El Dorado Royale: looking for thoughts...

MNtony · 11-10-2010

Greetings,
My wife and I were given a fantastic deal for the El Dorado Royale for our Honeymoon in Dec. We have been to Playa once before and stayed in town at the Playa Palms. (we loved it!) We are looking forward to our trip, and were hoping to get some thoughts/advice on what to expect from El Dorado Royale. Food, Beach, nightlife, etc. I want to make the most out of the trip.
I used the search engine and didn't get a ton of info.
Thanks in advance,
MNtony

CJ99 · 11-10-2010

We've been to this resort several times. The food when we have gone is really very good. The beach is only OK. There are large sandbagged whales everywhere. However, you can snorkel around those whales and there are lots of little fish to look at.

If you are staying in the Casitas section - those rooms are fantastic! The regular junior suites are OK too, just not as fancy as the Casitas. You need reservations at most of the restaurants to eat dinner, so if you are booked now, plan to make those reservations asap after you arrive, or you could try emailing them to get your reservations early.

They have had a few night shows when we went, but honestly the night life there is pretty non existent compared to being right in Playa. I think they had shuttles to and from Playa for free if you booked early enough before it filled up, or you can take a taxi into town.

Hope that helps

MNtony · 11-10-2010

Thank you! This is a helpful start!

What do you like best about ED Royale?

Did you have restaurants that you preferred? Do you just make reservations each morning, or how does that work?

Did you take the shuttle in to Playa ever? If so, how long of a drive is it, and how do you arrange it?

Thanks so much!

CJ99 · 11-10-2010

My favorite restaurants were the Kampai for lunch and dinner, El cocotal for breakfast, Jojo's for lunch (they had a wonderful coconut ceviche). They also have pizza and burgers at La Cabaña Pizzeria and if you wandered around behind La Fuentes they had a little place to eat called Rincon Mexicano which had wonderful guacamole, shrimp cocktail and some delicious seafood soup

It's all quite subjective though, since we both love seafood - if you are not a seafood person you may enjoy other restaurants. Also they have 24 hour room service - not a huge selection for rooms service but everything is quite good

Their food is really quite good there.

I think the reservations depend how busy the resort is when you go, but I would recommend making all your reservations as soon as possible, and then if you find one place you really prefer over others you can change your reservations.

We did take a shuttle and we cabbed to playa. I believe it's about a 30 minute drive. I think we paid around $20 (usd) to taxi to playa and back ($20 each way). The shuttle was only running on Tuesday and Thursday at that time and you arrange it at the front lobby at the concierge. The shuttle was complementary, but you are restricted to how long you get to spend in playa (unless you just want to cab back which would be OK too).

And what I liked best? Hmmm. I guess that I got to have a vacation with my significant other

It was nice having it all inclusive, not having to worry about money other than tipping. We met some other interesting couples there, it was private and intimate and very relaxing. You can also pay extra $ to have a private beach dinner which looked very romantic. But I will say, that now that we have gone and stayed right in playa we are hooked. I love the food, ambiance and fun night life Playa del Carmen has to offer. Although if I was looking for a super relaxing vacation I might do an all inclusive again

GRASSYASS · 11-10-2010

Stayed there for part of our honeymoon as well, found it to be a nice place.
As mentioned the food is very good for all inclusive and the casitas are great (we had a swim up and loved it, I didnt see the other rooms). We did find it to be slow at night while we were there so if you are into the nightlife plan on getting into town.

Congrats!

Life is a beach · 11-23-2010

Was there in Feb 2009.

All adults all the time: wonderful.

Is a large resort, very spread out. There are shuttles if you need them. I think we used them once, after too many pre dinner drinks at the martini bar, needed the shuttle to get to the Japanese restaurant at the northern end of the resort.

They have a quieter pool w/swimup bar, and a more lively or sports pool towards the southern part of the resort.

Food was good to very good (Sensatori Azul Feb 2010 gets our vote for best food ever), the desserts were all excellant.

Never had to make reservations so not sure if they have a new rule or not. We travelled with another couple and never had any problem getting a table.

Most buildings are three story units. The grounds are beautiful the staff amazing.

Big sandy beach, room in the water for playing, and I guess they still have the beach whales. The beach was better then the Azul though.

They put on nightly entertainment, usually involving guests of the resort who are fueled on alcohol, so is all kind of funny and great to watch. They had a live band in 2009 before and after the entertainment. I rate the entermain as great!

So, you can have a relazing time or get a bit crazy depending upon your desires.

Took a taxi into Playa just one time, and yes about 30 minutes. Was 20 U$ then.

Would I go again. Absolutely !!

Hope this helps.

Regards
LIAB

MNtony · 12-16-2010

I just got back, and had a fantastic time. I would definately recommend the El Dorado. If anyone has any questions I will be happy to help.

Cop_almost_1010 · 03-05-2012

Well I will be there next month. Infinity pool swim up casita suite..... Fill us on on how it was?

TAPPY · 03-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cop_almost_1010

Well I will be there next month. Infinity pool swim up casita suite..... Fill us on on how it was?

I have been looking at these as well....for a change of pace.

Has anyone been recently that can up date us ?

ssue · 4 Weeks Ago

We haven't stayed at Royal but visited it once while we were staying at El Dorado Seaside and we would definately return to Seaside but would not try Royal as it is much larger, the beach is not good, and in general the Seaside is more intimate and romantic. This is just my personal opinion and you may love the El Dorado Royal?

jorgy · 4 Weeks Ago

Unless you are staying in the Casita section you are not allowed to make reservations for the restaurants. However, if you eat fairly early, say by 7:00 p.m. you should have no wait problems without reservations.

