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As a part of a current 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 overview of El Dorado Seaside Suites, though this piece of content material is just not a part of my settlement with TUI and all views are my very own.
We stayed on the sister lodge, El Dorado Royale, again in January of this yr on our annual vacation, so I’m in a position to evaluate the 2 resorts.
If you happen to’re attempting to determine which resort to guide, learn till the tip of this overview the place I’ll share an in-detail comparability 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 lodge, that means it’s very best for {couples}.
My overview of TUI BLUE El Dorado Seaside Suites Resort
An important factor to pay attention to when reserving a keep at this lodge is that there are two sides to the resort: Seaside Suites and Palms. Seaside Suites is the newer part, with a extra fashionable room design and modern really feel.
Then again, the Palms part has a extra conventional, Mexican vibe which I actually favored. It’s a matter of private choice.
If you happen to’re weighing up the professionals and cons of every aspect, I’d encourage you to ask your self whether or not you like to remain in genuine, rustic rooms or a extra up-to-date aesthetic.
The opposite factor to consider is how essential gaining access to the seaside is to you.
The Seaside Suites aspect doesn’t have a lot of a seaside to talk of and no direct entry to the ocean, whereas the Palms aspect has a correct sandy seaside which is painstakingly cleared of seaweed each morning by a body of workers.
The Seaside Suites aspect feels extra compact in my view, so it could maybe be higher for travellers with mobility points.
Irrespective of which aspect of the resort you select, you may entry either side’s numerous services, together with the totally different swimming pools and eating places. So realistically, it doesn’t matter that a lot which aspect you guide!
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 automobile journey between the airport and El Dorado Seaside Suites takes round 60 minutes, relying on site visitors.
I’d positively suggest 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 by immigration and refill a coach after such an extended 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 beloved 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 tub. At EDR, we had the identical tub but it surely was subsequent to the balcony relatively 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.
Wanting straight down, a number of the rooftops of the assorted lodge buildings under us appeared a bit grubby but it surely wasn’t one thing that upset us.
Our mini-fridge was absolutely stocked with beers, tender drinks, bottled water, crisps and a neighborhood chocolate bar. It was refilled every 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 dwelling, however that is frequent while you go to humid climates and it simply means airing out your suitcase earlier than you retailer it away.
You may positively order dehumidifier baggage to take with you in case you’re visiting at a damp time of yr! I’ve used those I’ve linked earlier than 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 in the back of the lodge.
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 beautiful quiet pool lined with bali beds. I beloved to learn there within the mornings, and it’s deep sufficient to do laps.
The principle pool on the Palms aspect is slightly on the small aspect and it might be tough to get beds round it in case you don’t get there early.
The principle pool is the place the water-based actions happen so it could actually get loud there. My tip is to not nab a mattress close to the audio system in case you’re planning to sleep or learn!
The swim-up bar on the principal pool is a hole-in-the-wall connected to a restaurant and there isn’t a whole lot of room for visitors to take a seat on the bar itself.
As premium visitors, 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 frequent at this pool, however we most popular the vibe on the principal pool.
There’s a massive shaded space with bali beds and so forth close to the Premium pool which might positively be a reduction in case you 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 ground suites have swim-up swimming pools.
Within the Palms aspect, there are additionally suites unfold across the stunning backyard areas which have extra intimate swim-up swimming pools. They range of their degree of privateness.
We sauntered over to the Seaside Suites, ‘American’ aspect of the resort a handful of occasions.
The Seaside Suites pool runs the size of the Seaside Suites constructing. It has a big swim-up bar and the pool celebration will get fairly lairy. I wouldn’t have favored 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 scorching tubs on the Seaside Suites aspect.
The seaside 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’ll wade out into knee-deep, heat water for what looks like miles.
Seaweed is an issue on this a part of Mexico however an enormous group of males works tirelessly every morning to clear a big part of the seaside on the Palms aspect so lodge visitors can swim within the shallows.
We made positive we popped the chilly tender 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 seaside is evident. Nevertheless, there are some components I’d 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.
Resort 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 seaside, subsequent to La Carreta. It has a relaxed vibe and is likely one of the extra romantic spots at this lodge.
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 seaside takes cowl if the rain begins.
I struggled to discover a good espresso martini till our closing night time, once 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 multiple meal every day, however I’ve damaged them down as greatest I can under.
Breakfast
For the primary meal of the day you may select from the buffet restaurant which is Aricifes, the outside buffet on the Seaside BBQ the place you eat at picnic benches together 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 powerful 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 sometimes guide all-inclusive motels that provide a wide range 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 gained us over.
A lot of the lunch choices are casual. There’s the Seaside BBQ, which is buffet-style, and a burger and pizza joint outdoors 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 take pleasure in our meals there although. My sea bass with mole sauce was glorious.
The Asian restaurant, Klay Talay, was certainly one of our favourites. The octopus sushi was incredible and so they even serve Asian beers and sake.
La Carreta is the Mexican restaurant, the place we opted for a number of small plates as an alternative of a principal dish every. The waiter did attempt to encourage us to order extra although! We totally 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.
If you happen to’re celebrating an important day or planning to suggest at El Dorado Seaside Suites, you may guide a non-public candlelit dinner expertise on the seaside.
