Nestled amid hundreds of acres of tropical forest and flanked by a white-sand beach and offshore rocks and coral, this adults-only all-inclusive resort offers a nice change of pace from the pinched-in mega-resorts lining most of the area's beaches.
Unlike some of the Playacar and Cancun outfits, this resort has enough breathing space to spread itself out. Guests do not feel crowded here, and in fact, the distance to some rooms is far enough that staffers ferry arrivals across the property on golf carts.
Lush landscaping opens to reveal the main building, which houses the modern lobby, bright with glimmering Hollywood-style chandelier, a wide fountain pool, skylights and gleaming white marble. The collection of white, red-tiled and palapas-topped out-buildings, villas and casitas is spread out along part of the 1.5-mile beach. The only major hang-up for some is the inconsistency of the beach.
Food options are extensive, with seven a la carte options to choose from. Some of the food actually surpasses the PR room's hype, offering truly exceptional cuisine. Fine dining can be found at D'Italia (Italian), Kampai (Japanese) and La Carreta (Mexican). The dress code requires pants in the air-conditioned venues, and at least nice shorts and no flip-flops in the other dinner spots.
Reservations are recommended upon arrival, as these restaurants often book three days in advance. La Isla, built over the middle of the pool, serves a la carte international dinners and tends toward Mediterranean fare, Cocotal serves up an international buffet, and JoJo's offers Caribbean.
La Cabana is available for snacks and fast food during the day. For those who don't want to walk from the far end to get a bite, snack carts complete with grills roll along past the long line of casitas during the day, and room service, which is included in the all-inclusive format is available 24 hours a day.
Pools and waterfalls occupy most of the grounds. Each of the five groups of casitas has its own pool with a swim-up bar, and a lazy river fronts the swim-up junior suites and casitas. Part of the main pool area is shaded by a palapa for the sun-sensitive. A saltwater pool sits on the beach. Entertainment comes in nightly shows and a variety of daytime activities ranging from water aerobics and volleyball to yoga and meditation.
The beach is rather rocky but has a decent strip of sand. Giant sand bags create a rather unsightly artificial reef just offshore as an attempt to preserve and even reclaim some of the beach swept away by Hurricane Wilma. Watersports are still possible, and the resort provides snorkeling gear and kayaks. Wave running comes at an extra cost.
Free shuttles run guests to Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Wireless Internet is ow included in the rates, and there is a computer in the lobby. The new 20,000-sq-ft, Mexican-theme spa is accessible to guests at both El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Casitas Royale. The spa facility includes a gym, a pool, a full-service salon, shops and event space. Complimentary bikes and two lighted tennis courts complete the amenities.
The Mexican colonial rooms are pleasantly furnished, though they lack the international standards found at hotels such as the newer Rosewood and Mandarin Oriental hotels. All sport dark heavily carved furniture and white fabrics.
Standard amenities run to air-conditioning, ceiling fans, big bulky TVs in armoires big enough to hold a suit of Cortez' armor. Phones, clocks, coffeemakers and safes, minibars and either king beds or paired doubles are standard.
Baths in the villas lack tubs, but all accommodations come with whirlpools, as well as balconies or terraces with hammocks. Casitas are comprised of one- and two-story structures with thatch roofs, dark-wood furniture on marble floors, king beds with mosquito netting, bare beam ceilings, outdoor and indoor showers, and whirlpools that look out a large window toward the sea.
These latter units also come with new flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and there is a library of DVDs to select from.
The resort continues to thrive with its adults-only all-inclusive policies. Geared toward honeymooners, it provides well-rounded facilities in an area not yet overrun with mega-resorts packed in side-by-side.