Jorgy

11-10-2010	#1 (permalink)
MNtony sandflea Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 9	El Dorado Royale: looking for thoughts... Greetings, My wife and I were given a fantastic deal for the El Dorado Royale for our Honeymoon in Dec. We have been to Playa once before and stayed in town at the Playa Palms. (we loved it!) We are looking forward to our trip, and were hoping to get some thoughts/advice on what to expect from El Dorado Royale. Food, Beach, nightlife, etc. I want to make the most out of the trip. I used the search engine and didn't get a ton of info. Thanks in advance, MNtony

03-05-2012	#8 (permalink)
Cop_almost_1010 lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 13	Tony Well I will be there next month. Infinity pool swim up casita suite..... Fill us on on how it was?

4 Weeks Ago	#10 (permalink)
ssue toe in water Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NC Posts: 46	El Dorado Royal We haven't stayed at Royal but visited it once while we were staying at El Dorado Seaside and we would definately return to Seaside but would not try Royal as it is much larger, the beach is not good, and in general the Seaside is more intimate and romantic. This is just my personal opinion and you may love the El Dorado Royal?

11-10-2010	#2 (permalink)
CJ99 beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Regina Saskatchewan Posts: 386	We've been to this resort several times. The food when we have gone is really very good. The beach is only OK. There are large sandbagged whales everywhere. However, you can snorkel around those whales and there are lots of little fish to look at. If you are staying in the Casitas section - those rooms are fantastic! The regular junior suites are OK too, just not as fancy as the Casitas. You need reservations at most of the restaurants to eat dinner, so if you are booked now, plan to make those reservations asap after you arrive, or you could try emailing them to get your reservations early. They have had a few night shows when we went, but honestly the night life there is pretty non existent compared to being right in Playa. I think they had shuttles to and from Playa for free if you booked early enough before it filled up, or you can take a taxi into town. Hope that helps

11-10-2010	#3 (permalink)
MNtony sandflea Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 9	Thank you! This is a helpful start! What do you like best about ED Royale? Did you have restaurants that you preferred? Do you just make reservations each morning, or how does that work? Did you take the shuttle in to Playa ever? If so, how long of a drive is it, and how do you arrange it? Thanks so much!

11-10-2010	#4 (permalink)
CJ99 beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Regina Saskatchewan Posts: 386	My favorite restaurants were the Kampai for lunch and dinner, El cocotal for breakfast, Jojo's for lunch (they had a wonderful coconut ceviche). They also have pizza and burgers at La Cabaña Pizzeria and if you wandered around behind La Fuentes they had a little place to eat called Rincon Mexicano which had wonderful guacamole, shrimp cocktail and some delicious seafood soup It's all quite subjective though, since we both love seafood - if you are not a seafood person you may enjoy other restaurants. Also they have 24 hour room service - not a huge selection for rooms service but everything is quite good Their food is really quite good there. I think the reservations depend how busy the resort is when you go, but I would recommend making all your reservations as soon as possible, and then if you find one place you really prefer over others you can change your reservations. We did take a shuttle and we cabbed to playa. I believe it's about a 30 minute drive. I think we paid around $20 (usd) to taxi to playa and back ($20 each way). The shuttle was only running on Tuesday and Thursday at that time and you arrange it at the front lobby at the concierge. The shuttle was complementary, but you are restricted to how long you get to spend in playa (unless you just want to cab back which would be OK too). And what I liked best? Hmmm. I guess that I got to have a vacation with my significant other It was nice having it all inclusive, not having to worry about money other than tipping. We met some other interesting couples there, it was private and intimate and very relaxing. You can also pay extra $ to have a private beach dinner which looked very romantic. But I will say, that now that we have gone and stayed right in playa we are hooked. I love the food, ambiance and fun night life Playa del Carmen has to offer. Although if I was looking for a super relaxing vacation I might do an all inclusive again

11-10-2010	#5 (permalink)
GRASSYASS beachaholic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 355	Stayed there for part of our honeymoon as well, found it to be a nice place. As mentioned the food is very good for all inclusive and the casitas are great (we had a swim up and loved it, I didnt see the other rooms). We did find it to be slow at night while we were there so if you are into the nightlife plan on getting into town. Congrats!

11-23-2010	#6 (permalink)
Life is a beach toe in water Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 46	Was there in Feb 2009. All adults all the time: wonderful. Is a large resort, very spread out. There are shuttles if you need them. I think we used them once, after too many pre dinner drinks at the martini bar, needed the shuttle to get to the Japanese restaurant at the northern end of the resort. They have a quieter pool w/swimup bar, and a more lively or sports pool towards the southern part of the resort. Food was good to very good (Sensatori Azul Feb 2010 gets our vote for best food ever), the desserts were all excellant. Never had to make reservations so not sure if they have a new rule or not. We travelled with another couple and never had any problem getting a table. Most buildings are three story units. The grounds are beautiful the staff amazing. Big sandy beach, room in the water for playing, and I guess they still have the beach whales. The beach was better then the Azul though. They put on nightly entertainment, usually involving guests of the resort who are fueled on alcohol, so is all kind of funny and great to watch. They had a live band in 2009 before and after the entertainment. I rate the entermain as great! So, you can have a relazing time or get a bit crazy depending upon your desires. Took a taxi into Playa just one time, and yes about 30 minutes. Was 20 U$ then. Would I go again. Absolutely !! Hope this helps. Regards LIAB

12-16-2010	#7 (permalink)
MNtony sandflea Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 9	I just got back, and had a fantastic time. I would definately recommend the El Dorado. If anyone has any questions I will be happy to help.

4 Weeks Ago	#11 (permalink)
jorgy lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 15	Unless you are staying in the Casita section you are not allowed to make reservations for the restaurants. However, if you eat fairly early, say by 7:00 p.m. you should have no wait problems without reservations. Jorgy

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