El Dorado Seaside Suites
Riviera Maya, Mexico
This is an Adults Only property for singles and couples located south of Cancun about one hour on Kantenah Bay/Riviera Maya, facing the Mexican Caribbean
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Resort Overview • Getting There • Services • Ambiance • Group Trips
Sightseeing • Dining • Rates • Impressions • Photo Album • Trip Reports
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NOTE: The management company for the resort, Karisma Hotels, has re-named the existing property Sensimar with almost 400 rooms available. Nearby on a separate plot, Karisma has built a stand alone reception building with meeting rooms and 3 more restaurants. In addition, a new building with two more restaurants, pools and beach is open with almost 200 rooms and individual plunge pools .... which is now called the El Dorado Seaside Suites.
Stay tuned to this site for updates and new photo albums.
Resort Overview
El Dorado is not a nudist resort. However, its sister property next door is: Hidden Beach Resort. See: hiddenbeach
All-inclusive features include your suite accommodations, all meals, all bar drinks, light entertainment nightly, beaches and two fresh water swimming pools, hotel taxes and tips. Total room count is approximately 175 and all accommodations are suites, some of which are Jacuzzi equipped. Airfare to Cancun and airport transfers are extra.
The resort recently received a multi-million dollar facelift in all guest rooms. New suites have been added and all guest rooms plus its five restaurants have been upgraded to five star (Mexican) standards. Swim Up Suites are also a feature of the newest room additions.
(left) See Castaways Travel Video Tour of El Dorado Seaside Suites.
NOTE: If you are a guest at El Dorado Seaside Suites, you cannot use the services at Hidden Beach. However, you can visit Hidden Beach by buying a day or night pass at the lobby of El Dorado for one visit. For a longer stay, you may also move to Hidden Beach and pay the difference to upgrade to Hidden Beach.
Ask guest services at El Dorado for a tour of Hidden Beach before you switch sides or decide you want to spend a day there.
If you enter the Hidden Beach property without paying, you will be asked to leave the resort entirely to make your own way home, without refund. Security guards are placed along the beach, too, as well as at the main entrance.
ALERT: We know of several potential clients buy a lower-priced room at El Dorado on line after we've alerted them about the rules above. They've subsequently attempted to use the Hidden Beach facilities… without success. So, be forewarned; don't ruin your holiday by skimping.
Getting There
U.S. Citizens: Passports are required for international air travel to all destinations outside the USA.
El Dorado Seaside Suites & Spa Resort is 60 miles south of the Cancun International Airport and a few miles south of Playa del Carmen, the other major tourism area on the Yucatan besides Cancun. A large real estate development at Puerto Aventuras is nearby which has more shops, restaurants, a 9 hole golf course and more hotels.
The resort is situated on a beautiful stretch of beach at Kantenah Bay that faces the Mexican Caribbean. The resort's entrance is located right on Mexico highway 307, the freeway that runs from Cancun in the north down to Tulum to the south. Tulum is about 80 miles from the Cancun airport.
You can choose a transfer service, a private taxi or rent an auto from one of the major international or local car companies. If you buy a complete package with airfare and resort included, ask for transfers to be included and pre-paid if you prefer. Cost for transfers can average $30-$100/person, round trip.
Prices subject to change without notice. Car rental rates are comparable to U.S. costs, but don't be surprised if the rental company requires mandatory insurance to be added to your rental agreement.
Just about all tourism destinations, resorts and attractions are easy to find along the Mayan Sun Coast, as it's called, since virtually all of them are within an hour or less by car down the main highway (Mexico 307). The newest tourism area down toward Tulum is about 1.5 hours south of the Cancun airport.
Rental autos are also available on site at the resort if you want to play day tripper and see some of the local sites yourself.
Just about all tourism destinations, resorts and attractions are easy to find along the Mayan Sun Coast, as it's called, since virtually all of them are within an hour or less by car on the main highway (Mexico 307).
Services
El Dorado Seaside Suites is adults only, suited for singles and couples.
The resort has a fun atmosphere starting with its adults-only, all-inclusive concept. Accommodations, all meals, snacks, bar drinks, beer, wine, liquor, activities, entertainment, hotel taxes, 24-hour room service, tips and service charges are included in one price. Transfers and airfare to Cancun are extra.
Guests have access to full spa services, a custom fitness program, yoga and meditation classes, aerobic classes and massage classes. This is a great place for romantic couples and honeymooners.
Non-motorized water sports are available including snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, beachcombing, etc. There are two swimming pools, four bars and three restaurants on site. There is a tour desk to help you arrange optional sight seeing.
