12-09-2005
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#1 (permalink) |
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ruined
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 89
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El Dorado Royale
I've looked and hoping I haven't missed anything posted here previously - but does anyone have any recent (beginning of December and later) pictures of the El Dorado Royale Resort & Spa they would like to share.
My wife and I have a booking there in Feb and we are curious as to just what the place has been through and cleaned up to look like by now in the way of rooms, vegatation, and beach facilities at this point in time. There never has been any detailed accounting of the damage to this particular resort, that I have seen anywhere - unlike many of the others which have given actual damage reporting and pictures - along with subsequent repair updates for concerned travellers. Having friends that had reservations cancelled there at the end of November (29th) with advice to book elsewhere in the immediate future - it has had us wondering just how much damage the resort actually sustained and how successful Karisma has been in the month + following Wilma to repair any or all of it. Any pictures we have seen of the Roo appear to show the amazing recovery of it's people, the region, and even the greenery, but all Karisma Resorts / Signature Vacations site related info we have been able to find, hasn't shown any current pictures (just the generic type-written "we're open November 25th" type of announcements) nor have they released updated info of any ongoing repairs unlike the Secrets and Palace chains. Anything current in the way of pictures from anyone (and/or links to sites that contain may contain such) who has actually visited or stayed or visited would be very much appreciated. Thanks -- Randy |
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12-10-2005
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#2 (permalink) |
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Travel Insurance Tester
  Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: The Joisey Shore
Posts: 17,503
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I just had this e mailed to me by Karisma yesterday.
El Dorado Royale photos Not sure why your friends had to cancel for Nov. 29th unless.....they had a casita suite. Those are not scheduled to reopen until mid December. But the other room categories are available. Also know that whatever the situation is at present really will not be the case 2-3 months from now when you arrive. SO much will happen over this time period - the leaves will grow back on the trees, any beach problems will work itself out, the property will be lush and green again, all facilities will be open, etc. Honestly, I wouldn't be too worried about the EDR for Feb. Last edited by Shammy; 12-10-2005 at 12:52 AM.. |
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12-10-2005
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#3 (permalink) | |
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ruined
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 89
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Quote:
Our friends opted for St Lucia instead as their agent suggested they would be less than thrilled with the surroundings at the end of November - and maybe she was somewhat correct looking at the grounds and trees in the pics. Thanks for your reply w/ pictures - Randy |
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12-10-2005
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#4 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chatham,Ontario
Posts: 156
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The palm trees look worse than they actually are, because the branches are tied together to protect and let them regrow. The same is done when they plant or relocate the palm trees anywhere. In a few months they will untie them and you will be amazed. As a EDR-aholic we don't see any reason not to travel there in 2-3 months. We are returning in FEb for a 3rd straight year. If you have any questions e-mail there website addresses and Samantha or Olivia will respond quickly.
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12-11-2005
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#5 (permalink) | |
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ruined
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 89
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Quote:
Last March we stayed at the Xpu Ha and I hear it won't be opening ever again from the combined hits of Emily and Wilma. Do either of you know if the Palace Resort chain sold it off after Emily, or did it just get damaged so much this year that repairs just weren't logical? Seems odd that some other resort chain wouldn't pick up the pieces for the right price and intend to put something else there to replace what was a very unique setting for a resort. In all, the region is a very interesting and busy place and we intend to see a lot more of it and hope that everything is up and operational by our vacation time. Its hard to try and understand without the input from those who have recently visited or know someone who has, as to just what the true status of many of the attractions and towns are - so Thanks again! - Randy |
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12-12-2005
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#6 (permalink) |
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Travel Insurance Tester
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: The Joisey Shore
Posts: 17,503
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Randy,
The Xpu Ha situation is a tricky one, and not really totally related to the effects of Emily and Wilma, although post Emily is when "you know what" hit the fan. There was some kind of land dispute with the rightful owner and something couldn't be worked out between all parties. I've been told about it several times, but always a slightly different story so I'm not sure what's correct. All that I do know is that it was a dispute over the land and that's why it's not being rebuilt. |
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12-13-2005
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#7 (permalink) | |
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ruined
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 89
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Quote:
We found the resort 'rustic' to use a word to try and describe it - but it was enjoyable place to visit and not as snobbish and artifical as many others North of there - (even some in the same resort family) Thanks for your efforts.... Randy |
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12-14-2005
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#9 (permalink) | |
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ruined
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 89
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Quote:
Thanks for the pictures... The EDR looks basically back to shape except for the trees which I'm sure will regenerate greatly over the next 3 months - at least we are hoping to find some shady spots by late February. As for right now in those pictures, shade looks like it is at a premium to say the least, unless you pick a comfortable spot at the bar (not such a bad idea come to think of it)! We here in the Great White North are pretty susceptable to the strong sun because of our lack of any great amount of it for much of the year, as we found out the hard way in the first couple of trips we made to the Caribbean! Off topic somewhat - do you ever arrange travel for people North of the border and if so, do we up here present any unique problems when it comes to being an agent in a country other than that of travellers you service? We have seen the online testimonials written by many of your clients who were obviously more than impressed by your dedication and service in helping them arrange very satisfying vacations. We too, have been impressed by your apparent Mexican resort knowledge and with all the time you spend dispersing info and news about Mexico to us all, and fielding concerns from people you have never met. My wife and I have been greatly disappointed by the service and information we have been given 'post Wilma' by our local agent and Signature Vacations based in Toronto. Both parties basically adopted the "we have your money - don't bother us, we're busy".. attitude (when a couple of weeks after Wilma we had enquired whether the EDR had been damaged beyond repair) and will be looking to book through someone else next year for possibly more than one trip South... -- Thanks again, your info is very much appreciated - Randy & Monika |
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12-14-2005
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#10 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chatham,Ontario
Posts: 156
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Randy & Monica
When do you arrive at EDR. We are there for 10 days Feb 23rd to Mar 4th. We always book thru Air Canada with our local Sears agent. She happens to be a personal friend. That sure helps. Tonys P.S. Thanks Shammy for the updates. |
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12-15-2005
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#11 (permalink) |
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Travel Insurance Tester
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: The Joisey Shore
Posts: 17,503
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realzed, thanks for the nice comments, but unfortunately, I can't book air for folks that live outside the USA. I work with certain tour operators and the air must originate in the USA. I do have some fine Canadian clients
 , but just handle their land arrangements. And you have all the nice peeps on this board to help keep you informed, so no worries - about this trip anyway! 
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12-17-2005
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#12 (permalink) | |
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ruined
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 89
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Quote:
Its been pretty crappy around here lately weather-wise and it just makes the wait that much harder to endure. Hopefully we will meet there along the way - I'm sure after that many visits to the EDR you probably have a good handle on just how the place operates - just what to avoid - what to look for etc. Hopefully our tour rep. there will be able to provide us with some good info on the most efficient ways to get access to many of the services both internally and outside the resort in the way of tours and sightseeing around the area, as we would like to see as much stuff this visit, as possible. We initially intended to book a spilt vacation through Signature where we would have spent a week in the same area as the EDR and a week on Cozumel but changed because Signature didn't know how to book it for us - even though it was advertised in one of their own brochures...Good thing I guess though, because Wilma probably took a bigger bite out of that area than the EDR. In the past many reps we dealt with weren't all that much help and we had to fend for ourselves. Not such a bad thing, but often you end up wasting time and energy that could be better spent doing... -- Randy-- |
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12-30-2005
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#14 (permalink) | |
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ruined
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 89
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