El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

Ok Bribri529 here is the full review for you and anyone else looking for a honeymoon location. It is very detailed like you asked. You and oscarthegroom are going to love this place!

The El Dorado Royale Spa Resort is an adults only all inclusive resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. All meals, drinks, and activities are included. This place was gorgeous and the food and service was amazing. The entire staff was so nice and helpful. Anything you needed or wanted they got for you.

We went for my Aunt’s 50th birthday. She is a travel rep and got a great deal on the room. It was 14 women and we had a blast! The resort is 95% honeymoon couples and is really geared toward couples. I had such a great time I am going back for my honeymoon next October. This is the perfect place to chill and relax.

We flew there on American Airlines out of JFK. The flight was only 3 hours and 15 minutes. I was shocked at how fast the flight was. After getting off the plane we had to go through immigration and customs. That only took 45 minutes. Then we picked up our bags and headed toward the transportation area. My Aunt had arranged for a van to pick us up. The company was Lomas and they were professional and right on time. We all loaded into the van and the resort is about 25 minutes away. When you get to the gate you have to drive about 5 minutes through what looks like the jungle. It was really cool. Then you arrive at the lobby and are greeted with a glass of champagne.

Here is what the lobby looks like when you walk in. All fresh flowers and a very cool eternity fountain.







Then we checked in and received our keys. We walked to the room and there were gorgeous fresh flowers on the bed. Every day they changed the flowers and made cute towel figures.



The room was gorgeous. It had a lovely balcony with hammock and chairs. Then inside the room was a large bath tub with jets and everything. The water came out like a waterfall. I love those faucets.

View from room:



Bath tub:


Then in the main bathroom was a huge walk in shower that was open and really nice.

The first night we all met at the martini lounge in the main lobby. It is a gorgeous lounge with suede chairs and couches. They handed us a menu of 32 specialty martinis. I tried the el dorado martini and that was some powerful stuff. Even had flecks of gold in it. Then another night I tried the chocolate martini. All drinks are included all day long. And they are not weak. They know how to make drinks.

The first night we ate at the Mexican restaurant La Carezza. It was cute they brought my Aunt a birthday cake and sang happy birthday and put a huge sombrero on her. Every dinner the entire time we were there was 4-5 courses. It was nuts and took anywhere from 2-3 hours. Remember it is Mexican time and not NY time. Plus we were 14 people eating together so I am sure that is why it took longer. I had lobster quesadillas, tortilla soup, Mexican ribs and fried ice cream. The food was delicious. Then after dinner we went to one of the bars. It is called a swing bar. It was so cute. They actually have swings around the bar to swing on. We saw a few drunk people fall off of them from time to time…lol. They also had a live band.





The next day we went to the beach. It was a 5 minute walk from our room. If you stay in the casita suites they are right on the beach. It was great they had these little huts they call palapas to go under to get some shade.









They have kayaks and paddle boats you can use:



They also have these great beds on the beach for honeymooners to “chill” on:



There were a lot of Europeans there so there were many topless women there. At first I was like whoa but then I got used to it.

Then that afternoon we all had our spa treatments. I had a massage on the beach. I have never had one on the beach and thought it would be so amazing to hear the ocean while being massaged. The massage therapist was wonderful and very professional. I didn’t care I went naked under the towel even though there were people walking on the beach. My sister is a massage therapist so I am used to it. There are two tables so you can get a couples massage.

Pictures of massage table:







That night we ate at Kampai the oriental restaurant. It was so cute all the waiters and waitresses had Chinese dresses on. Again the food was fantastic. This was one of my favorite restaurants. I had California rolls, roasted duck and some great apple with ice cream dessert. YUM!

The next day we woke up and went to the gym and did yoga on the beach with the yoga instructor. Everyday there are like 40 activities you can do. I loved it because you can do everything or nothing. After yoga we went to el cocotal for breakfast. It was a fabulous breakfast spread and you can order pancakes, waffles, etc. from the menu. Then they have fresh fruit and everything out for you to eat. Went back to the beach to chill and read. For lunch we went to Jojo’s and that is a cute restaurant right on the beach.



View from table:



We took a bus to playa del Carmen to do some shopping. The hotel provides the bus for free. You need to make reservations though with guest services. It one long street with all street vendors and cute shops.

For dinner the 3rd night we went to D’Italia the Italian restaurant. The restaurant was so gorgeous. Everything was marble. Here were the pretty centerpieces made of birds of paradise.



This was my favorite restaurant the food was spectacular. Sometimes all inclusive places the food is so so but not with this place. All the food was so fresh and tasty. I had diver scallops for appetizer, shrimp and pasta in a pesto sauce, and then tiramisu for dessert. Also the portions are small so you can eat the 4 courses. I forget what else I had there. I was a little wasted from all the martinis.

My Mom and I took a tour of the casita honeymoon suites. They were gorgeous. Huge king beds with canopies and a big TV with DVD player and CD player. A hot tub in the room and also an outdoor shower. They have regular casitas and swim up casitas (told you OscartheGroom I would take a picture of the swim up for you.)

The bed:


Outdoor shower (private):



Swim up:







Swim up bar connected to the swim up casita:



These were bars everywhere: regular, swimup, etc. Also on the beach there was a waiter walking back all day long taking drink orders.

Here is the main pool. They have 9 pools also in addition to the beach.



Restaurant next to pool:



A peacock walking around:



View from lobby:



Waterfall:



The whole time we were there we just relaxed and hung out and ate and drank. A perfect vacation haha.

The last night we ate at Jojo’s and it is Caribbean cuisine. Everything was made with shrimp and lobster. Very very yummy. You should make reservations for dinner the day you get there.

The flight home was also very smooth and had no problems going through customs. I was so happy to be home and see Brian.

So this place is amazing and I can’t wait to go back! FM me if you have any questions!

Hotel website:

http://www.karismahotels.com/doradoroyal/index.html

Re: El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

Kim i think i found my honeymoon spot...thanks!!!

Re: El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

LOVE IT! I CAN'T WAIT TO GO!

Re: El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

WOW that place looks so awsome!!! hmm now I have to make a choice
Mexico or Caribbean

Re: El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

WOW!!!! It looks wonderful! Thanks for the detailed review, Kim.

Damn, another gorgeous choice for HM's! I change my mind every time I see someone's pics.

Re: El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

WOW!!!!! That place looks amazing!!!

What a wonderful review Kim - you are so sweet to remember all that detail!!

Re: El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

Thank You for a detailed review Kim. Although I do not think it is the honeymoon spot for us, FH and I will be heading there sometime in the next few years!

Message edited 11/30/2004 11:33:09 PM.

Re: El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

looks like you had an awesome time, beautiful pictures, you gotta love Mexico

Message edited 11/30/2004 11:51:43 PM.

Re: El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

This place looks amazing

Re: El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

We've been considering El Dorado for a couple of months, and I think you just made up my mind! Thank you so much for the wonderful review.

Re: El Dorado Royale Review – Anyone looking for a honeymoon location check this out – With pictures!

WOW That place looks amazing! I especially love the outdoor beds