My wife and I spent our 10th wedding Aniversary at El Dorado Royale from Nov 5 -12. We stayed in a garden veiw room which was very comfortable and close to all the resturants and activities. The maid vever missed cleaning our room every day. She was excellent at her job and always had a smile.

We enjoyed all the restuarants and especially dinner on the beach. What a wonderful experience. If your looking forward to a special occasion its worth looking into.

The overall service of this hotel is top notch. The service in the resturants was fast and accurate. We never had long waits for anything. The staff at this resort work very hard and were always ready to please.

This hotel is evey bit a 5* plus, and is probably the nicest place we have ever stayed!

Ok start at the begining, we went with First Choice, we upgraded to premier which was very good, lots of room and extra movies ect, the one good thing was that you could pause your film while you ate your meal which was good. After an 11 hour flight arrived in cancun airport, all i can say is wow what a differance a year makes, we went straight through no problem first time in 4 years lol. We arrived at EDR and waiting for us off the bus was a nice cold flannel and just inside we were given a nice glass of bubbly. At the reception desk i was given an envelope with my first 2 night reservations for dinner which was great. They then gave me my room number which was in block 41 and a ground floor, I didnt want a ground floor and had requested a high floor, they told me it was First Choice policy for health and saftey everyone has a ground floor. I said i wasnt happy so they said I could have that room for 1 night and if I signed a paper could be moved the next day which was fine. Im so glad i did ask to be moved when we got to our room I could hardly see the sea and we were ment to have an oceon view. Anyway in the room because we had been before was a bottle of bubbly and some strawberry chocolates yum. Didnt umpack as we were moving the next day. Off to the I talian for our fist meal which was very good, then a quick drink in the Martini bar and bed. In the morning we took a walk around the resort. It had improved a lot from last year and it was great then. There are lots more straw huts on the beach and even beds at the villa end, it was a shame some people reserved these very early and didt even use them sometimes all day, the beach has disapeared a bit but of course that is due to the hurricane and we were told they are bringing more sand in so should be even better soon, another new pool and 2 new resturants since last year. That afternoon we were moved to block 3 on the 3rd floor all I can say is wow what a view could see the oceon from my bed, very nice room Kingsize bed nice big shower lots of bottled water left around which they replace every day. About the resturants and food. Cocotal great for breakfast lots to choose from didnt go here for an evening meal but I remember from last year it is very good. La Isla Had breakfast here once which was A La Carte we had poached eggs and some fruit, very good, also had lunch here a couple of times, there ribs are very good. LA Carreta sorry didnt eat here this year wasnt are favorite from last year. DItalia now this is are favorite one loved it here Lol went here every other night, the soups are all good, the mushroom rissoto is excelent and the lamp chops are good and the sweets are all just yum. La Fondue, we went here just once they bring you a soup and a salad and then you choose a Fondue that you share then you have a sweet Fondue after very nice, but once was enough for us. Jo Jos We had one eveining meal here again very good and we ate here for lunch a few times, there chicken breast burger is very good and there coconut icecream is really nice. The Cabana Pizza place is nice for a small lunch, the pizza are very good. Fuentes, sorry didnt try this went a few times for breakfast and once for luch but was never open. There is a small cafe just by the side of this resturant which is good for a snack. Kampai another favorite of ours again here nearly every other night, its so good the sring rolls are very good and my favorite meal was the crispy chicken breast, also went here for lunch and the grilled salmon is so good, lol and also went here for breakfast a lot very good muslie and the best banana pancakes ever also I dont think many people know it is open for breakfast Had room service a few times for my cups of tea and a nice apple struddle it never took more than 30 mins. It sounds like all I did was eat well its true thats all i did love the food. The staff all work so hard everything was so clean all the time never to much trouble to do anything, they deserve the tips. Cant wait to return again.

For all that know me on the FORUM, I am Moxy12...but really...Moxy is the cat... I have a normal name!! haha! Moxy the cat decided to completely DELETE my first attempt at this amazing review the other day, so that's why I am so late to post!! Normally, I'd be posting the same day we got home! (which I tried to do!)

