Discover Dorado Beach – Resort Highlights & Membership Privileges
Welcome to paradise! When you stay in our Property you’re already inside the legendary Dorado Beach Resort & Club.
Q: Is the beach private to the resort? Do we have free, unlimited access?
A: Yes, all beaches in Puerto Rico are public, including those within the resort. As our guest, you can visit GoodWinds Beach (the local beach inside the resort) freely without membership. There are lounge chairs available at the beach, and a water sports center for rentals (kayaks, kite& surf boards, etc.). We provide beach towels at the house (you’ll find them in the laundry room), so feel free to take them with you for beach days. The only limitation is the exclusive Encanto Beach Club area, which is a private members-only club (access is available if you opt for the temporary membership – see the Membership FAQ section below). But all of the general resort beach areas are open for you to enjoy. (Note: The Goodwinds Beach restaurant on-site Barlavento is reserved for Club members only, but you can still enjoy the beach itself without membership.)
Resort Amenities & Membership FAQs
Q: What amenities can we use without purchasing a resort membership?
A: Great news – there are many amenities included for all our guests without any extra fees! You will have access to:
- Pools & Parks: Bunker Pool & Park, which features a swimming pool, beach volleyball court, tennis courts, and basketball court (no membership required). There’s also Livingston Park, a playground and shallow kiddie pool with slides and water features for little ones.
- Beach Access: The resort’s beach areas (e.g. GoodWinds Beach) with seating/benches are open to you as described above – just bring along the beach towels and plenty of sunscreen!
- Trails & Nature: The Rockefeller Nature Trail, a beautiful rainforest trail, is accessible to all guests for walking, jogging, biking, or golf cart rides. (Note: the trail is closed from sunset to sunrise for safety.)
- Fitness: A 24-hour Residents’ Gym is located in the community and available for your use anytime. No membership is needed to use this fitness center.
These amenities are free of charge to our guests. We want you to enjoy the community! In addition, the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Spa and the resort’s three signature restaurants (COA, Positivo, and Flor de Sal) are open to the public – you do not need a club membership to dine or book spa treatments, though advanced reservations are required for these facilities. (Tip: If you’d like to dine at the Ritz-Carlton hotel restaurants, you can reserve for parties of 4 or fewer on OpenTable, and larger parties by calling the resort’s reservation line. For Spa Botanico appointments, you may email or call the spa directly. We’re happy to provide contact info.)
Q: What is the Temporary Resort Membership, and do we need it?
A: The Dorado Beach Resort Temporary Membership is an optional program for guests that provides access to additional exclusive amenities. Whether you need it really depends on how you plan to spend your vacation. If you’re an “island explorer” with a rental car, eager to venture out to local eateries and attractions, you can absolutely enjoy your stay here without a membership. You’ll still have the beach, one of the resort pools, the gym, trails, etc. at your disposal. However, if you intend to relax on-site most days – for example, sipping piña coladas while your kids play at the private Encanto Beach Club pool or the Watermill water park, playing rounds of golf or tennis, joining group fitness classes at the Dorado Beach members’ gym (shown in our photos) , and sampling all the resort’s restaurants – then the temporary membership is the key to unlock all those experiences. In short, it’s not required, but it does tremendously enhance your access to all of the Dorado Beach amenities if you want the full resort experience. For this reason, we highly recommend that you add the membership to your stay. Note: the Ritz Carleton pool and hot tub is reserved exclusively for their hotel guests and is not included in the Temporary Membership.
Q: What does the Temporary Membership include, and how much does it cost?
A: A temporary membership grants you exclusive access to a range of luxury amenities at Dorado Beach Resort. With membership, you can enjoy:
- Encanto Beach Club – a private members-only beachfront club with a pool, lounge areas, and service.
- The Watermill Aquatic Park – a family-friendly water park with slides and lazy river (great for kids and adults alike!).
- Golf Courses – two 18-hole championship golf courses on-site (reservation and greens fees are still required to play)file-vrg17shbqmzrnfjyyp6dy9.
- Tennis & Pickleball – access to tennis courts and sports facilities (lessons or court fees may apply in some cases).
- Fitness Centers – three state-of-the-art fitness facilities including those at the Encanto Beach Club and Golf clubhouse.
- Spa Botanico – the world-class spa at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve (membership allows access; treatments are billed separately).
- Dining and Club Events – entry to exclusive member-only dining venues and social events. For example, the Goodwinds Beach restaurant, Barlovento, (and several other clubhouse dining experiences) are accessible to members. In total, the resort offers up to eight unique dining experiences, many of which are available or enhanced via membership.
The cost for a temporary membership is a one-time $350 per person (for adults and children 6 years and older) for the duration of your stay. Kids under 6 are free. In addition, the club requires a refundable deposit (a pre-paid spend) that varies depending on the number of guests and length of stay. This deposit covers any charges you make to your membership account (for food, services, etc.) and any unused portion will be refunded after you depart (typically about two weeks after checkout).