NOTE: Please take care of your valuables, cash, airline tickets and passports while on vacation. Some vacation destinations are considered "third world" countries and experience petty theft.
Recommendation: Do not take precious jewelry unless you wear it all times. All suites at El Dorado contain in room safes. Just a word of caution to make sure you remember to practice common sense with your valuables while you're on vacation.
Below is a list of many of the services included in the room charge. This list is subject to change without notice and additional services may be added as the resort upgrade continues.
• Selected room accommodation, all suites
• Welcome champagne and manager's cocktail party
• All meals & snacks in three restaurants and four bars
• 24 hour room service
• Unlimited domestic bar drinks, beer, wine and soft drinks
• Daily and nightly activity program
• Full service spa Bicycles on property
• Non-motorized water sports (kayaks, paddle boats, snorkeling)
• Scuba clinic in pool (diving for certified divers extra charge)
• Two fresh water swimming pools
• Two beaches
• Sauna & Turkish bath
• Tennis court (rackets and balls included) · Complimentary shuttle for shopping tours to Playa del Carmen and Cancun
• Fitness center
• Hotel taxes, tips and service charges
• Guest services desk for 24 hour assistance
Optional services available for an extra charge include:
• SCUBA diving and certification on site
• Internet access in the hotel lobby
• Special private dinners on the beach, very romantic!
• Gift shop Spa treatments, massage & beauty shop
• Car Rental desk
• Tour desk for sight seeing
• Shopping shuttle and excursions into Playa del Carmen
• FAX, long distance telephone and Internet services
• Laundry/dry cleaning service
• Special wedding packages
• Special wines
• Taxi stand
• Money Exchange
Details:
• Electricity is 110 v.
• Drink the bottled water provided free of charge in each room.
• Champagne registration
• Full American breakfast daily and snacks throughout the day
• A la carte lunch and dinner, with a daily choice of three restaurants and grill
• Lobster offered twice weekly
• Weekly theme buffet dinners and shows
• Unlimited beverages at four bars and disco theater
• Nightly music for dancing at disco theater
• Paddle boats, kayaks, and snorkeling, snorkeling tour and fish feeding at pier
• Aqua aerobics, stretching, and aerobic classes
• Daytime tennis, bicycles, snorkeling tour, fish feeding at pier, aquarobics, stretching class, aerobics, dance exercise, volleyball and table tennis.
• Daytime social activities including beach walk tours, Spanish lessons, comedy shows, Mexican cooking classes and ceramic painting (ceramic piece not included).
• All taxes and gratuities
Ambiance
The "original" El Dorado Resort (before Seaside Suites) was built by Joe Martinez and wife, Delores, owners of both the El Dorado Seaside Suites, Hidden Beach Resort, Las Hotelito at Maroma Beach, the El Dorado ROYALE near Cancun and Lomas Travel, the largest tourist transportation service in Cancun.
The resort is thankfully secluded and located down a single paved road that leads to the resort and beach from the main highway, Mexico # 307 from Cancun.
This lovely property is known for a good time, with all rooms laid out in separate hotel buildings (one and two story) scattered along the beach facing east toward the Mexican Caribbean.
El Dorado Seaside Suites Resort and Spa is self-contained with virtually all services you'll need located on site. The resort is spread over about 40 acres all facing the Caribbean. The south beach has been completely upgraded with additional services added on site.
El Dorado is fun... lively yet relaxing. You will find fun singles and couples there who are ready to have a good time. Nightlife centers around evening meals, dancing and light entertainment provided by the resort in the form of musical acts, local shows and folkloric presentations.
Of course, there's always amateur talent night with performers plucked from the audience.
A shuttle bus or taxi can take you to Playa del Carmen a short ride away, if you are in the need for more nightlife and culture. Playa del Carmen is our favorite little tourism beach town on the Yucatan. Playa is about 20-25 minutes north of the resort.
TIPS:
If you plan to vacation for a week or so, consider renting a car since there are numerous tourism sites to see within an hour of El Dorado. One of the finest examples of the Mayan civilization is at Tulum, a few miles south of El Dorado. Tulum is the only Mayan temple located seaside.
If you don't want a car, find another couple to share the expense and hire a taxi for the trip or for all day. Guest services in the hotel lobby can make the arrangements for you. ALWAYS determine your price for the taxi for your round trip FIRST before you depart.
During your tour, ask the driver if he has children, wife or a lady friend, bring him a gift from shopping or buy him a soft drink along the way to express your thanks and your kindness... these little gestures can do nothing but help you.
