Hyatt Dorado in PR-What might a diamond expect?
Feb 22, 2005, 7:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
Hyatt Dorado in PR-What might a diamond expect?
I tried doing a "search" but didn't come up with anything?
What perks if any have diamonds received when staying here? I understand that it is pretty tough in general at resorts...
Does one really need a car when staying here? Is there some stuff....restaurants or little grocers within reasonable walking/public transport distance? I did find on a search that parking is free if one rents a car (in general I hate renting cars) ....true?
Any input about this hotel would be great...have a stay there next month
What perks if any have diamonds received when staying here? I understand that it is pretty tough in general at resorts...
Does one really need a car when staying here? Is there some stuff....restaurants or little grocers within reasonable walking/public transport distance? I did find on a search that parking is free if one rents a car (in general I hate renting cars) ....true?
Any input about this hotel would be great...have a stay there next month
Feb 22, 2005, 8:44 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Darien, CT
Programs: AA-PLT, 1MM, SPG Plat
Posts: 98
Have not stayed there as a diamond but have had many great stays there. I have heard that they will usually upgrade you to beachfront. Beautiful property with the most beautiful beach. We have never had a car when staying there and just stayed on property or went over to the Cerromar (which is now closed). You can still take the shuttle over to the Cerromar property to use the pool and beach and restaurants but it is a little like a ghost town over there. No market within walking distance but you can cab it into town to get supplies. Perfect resort to just chill and enjoy the beach, golf and Su Casa Restaurant!
Feb 22, 2005, 10:31 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: East Hampton/Dorado Beach
Posts: 591
At check-In you will fill out the Diamond gift card.
If it does not arrive as scheduled....call Room Service as the gift sometimes gets lost in the system.
The hotel will give you coupons for breakfast.
You should get the best available room which at this resort is location and view.
The Beachfront lower rooms are the best....the poolside Casitas which they call junior suites are overrated.
Only one suite exists....Casita Dorado and in 30 years of going to the place I've never gotten it.
Late check-out/Early check-in is based on how busy the hotel is.
Enjoy and if you want fine dining one night in San Juan you must gor to PIKAYO (787) 721-6194. Graet food inside the Museum of Art.
If you go on a Wednesday night the museum is still open.
Casual dining in San Juan....the Parrot club or Dragonfly.
I like the freedom of a car.
If it does not arrive as scheduled....call Room Service as the gift sometimes gets lost in the system.
The hotel will give you coupons for breakfast.
You should get the best available room which at this resort is location and view.
The Beachfront lower rooms are the best....the poolside Casitas which they call junior suites are overrated.
Only one suite exists....Casita Dorado and in 30 years of going to the place I've never gotten it.
Late check-out/Early check-in is based on how busy the hotel is.
Enjoy and if you want fine dining one night in San Juan you must gor to PIKAYO (787) 721-6194. Graet food inside the Museum of Art.
If you go on a Wednesday night the museum is still open.
Casual dining in San Juan....the Parrot club or Dragonfly.
I like the freedom of a car.
Feb 22, 2005, 8:40 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,669
Perhaps the best protected swimming beach you have ever seen. Most units are 8 (or was it 10?) plexes spread out along two breakwater bays. I prefer the smaller east bay. Most units are a bit older and have some arcitectural quirks. but redone in a very nice plantation style. There are some newer units (called Mi Casa units) that while newer are not on as good a spot on the beach, some different units seaward and inland of the pool I have not been in, and less desireable Golf Course units.
In two award trips as a Diamond I've been in a beachfront 8 plex. I understand there is transportation available, but it was expensive enough we rented a car both times. Traffic is beyond amazing, and might make me not go back. Trucks pass on the right. Motorcycle go down the middle. It would really help to know Spanish. If you have never driven in Puerto Rico, its different.
There are some dining and grocery options on the edge of Dorado. Some knew English and some not at all. There is a beach town a bit farter west of the resort with a few really small places. Nothing like the tourist strip on a Florida resort. There were a number of codos and a shopping center going up last fall, so perhaps more and more tourist trap by now. But you need a car to get there. No alternative I'm aware of, except a shuttle to a Hyatt timeshare a couple of miles away. Hyatt has a "diner" franchise at the time share, and somewhere an upscale fine dining location.
