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As a part of a latest press journey with TUI, Tom and I spent seven nights at El Dorado Seaside Suites Spa Resort by Karisma on Kantenah Bay close to Tulum in Mexico.
I wished to share my evaluation of El Dorado Seaside Suites, though this piece of content material just isn’t a part of my settlement with TUI and all views are my very own.
We stayed on the sister resort, El Dorado Royale, again in January of this 12 months on our annual vacation, so I’m in a position to evaluate the 2 resorts.
In case you’re making an attempt to resolve which resort to ebook, learn till the tip of this evaluation the place I’ll share an in-detail comparability of El Dorado Royale versus El Dorado Seaside Suites, and weigh up the professionals and cons of the 2 resorts.
Like El Dorado Royale, El Dorado Seaside Suites is an adults-only spa resort with gourmand all-inclusive eating. It’s a TUI BLUE resort, which means it’s excellent for {couples}.
My evaluation of TUI BLUE El Dorado Seaside Suites Lodge
A very powerful factor to concentrate on when reserving a keep at this resort is that there are two sides to the resort: Seaside Suites and Palms. Seaside Suites is the newer part, with a extra trendy room design and up to date really feel.
Then again, the Palms part has a extra conventional, Mexican vibe which I actually preferred. It’s a matter of non-public choice.
In case you’re torn between the 2 sides, I’d encourage you to ask your self whether or not you favor to remain in genuine, rustic rooms or if a extra up-to-date aesthetic higher fits your tastes.
The opposite factor to consider is how essential getting access to the seashore is to you.
The Seaside Suites aspect doesn’t have a lot of a seashore to talk of and no direct entry to the ocean, whereas the Palms aspect has a correct sandy seashore which is painstakingly cleared of seaweed each morning by a group of workers.
The Seaside Suites aspect feels extra compact for my part, so it will maybe be higher for travellers with mobility points.
Regardless of which aspect of the resort you select, you’ll be able to entry either side’s numerous amenities, together with the totally different swimming pools and eating places. So realistically, it doesn’t matter that a lot which aspect you ebook!
We discovered that Palms was the place British TUI vacation clients stayed, whereas the Seaside Suites was the ‘American aspect’.
Attending to El Dorado Seaside Suites
The automotive journey between the airport and El Dorado Seaside Suites takes round 60 minutes, relying on site visitors.
I’d undoubtedly advocate reserving a personal switch from the airport to the resort. We had one and it was a welcome reduction to not have to attend for everybody else on our flight to get via immigration and replenish a coach after such a protracted journey.
Premium block suites at El Dorado Seaside Suites
We stayed in room 607 within the premium block. The room consisted of a HUGE mattress (this was one of many issues we cherished about our room at EDR too), a cushty sitting space, plus a extra formal desk and chairs.
Our rest room had two sinks and a separate bathe and bathroom. There was additionally an unlimited whirlpool bathtub. At EDR, we had the identical bathtub nevertheless it was subsequent to the balcony quite than within the rest room.
Our balcony was furnished with snug lounge chairs and a big day mattress. We had a sea view overlooking the premium pool, lush palm timber and past, the wonderful Caribbean sea.
Trying instantly down, a few of the rooftops of the assorted resort buildings beneath us appeared a bit grubby nevertheless it wasn’t one thing that upset us.
Our mini-fridge was absolutely stocked with beers, gentle drinks, bottled water, crisps and an area chocolate bar. It was refilled each day.
We had been additionally stunned with extremely intricate edible creations made with native chocolate ready for us in our room after dinner most days.
As a part of the turn-down service, ambient music could be taking part in once we entered our room within the night, which we thought was a stunning contact.
Due to the excessive warmth and humidity, I did discover our suitcases and belongings had a powerful musty odor once we got here residence, however that is widespread whenever you go to humid climates and it simply means airing out your suitcase earlier than you retailer it away.
You possibly can undoubtedly order dehumidifier luggage to take with you if you happen to’re visiting at a damp time of 12 months! I’ve used those I’ve linked earlier than in my damp pupil flat (that was a couple of years again now!) and also you wouldn’t imagine how full they get.
All rooms within the Premium block have a sea view and the corridors overlook miles of inexperienced forest behind the resort.
