Adult/Couples Only?: Yes
Time of Year/Weather: This trip was taken in late April and early May of 2005. The weather was mostly sunny, hot, humid, and around 90 degrees the whole time. It was very humid during the day and a bit more comfortable at night.
Length of Trip?: 4 days/3 nights
Was this an All-Inclusive Resort?: Yes
Approximate per person cost?: $700 per person (resort, airfare, and transfers) from Detroit, MI (DTW). This was the first time I have not used a package deal. Airfare was purchased from Spirit Airlines and transfers were arranged through Cancun Valet.
Were there any hidden or extra costs?: No.
Describe room accommodations (view, decor, cleanliness, etc.): Three types of junior suites are available: Ocean View, Ocean Front, and Ocean View Jacuzzi. We booked an Ocean Front Suite but were upgraded to an Ocean View Jacuzzi Suite (which are some of the furthest away from the main areas of the resort) because they could not locate the key to our suite. The room was clean and well-kept. Our air conditioner did make noise and leak overnight so the tile floor was a bit slippery due to the leak. We had a good view of the ocean and it was relatively quiet, as we were a bit further down from all the activities on the beach. The bathroom was very small, with the bathroom sink & vanity actually out in the room area. Each room has a hammock and a chair on the patio or balcony. There was also a dining table with 2 chairs, a mini bar, coffee maker, and a TV with DVD player. The jacuzzi is just an oversized bathtub with jets and there didn't seem to be enough hot water available to fill the tub. If you have a first floor room the jacuzzi will be inside your room, but the second floor rooms have the jacuzzi out on the balcony. For the cost of the rooms, I would book an ocean front or regular ocean view. You most likely won't use the 'jacuzzi'.
Describe food/meals (presentation, quality, etc.): El Dorado Seaside Suites has 3 restaurants: Los Arrecifes (International), La Carreta (Mexican), and Klay TAlay (Asian). All restaurants require reservations and there is a dress code in place. The food was pretty good and the presentation was excellent. Breakfast was buffet with cooked to order omelettes and pancakes, while lunch and dinner were ordered off a menu. I found Klay Talay, the Asian restaurant, to be my least favorite of the three as the menu seemed to be more limited in choices.
Describe staff and service: Friendly and acommodating. At times slow, but it is Mexico and things are a bit more laid back here.
Onsite Activities: 2 pools (one is a lap pool), exercise facilities, 2 gift shops, snorkeling, bicycles, paddle boats, kayaking, and a tennis court. Four bars including 2 "swing bars" (bars with swing seats for 1 and 2 people) and a tequila bar. Also a spa with many traditional services and excellent package deals.
Offsite Activities: Shopping trips to Playa del Carmen are included in your package. Lomas Travel has a tour desk in the lobby where you can schedule organized tour outings and trips, if desired.
Local Points of Interest: Tulum (seaside ruins), Playa del Carmen (shopping), Xcaret (eco-park), Cozumel (scuba & snorkeling), Chichen Itza (ruins - about a 2 hour drive), Coba (ruins in jungle), Xel-Ha (eco-park)
Value for the cost?: Excellent
Overall Rating (10 being best)?: 8
Additional Comments: El Dorado Seaside Suites was formerly El Dorado Spa & Resort. This resort recently underwent major renovations and upgrades (in 2004) to make it more in line with 4 - 5 star resort service. Out of the 4 Karisma resorts in the Riviera Maya: El Dorado Royale, El Dorado Seaside Suites, Azul Resort (a family resort), and Hidden Beach Resort; I would rank El Dorado Seaside Suites as # 2. I can't provide much of an opinion on the newest, Azul Resort, since I haven't been there, but since I prefer adult-only resorts I can't rank it above the other 3 resorts. My first choice would still be Hidden Beach Resort, but that may not be the right place for you (see my Hidden Beach report).
Kantenah, Mexico