In two award trips as a Diamond I've been in a beachfront 8 plex. I understand there is transportation available, but it was expensive enough we rented a car both times. Traffic is beyond amazing, and might make me not go back. Trucks pass on the right. Motorcycle go down the middle. It would really help to know Spanish. If you have never driven in Puerto Rico, its different.
There are some dining and grocery options on the edge of Dorado. Some knew English and some not at all. There is a beach town a bit farter west of the resort with a few really small places. Nothing like the tourist strip on a Florida resort. There were a number of codos and a shopping center going up last fall, so perhaps more and more tourist trap by now. But you need a car to get there. No alternative I'm aware of, except a shuttle to a Hyatt timeshare a couple of miles away. Hyatt has a "diner" franchise at the time share, and somewhere an upscale fine dining location.
Apr 27, 2005, 8:43 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Queens, NY
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, OW Emerald, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,066
I'm a Diamond and am considering this property for an upcoming reservation. I'll be there on business and just realized the hotel has no high-speed access!
Guess the point of this post is that I need to stop working and hit the beach!
Guess the point of this post is that I need to stop working and hit the beach!
Apr 27, 2005, 2:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,315
When I was there (as a Diamond) in February I went out of my mind with the lack of high speed access. Then I returned home and found info on Hyatt's website which claimed they had wifi in the lobby and I freaked out. However when I just looked they have changed the website to say they only have wired access in the meeting rooms.
This was a major problem.
But I did get an upgrade from the lowest room category to a new Su Casa Cottage, breakfast coupons for the whole family for their very pricing breakfast buffett, and the usual diamond amenity.
Car rental is definitely the way to go; ends up being cheaper than the airport transportation alone, and then you can drive to the town of Dorado or over to Cerromar at your convenience and avoid waiting for the Cerromar shuttle.
This was a major problem.
But I did get an upgrade from the lowest room category to a new Su Casa Cottage, breakfast coupons for the whole family for their very pricing breakfast buffett, and the usual diamond amenity.
Car rental is definitely the way to go; ends up being cheaper than the airport transportation alone, and then you can drive to the town of Dorado or over to Cerromar at your convenience and avoid waiting for the Cerromar shuttle.
Apr 27, 2005, 7:20 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Queens, NY
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, OW Emerald, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,066
Originally Posted by BeantownFlyer
When I was there (as a Diamond) in February I went out of my mind with the lack of high speed access.
Originally Posted by BeantownFlyer
But I did get an upgrade from the lowest room category to a new Su Casa Cottage, breakfast coupons for the whole family for their very pricing breakfast buffett, and the usual diamond amenity.
On a brighter note, how was the beach? Can you scuba dive? Surf? Do they rent equipment?
Apr 27, 2005, 9:19 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,315
The Su Casa Cottages are regular style rooms situated in three new (less than 2 year old) buildings which were built to replace one building which was destroyed in a hurricaine. Since the buildings are new they are much better looking from the outside. The interiors are much larger than the other rooms; we had two queen size beds and a queen pull out sofa-bed, and plenty of room to spare. The cottages are near a small, relatively quiet pool away from the main building. But you had to walk a bit to get to a swimable beach (maybe 2-3 minutes, nothing far).
The breakfast coupons are provided to all diamonds. A great deal.
The beach is gorgeous. This is a property with only a few hundred rooms that could support hundreds more. As a result, there is none of the nonsense of people getting up at 5am to reserve chairs at the beach and pool, and everything is very quiet. But you can go over to Cerromar and use the water slide, river pool, casino, etc. if you want (although the hotel is closed, the adjacent time share is open, and they have kept most of the amenities operating).
At Dorado they rent small sailboats, kyaks, etc. Didn't see any scuba rentals.
The breakfast coupons are provided to all diamonds. A great deal.
The beach is gorgeous. This is a property with only a few hundred rooms that could support hundreds more. As a result, there is none of the nonsense of people getting up at 5am to reserve chairs at the beach and pool, and everything is very quiet. But you can go over to Cerromar and use the water slide, river pool, casino, etc. if you want (although the hotel is closed, the adjacent time share is open, and they have kept most of the amenities operating).
At Dorado they rent small sailboats, kyaks, etc. Didn't see any scuba rentals.
Apr 28, 2005, 4:53 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: NC
Programs: Delta Diamond/3MM; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Diamond; Hertz PC
Posts: 382
BeantownFlyer's description is on target. We had our one and only visit in March using FFNs.
