TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

I would like to start by saying that I am a very positive person, my husband always says I could have a good time on my own in an empty room, yet I find myself with many negative things to say about this hotel! So the positives are that the beach is simply divine. A lot of work goes into keeping it pristine and it's almost like being in heaven chilling in a cabana looking out at the sea. The grounds are beautiful and it's lovely walking around them and enjoying the wildlife at the resort. Our room was lovely and big and we were delighted with it on arrival. BUT... When we went to the concierge to make arrangements for our dinner reservations for the week, instead of doing so, they rang someone who came and took us away to a separate area. There, we were encouraged to do a tour of the resort in order to upgrade to become an exotic member. I had already read some reviews about people being pressured to upgrade, so I nipped the conversation in the bud as much as I was politely able to do. It was at this point (day one) where I realised this resort is geared towards members, and the rest of the guests are plebs. The room as I said was delightful on arrival, but things soon deteriorated. The well stocked mini bar stopped being restocked, the beds were made and new towels left but the room was not cleaned. We used the hotel App to request room cleaning and to restock the mini bar, sometimes this was executed some times it was not. The restaurants were fewer than advertised. I personally didn't have a problem with this as the restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch became a proxy evening restaurant for the ones that are now closed. What I do have a problem with is calling the restaurants 'Gourmet'. Don't get me wrong, the food is very nice, plenty of choice, and the waiters are lovely, but it is not gourmet. Want Palafito's restaurant, well that's an extra charge. Want Lobster? extra. Want Tomohawk steak? extra. Want a Starbucks? extra. The resort was at 40% capacity. Great for us plebs, because we were allowed to use the cabanas that are usually reserved for members, and it was just so quiet on the beach which we really loved. The evening entertainment was abysmal. Usually about an hour long and over by 10pm. Singers who can barely hold a tune. Sometimes my husband and I were the only ones watching. People seemed to have their evening meal and go to their room. Rick's bar was there for the very few people who wanted something to drink later, it looked like a conference room. We went along for the Magic Show one evening, the room was set up like a wedding reception I thought. When nothing happened, we enquired to find that the magician had been cancelled because the room was being used the next day for 'The Big Boss' who was coming to the resort! So no entertainment for anyone because the boss is coming... well isn't that lovely! It was my husbands birthday and our 20th wedding anniversary while we were there. We were asked more than once if we were there celebrating anything special, and we told them more than once that indeed we were. Nothing was done, not a swan shaped towel on the bed or a piece of fruit, nothing! so why ask? We've received cakes/wine/fruit baskets at 4* hotels for lesser celebrations, but apparently you only get something here if you are an exotic member, so once again the plebs miss out. We enjoyed the ATV's and the Jet-skiing at Maroma Adventures next door, and it can be booked at the hotel (just behind the lobby) The Jet-Skiing was amazing - like an extreme sport, not for you if you're Captain Slow. Didn't do the swimming with Dolphins as they are in a swimming pool that is far to small for such wonderful intelligent creatures. So while the enjoyment of this resort will of course be subjective, please bare in mind many of the ratings on here are from people with only one contribution. Many of the reviews are clearly from members as they are returning customers, and will be getting a different experience... I'm pretty sure they are the ones trying to turn it into a retirement village.

