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Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/497473
TRAVEL 126 MIAMI LIVING A BRIEF HISTORY LESSON Originally a 1,400-acre sugar plantation owned by the Livingston family, the property was taken over by preservationist Laurance S. Rockefeller in the 1905s, and transformed into RockResorts, a luxurious retreat frequented by the elite. In December 12, 2012 (12-12-12), Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve opened its doors to the public. The five-star property spared no expense when creating the first Reserve (an exclusive extension of the Ritz-Carlton brand) property in the Americas. Since the Ritz-Carlton Reserve was built on the footprint of the former resort, it was allowed to remain steps away from the crashing surf (today, there are restrictions in place to prevent properties from building this close). We are escorted to the "Arrival Pavilion," a lobby unfettered by walls, where a calming feeling instantly washes over me as I inhale the fresh sea air sweeping through the space, listen to the water falling from the nearby water feature and watch the Atlantic's waves crash in the distance. Our room is still being prepared, so we grab lunch at Positivo Sand Bar, located off to the side of the large infinity pool surrounded by cabanas and rows of lounge chairs. The vibe at Positivo Sand Bar, an open-air restaurant with sand floors and ocean views, is laidback. The only thing missing from this moment is a tropical libation garnished with the obligatory mini-umbrella —remedied once our waiter arrives. We slip off our shoes, stick our feet into the cool sand and place our orders. The afternoon calls for a light lunch: churrasco skewers, a Caesar salad, spinach and carne empanadas, and a strawberry piña colada. As the waves crash around the beautiful dark, textured rocks (brought in by Rockefeller to create a charming cove) that jut out from the crystal-blue ocean near the shore, I snap a photo on my iPhone that could easily be sold as a postcard. This is paradise. After a delicious lunch, our room on the east beach is ready for us. Rooms have high ceilings and towering sliding glass doors that open onto an oversized terrace boasting gorgeous views of the sea, two reclining lounge chairs, a table for alfresco meals, and an outdoor daybed. Select rooms offer rooftop terraces and private plunge pools. On the opposite side of our room, in the bathroom, is another glass door that opens to the outdoor rain shower protected by high walls. Standing in the warm Puerto Rico air as the hot water falls on your bare skin is an exhilarating feeling. (This was my favorite feature of the room. Well, it's a tie with the ocean view.) Inside, there is another shower and deep soaking tub, luxurious Spa Botánico bath products, and fantastic extras like a loofah, toothbrushes, mouthwash, razors, sewing kits, Elchim hair dryer and flat iron, among other things. The room is outfitted with a flat screen TV, French Press and Puerto Rican coffee and teas, in-room safe, iPhone docking station, soft robes, complimentary hi-speed internet, a tasting of Puerto Rican rum, and other hospitable touches. A wealth of amenities are onsite, like a state-of- the-art fitness and wellness center, (stocked with headphones, waters, sports drinks, and apples — they really have thought of everything.) tennis, golf, and The Watermill water park, all reachable by foot, complimentary bicycle, or staff driven golf cart. Situated on the west beach is the Encanto Beach Club, where you will find poolside dining at Encanto Beach Bar & Grill, the second pool on the property, and La Cocina Gourmet Culinary Center, which offers a variety of fun cooking classes. Being that I am a foodie who