OK, get comfy- here goes another amazing review on EDR!! :)
(I will try and keep this as "to the point" as possible)

My boyfriend and I arrived Sat Nov 4th, to cloudy skies, and rain...
it let up shortly after we arrived....no sun the first day though. We were expecting an upgrade upon arrival but found the following:
-the resort was very full, zero Casitas were available for an upgrade. we were considering spending 1/2 the week in gardenview, and 1/2 the week in Casita, just to say we had tried it! No luck there. Our next pick was either Building #1, or #2 (oceanfronts closest to health bar area, where we stayed last time). No luck here either...as building #1 was completely under construction (not a single room open). We found out that they were replacing sinks in all the bathrooms, so thats why the closure. by Nov 11th, building #1 was still closed... we were curious...b/c someone early in the week said it was going to be ready by Tuesday...Mexican time I guess!! :)
-we ended up in gardenview building #14, room #16. It was ok, not much of a view like in April, but it was still very nice! I have to say, if you are wanting a gardenview room, and looking for a sweet bed, pick room #1416! For whatever reason, this room had a brand spankin' new PILLOWTOP matress, and amazing pillows! While we were sleeping, we felt like we had Casita beds/pillows!! :) We lasted 3 days in Gardenview, and then said "we're moving!!!" hahaha....
-the upgrade rates posted at the front desk were MUCH HIGHER than what we paid last time... they were asking $70 oceanview, $90 for oceanfront, $130 for swim up ocean view/front. Last visit, (April of this year) we were only charged $200 for the week for an ocean front upgrade!! We had dealt w/ Omar, front desk supervisor... When we were shocked w/ the prices, and tried to see if they'd give us the rates Omar gave us in April, they informed us that "Omar no longer works at the resort..." something to do with giving out too many great deals on upgrades!! OOPS!!! We sure missed Omar...he was a gem!! haha... Anyways, we finally upgraded to a SWIM UP, OCEAN VIEW, building # 42. THIS WAS AMAZING!!!! We figured we should treat ourselves b/c we got engaged the first night @ EDR (on the beach, full moon, how romantic!! ) We got a great deal, we talked them down to $100 per night....but it took quite a bit of effort...Swim Up ALL THE WAY. Very private...and quiet when you want quiet...
-another point about our garden view room the first night... we were out getting engaged (!! that sounds so funny!!) and when we returned to the room, there was a chilled bottle of champagne and 2 glasses waiting on the hot tub for us! I figured my fiance had rigged that up, but it was an absolute fluke!
How perfect!!

ok people, I know this is getting long...bear w/ me....

a few things that we found different from 6 months ago:
-fuentes restaurant is now open for breakfast/lunch/dinner
we tried all 3 meals there, enjoyed very much breakfast, and dinner...(minus the theatre part...the food was great, the show was "ok")
-fuentes pool, which 6 months ago was deserted, is now much busier, with more lively music, and activities galore!! ( I really enjoyed the soothing Enya music at this pool last time, and very few people around...but oh how times change!!)
-La Isla was closed for dinners, but open for breakfast and lunch...not really sure if this was temporary, but was closed all week.
-tonnes more tv channels were available on our TV when we upgraded to the swim up suite...maybe this is part of the price??!
-seemed to be a lot more beach beds on the beach...they bought more!!! WOO HOO! perfect place for a proposal!! LOL!!!!
-in April, the health bar pool was our hang out b/c it had AWESOME wooden pool lounges w/ the nice pads! We were like Casita guests, w/o the pricetag!! :) This time around, they had all been changed over to plastic... kind of a let down...but it was probably just a matter of time!! :) Still spent some time in the health bar pool, nice to have a small quiet pool @ times!
-New beach bar down near Casita section, never really seemed to be busy! Could always get a drink quickly...tables there, as well as bar stools
-Salad Bars now available to go w/ lunch menu @ La Isla, and Jo Jo's! This was a nice added feature, to get fresh veggies, and blue cheese!! YUMMY!

Ok- the highlights:
-got engaged, at my favourite place! how exciting!!!!!!! :)
-splurged for the Couples Sunrise Massage on the beach, amazing work they do!! WOW!! $160 US dollars
-splurged for a SPA PEDICURE, I think it was $50....
-got my nails done too, but just painted french manicure...not the full manicure...hard to get an app't at the end of the week, b/c they were booked like crazy!
-amazing dinner @ D'Italia the last night...service that would make you fall off your chair...my fiance dropped his napkin on the floor by accident, and the waiter noticed... next thing, he's standing there with a clean napkin, ON A PLATE, and used tongs to pass it to him!! HOLY SMOKES!!!!! Needless to say, we left him a great tip, and couldn't get over how detailed he was!!!
-have to try the choc mousse @ La Carretta... DELICIOUS!


