Spa botanico dorado beach: Luxury Caribbean Spa in Puerto Rico
ShulmanSays.com » Dorado Beach’s Transportive SPA BOTÁNICO
Spas are de rigueur at any luxury resort, these days. But from the moment I approached the 92-year-old ficus tree that stands sentry-like, in front of the curved double-staircase leading to the Apothecary Portal, I knew that there was nothing standard about what awaited me, inside the five-acre, Bill Bensley-designed Spa Botánico at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
Filled with the myriad local botanicals grown and harvested for use in the spa’s various treatments, it was the soothing aromas of basil, lavender, lemongrass, pineapple, and rosemary that thrilled my olfactory senses as I entered. There, once my eyes had adjusted, the vista of the Reflection Pool and the pineapple garden beyond beckoned me, through the Apothecary Portal and out the other side.
An attendant, having greeted me and checked me in for my treatment, answered any inquiries while leading me on a tour of the expansive five-acre facility, through the Men’s Purification Gardens—with their lagoon-like pools of both cool and warm water as well as rain-showers and a steam room—to the beautifully-appointed Spa Pavilions, where the locker room awaited, as well as the treatments that followed.
There are also Couples Pavilions, cosseted groves where the romantically inclined can steam and bathe in their own private Eden.
And if you’re seeking a truly unforgettable (and Instagram-able) experience, try to book your massage in one of the Treehouses, built especially for such purposes. I did, and opted for the “Dorado Deluxe,” a 90-minute combo-platter featuring a pair of treatments and a pair of massages.
Once I climbed the stairs to the platform of my private Treehouse (complete with gently billowing gauzy white curtains and a thatched roof) I begin with an exhilarating lemongrass exfoliation treatment, followed by a nourishing scalp-and-hair masque; after which the experience reached its crescendo with the Manos Santas Massage—taking its name from the island’s customary healers-cum-herbalists (the literal translation is “holy hands”)—that included one of Spa Botánico’s three blends of infused massage oil (Vitality, Serenity, or Muscle Ease – I opted for Serenity), to enhance the experience; and concluded with some Thai stretching.
A visit to Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s Spa Botánico is at once transformative and transportive, to be sure, but with one disclaimer. It occurred to me while musing over the experience both during and after my Treehouse experience at Spa Botánico, that, at that moment, there was nowhere else on the planet to which I’d want to be transported; while ever since my return, I’ve daydreamed on multiple occasions about returning to that Treehouse, thereby inspiring my new Calgon-inspired mantra, “Spa Botánico, Take Me Away!”
Spa Botánico
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Click HERE for info
[Editor’s Note: A different version of this article appeared in the March/April 2020 issue of Celebrated Living (ink Global)]
The Best Spa In The Caribbean Is Less Than Four Hours From NYC
By Kate Donnelly for Fathom | These days, things are looking up in Puerto Rico. It’s hard to fathom that only two years ago, Hurricanes Irma and Maria ripped through the island where three million reside.
This is the season of rebirth. Case in point: I descended on the glam and newly resurrected Dorado Beach (part of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve), located twenty miles west of San Juan and an easy trip from the East Coast of the U.S.
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach.
Originally founded in the 1950s as the Rock Resort by philanthropist and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, the property doubled as posh refuge for celebrity glam bots like Ava Garden and Joan Crawford. Decades later, Rockefeller decreed that there should be “no building taller than the palm trees,” and that’s how it’s stayed. The resort is made of beachfront rooms, many with impressive art collections and infinity pools, resting on white powdery beaches. A bevy of ethereal sculptures by local artists Rosa Ortiz & Carlos Mercado gives the place a dream-like quality.
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach.
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach.
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach.
