El Dorado Seaside Suites, a Spa Resort - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

6321 reviews

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  Amazing trip, great deal!

  This was such a beautiful, relaxing and comfortable place for an anniversary trip with my husband. The included excursions were amazing! The food and drinks were great and easy to access at anytime. Wonderful staff everywhere! Especially Manuel in the buffet!

  Feb 21, 2025
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  Why go?

  Every year our annual journey to what feels like our home away from home, has been a time-consuming, wrought with anxiety, requiring much effort. Planning it is always completely frustrating, anxious and a hugely time -consuming task. The obvious question must be, “why do it”? It is question that as the years pass, we began to ask ourselves annually, but each year the voice becomes louder. We do it primarily because of the location, the rooms, the people, the service and the food. While the beach at the resort leaves a lot to be desired, as it is rocky and a lot of it is not accessible, it does allow one to snorkel immediately upon entering the water. Other resorts do not offer this. A concern for this year however is will we even still be able to access the ocean from the beach, or will there now be a retaining wall? Actually a large concern for us. The rooms at the resort are spacious, modern and all are ocean-front. We must be near the ocean in our holiday get-away, and this checks that box. The people absolutely make this resort. They are all genuine, caring, amazing individuals who daily strive to make your stay and your day better. Delivering extraordinary customer service is not something that can be taught, and each person that you come into contact with makes you feel that you are cared about. The food, while it has been better over the years, still does offer many favourites, that we look forward to experiencing again each year. Dining ‘al fresco” is VERY attractive to us as well. There is HOWEVER a downside to the evening meal dining experience, in that typically a 4 course meal, is done in 40 - 45 minutes. Not all restaurants are open every night, and improvement is needed in allowing for a more-relaxed, less-rushed, evening dining experience to be experienced. Our frustration comes with our Exotic members affiliation. We are members because: we want to have a reserved bed on the beach each day. we like having reservations for dinner in the evening we enjoy having a butler to assist daily when needed. we can book a 21 day holiday, that we cannot book with a travel company having private round-trip transportation provided. So, after returning each year for 16 years, to have the exact same holiday, at the exact same location, for the exact same 3 week time period, booking the vacation should be (at this point) almost like clock-work. There should be very little that requires attention to arrange or address, as everything is known, and it is simply being repeated. This year I have 47 emails with Exotic. That is about average each year. Some emails are questions inquiring about Exotic’s cancellation policies, as management has changed, and there are new policies and procedures in place. Some are about not being able to review member history, and to not get confirmation regarding the membership. But most are simply about trying to plan the vacation. Other questions are regarding trying to make advance reservations for 2026, and being absolutely dismayed that the rates are nearly double the normal price, even with a 25% reduction quoted. Next, is making sure that each department at Exotic has the same information. From making the reservation, to the pre-arrival, that is too structured to address an individuals actual needs, to making payment, confirming payment, and lastly and very frustrating, is arranging transportation, that is suppled and part of the membership. Most of our emails are regarding this component. And while we know the Exotic protocols and have tried to work with them, as we have been left without transportation 3 times, we always confirm the arrangement directly with Lomas to guarantee success, there are always issues. The issues are really around items that should not create a huge problem at all, and truly should be insignificant to address and correct them. I have allergies to fragrance, and riding is a vehicle that has repeatedly had air freshener used in it, is not something I can manage. This year, my husband has a back injury, and we require transportation that addresses his need. And while I had dealt with this need, and confirmed with both Exotic and Lomas 3 weeks ago, what the need was, and having asked for assistance in addressing this need, and believing that the confirmation email actually meant it was confirmed, we days before leaving, find that everything has been undone, and we starting again trying to arrange for needed transportation. Part of the problem seems to be that each person has their own job to do, but very few individuals that are dealt with in this process, have the capacity to be “problem-solvers”. So things go back and forth, often with misunderstood messages, and things remain frenetic and unresolved. Very few individuals that are dealt with, can simply fix things. For example. Our transportation need should not have even been an issue, EVER. We know of many members who have this need for transportation, and some who haven’t even had a need, but still have made a request, and been obliged. Our’s is a valid need, and when presented, instead of requiring dozens of back-and-forth emails, perhaps Exotic could have offered an immediate response of “Yes, we can do it for an additional $40.00 per one-way trip”. Problem solved. Once agreed to, it could be put in place. It would now simply be dealt with, put in place and confirmed. I have a busy a life, brought with frustration. I do not require more when planning a vacation. We are days away from this years vacation, and spite of 12 emails in 36 hours, we have no answers to our transportation needs. So, again, the voice is becoming louder and louder . . . to that far too obvious question “why do it”?

  Feb 21, 2025
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  Great staff and team

  Very nice food and resort. Beaches are clean and have many beds for reading. Benjamin and Luana and luis from the entertainment team was great. Played a lot of volleyball with them and other games. My favorite restaurant was the Asian, need to book reservations for that one.

  Feb 21, 2025
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  Entertainment team

  Benjamin and luana were really sensational in all the activities Specifically in the riffle shooting and also shout out to luis cause he was really good to we have so much fun with the entertainment team, food, drinks and all the amenities were really good

  Feb 21, 2025
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  Theft in Resort

  Had my room safe compromised and bank card stolen. Who ever took it tried to use it 5 times in Playa Del Carmen. Spoke with security, left a statement including contact details. Heard nothing from the hotel, supposed to be 5 star. Poor customer service from hotel staff and Tui Rep. Would love to know how they got in the safe! Attempted transactions were £625, on first occasion followed by hundreds in the next 4 attempts. Be careful if using this 5 star resort, check your safe everyday if you use it! Been back in UK for 6 weeks and heard nothing. Tui said contact your insurers!!!!!!!! You have been warned!

  Feb 20, 2025