open air dining). If you're not into that maybe steer clear of that restaurant. It is asian inspired food but as a NYC native I thought it was just ok food with incredible service. The waitstaff was amazing. -Fleur de sal is italian food and they do offer a cauliflower crust pizza if you're gluten free. I didn't order that but it is really good to know for those with intolerances. This restaurant is beautiful and romantic. -Coa is a solid option for a beautiful dinner and their desserts are SO GOOD. We had the wagyu steak, a fish dish, scallops and the gluten free chocolate lava cake. Everything was cooked to perfection and our server was a gem. -Room service is fantastic and we ordered some food to go on our way to the airport. They gave use some delicious pastries in addition to our order which was so kind and thoughtful. -Rent a golf cart to get around the property and go on little adventures. We did that and did not regret it. We also biked around the property. La cocina gourmet is where you want to go for a to go latte and delicious gluten free chocolate chip cookies as well as snacks/salads. -Take advantage of the delicious coffee and muffins in the library. Also take advantage of not just the small gym but the huge gym by the tennis court area. They have additional equipment, pickleball courts, etc. -You must bring cash to tip additional staff and workers. I didn't realize that and I wish there was a virtual tipping option for exceptional service ( like a QR code or something discreet for our embajador/cleaning staff/etc.) One note I would give to the management is to invest in entertainment for guests at night. They sometimes have a salsa band on Friday nights but the property is so large surely there are other hotel guest mingling opportunities that can be created that do not create too much noise for guests trying to sleep. It could be on the side of the resort away from accomodations and I think it would make guests feel more comfortable with one another and create a sense of community. The resort lacks a bit of a connection to Puerto Rican culture and I think that can be improved with entertainment and other cultural touchstones for guests to experience. Honestly, even a trip to the little museum nearby would be cool.