Spa Botánico is fittingly flanked by a multi-limb, 80-plus-year-old ficus tree (a sturdy survivor of the storms), and massive Spanish wooden doors. Upon entering the rustic, natural-lit temple, guests find a leafy ceiling of flowers and buckets of dried apothecary herbs and flowers (gardenias, eucalyptus, lavender, sage) plucked from the onsite gardens. The setting is a former pineapple plantation with winding paths leading to treatment villas. There’s a Zen garden and lily pond. And, in what looks like something ripped from the pages of Kipling’s Jungle Book, a vibrant, green-on-green botanical garden looks like it’s been encased for centuries.
For a minute, I thought I was in the Far East.
Find your bliss all around the world. Check out all our Wellness and Spa stories.
This is where you want to be. Arrive an hour before your treatment and settle into the hot and cold hydrotherapy pools. Warm up in the hot tub (five minutes) and transition to the cold plunge (for an invigorating 60 seconds) and repeat three times. Then venture to the Steam House and regulate your temperature (your skin will be glowing).
The treatment menu offers locally inspired treatments using cloves, coffee, lemongrass, sea salt, and nutmeg. You can’t go wrong. While traditionalists enlist for Ebb & Flow, a classic Swedish massage performed in fragrant private cabanas, there are also open-air experiences — two tree houses serve as venues for Eastern bodywork, including Thai massages and an oil-less treatment involving a rhythmic compression massage given while swinging on a hammock.
Puerto Rico is steeped in healing arts.
My advice? Venture outside the well-worn rhythmic kneading and opt for the highly localized Mano Santas Apothecary Ritual, where a traditional healer (known as Mano Santas, “holy hand”) formulates a custom blend of botanical oils and herbs based on what ails you and helps you set powerful affirmations. While there are many experienced hands at Dorado Beach, request Luis Antonio, a native of Puerto Rico, who learned his craft from his grandmother. In demand by resident owners, much of his body and spirit work is intuitive, and he often gifts pearls of wisdom as you’re rocked and wooed into a state of high bliss.
Afterward, Antonio hands over a personal recipe: a warm hibiscus and cinnamon infusion loaded with vitamin C (known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, increase circulation, and promote digestion). A charm bracelet is also offered. Modeled after pictographs found in La Piedra Escrita, a small town in the island’s center, Antonio tells me he redesigned the charms alongside local artisan Pilar Aquino.
There are four designs: a terracotta red frog charm (“el coqui”) represents a 3,000-year-old species that serves as a symbol of resilience; a yellow-hued Balance (taínos) charm for harmony with nature; a white sun petroglyph to emit strength, health, and longevity; and a spiral (Manos Santas) charm embracing change of life as it unfolds. It’s small, thoughtful details like these that really separate the good from the great.
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach.
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach.
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach.
The Hotel At a Glance
Style: Leafy-chic modern glam.
Standout Detail: Open-air reception, vibrant flora and fauna, and the smell of the tropics.
This Place Is Perfect For: Families who want to have fun; adults and solo travelers looking for solitude.
Rooms: 114 beachfront rooms and suites are dressed with soft, earthy furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Ground-level rooms have private beachfront plunge pools and terraces. Bathrooms have indoor/ outdoor showers, deep soaking tubs, and bespoke toiletries from Spa Botánico. For the splurge, there’s a five-bedroom villa, aptly called Su Casa, once home to Clara Livingston (a female helicopter pilot) and kitted out with a swimming pool for families and friends.
A Note on the Art: Request a guided tour of the outdoor sculpture garden featuring an impressive collection of local artists – such as geometric cubes by Carlos Mercado and John Kenneth Melvin’s towering plywood sculpture, ManMtn.
Work It Out: A cutting-edge fitness center and movement studio provides the latest in cardio and weight equipment.
The historic eleven-mile Rockefeller Trail is reserved for bikes, runners, pedestrians, and golf carts. There’s also a basketball court, five Har-Tru clay tennis courts (rackets are provided), and two 30-foot-long water slides (for kids and adults alike).
Put Some Swing Into It: Golf architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed three courses.