The swimming pools at El Dorado Seaside Suites
There are 4 swimming swimming pools at this resort.
On the Palms aspect of El Dorado Seaside Suites, there’s a stunning quiet pool lined with Bali beds. I cherished to learn there within the mornings, and it’s deep sufficient to do laps.
The principle pool on the Palms aspect is a bit on the small aspect and it could possibly be tough to get beds round it if you happen to don’t get there early.
The principle pool is the place the water-based actions happen so it could possibly get loud there. My tip is to not nab a mattress close to the audio system if you happen to’re planning to sleep or learn!
The swim-up bar on the fundamental pool is a hole-in-the-wall connected to a restaurant and there isn’t plenty of room for company to sit down on the bar itself.
As premium company, we had entry to the unique pool connected to that block. We didn’t actually trouble with it as we didn’t really feel there was something particular about it.
It does have a swim-up bar and I feel lounge-chair service is extra widespread at this pool, however we most popular the vibe on the fundamental pool.
There’s a giant shaded space with Bali beds and so forth close to the Premium pool which might undoubtedly be of use to you if you happen to endure within the solar.
There are additionally smaller blocks on the Palms aspect of the resort which I imagine are for members, and the bottom flooring suites have swim-up swimming pools.
Within the Palms aspect, there are additionally suites unfold across the lovely backyard areas which have extra intimate swim-up swimming pools. They range of their stage of privateness.
We sauntered over to the Seaside Suites, ‘American’ aspect of the resort a handful of instances.
The Seaside Suites pool runs the size of the Seaside Suites constructing. It has a big swim-up bar and the pool occasion will get fairly lairy. I wouldn’t have preferred to have been staying in a swim-up room on that aspect, as a result of there isn’t a lot privateness!
There are additionally sizzling tubs on the Seaside Suites aspect.
The seashore at El Dorado Seaside Suites
The Palms aspect of the resort is the place to be for beach-goers. There are many sunloungers and you may wade out into knee-deep, heat water for what seems like miles.
Seaweed is an issue on this a part of Mexico however an enormous staff of males works tirelessly every morning to clear a big part of the seashore on the Palms aspect so resort company can swim within the shallows.
We made certain we popped the chilly gentle drinks from the fridge in our room right into a bag and gave them to the employees, which they appreciated.
They’re often completed working by noon after which the seashore is obvious. Nevertheless, there are some components I might keep away from!
On the newer aspect of the resort, there’s a strip of sand with loungers which is separated from the water with a low wall.
Lodge bars at El Dorado Seaside Suites
There are 11 bars at El Dorado Seaside Suites, and regardless of our greatest efforts we didn’t fairly handle to go to all of them throughout our seven-day keep!
Our favorite bar for sundowners was Cotorros. It’s the bar nearest the seashore, subsequent to La Carreta. It has a relaxed vibe and is among the extra romantic spots at this resort.
The Guacamayas bar had simply reopened after a facelift once we visited. It tends to be the late-night bar the place the events occur, and the place everybody on the seashore takes cowl if the rain begins.
I struggled to discover a good espresso martini till our ultimate night time, after I spied the barista machine on the Gourmand Pub and ordered one earlier than our meal. It was scrumptious.
Eating at El Dorado Seaside Suites
There are 10 eating places at El Dorado Seaside Suites. Many are open for a couple of meal every day, however I’ve damaged them down as greatest I can beneath.
Breakfast
For the primary meal of the day you’ll be able to select from the buffet restaurant which is Aricifes, the outside buffet on the Seaside BBQ the place you eat at picnic benches along with your toes within the sand, or the Culinarium, which is a la carte.
We additionally walked over to the Seaside Suites aspect for breakfast one morning and ate at Seaside Market, the place there was a formidable choice. They even have their very own peanut butter machine, which I’d by no means seen earlier than!
Lunch
We had been stunned to seek out that we loved the buffet restaurant immensely at lunchtime.
We usually ebook all-inclusive motels that provide quite a lot of a a la carte eating choices as a result of we want a sit-down meal, however the cooked-to-order steaks, fish and array of different contemporary meals on the buffet received us over.