Q: How do we apply for the temporary membership?
A: We as your hosts will sponsor and handle the application on your behalf – making it very easy for you! If you decide to enroll, just send us the full names of all guests aged 6 and over, and one email address to use for the application. We’ll submit the paperwork to the Club Membership Office (usually about 2 weeks before your arrival), and you’ll receive an electronic acknowledgement to sign. Once processed, you’ll be issued a temporary membership number for your stay. We will pick up your membership cards and have them waiting at the house when you arrive (we will leave them either at the front door or on the kitchen table for you) – easy!
Keep in mind, resort activities and most of the restaurants require reservations even with membership. Tee times for golf, for example, should be booked in advance (fees for actually playing golf are separate from the membership). Likewise, dining at the Ritz Carleton Reserve restaurants should be reserved ahead of time (more details in the dining answer above).
Q: Does membership let us use the Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel or West Beach pool?
A: No – the main Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel pool is exclusive to hotel guests only, and the West Beach pool is for west beach residents only and not accessible to you. (Even with a club membership, these particular pools are off-limits to you, although you may use the beach in both places. However, with a temporary membership you’ll have Encanto Beach Club’s pool and the Watermill water park as fantastic alternatives. And remember, the resort’s three Ritz-Carlton Reserve restaurants (COA, Positivo, Flor de Sal) and Spa Botanico are open to the public – you’re welcome to enjoy those with reservations. In fact, if you book a lunch or dinner at COA or Positivo, you’ll get to experience the beautiful ambiance of the hotel area (dining at those restaurants is a way non-hotel guests can see the Ritz hotel grounds). So while you can’t just use the Ritz’s pool or hot tub without risk of being caught and asked to leave as we sometimes do - you won’t feel like you’re missing out – there are plenty of other pools and amenities in Dorado Beach that you can enjoy!
Q: If we don’t get the membership, can we still use the water park or beach club for a day?
A: We want you to love your stay, so we’re happy to help find solutions. Even if you choose not to purchase memberships for everyone, there are a couple of options. Sometimes guests opt to get just 1–2 memberships for key members of their group, and those members can then escort others into the facilities as their guests. (For example, with two membership cards, your whole family of 6 could go together to Encanto Beach Club – the two cardholders can sign in the others as their guests.) Alternatively, if you’d prefer no memberships at all, if we are available and in the Dorado Beach area, we can host you as our personal guests at certain amenities. We have, for instance, offered to bring families into the Watermill water park for an afternoon or to the Encanto Beach Club on a limited basis. We do this as a special host courtesy to help you enjoy the resort. If this is something you’re interested in, please let us know and we’ll see what we can arrange (availability will depend on our availability locally, timing, and club policies which vary from time to time – especially during holidays or other peak periods). We genuinely want you to experience the best of Dorado Beach!
Should you wish to elevate your stay, we can sponsor you for temporary Club membership (separate application & fee) that unlocks every private amenity on property. Below is a snapshot of the experiences awaiting you with that Membership
The Watermill — Aquatic Adventure Park
A $12 million “sugar-mill-inspired” water park that delights every age.
- Two exhilarating 30-ft water slides
- Lazy river with wave machine
- Three separate pools (adult, kids, toddler splash)
- Poolside food & beverage service delivered to your lounger
- After-dark magic: choreographed fountains, theatrical lighting, live music
8,000 sq ft Fitness & Wellness Center
Work out with panoramic mountain views and spa-level pampering.
- Technogym™ cardio & strength equipment
- Dedicated studios for yoga, dance, spin & group classes
- Certified trainers and wellness programs
- Men’s & women’s locker suites with sauna & steam
- On-site massage room & fresh juice bar
Encanto Beach Club
Your private Caribbean playground on Dorado’s most spectacular stretch of sand.
- Adult lap pool and lively family pool
- Cabanas, hammock garden & shaded daybeds
- Beach Grill for tropical cocktails and fresh-off-the-grill fare
- Sheltered coves perfect for swimming, snorkeling & tide-pool exploring
- Live music, bonfires and sunset socials
Championship Golf (72 holes)
Four Robert Trent Jones Sr. masterpieces—still the only 72-hole venue in the Caribbean.
- Dorado Beach East & West | Pineapple | Sugarcane
- Unlimited practice range + short-game facilities
- PGA-level instruction available
Historic Rockefeller Nature Trail
Step outside and join an 11-mile coastal & forest trail: jog, bike, stroll or tour by golf cart through pristine beaches, bird sanctuaries and secret coves.