Environment: An education and adventure program lets you discover nature’s finest: coral reefs, birds, and wetlands, as well as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and exploring an on-property archaeological site.
Food + Drink: You won’t go hungry with four on-site restaurants. A seafood-leaning menu is found at Positivo (don’t miss ceviche and fish tacos). Take the family to Encanto Bar & Grill for a Mediterranean-inspired lunch where, come dinner, it’s all about coastal cuisine (grilled lobster, a la plancha snapper). COA serves grilled seafood and meats and has a large wine cellar.
For coffee, sandwiches, market provisions, and niche wines, drop by La Cocina Culinary, which also does cooking classes. Last but not least, a small omakase bar whips up a Japanese menu with noodles, sashimi, and maki rolls. Room service is 24/7 and the mini bar has truffle popcorn, which is best paired with champagne.
Pool Scene: There are two pools. The beachy-chic Positivo lets folks snack on omakase & ceviche in ocean-facing cabanas (preferably sipping rum cocktails or the resort’s private rosé label by Chateaux D’Eslcans). The family-friendly Encanto Beach Club Pool hosts a splash pool for kids.
Beach Scene: The lush West Beach has golden sand crescents protected by coral reefs and tide pools for swimming and snorkeling. East Beach is ideal for long strolls. There’s also an array of water sports like wind and kite surfing, sailing, and paddle boarding.
Plan Your Trip
How to Get There: Delta, JetBlue and United all offer direct flights from New York City airports.
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is 35 minutes away from the airport and transportation can either be arranged by Dorado Beach or guests can take a taxi.
Keep Exploring Puerto Rico
Fathom’s Guide to Puerto Rico
Eat Your Way Through San Juan, Puerto Rico
Little Black Book: Beach Bumming in Rincon, Puerto Rico
BULL Dorado Beach & SPA, La Playa de Arguineguin
- Option and Price Information
- Amenities
- Accommodation Conditions
- * Notes
- Guest Reviews (249)
The all-inclusive Dorado Beach Hotel is located on the seafront in Arguineguin. The view from the hotel is amazing. It features an outdoor swimming pool. Guests have free access to the spa and fitness centre.
The spacious rooms have a balcony overlooking the sea. It offers free Wi-Fi and a seating area with a sofa and satellite TV.
There is a poolside bar with direct access to La Lajila Beach.
It features a rooftop hot tub and sun terrace with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The resort is a 15-minute drive from Playa del Inglés with its many shops, restaurants and bars. The capital of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, is a 45-minute drive away.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the pool and at reception. Dorado Beach Hotel’s games room includes a pool table, video games and table football.
Couples especially like the location – they rated accommodation in the area for a trip as a couple at 9.0 .
BULL Dorado Beach & SPA has been welcoming Booking.com guests since May 4, 2009.
More details
Most Popular Amenities & Services
2 swimming pools
Free WiFi
family rooms
Beach (first line)
Spa and wellness center
Currency exchange.
Need money in local currency? There is an exchange office here.
Benefits of this option
낍
Great Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.0)
냨
Delicious food: guests highly rated the food here
Buffet
끖
Guests return here more often than in other accommodation options.
Please select dates to see availability and prices.
Room Type
Capacity
Double or Twin Room
Show Prices
Single Room
Show Prices
Something went wrong. Please try again.
Something went wrong. Please try again.
The nearest beaches
Plaia-la-Carrer Beach
7.9 Good beach
150 m from the option of placing the placement of placement
Plaiya-de-Maranyelas Beach
8.
2 Very good beach300 m from the accommodation option
Plai-de-Arginegin Beach
7.8 good beach
700 from the option of placement 9 from the option of placement
Plaiya-de-Patalavak beach
8.2 Very good beach
800 m from the accommodation option
Santa Agueda Beach
8.4 Very nice beach
1.6 km from property
Lomo Galleon Beach
8.1 Very nice beach
2 km from property
Playa Llanillo Santa Agueda
8.6 Stunning beach
2.4 km from property
Playa Los Bigotes beach
8.2 Very good beach
from property
Costa-alegre beach
8.2 Very good beach
100 m from the placement option
2 Very good beachAnfi
8.7 Stunning beach
1.5 km from the accommodation option
FAQ about property
See what other guests are asking to learn more about this property.