Many of the lunch choices are casual. There’s the Seaside BBQ, which is buffet-style, and a burger and pizza joint exterior the buffet the place our standout dish was the deep-fried burrito.
Dinner
The Culinarium is a Latin American fusion restaurant, although we didn’t assume that was instantly apparent from the menu. We did get pleasure from our meals there although. My sea bass with mole sauce was glorious.
The Asian restaurant, Klay Talay, was one in every of our favourites. The octopus sushi was implausible they usually even serve Asian beers and sake.
La Carreta is the Mexican restaurant, the place we opted for a number of small plates as a substitute of a fundamental dish every. The waiter did attempt to encourage us to order extra although! We completely loved our tacos there.
The Gourmand Pub is good for fussy eaters or those that like a global menu the place they’ll depend on discovering one thing they’ll like. The french onion soup and burger sliders there are notably good.
We discovered the meals on this restaurant very wealthy, however completely delicious!
There are two Italian eating places at this resort, serving comparable menus. I order seafood pasta from each menu I can discover it on, and it didn’t disappoint.
In case you’re celebrating an important day or planning to suggest at El Dorado Seaside Suites, you’ll be able to ebook a personal candlelit dinner expertise on the seashore.
I imagine the candlelit dinners beforehand came about on a wood pier, nevertheless it was sadly destroyed throughout a storm. The pier was being rebuilt throughout our journey and it ought to be prepared quickly.
There may be additionally a restaurant referred to as Driftwood on the American aspect of the resort, however we didn’t eat there throughout our keep.
Leisure and actions at El Dorado Seaside Suites
There’s lots to do in addition to lounging by the pool at El Dorado Seaside Suites. Daily, we’d test the TUI app to pick out our actions.
You don’t must ebook something, and if you happen to don’t need to obtain the app you’ll discover paper indicators hanging within the resort which present the exercise timetable.
From arts and crafts like coconut portray and clay mug portray to gastronomical delights corresponding to a cacao expertise (critically, the chocolate there may be unbelievable!), there’s one thing for everybody.
Sporty actions embody seashore and pool volleyball, aquarobics, circuits, dance lessons and Kubb. These classes are all overseen by an brisk leisure staff, who do a stellar job.
You possibly can be part of yoga lessons on the seashore some mornings, and there’s even a ‘accomplice yoga’ session on Wednesdays within the studio, which we actually loved!
In addition to deliberate tournaments, you may as well make use of the assorted sport amenities everytime you like.
If none of that takes your fancy, you is likely to be extra taken in by the blackjack tournaments, bingo, Spanish classes and ‘Query of the day’, which takes place across the pool.
Throughout our week-long go to there have been two pool events, one on either side of the resort. On the Palms ‘color pool occasion’, the pool was crammed with inflatables and the leisure staff led the dancing. They’d a bit Aperol pop-up bar, which I believed was cool.
The ‘different’ / American aspect’s occasion was a bit wilder, with some ladies selecting to go topless within the pool. Assume Spring break!
Nighttime leisure at El Dorado Seaside Suites consists of reside singers, DJs, a silent disco, saxophonists and extra.
There are additionally common theme nights, like a Mexican Fiesta and Seaside BBQ. On these nights, a few of the eating places shut and you may as a substitute get into the occasion spirit with gala-style dinners.
We thought the seashore BBQ was good, and the hearth present leisure was thrilling.
Sadly throughout the Mexican Fiesta it rained fairly closely and we had been left consuming our soggy dinner whereas the Mariachi band packed up within the downpour as a result of there was no shelter over the set-up. This put a little bit of a dampener on the night time, excuse the pun!
We additionally discovered the buffet set-up for the Mexican Fiesta meant lengthy queues. We a lot most popular the a la carte eating places, nevertheless it was enjoyable to do one thing totally different for dinner that night time.
I seen an indoor theatre too, nevertheless it didn’t appear to be in use. Maybe it’s reserved for rainier months.
The Náay Spa at El Dorado Seaside Suites
We had been fortunate sufficient to have a spa expertise organized for us by the resort supervisor, who had heard from TUI that I used to be visiting and that I might be sharing my journey on my social media channels.
My husband and I had a journey via the spa’s thermal suite, adopted by a {couples}’ therapeutic massage.