Dining on Property
- COA – Waterfront fine-dining with live jazz & elevated Caribbean cuisine
- Positivo Sand Bar – Sushi & Asian-Latino tapas under the palms
- Flor de Sal & Panela – Italian classics and Caribbean-inspired dishes at the Plantation Clubhouse
- Encanto Beach Grill – Barefoot-casual seaside lunch & sunset cocktails
Optional Club Guest Membership — What’s Included
| Privilege | Details |
|---|---|
| Golf | Member rates & tee times on all four 18-hole courses; unlimited range use |
| Watermill Park | Full access to slides, pools & lazy river |
| Encanto Beach Club | Member pools, daybeds, volleyball, beach service & Beach Grill |
| Fitness & Wellness Center | Unlimited gym, classes, courts, sauna/steam |
| Racquet Sports | Tennis, pickleball & basketball court use |
| Trails & Beaches | 2 miles of beaches + 11 miles of private biking/walking paths |
Membership Fee: $350 per guest age 6+ (children under 6 are complimentary) plus a refundable spending deposit. We handle the paperwork—just send us each guest’s full name and one email. Approval usually takes ~2 weeks, and your membership cards will be waiting for you when you arrive.
Q: Does membership let us use the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Hotel or West Beach pool?
A: No – the main Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel pool is exclusive to hotel guests only, and the West Beach pool is for west beach residents only and not accessible to you. (Even with a club membership, these particular pools are off-limits to you, although you may use the beach in both places. However, with a temporary membership you’ll have Encanto Beach Club’s pool and the Watermill water park as fantastic alternatives. And remember, the resort’s three Ritz-Carlton Reserve restaurants (COA, Positivo, Flor de Sal) and Spa Botanico are open to the public – you’re welcome to enjoy those with reservations. In fact, if you book a lunch or dinner at COA or Positivo, you’ll get to experience the beautiful ambiance of the hotel area (dining at those restaurants is a way non-hotel guests can see the Ritz hotel grounds). So while you can’t just use the Ritz’s pool or hot tub without risk of being caught and asked to leave as we sometimes do - you won’t feel like you’re missing out – there are plenty of other pools and amenities in Dorado Beach that you can enjoy!
Q: How can our whole group enjoy Ritz-Carlton Reserve + West Beach Members Club amenities without buying multiple memberships?
A: Book our entire 8 BR / 9 BA Hawaiian Ohana Compound – ie. both houses (sleeps 20–30) to use as your main home base and Add one 1-bed “Beach House Suite” at the Ritz-Carlton (≈ $2-3 k total per night). That single suite’s key cards give everyone in your party unlimited access to the resort pools, private beaches, fitness center, spa, cabanas, meal-and-towel service—all day, every day. How it works: Check into the suite ➜ register guests with concierge ➜ collect wristbands/key cards ➜ use the suite as a convenient daytime beach & party lounge. Bask in resort luxury by day, retreat to your own private 'resort within the resort' compound" by night—maximum perks, minimum cost. Larger groups can use this “split-stay” approach to save big:
- Slash costs: One suite replaces several ocean-front rooms or multiple Club memberships —thousands saved.
- Space & privacy: Enjoy 10× the living space, a private Olympic size pool & hot tub, and intimate evenings in your own private resort compound.
- Total flexibility: Host private dinners and late-night gatherings without hotel restrictions, then use any one of our 5 dedicated golf carts to venture out to five-star amenities whenever you like.
Q: Even if we don’t get the Club membership or book a suite at the Ritz , can we still use the water park or Encanto Beach Members' club for a day?
A: Yes. We want you to love your stay, so we’re happy to help find solutions. Even if you choose not to purchase memberships for everyone, there are a couple of options. Sometimes guests opt to get just 1–2 memberships for key members of their group, and those members can then escort others into the facilities as their guests. (For example, with two membership cards, your whole family of 6 could go together to Encanto Beach Club – the two cardholders can sign in the others as their guests.) Alternatively, if you’d prefer no memberships at all, if we are available and in the Dorado Beach area, we can host you as our personal guests at certain amenities. We have, for instance, offered to bring families into the Watermill water park for an afternoon or to the Encanto Beach Club on a limited basis. We do this as a special host courtesy to help you enjoy the resort. If this is something you’re interested in, please let us know and we’ll see what we can arrange (availability will depend on our availability locally, timing, and club policies which vary from time to time – especially during holidays or other peak periods). We genuinely want you to experience the best of Dorado Beach!
Five-Star Personal Services (add-on)
- Daily housekeeping – return to a refreshed home each afternoon
- Private chef – artisanal breakfasts, pool-side BBQs or elegant tasting menus
- Grocery pre-stocking & errands – arrive to a fully stocked fridge
- Private car & driver – airport transfers or island excursions
We’re passionate about creating effortless, unforgettable stays. Let us know which experiences tempt you, and we’ll handle the rest—so you can simply relax, explore and savor the magic of Dorado Beach.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
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