I imagine the candlelit dinners beforehand happened on a picket pier, but it surely was sadly destroyed throughout a storm. The pier was being rebuilt throughout our journey and it needs to be prepared quickly.
There may be additionally a restaurant referred to as Driftwood on the American aspect of the lodge, however we didn’t eat there throughout our keep.
Leisure and actions at El Dorado Seaside Suites
There’s a lot to do moreover lounging by the pool at El Dorado Seaside Suites. Day by day, we’d examine the TUI app to pick our actions.
You don’t need to guide something, and in case you 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 similar to a cacao expertise (significantly, the chocolate there may be unimaginable!), there’s one thing for everybody.
Sporty actions embrace seaside and pool volleyball, aquarobics, circuits, dance courses and Kubb. These classes are all overseen by an lively leisure group, who do a stellar job.
You may be part of yoga courses on the seaside some mornings, and there’s even a ‘companion yoga’ session on Wednesdays within the studio, which we actually loved!
In addition to deliberate tournaments, you too can make use of the assorted sport services everytime you like.
If none of that takes your fancy, you could be extra taken in by theblackjack 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. The Palms ‘color pool celebration’ was all about inflatables and dancing. That they had slightly Aperol pop-up bar, which I assumed was cool.
The ‘different’ / American aspect’s celebration was a bit wilder, with some ladies selecting to go topless within the pool.
Nighttime leisure at El Dorado Seaside Suites consists of reside singers, DJs, a silent disco, saxophonist and extra.
There are additionally common theme nights, like a Mexican Fiesta and Seaside BBQ. On these nights, a number of the eating places shut and you’ll as an alternative get into the celebration spirit with gala-style dinners.
We thought the seaside BBQ was sensible, and the fireplace present leisure was thrilling.
Sadly through 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, but it surely was enjoyable to do one thing totally different for dinner that night time.
I seen an indoor theatre too, but it surely 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 lodge supervisor, who had heard from TUI that I used to be visiting and that I’d be sharing my journey on my social media channels.
My husband and I had a journey by 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 sequence of cold and hot rooms, a dip within the massive jacuzzi pool and timed classes within the chilly plunge pool and jacuzzis.
There have been only a handful of different visitors 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 beautiful bathe with a view to slightly backyard space, then had been had been proven to our therapeutic massage suite.
The {couples} therapeutic massage was incredible. My therapeutic massage therapist even braided my hair for me!
Afterwards, we had been urged to slide into the massive bubble tub they’d drawn for us and left to take pleasure in some glowing wine and chocolate-covered strawberries. It felt so indulgent and was one thing we’ll bear in mind perpetually.
On the seaside 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 may have a therapeutic massage overlooking the ocean.
Issues to do close to El Dorado Seaside Suites
A number of the must-sees in Riviera Maya embrace Chichen Itza, Xochimilco and the Xaret parks.
We did the TUI tour to Holbox which was simply heaven on earth.
You may guide excursions and actions within the space under.
El Dorado Royale versus El Dorado Seaside Suites: which one do you have to guide?
Aesthetically, the Palms aspect of the El Dorado Seaside Suites resort is sort of 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 seaside and gardens respect the native architectural model, as does the inside decor.
The Seaside Suites aspect of EDSS is, as I discussed above, extra fashionable.
Total, the El Dorado Seaside Suites resort is far smaller than El Dorado Royale. There are golf buggies that can assist you get round in case you want them, however we discovered these had been a lot much less needed (and subsequently much less frequent) at EDSS than EDR.
Customer support
We’re not 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 and so they didn’t do something to assist us have a memorable day, whereas at EDSS the supervisor appeared much more on the ball and communication was higher. Based mostly on conversations with different visitors, I don’t assume this was merely right down to the very fact I used to be there as a visitor of TUI.
Seaside and swimming pools
The seaside at El Dorado Royale is sadly closely impacted by the seaweed challenge and the massive concrete bolders have washed up on the seaside, spoiling the view. There are not any boulders on the seaside 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’d change about eating at El Dorado Seaside Suites is the lunch providing. At EDR, you may go to the Asian restaurant for sushi and noodle dishes at lunchtime, however sadly the Asian restaurant at EDSS isn’t open through the day.
I additionally beloved the well being bar for grab-and-go smoothies, salads and sandwiches through the day at EDR. There was a well being bar at EDSS, but it surely gave the impression to be mixed with the seaside BBQ and it wasn’t clear if there was a separate menu, or find out how to order from it.
I can’t evaluate the 2 spas sadly, as I solely had a therapy at EDSS and never EDR.
Total, had we not already visited EDR, we most likely would have been far more impressed with EDSS. El Dorado Royale had extra of the wow issue for us, and I feel in case you’re planning an extended trip it’s price selecting this resort just because it’s bigger and the seaside is healthier.
That’s to not say I wouldn’t suggest El Dorado Seaside Suites. It’s a greater choice in case your funds is decrease and there’s no compromise on general high quality. We had an excellent week there!
That was a mammoth lodge overview, so effectively carried out in case you bought this far! If you happen to’d prefer to see extra of my journey, check out my ‘TUI Blue’ spotlight on Instagram – my username is @danniellelily.
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