Group Trips
We do not have regularly scheduled group trips to El Dorado Seaside Suites, but we do have Group Trips at Hidden Beach Resort right next door. But if El Dorado is your preference, it's still a great place for two, three or more couples to get together for a group trip.
If you have other couples that might want to join you, please contact us and see what kind of group trip deals we might be able to package especially for you.
Sightseeing
Use this link from our parent company, Fox Travel/American Express rep. to pre-book your excursions, tours and sight seeing before you arrive at the resort. Typically, tours and sight seeing include pick up at your hotel. See: See: Pre-book Sight Seeing
Travel within one hour from the resort and do the following: Shop at open air markets, dive with the dolphins, take a trip by jet ski through the mangroves, dance, swim, eat.
Visit Mayan ruins at Tulum, see cultural and folkloric shows, cruise on a pirate ship or a catamaran, bar hop in Playa del Carmen or Cancun, visit Cozumel via 
water taxi from Playa del Carmen for the day, enjoy world class dining in Cancun, visit Isla Mujeres across the bay from Cancun, scuba dive, visit three water parks with underground rivers and pools called cenotes, go horseback riding, snorkel and even visit Cuba on a day trip from the little airport at Playa del Carmen for about $300/person, round trip including your tour guide, airfare, transfers, meals and tours of Havana.
A tour desk is on site with trained personnel at Lomas Travel to assist you with your tour selections. There are at least 50 different tours, trips, cruises and excursions you can select from. If youÂ’re not a U.S. Citizen, you can legally visit Cuba for the day, with flight tours departing daily from the small airport in Playa del Carmen.
Dining
The five restaurants provide very different atmospheres.
MIA CASA
Mia Casa features Italian cuisine for evening dining.
LOS ARRECIFES
This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and requires no reservations. You have a choice of dining outside under the palm trees under the stars or inside in air conditioning.
o Breakfast a la carte
o Lunch a la carte
o International dinner featuring daily chef suggestions and specials of the day
LA CARRETA
Mexican a la carte specialties for night time fare. Classical Mexican cuisine featuring dishes from the interior of Mexico as well as specialties prepared by the chef. You won't find "Tex-Mex" food here…it's a bit more sophisticated presentation. Go early to visit the Tequila bar to loosen up a bit before dinner.
KLAY TALAY RESTAURANT
Blends a variety of Asian styles into a fine fusion of Oriental cuisine. An eclectic mix of Oriental, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Malaysian dishes provide you with a real challenge from the menu for your evening's selections. Our personal favorites include the sushi selections and satay dishes.
Plenty of curry flavored main courses are featured, too. Open for dinner only; reservations are required.
VIDA, a Fusion Experience
Speaking of fusion, visit this newest addition at El Dorado for a real treat at dinner time, although it's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The chef combines a luscious mixture of tastes, tantalizing dishes and superb entrees into a treat to delight your senses. The menu is so varied, you will have a hard time making a choice for dinner.
TIP: You and your companion(s) order two different dishes and split them to double your culinary fun.
General Dress Code: No coats or ties required, but tasteful long pants and collared shirts are fine for the guys. Sundresses and nice slacks are fine for the gals. The El Dorado enforces a dress code for their specialty restaurants for dinner: No sandals, no T-shirts or cut off shorts and no tennis shoes. Guests can go with Polo or dress shirt.
The Asian, Italian and Mexican restaurants operate on select schedules. They are closed one night a week usually. Consult your hotel guest services guide upon arrival for hours of operation and reservation policies. NOTE: Dress code and reservation policies are subject to change.
Snack Bar:
Outside near the Las Guacamayas main bar is a delightful little open air Mexican kitchen for late night snacks, finger food, dips/chips and brick oven pizza to help you burn off that alcohol fizz before lights out
Another little bar is located at the lap pool adjacent to the La Carreta Mexican restaurant, too.
Rates
All inclusive room rates vary seasonally, with the high (winter) season reflecting the higher tariffs. Fall season reflects the lower tariffs.
Suites can range from $100 - $200/person/night, depending upon the season and accommodations selected.
All rooms are air-conditioned and include robes, coffee maker, king size beds, servi bar stocked with complimentary soft drinks, beer and purified water. Cable TV and DVDs are available with movie selections available for complimentary use.
