Hyatt Hacienda Del Mar, PR
 

Hi, Our family of 6 is spending spring break 2010 at this Hyatt time share. We are staying 9 days. Looking for other owners or those that have stayed at this property. I believe it is under renovations, how bad? Just reading here things people said to do, but was wondering on this property. It doesn't come up under Fodor's "hotel" list. Would anyone recommend taking a short flight to any another islands and if so which ones. Have only been to the US Virgin Islands about 13 years ago. Any responses greatly appreciated. Thanks!

We don't list the Hyatt on Fodor's because it's just a timeshare and the general public can't book there. The only way to stay there is with exchange points. I don't know about the construction, but it used to have a wonderful water park.

If you want to go to any nearby island, I'd recommend Vieques or Culebra. St. Thomas is the next-closest island, but it's easier and cheaper to visit one of the islands off Puerto Rico's east coast. But there's so much to explore in Puerto Rico itself that you can happily spend a month there and not begin to see everything there is to see. I don't think you need to worry about running out of things to do. Lots of day-trip options available from the Rio Mar area, and most of the drives are no more than 3 hours.

Hi, thanks for the reply. I think we will go to Vieques.
In regards to it just being a timeshare, I was on another website and it was mentioned several times about mostly locals staying there during the week because it wasn't booked. I guess I will have to check that out more. We were planning on staying more than our typical Saturday to Saturday stay of 7 days. Maybe we will have to stay at another hotel since we are flying in on Thurs. and will need a place Thurs. and Friday night.

Hi, we are HDM owners and have gone twice with our children but not really recently due to the renovations. When it was fully up and running it had a river pool, great water slide and three total resorts. The Ritz has bought part of the property so it is on the comeback. So, unfortunately I can't give you much info about the facilities except that the rooms themselves are large and pretty well appointed. If you have a two bedroom it is an efficiency attached to a one bedroom which my kids liked because they had their own kitchenette! The beach is nice and the grounds of the entire resort complex sprawling and good for bike riding. There's not many dining options on site right now, but Dorado is only 10 minutes away with lots of choices including a large grocery store. We went to El Yunque (the Rainforest) which is about an hour away, the kids enjoyed that, we've also taken the ferry into San Juan and toured the fort, etc. We love the area and resort and will return some day. Happy to answer any questions.

Thanks Eileen! On trip advisor, I am checking out the restaurants available, however, on updates, all appear to be closed. Is there something going on in Dorado I should know about?
Karen

Not sure if I understand your question -- do you mean dining options in Dorado (the town) or Dorado (the resort)? Can't really make specific recommendations for town as it's been a while. I think the golf club restaurant at the Dorado golf courses on the property is open.

Hello my family is going in May and I was wondering if any Del Mar owners have been told if they will be able to use the amenities at the two new hotels. Caribbean property group is turning the old Dorado beach resort into a Ritz and by the looks of their web site they have already done many renovations their. They said they were tearing down the Cerromar hotel down and building a new Fairmont Hotel and Casino. I guess I really just wondering if anything has started on the Fairmont and if Del Mar vacationers will be able to use any or all of the other properties amenities.
Thanks
Garry

Hi, I have an update for everyone as the manager of the property graciously responded to my email with a personal phone call. Cerramar will be torn down and will become a Fairmont, demolition will begin soon but it will most likely be several years before the new hotel is open. Hyatt is negotiating with Fairmont so that HDM owners and guests will be able to use the Fairmont facilities. Unfortunately, both the river pool and water slide which my children loved so much belonged to Cerramar so they are no longer there for HDM. The beach bar at the HDM pool is open but that is the only place to eat at the property, with the exception of the golf club restaurant at the Plantation course which is across the street from the HDM/Cerramar/Dorado property (about 1 - 2 miles away). HDM still has one pool, mini-golf, tennis, a small game room and a small convenience store. As mentioned the Dorado property will become a Ritz with a projected opening date of late 2011. For anyone familiar with the property, the area where Su Casa and the Dorado Golf Club was will become the lobby/check in area for the Ritz. All the beachfront buildings to the right of the old Dorado main building/lobby area as you are facing the ocean will be renovated into Ritz rooms, the old beachfront Dorado rooms to the left of the main building will become condos. All the Dorado rooms not beachfront will be torn down. The old main building will become a beachclub for the Ritz and Dorado owners, they have not determined if HDM owners will have access to this facility. The Dorado club and course were recently closed down for complete renovation so the only facilities now open are at the Plantation golf club. As HDM owners who have not visited the property since 2005 due to the closing of the hotels, we are glad to see something finally moving forward with is one of the most beautiful locations and one of our favorite destinations ever. However, we are disappointed that some of the amenities that we really liked about the property (such as the river pool and water slide) apparently are gone for good. Since it was not made clear to us when we purchased that these were not HDM facilities, we feel what we purchased was misrepresented to us by Hyatt. In 1999 the properties were all thriving and no one could have foreseen 9/11 and the resulting travel downturn on the Cerramar and Dorado hotels but it is still very disappointing to us that the property in its heyday is no more and our assessment fees are still high. Happy to answer any questions.

I'm on the Hyatt website and it is showing that the Hacienda Del Mar is open to the public and has availability Memorial Day weekend (2010). It's branded as "Hyatt Vacation Club Resort". Is this part of the old Dorado Rockresort (or some remnant of that beautiful property)? The 2 buildings shown in the photos look to be about 8 stories high, joined by a lobby in the middle.

Many thanks for insights.

That is the actual Hacienda Del Mar property -- there are two buildings, they are right next to what was the Cerramar property. The Hyatt Dorado, formerly Dorado Beach, was a short trolley ride away. As I understand it, that whole area is now closed, so you just have the HDM facilities. You could probably make your way over there and have the whole beach to yourself!