Ritz Carlton Reserve Dorado Beach

Need winter warmth? Arrive through the manicured tropical rain forest setting to an open-air lobby reception desk. Dorado observes the charming welcome chilled drink, and with the enticing surf views on the horizon the mood is set!

I once stayed at the original Dorado Beach resort when it was a Hyatt; Chi-Chi Rodriguez was the local pro, and he still lives on the grounds and plays golf. The hotel sits on 50 acres within Dorado Beach, which was the 1,400-acre former Laurance Rockefeller estate and long ago hosted a Rockresort. The Dorado Beach resort has three 18-hole golf courses, including one of the original Robert Trent Jones Sr. East Course, which has been revamped by his son.

The Reserve has 100 spacious guest rooms and 14 one-bedroom suites. Each room with its roll-away wall of glass doors has a grand view of the sea and the setting sun, expansive light filled rooms crowned by an infinity pool and sweeping lawns rolling out to the ocean. Open bathrooms, including an outdoor shower, positioned under colossal palms and banana trees. Rain can fall and you will still relish the shower serenaded by the chirping coqui.

Two villas on property, one deserves a separate blog. The original plantation owner, built  the Su Casa hacienda, which is a scrumptious four-bedroom villa overlooking the ocean. Originally built for Clara Livingston it has been beautifully restored.

A paradise for kids and grownups – explore the grounds on your own bike. Kids pool and adult pool. You will have to drag the children away from the $12 million aquatic playground – designed to replicate a traditional Puerto Rican sugar mill. There are water slides, and a lazy river channel with wave machine, refreshments served poolside. Nighttime events complete with choreographed fountains, theatrical lighting and live music.

Indulge yourself at Spa Botánico, a natural haven designed to inspire well-being and provide pure relaxation. The five-acre sanctuary pairs local Puerto Rican ingredients with indigenous soothing traditions. Warm and cool pools, outdoor showers, and a tree house for massages. Spa day, spa week, not hard to imagine! Indulge.

There are four dining venues including Jose Andres, Mi Casa. Also deserves a separate blog, one of the most delicious meals of my life! Positivo Sand Bar, literally a large sand box serving thirst-quenching concoctions and casual meals al fresco.

Experience Puerto Rico’s natural wonders on land and sea, from coral reefs to wetlands in the exclusive hands-on eco-adventure program introducing travelers to Puerto Rico’s amazing natural wonders and culture with the Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program. Highlighting the traditional island Taino culture shared and taught through hiking, snorkeling and kayaking. Don’t miss an archaeological site within the massive resort grounds.

Explore the reefs and waters of Sardinera Bay — on your own or with instructors and guides — using resort equipment to snorkel, sail, kayak, paddle board, surf or kite board.

Gosh – a week here and you might not have discovered and enjoyed all at the Dorado Reserve.

 

 

Why You Shouldn’t Enroll in TSA Pre✓

Many clients have asked me if they should enroll in TSA Pre✓ to save time at the airport. Here’s the scoop:

TSA requires a physical visit to their centers – the closest center in the bay area is Stockton, if you live in the Los Angeles area, it is in Glendale.

If you enroll in the Global Entry program at SFO or LAX (http://www.globalentry.gov/enrollmentcenters.html), or a major airport near your home, once accepted and enrolled, enter your Known Traveler Number (Global Entry) to all of your airline accounts. In looking at your airline account online, the category for adding your number to your profile is usually the box: KNOWN TRAVELER NUMBER.

When you reserve a flight, your Known Traveler Number will automatically embed in your boarding pass. The embedded number in your boarding pass indicates to TSA that you are a trusted traveler via the Global Entry program – it does NOT make you an instant member of TSA. As a security measure, the system is set up to randomly not embed it in your boarding pass.

If you physically check in luggage with a gate agent, ask them to confirm that your Known Traveler Number (Global Entry)  is imbedded in your boarding pass.

I find it is always best to ask the security agent do you have a TSA or Global Entry line, as all the airports are not set up with 100% accuracy yet. Pass through a special security line wearing shoes and jacket, avoid the laptop and liquid removal and the scanner.  This applies to domestic travel only, international has not been added yet and it does not help you once out of the U.S.

I feel Global Entry is more advantageous as it also provides a very quick no line return when entering the U.S. from a foreign country AND the TSA advantage – without having to go to Stockton or Glendale for a TSA interview. Global Entry on U.S. return is a self-service kiosk, no lines, pass by immigration with your printed document and you depart customs in 5 minutes.

The TSA system is new to many airports and in my experience, it is NOT perfect- imagine each airport and the random sense of rules everywhere – I feel once it becomes a standard, it will be consistent.

See note from TSA: If you are eligible for TSA Pre✓™ as a trusted traveler who has been assigned a Known Traveler Number (KTN), such as through a membership with U.S. Custom and Border Protection’s (CBP) Global Entry or NEXUS, you will continue to experience the same screening benefits at the security checkpoint. Current trusted travelers will not be required to apply for or to obtain a separate membership; the TSA Pre✓™ Application Program is simply a new method for U.S. citizens to participate in TSA Pre✓™, particularly for those who do not have a passport or do not intend to travel internationally.

As a trusted traveler, you should continue to make your reservations in the same manner and ensure that your KTN is included in the KTN field of all reservations. In addition, verify that your name, date of birth (DOB), and any other identifying information submitted on your reservation is an exact match to the information that is on file with CBP or your agency. If any of this information is not an exact match, you may not receive TSA Pre✓™ consideration.

Although TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport, this initiative is part of the agency’s efforts to implement risk-based concepts to enhance aviation security and allow expedited screening for low-risk passengers at the security checkpoint. For more information about the TSA Pre✓™ Application Program, please visit TSA’s Web site at www.tsa.gov.