Dorado Beach & The St. Regis: Puerto Rico’s Two Most Luxe Resorts, Reviewed

Dorado Beach & The St. Regis: Puerto Rico’s Two Most Luxe Resorts, Reviewed

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For Those Who Don’t Just Vacation — They Escape

Puerto Rico is full of beautiful hotels. But if you’re looking to elevate your experience — to step into something rare, restorative, and luxuriously otherworldly — only two names matter:
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort.

These are not your average beachfront resorts. They are secluded, curated, and unapologetically indulgent — ideal for travelers who value privacy, natural beauty, impeccable service, and the kind of detail you only get when luxury meets legacy.

Let’s dive deep into each resort’s atmosphere, offerings, location, and why The Mile High Edit Reserve recommends them for your most unforgettable escape yet.


Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Location: Dorado, Puerto Rico
Distance from SJU: ~35 minutes by car
Price Point: $$$$$ (Average nightly rate: $1,600–$4,000+, depending on suite/villa and season)
Vibe: Ultra-private, sophisticated, serene, barefoot elegance

The Experience

There’s luxury — and then there’s Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Dorado Beach is part of the elite Reserve collection, which includes only a handful of properties worldwide. Every inch of this resort is designed for privacy, beauty, and total immersion in nature, without sacrificing even a hint of comfort.

Set on a former Rockefeller estate and framed by lush jungle and pristine beach, the property is intentionally low-profile — you’ll never feel crowded or rushed. This is where you come to rest, recharge, and simply be.

Highlights

  • Spacious, Beachfront Suites with Plunge Pools: Every guestroom is essentially its own private villa. Floor-to-ceiling windows open to ocean views, and most suites come with outdoor showers and their own plunge pools just steps from the sand.
  • Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Program: Perfect for nature lovers. Learn about coral reef preservation, explore the property’s flora and fauna, or book a private snorkeling trip curated by Cousteau-trained naturalists.
  • Spa Botánico: Possibly one of the most magical spa experiences in the Caribbean. Located in a hidden garden, this indoor-outdoor spa is part treehouse, part apothecary. Treatments use local botanicals and ancient healing rituals.
  • Personal Embajador (Butler) Service: Available 24/7 for anything you need — from unpacking to sunset cocktail delivery. This is high-touch hospitality done with subtlety and grace.
  • Gastronomy at its Finest:
    • COA: The signature restaurant offers fine dining in an open-air setting, with dishes that blend Puerto Rican tradition and modern technique.
    • Encanto Beach Club Bar & Grill: Fresh seafood, ceviche, and ocean breezes.
    • Flor de Sal: A culinary experience crafted with local ingredients and global sophistication.

What You’ll Feel Here

Calm. Unbothered. Unhurried. You’ll walk barefoot from spa to villa. Your coffee will be delivered exactly how you like it. The sound of the ocean will replace your phone notifications. Time slows here — in the best way possible.


The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort

Location: Río Grande, Puerto Rico
Distance from SJU: ~40 minutes by car
Price Point: $$$$ (Average nightly rate: $900–$2,500+ depending on suite and season)
Vibe: Refined, lush, nature-wrapped sanctuary with luxury flair

The Experience

If Dorado Beach is about quiet opulence, the St. Regis is where luxury meets lush tropical wonderland. Set between the El Yunque rainforest and the ocean, the resort is part of a 483-acre private reserve. You’re surrounded by palm groves, lagoons, and miles of untouched beach.

It’s elegant but relaxed. Formal, yet inviting. The kind of place where luxury and nature don’t compete — they collaborate.

Highlights

  • Spacious Rooms and Suites with Private Terraces: Every room is light-filled, calming, and made to disappear into the landscape. Some suites offer private plunge pools and ocean views that are hard to leave behind.
  • Iridium Spa: Nestled in the heart of the forest, this spa is an immersive sensory retreat. Choose from water rituals, locally inspired treatments, or bespoke wellness journeys.
  • The St. Regis Butler Service: Polished, invisible, and always two steps ahead. Don’t be surprised if your butler anticipates your cocktail order or draws your bath before you even ask.
  • World-Class Dining:
    • Paros: Sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine with island soul.
    • Beach Club by José Enrique: A more casual beachside spot from one of Puerto Rico’s most celebrated chefs.
  • Robert Trent Jones Jr. Golf Course: Golfers will find paradise here. This championship course winds through jungle, beach, and lagoon, offering stunning views at every hole.
  • Kayaking, Paddleboarding, and Birdwatching: With access to both ocean and calm lagoons, the resort offers guided eco-tours, sunrise kayaking, and wildlife experiences curated by in-house naturalists.

What You’ll Feel Here

Rooted. Rebalanced. Re-inspired. It’s the kind of luxury that connects you to nature rather than disconnecting you from it. It’s romantic, healing, and beautifully understated.


Let Us Book It For You

Both Dorado Beach and The St. Regis are exceptional properties, and booking the right room — at the right time — can make all the difference.

Through The Mile High Edit Reserve, we offer bespoke booking services for both resorts. That includes:

  • Handpicked room selection
  • Insider tips on timing, suites, and seasonal perks
  • Optional add-ons: private airport transfers, spa bookings, curated itineraries
  • Access to exclusive upgrades and benefits when available

Note: Our booking service is fully independent from the hotels themselves. We are not affiliated with the Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis brands. This is a personalized service provided exclusively through The Mile High Edit Reserve to elevate your travel experience.

You can book directly yourself, or contact us and let us handle it all — discreetly, thoughtfully, and with flair.


Final Thoughts

Whether you’re drawn to the effortless quiet of Dorado Beach or the lush elegance of The St. Regis Bahia Beach, you’ll find something rare: space to truly unwind, reconnect, and experience Puerto Rico on a deeper, more luxurious level.

Ready to go wheels up? Let us curate your perfect stay.

📩 Contact The Mile High Edit Reserve to begin your booking.

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Kevin Avatar

Hi, I’m Steven, a Florida native, who left my career in corporate wealth management six years ago to embark on a summer of soul searching that would change the course of my life forever.

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