The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. Opens Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

DORADO, Puerto Rico, Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., recognized as the global leader in luxury hospitality is pleased to debut the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in the Americas with Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico. Situated on 1,400 acres of the former Laurance Rockefeller estate, the long awaited second Reserve, part of an exclusive collection of bespoke properties, will usher in a new level of luxury travel experiences for guests in the Western Hemisphere when it opens today.  

A cherished destination, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is an intimate retreat offering a true sense of barefoot elegance, blending Laurance Rockefeller's novel environmental design philosophies and modern yet minimal decor. Created as an open-air enclave infused with references to the surrounding natural landscape and diverse culture, Dorado Beach is a true luxury sanctuary designed to allure the world's most discerning travellers through a bevy of one-of-a-kind lifestyle experiences, including:  

Accommodations
With 100 spacious guestrooms and 14 one-bedroom suites that sit directly onto the beach, guests can select from an exquisite collection of accommodations that allow the backdrop to take precedence through a complete indoor and outdoor experience. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors entirely disappear onto seamless ocean views, while outdoor shower gardens, indoor showers with deep soaking tubs, individual infinity-edge pools, rooftop pools and cabanas create an incomparable luxury experience.

Su Casa
Originally erected in the 1920s for the plantation land's first owner, Clara Livingston, Su Casa's storied grandeur now serves as a four-bedroom VIP villa overlooking the ocean. Paired with towering palm trees, expansive gardens, a private infinity edge pool and a spacious cigar veranda, the hacienda has been fully restored and modernized following a multimillion dollar restoration while preserving its legendary heritage and serene beauty.

Spa Botanico
Tucked away amid lush flora is Spa Botanico, a five-acre botanical sanctuary of pampering offering a holistic yet modern approach to beauty and wellness incorporating Manos Santos practices, ancient local healers often referred to as 'Holy Hands'. Reflective of Dorado Beach's lush surroundings, Spa Botanico blends a soothing natural environment inspired by these ancient Puerto Rican healing traditions, modern therapies and the finest quality of local botanicals to indulge the body, mind and spirit. Distinctive treatment facilities, warm and cool pools, waterfall showers, glass-walled treatment pavilions and open air Treehouse platforms create a relaxing state of well being among nature.

Mi Casa by Jose Andres
For a world-class culinary experience, internationally acclaimed Chef Jose Andres introduces his first restaurant outside the United States with Mi Casa. Inspired by Puerto Rico's diverse culinary landscape, guests are treated to an artfully crafted menu of locally-caught seafood and avant-garde dishes. Chef Andres will fuse his knowledge of sophisticated cooking and regional flavors to offer guests a truly exceptional culinary experience and a unique blend of Spanish and Puerto Rican flavors. The restaurant's beverage selection mirrors its distinct cuisine showcasing an array of traditional and handcrafted cocktails, a portfolio of artisanal offerings and a robust international wine list complementing complex yet delicate flavors.

Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment
Designed for adults, families, and children, participants of Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment can discover Puerto Rico's natural wonders both on land and sea, including coral reefs, a diversity of birds, wetlands, and traditional Taino culture through exciting and memorable adventures and activities, such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and exploring an archaeological site directly on property. Integrating the program's environmentally-conscious philosophy into the building's infrastructure, the Ambassador House is designed to adhere to the highest standards of the U.S. Green Building Council, with a variety of sustainable efforts including regionally-sourced materials, renewable energy, organic and sustainable finishes and furniture, and monitoring systems to reduce the buildings overall energy usage. 

"As a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the philosophy behind Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is to immerse guests into Puerto Rico's rich history and extraordinary landscape while providing an unparalleled luxury travel experience unlike any other," said Herve Humler, president and COO for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. "Reflective of Laurance Rockefeller's vision from more than 50 years ago of a natural sanctuary, the island is a combination of historical charm and metropolitan life blending serenity and a pristine backdrop – a perfect location for the Ritz-Carlton Reserve experience," he added.

The guest journey begins at the arrival pavilion, incorporating stylistic influences of contemporary soft structures and lush, indigenous landscape. Framed by striking ocean views, guests ascend the luxury hotel's entryway to the arrival pavilion consisting of multiple small buildings separated to preserve the land's original trees. Connected walkways raised above sunken gardens create a tropical forest floor punctuated by restful hanging beds, so every view is of both the land and sea and a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor environment.

To complement an unparalleled luxury experience, guests are invited to revel in a magical social event at the iconic Surf Room, a newly designed reconstruction from the original Rockefeller era. Beautifully appointed floor-to-ceiling glass windows enhance sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea which open out to an outside terrace set directly upon sand, creating an enchanting background perfect for any special occasion.

In addition to Mi Casa, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve offers three dining venues, including Positivo Sand Bar, situated parallel to the ocean offering magnificent vantage points with al fresco cuisine and refreshing cocktails; Encanto Beach Club Bar & Grill, an open-air bistro with freshly grilled cuisine for lunch and Asian-style selections for dinner; and La Cocina Gourmet, an outpost providing Puerto Rican coffees, homemade gelatos and local delights.

To experience the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Americas and the Caribbean's premier luxury resort at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, high season rates at the resort start at $1,499 per night, setting a new luxury benchmark for the Caribbean. Reservations can be made through travel professionals, on www.ritzcarlton.com or by calling 800-241-3333. For more information, visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Reserve/DoradoBeach/Default.htm   

About The Reserve
The Reserve brand extension features signature, one-of-a-kind boutique resorts located in choice settings around the world, each with a distinctive personality and sense of place. Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico joins the idyllic Phulay Bay Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Thailand, which sits at the edge of the Andaman Sea. A refuge from the expected, Reserve is for travelers seeking to discover a singular location and peerless resort that, through its design and services, has a distinctive personality that blends together the culture, history and heritage of its setting. The Reserve brand extension will be distinguished from other award-winning Ritz-Carlton resorts 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.

SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.