Impressions
Uppers-Downers
▲ Relaxing and low key
▲ Close to all major tourism sites including the Mayan ruins, water parks such as Xcaret and Xel-Ha, shopping in Playa del Carmen
▲▼ Nightlife can be subdued with light dancing and Las Guacamayas Bar the center of the action. If you want more diversions, just hop a cab and go in to Playa del Carmen to party until the early hours or watch the sun come up on the beach with a bloody Mary at the Blue Parrot in Playa.
▲ Service and quality level show signs of consistent, positive attention from management.
Age Ranges
Adults Only. You will see most folks in their late 20s to 60's with most in the middle. A few singles are guests but most visitors are couples. There is a good mix of international clients from North and South America as well as Europe plus a few from Asia.
Best Time To Go
Mexico is a year-round, world-class destination and Cancun has great weather with the Caribbean beach water just about perfect anytime.
Ladies, from December to early March, the night time temps can drop to the upper 50s(F) so take along a sweater or jacket if you chill easily.
Summer time is warmer, of course, with hurricane season from late August to early October adding humidity to the weather equation. Typical summer high temps are in the low 90's (F).
Recommendation: Always buy travel protection insurance for your peace of mind.
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Wish List
● Wish the resort had a piano bar to mix and mingle with the guests after dinner.
● Wish the south beach was clothing optional, although topless is practiced by most of the European guests.
Photo Album
The photos in our album were either shot by us, our clients or provided by the resort. If you have recently visited El Dorado Seaside Suites we invite you to send in your photos for us to display. To contribute you own photos (or trip reports), go to our Contribute Trip Report / Photographs page.
Trip Reports
If you have recently visited El Dorado Seaside Suites, we would appreciate you contributing a trip report. You can contribute to this section buy using our Contribute Trip Report / Photographs page. Here is one or our own recent trip reports and another from a client.
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December 2010 - James & Champagne of Castaways Travel
We visited El Dorado Seaside Suites again in December 2010 and thoroughly enjoyed the latest round of improvements to both the guest rooms and public areas. El Dorado Seaside Suites are located south of the Cancun airport, about half way between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Forbes magazine recently voted the resort as one of the Top 10 Most Romantic Resorts in the world for honeymooners and lovers of all ages.
All guest rooms have been completely remodeled with new colors and furnishings, brought into the 21st century with the latest amenities and designs. Welcome improvements: New furnishings and the latest technology, lighting, flat screen TV/DVD players plus eco-friendly/low energy consumption air conditioning units are now in each guest room.
Te nenw decorations mirror a style with slick furnishings, contemporarydesigns and tastefully decorated wall treatments with local art are on display. Gorgeous colors and accents are rampant throughout each guest accommodation.
Creative new menus exploit the gourmet inclusive features that anchor the resort's offerings. In addition, typically each Sunday from noon to 2:30 PM at the open air Sandwicherie adjacent to the Guacamayas Bar, the "Fish Market" opens for the best selections of lobster and grilled fish dishes including Mahi Mahi, Snapper and other local delicacies from the ocean including conch & octopus ceviche, pico del gallo and delicious seafood soups. Make sure you include a Sunday stay when you visit to enjoy this once-a-week special offer.
Contact Julia or Alma at Fox Travel American Express (281-363-0808) and plan your holiday, family, reunion, wedding or honeymoon events at El Dorado Seaside Suites.
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Freda
Just returned from EDSS. WOW! This was my first time to this resort and my first time to an all-inclusive. We are already planning our next trip- hopefully in October. This resort was incredible - the rooms, the food, the drinks and especially the staff. If you have read any negative reviews discount them COMPLETELY!
If you need transportation to/from the resort contact Lomas Travel for a private air-conditioned car which costs approximately the same price as shared transfers. We had arrived, checked-in and had a couple of drinks on the beach by the time others on our flight arrived at the hotel. Lomas has a wonderful driver Luis Zamora (car #110).
We even hired him for a day to go to Tulum and then Playa Del Carmen with shopping stops in between. Having him was like having a tour director on board.
Snorkeling was terrific. You can walk out into the water and see the fish. It was my boyfriends first time snorkeling and now he is addicted.
There is so many wonderful things to say about this place but just know that it is so awesome that I am determined to go back in October. Five nights just was not enough. Cancun has gotten so crowded but here you get to know others from all over the world. The beach is private so it is never over-crowded PLUS adults-only allows you to enjoy the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. Mmmmmm!
My # 1 tip: DON'T FORGET TO TIP. A small amount of money to us is a huge amount to the workers. My favorite souvenir is coming home and remembering the smiles and knowing that I made someone's life a little easier. You will get good service regardless but I like service with a smile.
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