Can I order a baby cot in a double room if I have a 1 year old child who cannot sleep in regular beds for safety reasons? Thank you. Thank you.
of course – just mention it when booking
This is a translation –
Reply 23 July 2022
Will the gym/fitness center be open next week please?
It is very important for me.Yes, the gym is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00
*
All distances are measured in a straight line. Actual distance may vary.Restaurant
Kitchen:
american,
Belgian
Chinese,
Dutch,
british,
Greek,
Indian,
Italian,
Japanese,
mexican,
peruvian,
Pizza,
Austrian,
german,
Asian,
international,
Latin American
European,
Grill/BBQMost Popular Amenities & Services
2 swimming pools
Free WiFi
family rooms
Beach (first line)
Spa and wellness center
Bathroom
Toilet paper
Bath or shower
Private bathroom
Toilet
Hair dryer
Shower
Bedroom
Wardrobe or wardrobe
View from the window
outdoors
Beach (first line)
Sun deck
Balcony
Terrace
Garden
Refrigerator
Kitchenette
Amenities in the room
Socket near the bed
Sofa bed
Clothes hanger
Sports and recreation
Archery
Beach
Kids Club
Darts
Table tennis
Billiards
Additional chargeChildren’s playground
Playroom
Seating area
Sofa
Seating area
Work table
Media and technology
Satellite channels
Telephone
Food and drink
Wine/champagne
Snack bar
Bar
Restaurant
Internet
Wi-Fi is available in the entire hotel and is free of charge.
Parking
No parking available.
Services
Daily cleaning
Luggage storage
Wake-up service
Tourist office
Car rental
Packed lunches
Currency exchange
Laundry
24-hour front desk
Security
Fire extinguishers
Video surveillance in common areas
Smoke detectors
Burglar alarm
24 hour security
Safe
Mini market (on site)
Smoking areas
Air conditioner
Elevator
Fan
Family rooms
Facilities for disabled guests
Non-smoking rooms
Iron
Availability
Tactile signs
Cord/button for calling help in the bathroom
Low basin
High toilet
Toilet with 9 rails0015
Wheelchair accessible
2 pools
Open all year round
Sun loungers/beach chairs
Open all year round
Working hours
Suitable for children
Heated swimming pool
Pool bar
Sun umbrellas
Pool 1 – outdoor
Children’s pool 2 – outdoor
Health services
Children’s pool
Sun umbrellas
Sun loungers/beach chairs
Outdoor bath
Turkish bath
Hot tub/Jacuzzi
Massage
Additional chargeSpa and wellness center
Solarium
Fitness center
Sauna
The staff speaks these languages
Danish
German
English
Spanish
French
Dutch
Norwegian
swedish
check in
From 16:00
Departure
Until 11:00
Cancel/
advance paymentCancellation and prepayment policies vary depending on the type of option chosen.
Please enter your dates of stay and review the booking conditions for the requested room.Beds for children
Child Policy
Children of all ages are welcome.
To see exact prices and availability, please enter the number of children in your group and their age when searching.
Cribs and Extra Beds Policy
0-2 Years
Crib on request
Free of Charge
The number of cribs allowed depends on the option selected. Check conditions.
No extra beds available.
Baby cots are subject to availability.
No age limit
There are no age restrictions for check-in.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Cards accepted by the hotel
BULL Dorado Beach & SPA accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.
