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Ritz-Carlton Reserve No. 2, Dorado Beach Resort, To Open in 2012

Where: 100 Dorado Beach Drive, Dorado, Puerto Rico, 00646

Here's some exciting news in New Hotel Brand Land. The second of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties has just been announced. It's the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico and it's scheduled to open in December 2012.

The Ritz-Carlton Reserve is just one part of the Dorado Beach renovation--it also includes residences and a plumped-up, sparkling new set of amenities such as golf courses, a beach club, spa and nature trail. A 'Wind and Waves' center will include Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment, the program that provides hands-on eco-adventures for kids and adults of all ages. In other words, you can take the kids, put them in Dorado Beach's 'forest classroom' and then hit the pool or bar.

The hotel itself will have 100 guestrooms and 14 one-bedroom suites. Then there's Su Casa, the original 1920s-style hacienda that is being transformed into a new five-bedroom, beachfront VIP villa.

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Ritz-Carlton Reserve At Phulay Bay Almost Ready To Open

Where: 111 Moo 3, Phulay Bay, Krabi, Thailand

Okay, so their opening date moved from April to June and finally to December 22, but at least the rather special Ritz-Carlton Reserve Phulay Bay in Krabi, Thailand, is finally getting close to being ready for us. We've been waiting ever since Ritz-Carlton announced that their new Reserve brand was especially for stressed people wanting to get away to new cultures and adventures in exotic locations. That really sounds like us.

The resort will open just in time for Christmas, on December 22 this year. There are just 54 villas in it, and the views across the water from each villa are incredible. To make you feel relaxed, they've designed the resort with oversized beds, chairs, baths and doorways – this is meant to create a sense of comfort, though it could also make you feel rather small!

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Ritz-Carlton Launches 'Ritz-Carlton Reserve' Brand This Month

Where: 11 Moo 3, Thailand, 81000

When we hear announcements that luxe hotels are launching ritzier, more upscale amenities or properties in this recession, we cringe a bit because we've been hearing nothing but doom-and-gloom predictions and sad news out of the luxury sector — but, nevertheless, Ritz-Carlton Hotels has announced the launch of "a new exclusive brand extension for the most discerning global travelers" called Ritz-Carlton Reserve, complete with a website and everything.

Per a press release:

These unique resorts have been designed for those who seek to escape the stresses of everyday life by retreating to experience new cultures and adventures. Each exquisite destination will feature signature, one-of-a-kind low density resorts situated in choice settings, each with a distinctive personality and sense of place. Future development will be limited to select corners of the globe with upcoming locations to include Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos and The United Arab Emirates.

These properties will mostly be low-rise suites and villas that allow guests "to experience a completely secluded environment, with as much or as little contact with the rest of humanity as they choose."

The first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property is in Phulay Bay in Krabi, Thailand an expansive (and expensive) resort looking out onto the Andaman Sea, made up of 54 one-bedroom villas that look seriously posh. The website says it's been taking rezzies since June 1, but we were unable to find any available rooms for June at all [UPDATE: That's because, a hotel rep tells us, they starting taking rezzies on June 1st for dates starting in September] — regardless, the rates are listed at around $575 and up.

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Ritz-Carlton Reserve Will Kick Off Exotic Brand in Phulay Bay

Where: Phulay Bay, Krabi, Thailand

While last week we were focusing on cheap Thailand hotels on the beach, we can't help getting a little excited about the latest announcement from Ritz-Carlton about their Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel brand. The theory behind their new brand suits us perfectly, because they are targeting:

People who want to get away from the stresses of everyday life by retreating to experience new cultures and adventures in exotic locations.

The first Reserve to open up will be Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Krabi, Thailand, and it should be ready sometime during 2009. Although prices for Phulay Bay show from April onwards, their website currently says they're accepting reservations from June 1, 2009.

At that time of year--off-peak for them--rooms will be starting at 19,550 Baht ($550) for a resort pavilion, going up to 68,000 Baht for a Royal Villa stay (almost $2,000). We'll be picking a villa though, because they're the ones with outdoor baths and private plunge pools. Definitely falls into the category of getting away from stress somewhere exotic.