The spa itself is a complete oasis, with a serene courtyard and softly-spoken employees able to cater to your each whim.
The thermal suite journey consists of a collection of cold and warm rooms, a dip within the giant jacuzzi pool and timed classes within the chilly plunge pool and jacuzzis.
There have been only a handful of different company within the suites throughout our go to so though we had loads of area, I clearly couldn’t {photograph} the general public spa areas.
After the thermal journey, I showered in a stunning bathe with a view to a bit backyard space, then had been had been proven to our therapeutic massage suite.
The {couples} therapeutic massage was implausible. My therapeutic massage therapist even braided my hair for me!
Afterwards, we had been urged to slide into the large bubble bathtub they’d drawn for us and left to get pleasure from some glowing wine and chocolate-covered strawberries. It felt so indulgent and was one thing we’ll bear in mind ceaselessly.
On the seashore on the Palms aspect of the resort, sheltered from the noise of the primary pool in a quiet zone, there’s an open construction the place you’ll be able to have a therapeutic massage overlooking the ocean.
Issues to do close to El Dorado Seaside Suites
Among the must-sees in Riviera Maya embody Chichen Itza, Xochimilco and the Xaret parks.
We did the TUI tour to Holbox which was simply heaven on earth.
You possibly can ebook excursions and actions through GetYourGuide right here.
El Dorado Royale / El Dorado Casitas versus El Dorado Seaside Suites: which one must you ebook?
Aesthetically, the Palms aspect of the El Dorado Seaside Suites resort is nearly indistinguishable from El Dorado Royale. Nicely-tended gardens with swaying palm timber, luxurious lounge areas and hammocks abound.
The vast majority of the constructions on the seashore and gardens respect the native architectural fashion, as does the inside decor.
The Seaside Suites aspect of EDSS is, as I discussed above, extra trendy.
Total, the El Dorado Seaside Suites resort is far smaller than El Dorado Royale. There are golf buggies that will help you get round if you happen to want them, however we discovered these had been a lot much less crucial (and subsequently much less widespread) at EDSS than EDR.
Customer support
We aren’t members and we felt the customer support was to a excessive commonplace at each resorts. Nevertheless, we did discover extra ‘particular touches’ at EDSS.
I used to be celebrating my thirtieth birthday at El Dorado Royale in January they usually didn’t do something to make sure we had a memorable day, whereas at EDSS the supervisor appeared much more on the ball and communication was higher.
Primarily based on conversations with different company, I don’t assume this was merely all the way down to the very fact I used to be there as a visitor of TUI.
Seaside and swimming pools
The seashore at El Dorado Royale is sadly closely impacted by the seaweed subject and the big concrete bolders have washed up on the seashore, spoiling the view. There are not any boulders on the seashore at EDSS.
In terms of swimming swimming pools, the EDR swimming pools are a lot bigger than the swimming pools at EDSS. We struggled with the chilly water at EDR in January however fortunately, the swimming pools at EDSS had been a nice temperature in August.
Meals
The one factor I might change about eating at El Dorado Seaside Suites is the lunch providing. At EDR, you’ll be able to go to the Asian restaurant for sushi and noodle dishes at lunchtime, however sadly the Asian restaurant at EDSS isn’t open throughout the day.
I additionally cherished the well being bar for grab-and-go smoothies, salads and sandwiches throughout the day at EDR. There was a well being bar at EDSS, nevertheless it appeared to be mixed with the seashore BBQ and it wasn’t clear if there was a separate menu, or order from it.
I can’t evaluate the 2 spas sadly, as I solely had a remedy at EDSS and never EDR.
Total, had we not already visited EDR, we in all probability would have been way more impressed with EDSS. El Dorado Royale had extra of the wow issue for us, and I feel if you happen to’re planning an extended trip it’s price selecting this resort just because it’s bigger.
That’s to not say I wouldn’t advocate El Dorado Seaside Suites. It’s a greater possibility in case your finances is decrease and there’s no compromise on total high quality. We had a superb week there!
That was a mammoth resort evaluation, so nicely performed if you happen to bought this far! In case you’d wish to see extra of my journey, check out my ‘TUI Blue’ spotlight on Instagram – my username is @danniellelily.
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