El Dorado Royale by Karisma

Those traveling here, avoid the travel club scam. It’s a true bait and switch. It’s a the closest you can get to a sleazy used car sales type experience without getting the car. They lie and take your money. The definition of over promise and significantly under deliver. BUYER BEWARE!!!

This was our second trip to this resort. I was very disappointed. It was a return with a special offer to experience the resort as a member. Nothing was different. In fact the room was run down, the grounds were messy and in need of care, and the room services were disappointing. We had to call maintenance upon entering our room for a toilet not working and light fixtures broken. If I was a valued member why did I get the room that should have been closed for repairs? Even the mirrors were old and in need of replacement. We stayed in a twin up suite. I asked why we had no pool towels and was told to go collect them from the general pool area. What is the advantage of your own swim area if they do not provide the towels? The drinks in the room were not filled daily. It seemed like this was an afterthought. I was there for 14 days and had to ask for towels almost every day. The cleaner would collect all towels from my room, even the ones hanging to dry so I could reuse, then leave nothing. Or on a few occasions she left one hand towel. I would call and hours later still not have anything. I had to call several times, each day!! I have stayed a small motels on road trips without this kind of poor service. We were told that the resort was at 40-45% capacity so there was really no reason for the poor quality of services. The staff was so wonderful, and they would be the reason we returned if we do return. Restaurants were great food selections. However, we needed to leave an hour before our reservation time to catch a transport to the restaurant. At times we waited 30-45 minutes with many drivers passing by stating they were on a designated request. I guess the elite members could request rides. We tried to call, but with the exception of one time, we still did not get a transport on time. The Maroma beach is beautiful and we enjoyed it there. Seaweed was an issue, but they were trying heir best to keep it under control. The best part of this vacation was the pleasant staff and the beach. The most disappointing was to be treated as if we did not deserve better services. We sat to discuss purchasing membership and they were very nasty people. I would not recommend sitting for the presentation. The beachside meal we were given was very disappointing and quite inedible.

We just got home from another stay at El Dorado Royale. Our youngest turned 18 this year so we were finally able to bring our Son and Daughter for the 1st time. We stayed for 10 days in an Ocean Front Swim-Up in building 40. It was Amazing! Our main reason for returning to this resort year after year has always been how wonderful the staff is. Hands down better than any other resort we’ve visited. These are some of those amazing staff members: Hugo and Alfredo were our butlers. These two went above and beyond every day to make sure our family had whatever we needed and even things we didn’t know we needed. They were ALWAYS happy! They made us smile immediately anytime they came around. I also want to mention Johnny who was our butler on our last trip but still came by several times to say hello and even brought me some pepto when I had an upset stomach. These are the guys that make the trip extra special. Olan and Enrique were two bartenders in Guacamayas that are absolutely amazing but also remembered us and what our usual drinks were from our last trip. Alberto was our Beach Butler in the Members area and was as hilarious as he was attentive, nice and hard working. Iris was our housekeeper and kept our rooms immaculate during our entire stay. Angel Flores the mixologist that has been there every trip and never fails to amaze me with his cocktails. They’re inventive and delicious! He seems to pop up anywhere and everywhere mixing up something unique. Felipe the Bellman! He is the friendliest guy you’ll ever meet. Always greets you with a smile and would give us a big wave and Hola! Every time he drove past our room. There are so many more staff that made our trip special but sometimes we didn’t get their names but we will try to find them next trip and make sure to mention them. Great News: They finally built a new JoJo’s beach bar! Now, it’s not like the old Jo Jo’s, as it is much smaller, think tiki bar with swings right where the resort needed a bar the most. On the beach next to the volleyball net near La Isla Pool. Our favorite restaurants this trip were Mexicana Rincon, The Mediterranean, and of course the breakfast buffet at Cocotol. Just to be honest though, the menus have shrunk and the dinners could be hit or miss. I definitely miss the Karisma days and the quality of all of the food back then. All of the Mexican food was amazing of course! However, two of our favorite restaurants in the past, Kampai and Italia Casitas are just not the same quality at all. With that being said, most of the food is really good if you stay away from steaks at the regular restaurants. The cuts of meat are just not good. One small gripe for management: we had brought a few bottles of our favorite wine from home. We brought 3 bottles for our group to share at Italia Casitas. The waiter, who was very nice by the way, said we would have to pay a $25 cork fee for each bottle. I obviously objected to this as we had paid thousands for an all-inclusive trip and felt like this was a very nickel and dime thing to do. They should be happy we brought a little of our own wine and saved them some of theirs. So they sent a manager over first and I declined again so they brought the somolier who was quite rude and she said I would need to pay this cork fee. It wasn’t until we said we just won’t drink our wine, that she frowned and said enjoy your wine and stomped off. This has been our only bad interaction with a staff member in the 7 trips we’ve been there so we definitely consider it a one-off. Nobody’s perfect. Our family had an amazing vacation and look forward to visiting our friends at El Dorado soon! Thank you so much for your hospitality and always making us feel at home.

Way Way downhill. Birthday paid for champagne in room. Not here. Tried to call room service was transferred three times to someone asking if we are members. YES! So disappointed with service all round wish we hadn’t stayed when it switched to Lomas. Honestly. They don’t care, bait and switch. Horrible. Ask for grey goose, get it slapped against the cup and them absolute into the cup. I chose to celebrate my milestone birthday here. CHOSE! Absolutely chaotic. Ordered a shuttle and it didn’t arrive at all. For my birthday. Could have stayed at my house and had a better experience. Do better. Way way way better.

This was likely our 4th visit to El Dorado Royale. That in itself should speak to the property but what makes the stay beyond the grounds, food, alcohol, and location is the care and attention the staff provides to make sure every stay is a vacation you want to rebook as soon as you get home. We booked Luxury Junior Suites, and it was us and another couple. We had rooms by our friends in the same building and floor, so that was a nice accommodation by the hotel . We arrived separately and our transportation through Lomas Travel was easy and quick. No issues from either group getting to or from the airport. We had to move rooms mid stay as the air conditioning went out in our friends room. We were then moved to a Premier Luxury Junior Suite, again in the same building and same floor. Overall the new room was more modern, but felt the build quality of the order room was more solid. There is a lot of wear and tear and all maintenance items were addressed promptly when brought to the attention of our butlers. Speaking of butlers, Hugo and Alfredo attended to our needs and requests during this stay. We were celebrating a wedding anniversary (friends), and a birthday in our room and sweet surprises were left in our room upon returning from dinners and entertainment. While not a part of our butler team, Imelda and Luna from Generations were able to help up out in a pinch from a friendly hello, to a vip shuttle ride across the resort when short on time. All four of them are jewels in the crown. The dining was excellent as always. Isreal at palms was friendly and engaging during our first lunch at the resort. Miguel at D'italia Casitas was charming and helped arrange a delicious meal for us. Haab is always amazing, be sure to order one of everything like we did. Jesus attended us during the Fuentes gala dinner and was very professional and warm. Outside of dining, Alberto at the bali beds by kick provided excellent and friendly service every time we came to visit. The grounds are well kept, staff works tirelessly to fight back nature. There was a lot of wind and rain and work to do each morning. It is a non-stop endeavor to fight back nature. Speaking of nature, there is a huge seaweed influx right now and the resort is working as best it can to clear it from the beaches. Overall the food is always good, the grounds beautiful and has a comfortable resort vibe, but its the staff who make it a place we keep wanting to come back to. Until next time