Arrived on an early evening flight to Cancun to a downpour but the rain soon cleared. Security checks at Cancun Airport were a complete joke, and it took up over an hour to be seen. Approximately 1 hour transfer to resort. Upon arrival at hotel you need to pay a security deposit of $500 per room, on a credit card. We were given a newly refurbished room near one of the swim up pool/bar. It was lovely and clean, and comes with all the essentials., e.g. bathrobe, slippers, hairdryer, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities. The beds are very comfy, but very high. There is also free room service, if you didn’t want to venture out. We were told that all the evening restaurants had to be pre-booked, so we choose the Caribbean restaurant for our first evening. OMG the coconut shrimps, they are amazing. We soon realised that the hotel wasn’t very busy, perhaps 40/50% full, but the staff were always very polite, and couldn’t do enough for you. The beach was never busy or overcrowded, and you could still get a sun bed after lunch. The guys working the beach would setup some towels, umbrellas, etc wherever you wanted them. Our beach butler was Diego, we used to call him ‘Little D’. He always gave service with a smile, and had the Heineken in an ice bucket ready for us. We soon found out that all bartenders had their own ‘special’ cocktails, just needed to ask. Tequila shots are always available. The sea is quite calm and great for snorkelling. The paddle boards and single/double kayaks are available from the beach. The Entertainment team, led by Alex are fantastic. They don’t pester you, if you don’t want to join in the daily activities, which range from yoga, aqua aerobics, volleyball, painting pots or cooking demos. The team consist of Chris, Omar, Octavia and Hazeal. There was always one of them on duty day or evening, and they make a great team, even got ‘mum’ playing volleyball. They put on a champagne foam party in the main pool on the Saturday afternoon, which is great fun. Miss you guys already. Breakfast and lunch are very casual and you can go to either of the two main restaurants on site. One is smaller and quieter. As we were a group of 6, we pre-booked all the restaurants as early as possible, but the new week starts on a Sunday, so you can’t too far in advance. We used to visit Itzel in the reception, who was amazing and patient with our various requests. She books all the restaurants, candle light dinners, iron/ironing board, pillows, extra tea/coffee, and even organised a birthday cake. Family members realised that you can have a different room spray and pillow spray. There are also various pillow choices. All the waiters swap to different restaurants, and we had Alberto on several occasions, who was fantastic, and explained the contents of certain dishes, so that we knew what we were ordering. The food was amazing and all freshly prepared, and was in abundance. If you wanted extra onion rings, extra veg, extra rice. Noth8ng was a problem for them. The house wines were very palatable, including a choice of Merlot or Cabernet. Evening entertainment was sparse, but there was always Ricks Bar, open late. We did have rain, as expected but it soon clears up, and there was always guys racking up the seaweed. We did pay extra on our last night to visit Palafitos, which is the restaurant which over looks the sea. There is a private room you can book which has a glass floor, but there is an additional charge for this. We did tip on most occasions as the service was faultless.

Another great trip. Awesome food, great service, beach was beautiful as always - The list of people to thank gets bigger with each trip. Butlers - Israel went way above and beyond the call of duty all day every day. Enrique was great too. Beach butler Machaly (SP) was spectacular. The masseuse team was awesome - special shout out to Beatrice and Armando - Massages were amazing. Carlos on the snorkel cruise was the best. Sharem our exotic representative was there to help each and every day and personally made the trip so much better. And the savior was our lifeguard / medic - Fernando who was so attentive to my wife's medical issues. Last but not least want to extend a shout out to Miguel at the Palafitos. 11 years and counting. We will be back soon.

We really enjoyed our stay at this fantastic hotel. It has a more intimate feel than other el dorada hotels we have stayed at, only having 157 suites. The beach is wonderful with its soft white sand . We walked up and down many times, watching out for all the different fish swimming around. The food at the different restaurants was really good. Coconut shrimp and shrimp tacos being memorable highlights. So well prepared and presented. All the waiters and bar staff were so friendly and attentive. We especially liked Lima Limon for breakfast and lunch. Thanks particularly to Patricia and her staff there who were so welcoming. So relaxed and chilled , right on the beach. The entertainment team led by Alex with Chris, Omar, Octavio, Hazael and DJ Rene were excellent. We particularly liked pool aerobics and also playing pool!

El Dorado Maroma’s beach is breathtaking. They work tirelessly to keep the beach free of seaweed. This trip the water was crystal clear. The entire staff treats you as their family. You are their priority. The resort is small with the farthest rooms from the beach is just a 30 second walk. You can walk from one end to the other in 5 minutes. Beach beds and loungers were never an issue, beach butlers Manuel and Elier would prepare the beds and always making sure had everything you needed. Our room was spacious and spotless. Our butlers Julieta and Berni took great care of us, making we had everything we needed in our rooms and made all our dinner arrangements. They are down two restaurants as they are remodeling the building that was damaged from the last storm but there was not a shortage of restaurants at night to choose from. They have multiple theme nights in Papitos to add to your options. We are already looking forward to our return trip in November to be with our Maroma family.