We had two adjoining rooms for my wife, 3 daughters (young) and me. We were upgraded to Su Casa which was quite nice. They only gave us breakfast certificates for two upon checkin, but when I asked another front desk clerk the next day, the gave me certificates for my children.
They did give me two amenity cards. My wife ordered a fruit tray (huge and delicious) and a cheese tray (same size and half fruit). The fruit lasted all three days. She also ordered juices, and got a wine chilling bucket with 4 juices for my girls to fight over, plus a full bottle of Caliterra Chardonnay for the grown ups. Surely one of the better amenities I've received over the years.
We couldn't believe how similar the property was to the Hyatt Kauai and the former Hyatt (now Hilton) at Waikoloa. It was clearly built by the same designer near the same time as the others. The beaches were fabulous / no crowds. My girls thought it was paradise.
We had a car, which I recommend. It was very convenient to simply drive to Cerromar, rather than waiting for the 30 minute shuttle. We also drove into Dorado for supplies and did some sightseeing, which we wouldn't have done without a car.
Cerromar has a Johnny Rockets, which was perfect for lunch.
We had two adjoining rooms for my wife, 3 daughters (young) and me. We were upgraded to Su Casa which was quite nice. They only gave us breakfast certificates for two upon checkin, but when I asked another front desk clerk the next day, the gave me certificates for my children.
They did give me two amenity cards. My wife ordered a fruit tray (huge and delicious) and a cheese tray (same size and half fruit). The fruit lasted all three days. She also ordered juices, and got a wine chilling bucket with 4 juices for my girls to fight over, plus a full bottle of Caliterra Chardonnay for the grown ups. Surely one of the better amenities I've received over the years.
We couldn't believe how similar the property was to the Hyatt Kauai and the former Hyatt (now Hilton) at Waikoloa. It was clearly built by the same designer near the same time as the others. The beaches were fabulous / no crowds. My girls thought it was paradise.
We had a car, which I recommend. It was very convenient to simply drive to Cerromar, rather than waiting for the 30 minute shuttle. We also drove into Dorado for supplies and did some sightseeing, which we wouldn't have done without a car.
Cerromar has a Johnny Rockets, which was perfect for lunch.
Jan 23, 2006, 11:32 am
#10
formerly known as daveland
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NY, NY, USA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, Delta Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 2,969
The hotel website lists TMobile HotSpot in the rooms. Can anyone confirm this is in fact installed and working properly?
Jan 23, 2006, 12:17 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: East Hampton/Dorado Beach
Posts: 591
The T-Mobile High Speed works great not only in the lobby but also the rooms.
It even works on the beach.
If you have trouble setting your computer up Richard at the front desk is the man to go to....he will get you going.
The Concierge desk also has two high speed stations where you can rent for 15 minutes on up.
It even works on the beach.
If you have trouble setting your computer up Richard at the front desk is the man to go to....he will get you going.
The Concierge desk also has two high speed stations where you can rent for 15 minutes on up.
Jan 23, 2006, 4:54 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,315
Stayed there last February, returning in a few weeks. We were in the newer Su Casa cottages, which were lovely.
They have closed one Golf View wing due to the condition of the rooms (at least it was closed last year when we were there).
All the other rooms have gotten a refresh, with the new Hyatt pillow top beds and high end linens. That's enough to make me happy!
I hope my experience this year is as wonderful as last February. As someone who usually stays in Ritz-Carltons or Four Seasons when travelling on leisure, I have pretty high standards, but we really enjoyed Dorado. Absolutely beautiful, and not crowded. The service level is not super-luxury, and the dining choices are not great, but it is a just a great, unspoiled setting.
They have closed one Golf View wing due to the condition of the rooms (at least it was closed last year when we were there).
All the other rooms have gotten a refresh, with the new Hyatt pillow top beds and high end linens. That's enough to make me happy!
I hope my experience this year is as wonderful as last February. As someone who usually stays in Ritz-Carltons or Four Seasons when travelling on leisure, I have pretty high standards, but we really enjoyed Dorado. Absolutely beautiful, and not crowded. The service level is not super-luxury, and the dining choices are not great, but it is a just a great, unspoiled setting.
Jan 23, 2006, 7:46 pm
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
I just checked out reviews on tripadvisor.com. Several said that the hotel is getting run down, rooms are grubby, and service is poor. What do FTers say?
Last edited by TR35R; Sep 14, 2006 at 3:10 am