El Dorado Royale, Capri or Aventura

[ncbeachbum]

Help! I am planning to visit Playa from Oct 10-15. I have an ocean front room at El Dorado Royale reserved right now. I have read endless hours of trip reviews.....and get more confused every day. Has anyone been to el dorado royale, Secrets capri AND aventura??

I guess it always depends on "what you are looking for"...so here's what my husband and I are looking for:

Adult only, nice beach (I am aware of the lagoon at Aventura), good value, happy medium b/t lots to do and still relaxing, close enough to Playa to go there for nightlife, rafts in the pool (I know, this is strange, but I don't really want to take my own)....and good food.

I had my heart set on the new Secrets Excellence, but I don't think it will be fully functional until after our visit...which would be ok if I got a really great "deal" on the trip...like a grand opening special...but I keep checking and it doesn't seem like they will offer one.

Thanks for any info!

[louden48]

We just came back from EDR. It was great. Haven't been to any other place but we had a ton of fun! Our main reason to go was to relax. We also wanted to take in some of the nightlife in the area but ended up staying on property most nights because there was so much going on and the people we met were a lot of fun to hang out with. It's definitely "Adult Only" and the beach is nice. Rocky, but nice. There are a few places to swim without a lot of rock and coral but we wanted to snorkel and see the fish so we toughed it out. ALso, the coral is a nice gift for the kids at home! We booked an Ocean Front room and found that it meant "facing the ocean" not necessarily that you could "see" the ocean from your room. If you want to see the ocean and the pool request our room, 626. It's on the third floor but you can see everything...topless tanners, dancing on the fountain in the main pool, beach and ocean. Do not take room 517. It is on the 2nd floor and the only way you can see the beach is if you crane your head around to the left and look between the front of another building and a huge palm tree in front of the room. Also, the air conditioner doesn't work well in the room. We were in that room for about 30 minutes before I called Bull Sh** on it and asked for another room. Some folks from our hometown ended up staying in the room and said the AC didn't work very well eventhough they tried to fix it. Overall, the place is fantastic! Make sure you book reservations at the Italian resturant. It was great! Also, don't miss the Fiesta on Wed. Let me know if you need more info! I'll be glad to tell you about the other places we toured and give you some hints for the area.

[Linnea]

Did you stay at the one right in Playa Del Carmen? Was it all inclusive but a good selection, and I am going alone. Is it mostly all couples or will there be some people for me to meet and talk to. I have it on hold through RCI, I need to make a decision tomorrow. Any help would be great.

I dive and want to snorkel from the beach, so did you see much from there?

Linnea

[Shootingstar]

Originally Posted by Linnea

Did you stay at the one right in Playa Del Carmen? Was it all inclusive but a good selection, and I am going alone. Is it mostly all couples or will there be some people for me to meet and talk to. I have it on hold through RCI, I need to make a decision tomorrow. Any help would be great.

I dive and want to snorkel from the beach, so did you see much from there?

Linnea

Linnea,
Your question is a little confusing, there are 2 El Dorado's...

El dorado RESORT..south of PDC
El Dorado ROYALE & Spa...north of PDC

neither is in Playa Del Carmen...and quite a difference between the two from what I have read. Sorry don't know much about the ED Resort

In terms of the ED Royale, from what we know it is pretty upscale, almost all couples (saw some info that on average 80% of the guests are either getting married at the resort or on their honneymoon) yes it is all inclusive but the only buffett is breakfast, all al la carte dining with reservations and dress codes. Seriously nice place. Can snorkel right from the beach though visability depends on wind conditions. NO motorized watersports due to the reef.

there is TONS of info out there on the net...just Google the names of the places you are interested in, or do a search here and you will find trip reports. It is confusing at first as both places have almost the same name. Actually they are both owned by Karisma Hotels (they have a website as well)

shootingstar

[Linnea]

Thanks for the information. I am now considering looking for a resort in Playa that is not all inclusive without going through RCI. I checked on a couple and a man called me back and that's the last I heard. Any good avenues to reserve these types of resorts?

Linnea

[Linnea]

I finally decided to stay here. All the reviews that I read, mostly at trips.com, where very good. Also Someone that is at the resort that speaks english called me to answer all my questions.

I am still alittle bit concerned that I will be all alone because it is a couples and adult only. I like the adult only. I just don't like to be splashed and kicked in the pool and hear children yelling and screaming when I am on vacation.

I am going in March, the 4th thru the the 11st.
If you'll be there then let me know.

Linnea