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!

That looks like one amazing place and one amazing honeymoon! Absolutely beautiful!!!!

Thank you so much for sharing that review and pictures!!!

Looks like paradise!

Something I may have to look into!!

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

wow, thank you for the review and pics. i saved it to my notebook for ideas on our next trip.

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

Beautiful! Was it very expensive?

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

THAT place looks amazing..
HOW can it be so cheap???????

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

We got ours as a gift from FMIL - her timeshare.

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

I knew this place was no joke when I received and saw the brochures in person.

Thank you so, so much for posting this.!!

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

Thank you so much Kimberly for the great review and pictures. There is no doubt in my mind about going here for our honeymoon. It is Beautiful!! I'm glad Bri did a lot of research on honeymoons, and found this place. She gets full credit for picking our honeymoon. I can't wait for this day to come. Only 221 more days to go. Thanks again.

Message edited 11/30/2004 7:29:38 PM.

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

OMG!!!!! Thank You SO much, Kimberly! I was so excited before, but now I am REALLY excited - it looks so incredible. Thanks for thinking of us and taking a picture of the swim up casita for us- I am so glad we booked that suite!!!!

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

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Posted by OSCARtheGROOM

I'm glad Bri did a lot of research on honeymoons, and found this place. She gets full credit for picking our honeymoon. I can't ait for this day to come. Only 221 more days to go. Thanks again.

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

OMG, this place sounds and looks amazing. I definitely saved the website. Thanks for the wonderful review.

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

kim all i can say is-OH MY! between this and the e-party review i can't imagine what you're wedding review is going to be like!!!!!

it looks sooooooooooooooo beautiful there!!! looked like you had perfect weather!! awesome review!

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

Thank you so much for posting this! I was torn between this resort and the new Sandals Whitehouse. I think we finally made up our minds!

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

Wow looks beautiful! Did anyone have any problems drinking the water in mixed drinks or anything? That is the only thing that worries me about Mexico--it ruined a spring break in cancun for me during college!

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

this place looks great.....definetly going to take it into consideration.

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

WOW! I'm definetly showing DH, I love it!
thanks for the pictures and review.

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

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Posted by jackie&jim

Beautiful! Was it very expensive?

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

Bump for Lori0517

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

Thank You for the review & pics! My FH and I are in the Honeymoon planning stage now and have no clue where to go! This place looks beautiful!

2 questions though:
- You said it was 'all inclusive' right? Did that include absolutley everything - every meal, drink, activity, etc.. that you ate, drank & did... or was the massage and some other things extra?

- Also, did the water effect you in anyway from drinking mixed drinks to brushing your teeth, etc...? I've never been to Mexico but I always hear stories of someone getting really sick from drinking the water or having a mixed drink b/c of the water they use to wash the glasses.

TIA!!

Message edited 1/5/2005 9:57:50 PM.

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

Every single meal and drink was included. They have 7 restaurants and you can eat at any one of them. Even room service is included. Yes all spa treatments are extra. The spa was wonderful.

I did not have one problem with drinking the water/ice and neither did anyone else. They told us they purify everything. I normally do not have a strong stomach so I was concerned but everything was just fine. I can't wait to go back.

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

I am so excited to see your reveiew, We just booked our HM there!!!!!! I cant wait!!!

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

Awesome. You are going to love it. I can't wait to go back with FH! I am counting the days. 282...haha.

Message edited 1/5/2005 10:50:06 PM.

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

Maybe this is a weird question but how long are you girls going to stay on you honeymoon for?

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

Probably 7 or 8 days.

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

The place really does look amazing and relaxing.