Going on vacation with our 3 year old to a resort in Dorado, Puerto Rico. Supposed to be the best resort spot in Puerto Rico. The restaurants @ the resort are supposed to be really good.

But, wondering if there are any places not to be missed. Otherwise, we will just do all our dining @ the resort.

Thanks as always!

I've literally been around the entire island and have yet to find any place that is a "must hit". Now, I've had plenty of enjoyable meals, great cocktail hours at various bars, nice times on the beach, etc... I've just never been blown away by any particular meal or place.

Thanks wineismylife. I kind of figured as much but thought that I'd check. The resort itself supposed to have 2 of the best restaurants in PR. I think we will stick to the compounds of the resort property.

Besides, I am not really sure how safe it is traveling around PR on your own?!?

Went to Dorado in April of 2003. At the time we had a one year old. Su Casita was the only restaurant on the grounds that was worth mentioning.

We asked about local dining and the concierge recommended an Italian restaurnt just off the grounds. It turned out to be very good though I can't remember the name.

They have hotel buses that can take you anywhere so don't bother with a car. There is also a 'sister' resort down the road (about 10 min by the hotel bus) that has a casino. They tout the Japanese restaurant at this location, but it is absolutely nothing special.

Buy a bottle of rum and a large bottle of coke at the airport and enjoy that. The wine isn't a focus there.

Say hi to Coco the parrot upon entering the lobby. Your three yr old will love it.

Short review of Hilton Dorado Beach, PR:

This is a great resort. It is an older resort & needs some work but still a great resort. It is considered one of the better resorts in PR & I can see why it is designated as such.

Service is excellent
Water is just awesome @ about 80 degs average
Beach, sand is just awesome
The entire atmosphere is great

This is an expensive resort. Everything about this resort is expensive, which leads me to my 1 complaint about this resort: Food/Prices -

The food is good, but nothing special. The food/dining is just not worth what they charge in my opinion. I read many reviews on this resort, & many others posted that as well.

I don't mind if the dining is expensive. I don't mind if you are charging $35.00/per dish & $20.00/person @ breakfast. BUT, you have to back it up with that kind of quality & cooking. They do not!

When filling out the review card, it is exactly what I said: the resort is great all around. But, your dining needs some work. No way the prices justify the food that you are preparing. Otherwise, it is the perfect place!

Disclaimer: when making travel arrangements in the past, I never even considered PR. Well, let me tell you, PR is great & a great destination.

I was afraid you'd find that LCC. PR is more of a frame of mind. If you're into hanging out in space restaurants and bars on the byways of the island "a la Jimmy Buffet" style you're set. If you're into haut cuisine don't bother landing at the airport IMO. I enjoy it for what it is...a nice, laid back beach oriented vacation full of rum and beer fogged days.

Yeah, it was well worth it. The daughter did not leave the ocean for hours on end...

Also, a LOT of people with money @ that place (locals & tourists). Cars ranging in the $70K-$100K+ were not hard to find. It was like a car show. I did see a new Mercedes that I never saw before. I don't know too much about it, but it looked HOT.

Like I said, food was the only letdown. May be they don't realize it or they think that we are Hyatt, we can charge such money. But, I stayed @ other Hyatts in the past (i.e. Maui Hawaii) & the restaurants were expensive but fabulous.

The CLS500?