1621750,1619040|4,1612800,1623740,1617510|5,1617500|5,1616940,1619040,1602670,1622180,1619650|2,1610980,1607680,1617510,1618760,1618430,1588860,1617800,1620850,1619650,1617500
Hotel More SPA & Resort, Alushta
Welcome
Hotel “More Spa & Resort” has undeniable advantages when choosing a business site. The complex is conveniently located 60 km from Simferopol International Airport, has a large well-groomed territory with convenient logistics, developed infrastructure that can accommodate a large number of guests, provide them with food and leisure. The presence of several conference venues allows holding events of various formats and sizes – from a small training seminar to international conferences.
More SPA & Resort
Hotel “More Spa & Resort” has 12 years of experience in the service sector.
Clients are provided with full technical support and support for the event, a choice of 6 conference rooms and a rich number of roomsCinema and concert hall
520 people.
More
Cabinet Hall
30 people
More
Ball room
500 people
More
Meeting room
60 people
More
Central Hall
250 people
More
Special Hall
75 people
More
More SPA & Resort
4s”> 3 restaurants, a pizzeria, 4 bars, a hookah bar are conveniently located on the territoryDorado gourmet restaurant
The restaurant menu offers author’s cuisine from local products, wine, coffee, tea and dessert menus. The restaurant with panoramic windows and an open veranda is an ideal place for banquets and weddings.
Restaurant “More”
The restaurant provides guests with different formats of food: “Swedish line” (breakfast, lunch, dinner), a la carte menu, bar, cafe-confectionery, Belvedere terrace. The “Swedish line” offers homemade dishes, dietary and children’s food, themed cuisine, seasonal local fruits. The a la carte menu includes author’s dishes from the chef, Crimean cuisine, gastronomic festivals, bakery products from our own bakery. The bar menu offers a variety of teas and coffees, cocktails and smoothies, a rich wine list. The café-pastry shop offers traditional cakes and desserts, pastries, ice cream, chocolates and hand-made fruit and berry marmalade.
More Pizza
The pizzeria offers pizza cooked in a real wood-fired oven. In addition, the menu includes salads, light snacks, focaccia, cocktails, various coffees and teas. The establishment serves visitors in the summer.
Bars
There are 4 bars on the territory of the complex at the closest possible distance to the guests’ places of rest. The pool bar offers author’s and most popular cocktails, aperitifs and light snacks. The menu of the grill bar includes meat, fish and vegetables cooked on an open fire, pizza, focaccia and much more. Guests can order light snacks and cocktails at the beach bar. There are also evening programs by the sea. The lobby bar offers: coffee and tea cards, cocktails and smoothies, confectionery.
More SPA & Resort
The spa hotel has 5 indoor and 5 outdoor pools, bath complexes in the building of the spa hotel and in the villa , maintaining body tone and strengthening immunity.
The programs developed by the center’s specialists are aimed at increasing stress resistance, combating insomnia, overwork, depression, and overweight problems.Massage in the SPA center
Massage is one of the oldest and most effective ways of healing. With it, you can relieve tension in the muscles, regulate blood circulation, improve metabolism. Aquarius Spa Center uses various types of massage (classical, Thai, chiromassage, sports, LPG vacuum-roller massage, Zen stone massage, foam, cosmetic, etc.) in combination with other SPA technologies – thermotherapy, stone therapy , hydrotherapy.
Saunas and baths in Alushta
Bath complexes are located in the SPA building of the hotel and in villa 9. The hotel has a Finnish dry sauna, a Turkish steam room – hammam, a heated pool with a countercurrent. The sauna complex of villa 9 includes: a Roman steam room, a Finnish dry sauna, a Turkish hammam, a jacuzzi, a cold water font.
SPA center for children
SPA center “Aquarius” offers special services for children: hydrotherapy, including hydromassage baths with natural extracts and various types of showers; physiotherapy (KUF and inhalations), massage, classes in the pool with a qualified instructor.
