Jennifer2413

We are going for a long weekend in late May (Wed-Sunday.) Looking to relax (I'll be 5 and a half months pregnant), sit by a nice beach and pool, eat good food, with a round of golf or two for my husband and a spa treatment or two for me.

Can anyone compare/contrast these two? The Hyatt is marginally ($35/night) more expensive...
Thanks.

Spainfan

If Dorado is only marginally more...jump on it. It is far superior

eileen

Hi Jennifer, I am the one who suggested Hyatt Dorado in your other post. If you decide on it, definitely go for the beachfront rooms rather than the golf rooms, much better location and view. We like the beachfront upper you are very close to the water, it's like you are on a ship! It's nice to hear the waves at night. These rooms are located in small buildings of four rooms each which are strewn along the beach for quite a ways. Since you might not want to be walking lots, you might ask for a room close to the main area (I would choose maybe four buildings away so it's peaceful but not too far). The best side, in my opinion, are the buildings to the right of the main building as you face the water -- the beach is really quiet there (you will almost have it all to yourself) and I think the views are better. For a great dinner, be sure to eat at Su Casa, it's in an old Hacienda right on the resort grounds. Hope this helps.

Jennifer2413

Thanks so much Eileen.

Can you tell me how far the Hyatt is from the SJ airport? I was under the impression it was much closer than the Wyndham in Fajardo (sp?), which appealed to me. But I just read a trip advisor review that made it sound like it's very far and you can't go anywhere without a car. Thanks again for the tip! We'll send you a postcard. ;-)

eileen

It's about 30 - 40 minutes from the airport to Dorado. If you are planning on doing a lot of touring, you should rent a car (we didn't either time we were there, just took a hotel-arranged excursion to SJ one day) Between the Dorado and the sister resorts - Hacienda Del Mar and Cerramar (which hotel rooms are closed but facilities open) there is plenty to do on the property -- and they run a trolley between the resorts. Because of this you actually have your choice of about 7 restaurants, a number of beaches, quiet pools, the giant winding river pool, four golf courses, a casino, etc. We really never felt the need to leave because we were there for R & R. You can get a shuttle to Dorado from Dorado transport if you don't rent a car.

mnatella

I just came back from the El Conquistador and it is about an hour ride from the airport. Transportation back and forth from the hotel is about $65. Double check on those rates. We didn't and got caught off gaurd.

I wasn't too impressed with the El Con. but if all you want to do is sit by a pool or beach then you will be fine.

Every year, I go away with the girls (we are in our late 30's early 40's) and for the past 5 years we have stayed at the Atlantis in the Bahamas...which is awesome. I was a disappointed with the El Conquistador. At night time, things just kinda die. There's no energy or life.

horseman

I stayed at the Conquistador in early April this year. If you would like to read my review, send me e-mail at [email protected]. It's very detailed & too long to post here.

Rob

Both hotels are about the same distance to the airport. More golf courses to choose from at the Dorado. The pool at the Dorado is a basic rectangle unless they built a new one within the past two years. You have to take a short boat ride to get to the beach at the Wyndham. The beach at the Dorado is narrow but nice.

davsaz

I've been at the El Conquistador twice on business. While the resort is beautiful, I don't find it quite functional for a family. You need to take a boat ride over to Palomino Island if you want to use the beach. Then there is the issue of the tram going up and down the hill. I also found the restaurants to be unbelievablky expensive. If I wasn't on company $$$, I would have starved. I would have to mortgage the house to take my family there.

However, the pool is beautiful and there is a variety of different types of rooms and locations.

BBLAVELLE

Stay away from E. Conq.!!!! See my sesponse to Bect72 on 5/19. Awful!