My family and I are fortunate enough to travel routinely and are accustomed to staying in five-star accommodations. Seeking something roomier than a hotel space for this vacation, we elected to try this as our first VRBO stay. Admittedly, I was a bit hesitant embarking on a stay in someone’s residence. Fortunately for us, we connected with Dave and Lily and their truly special home in Dorado Beach. The photographs for this property are just the beginning of what was an impeccable experience working with them. I found Dave to be prompt and clear in all his communications, which gave us a sense of assuredness even before we arrived. When we arrived late in the evening, Lily personally toured us through the home offering explanations of how everything worked. But really, this was a house that spoke for itself.
Nestled in an elegant community behind multi-stage security gates, this home would have easily accommodated more than our family of five.
The rooms were spacious, and the bedding well appointed (I’m particular about bed linens, and these white duvets and high thread counts passed my test). Four of the five bedrooms had beautiful oceanfront vistas, and the bathrooms were modern and elegant. Additionally, this is a home that is beautifully maintained, and I appreciated Lily’s meticulous nature. Beyond its appointments, this is a home of style. Every room showed evidence of careful décor, from soothing palettes to striking artwork and corners softened by well placed flowers.
As lovely as this home was, it is its waterfront location and proximity to the Dorado Ritz Carlton Reserve (where we had purchased a 1-week guest membership (about $960 for a family of four; additional family member about $160 per person)) that render it noteworthy. Outfitted with the two golf carts that were part of the home rental, we delighted in cruising back and forth over the scenic 8-minute pathway to the Reserve’s amenities (beach, pool, golf & water sport pavilion). Alternatively, you could walk along the beach line from the home’s backyard access and that too would only take about 8 minutes by foot. On a couple of days, we used our guest membership access to the Watermill water park, which was a five-minute car drive away (in the neighboring Plantation community). This is a fun activity, especially for the “under 14” set. One thing to know if staying during peak travel times, as we were, is that the Ritz reserves its bicycles for its hotel guests.