Thalassotherapy
Aquarius Spa Center offers thalasso treatments using therapeutic mud and algae. SPA wraps are the basic procedure of thalassotherapy. Thermal wraps enhance cellular metabolism, activate blood supply and lymphatic drainage, burn fats, therefore they are used to remove toxins, in the fight against excess weight and cellulite. Hydrotherapy includes: Vichy douche, Charcot douche, fan and circular douche, underwater douche-massage.
Cosmetology Center
The Center for Modern Hardware and Classical Cosmetology offers to try the method of non-injection rejuvenation with the help of cold (cryolift), ultrasonic peeling, SPA facials, facial massage.
Swimming pools
For lovers of swimming, the hotel “More Spa & Resort” creates simply heavenly conditions. On the territory there are 5 indoor and 5 outdoor pools.
Nature Clinic Swimming Pool
The Nature Clinic building houses a 25-meter swimming pool with a depth of 1.
5-3.5 m. The indoor complex is convenient for swimming in any weather. The pool is equipped with a modern water purification system. A lifeguard is on duty during pool operation.Central pool
The main pool is located on the central square near the restaurant. The volume of the water bowl is 500 cubic meters. m, depth 1.65 m. Water aerobics classes and water polo competitions are held here. There is also a small pool for children. A lifeguard is on duty by the pool during the work period.
Villa pool 1
The hotel’s most picturesque pool. There is a Jacuzzi at the edge of the pool. The volume of the water bowl is 375 cubic meters. m, the depth varies from 1.4 to 2.35 m.
Villa swimming pool 2
Infinity swimming pool: while swimming, the shore point merges with the sea and you get the feeling of swimming in the sea. The volume of the water bowl is 300 cubic meters. m, depth 1.7 m. m, depth 1.7 m. The volume of the water bowl is 250 cubic meters.
m, depth 1.62 m.Villa swimming pool 10
A small swimming pool is located indoors. Its volume is 70 cubic meters. m, depth 1.62 m. m and a depth of 1.6 m.
More SPA & Resort
Excellent opportunities have been created for lovers of active and relaxing holidays. There is a gym and sports grounds, a children’s room and playgrounds, animation and excursions
More Sport Club
At the disposal of club members: a premium gym, author’s fitness methods, group and individual training programs, a SPA zone, a cardio zone, routes for jogging and cycling, hiking and health paths, a boxing ring, a cross-fit area with modern equipment, tennis courts.
Beach
Hotel “More Spa & Resort” has its own equipped small-pebble beach, which has everything for a comfortable and safe stay: bamboo sun loungers with soft pillows and cozy pouffes, medical and rescue posts.
Guests are provided with beach towels. Those who wish can go on a boat trip on a jet ski, ride a parachute or “banana”, use the services of a massage. Volleyball tournaments are held for lovers of outdoor activities.
For the convenience of vacationers between the beach and the villas, a transfer on electric vehicles is organized. The minimum distance to the beach is 80 m (from the Nature Clinic building and the Dorado restaurant), the maximum distance is 490 m (from Villa 8, 11, SPA building).Children’s playgrounds
The hotel has several outdoor playgrounds. All play complexes are made of ecological materials and are safe for children to play. Little explorers will be delighted with traveling on a real ship, a tourist tent, a labyrinth, a suspension bridge.
More SPA & Resort
The complex consists of 13 detached buildings, villas and guest houses with a total of 349 rooms
Villa 1
from 11220 rub.
Clients are provided with full technical support and support for the event, a choice of 6 conference rooms and a rich number of rooms
The programs developed by the center’s specialists are aimed at increasing stress resistance, combating insomnia, overwork, depression, and overweight problems.
5-3.5 m. The indoor complex is convenient for swimming in any weather. The pool is equipped with a modern water purification system. A lifeguard is on duty during pool operation.
m, depth 1.62 m.
Guests are provided with beach towels. Those who wish can go on a boat trip on a jet ski, ride a parachute or “banana”, use the services of a massage. Volleyball tournaments are held for lovers of outdoor activities.