We will be back, we're even talking about spending part of our honeymoon there, if we can set a date?!?!? Thats the hard part...
After 2 great visits to EDR in one year, I can't say enough good things...both food and service are flawless, and the property is wonderful. No, not the worlds most spectacular beach, but if you consider all the other things the place has to offer, its no big deal.

If you are considering heading to EDR, GO!!! You won't be disappointed... I firmly believe that anyone who leaves that place is isn't 100% satisfied, PROBABLY wouldn't be satisfied anywhere... they go the extra mile to make sure you're happy, and taken care of... From the free bottle of champagne, to the napkin served on the plate... it just gets better with each visit!! The service is very personal, don't ask me how they remember your names, but they do!! My favourite Bell Boy Guillarmo from April was still working there, thank goodness!! He remembered us, and looked for us all week long to make sure we didn't need rides anywhere!!

We are a young(er) couple, 27&30, we think this place is perfect for couples of any age.....there's something for everyone.....

HAPPY TRAVELLING!!

Questions?? boden2000@yahoo.ca

My husband and I went to the EDR from Nov 4 - 11. This was our second trip to the resort and we weren't sure if it would still be as great as the first time same after reading so many reviews. Well, we were not disappointed!!!
Arrival and check in was quick and our room was ready - we got there at 12 p.m. The new lobby is awesome! We had booked a Gardenview room and thought about upgrading, but in the end did not because it would have cost about USD170.00 a night. We stayed in the 800 block (which was only one block away from the last time we were there). If we go again we might go for the ocean front, but not the casitas or the swim-up rooms. They are too far away from most restaurants/action for our liking. They are 'limos' (golfcarts) available that you can call or flag down to drive you where you want to go..
The room was very clean, still the same layout and with all the amenities you need, i.e. shampoo, lotion, mouthwash etc. The shower itself is as bigger than most powderooms! Beer and water in the fridge was replenished every day ( there is also pop, but we don't drink that). There is a TV in the room and you do get CNN, ABC, FOX, etc. according to the guide - but we never even turned it on. I am not there to watch TV after all!
The weather was so-so for the first couple of days with overcast skys and rain - but from monday on it was great and we got lots of sun. Finding a place to sit is usually no problem - we found a place either by the small pool (behind La Isla) or on the beach - close to the beach bar. Some people do 'reserve' their seat(s)/bed(s) very early in the morning - and then you don't see them for hours. Not sure how fair that is to the other guests, but we did not have a problem finding a seat.
The staff is very friendly and always eager to make sure that you have everything you need to make your vacation a perfect one. Tipping is not necessary, but we do tip in Canada when we got out for a meal or some drinks. A dollar here and there is very much appreciated. Most of the guests were very friendly and waited their turn at i.e. the beach bar, although we had one older gentleman making a fuss that he had to wait for his drink a couple of minutes. Relax - you are on holidays. Order a double next time and problem solved. We also brought our own bigger insulated mugs with us - holds more cerveza, keeps it colder longer - plus you don't have to go up to the bar as often.
Beach bar was great, especially Jacob, Digby and Roman. Roman was there the last time we were there 3 years ago!! Food was very good and plentiful - we are just not used to having 4 course meals every night. Breakfast we had usually at Cocatal and the buffet was good, alhough some items cooled off quickly. Smoked salmon for breakfast and mimosas were great though - don't have that everyday at home!! How about chocolate fondue for breakfast!!
Lunch (when we ate it) we had usually at the pizza/burger place by the beach. Nachos were great, but so was the rest of the fare there. Our favourite restaurant was the Italian - awesome steak we had that night. Could rival any good steakhouse! We made our reservations for all the restaurants the same day we got there and had no problem changing them later on when we had too. Only once did we have a reservation for a late sitting - but we were able to change that to a different restaurant to a time that suited us better.
The concierge did ask us if we wanted to go on the 'tour', but we declined. Had a note a couple of morning under the door, but other than that no big hassle. If you want the free bags or the $150 gift certicate they offer (can't be used on everything in the spa though) go ahead, but we had better things to do with the 90 minutes the timeshare spiel would take.
I have seen reviews about concerns regarding drinking the water - don't be. There are enough bottles in your room and everywhere else they use bottled water as well. I drank lots of water and I was not sick once.
The pool bar is where the action is - if you are into that. It usually it got pretty loud in the afternoon. So, if you want a quieter spot try one of the other pools or the beach.
If you want to go to a place and get totally spoiled - this is the one. You can do as much or as little as you want. We were never bugged for activites. We were there to recharge - and that's what we did.