El Dorado Casitas Royale, Catamarán, Cenote & More Inclusive

CHECK IN Check in was ridiculously complicated and overly slow. Hotel should have had all our details from TUI but insisted on completing an online form via tablet. The interface was so small making input difficult and likely inaccurate. This resulted in queues of new arrivals awaiting check in. Must say the attitude of the reception staff (on arrival) could have been better. No issues on subsequent visits, to exchange money etc. ROOM We got the room we booked. Junior swim up. Pretty much as advertised. Perhaps a little dated and of need of TLC but overall adequate enough for our stay. Our housekeeper, Martha, always made a great job of keeping the place clean. Only gripe is a lack of hangers for clothes, pretty minor but something we had to chase on a number of occasions. Minibar refresh was a bit of a hit or miss. Went a couple of days without the stock being replenished (remember this is also your water) and was only resolved after escalation of complaint via concierge. BEACH Do not come here if you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday. Seriously, look elsewhere. Yes, the resort does offer a huge beach front. That's undoubted. They have trouble with extensive seaweed, natural therefore outwith the control of the hotel. However, the entire beach front is made ugly and likely dangerous by an array of concrete blocks, reminiscent of WW2 tank traps! The red 'no swim' flags are up permanently. So not the relaxing beach experience you would be seeking. There is an artificial salt water pool by the Casitas. Gives the sensation of swimming in the sea, but it's not the same. Entry to this pool is a little precarious, watch your step!! FOOD The food here is very good, with many excellent restaurants to choose from. We personally loved Kampai and D'Italia at the Casitas. Just watch, you are offered a wine list which is extra. The house wine is perfectly good to accompany your meal. I've read reviews speaking of poor service at dinner, didn't experience this personally. One day during adverse weather we tried to order room service only to be told it had been suspended. Even though we saw deliveries being made and learned afterwards that other guests had no issues. Perhaps we hadn't got the' right room' or hadn't tipped enough, who knows? Never mind, we were able to get a bag of crisps and a bar of chocolate for as little as £12!! ENTERTAINMENT We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of entertainment. Live shows were well polished and the fire show on the sand arena was out of this world. Do try and take in some entertainment, you'll not be disappointed. POOLS We always used the salt water pool. There are others to choose from. Swim up bar could have done with more staff as frequent queues formed. The lazy river that passed our room took us all the way to the pool, nice touch. FINAL THOUGHTS I'm not writing off this hotel. Not at all. It just didn't deliver the holiday we needed after two years of lock down. My wife loves

Eating at the D’Italia ristorante casitas , our waiter EDMAR was exceptional nothing was too much trouble and he was so professional, food was outstanding recommend all of it many thanks to the chefs this evening, will definitely return , very soon