tpon

Looking at booking this resort for this may. Has anyone been there. We normally go to swept away in negril. Want to change things up a bit. Thanks.

tpon

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KVR

We stayed at this resort in 2001 when it was known as the El Dorado Resort & Spa. As soon as we left it closed down for about 6 months for a major renovation which it desperatly needed. We didn't care for the hotel or the location. Approx. 30 minutes to get to Playa del Carmen. There was not swimable beach area in front of the hotel. Had to walk about 10 minutes down.

Look on Trip Advisor for current reviews and pictures.

We stayed at The Royal Playa del Carmen in Sept. and loved it. The hotel is within walking distance to 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen.

lutherkins

I have heard good reviews of El Dorado Seaside Suites. My parents just booked a trip there for January. They were debating between Iberostar, El Dorado Royale, and Seaside Suites. From what I know, the beach in front of the hotel is great for snorkeling b/c there is coral, but it probably would prevent you from just playing in the water, but if you like snorkeling it should be nice.

kfusto

We also love Swept Away and were looking for a change. We are off to El Dorado Royale in 2 days and chose it for the Spa features and variety of dining options and accomodations.

I am a fitness fan(atic) so a nice gym was also important to me.

EDR just was named to the Gold List on Conde Nast and also hotel of the year at a recent international trade show in London.

There are many reviews on both properties on tripadvisor.

denisec

If I were you I would look at a different hotel. The Seaside Resort is about 1 hour and 30min or more from the airport. Secondly, it is not a 5 star hotel even though it bills it self as one. I work in tourism and live in Cancun. Any of the Karisma Hotels are rated at much higher than they actually are. There are very commonly cases of food poising, the activities staff go out of thier way to get people drunk and very often things are talken from the rooms or people return to their room to find the door open and things missing. If you need sugestions on other hotels in the area just give me a list of criteria and I would be more than glad to suggest one.

kfusto

<<If I were you I would look at a different hotel. The Seaside Resort is about 1 hour and 30min or more from the airport. Secondly, it is not a 5 star hotel even though it bills it self as one. I work in tourism and live in Cancun. Any of the Karisma Hotels are rated at much higher than they actually are. There are very commonly cases of food poising, the activities staff go out of thier way to get people drunk and very often things are talken from the rooms or people return to their room to find the door open and things missing. If you need sugestions on other hotels in the area just give me a list of criteria and I would be more than glad to suggest one.>>

Sounds like you have a personal gripe with Karisma or perhaps work with a competitor.

As a TA, I highly doubt Karisma would receive the Four Diamond Award, the Conde Nast top 100 and the hotel of the year in London if ANY of the things you say are true. It's a real stretch that these organizations are all so very wrong. EDR has a 4.5 and EDSS a 4.0 on tripadvisor, both very respectable and based on HUNDREDS of reviews by regualr folks.

I'm going in a few days to EDR which was personally recommended by the owners of a large nationwide agency. I have known them for years and their standards are very high. Sorry to hear I am going to an unsafe dump with low standards and a bunch of frat house drunks. Geez.

I suggest the OP go to tripadvisor for a large amount of current info and reviews.

tpon

Thanks to everyone that responded. We have booked this resort for May,2008.