My husband and I have just returned from 2 wonderful weeks at the Eldorado Maroma. We had every intention to book the Eldorado Royale after staying there 4 years ago but when we went on line to book the Maroma came up and we are so glad we booked this instead. It is so different to the Royale and obviously on a much smaller, intimate scale.

Firstly, don't be put off by the drive up to the hotel. You have to drive about 10 minutes through the mangroves to get to the Marina and the Resort, but this fantastic beach wouldn't be found just off the road. They are currently laying tarmac all the way so bare with them. The reception is lovely once you arrive and you are welcomed with a wet towel to freshen up (smells wonderful) and a chilled glass of Champagne. You seem to suddenly forget the flight there.

Now everyone has a different idea of what a good holiday is and my review is only my opinion, some like to be constantly active and enjoy a drink etc but we like peace and quiet and tranquility. I feel that the Maroma gave us this. You have to bare in mind that the hotel has only been open since November 2007 as it was taken over by the Eldorado group so the staff are very eager to please and gain good reviews. The concierge are always wandering around the resort and checking that everything is okay and they will even get you a drink if your glass is empty. They do read the reviews every morning that are left by guests before departing.

Our experience was a good one and we have returned home with very happy memories and horrible post holiday blues.

Now, yes we did have a couple of issues one was the very loud TV in the next room which we found was on a timer to come on at certain times to welcome new arrivals, even early morning flights! (we couldn't get our heads around this) we did have to compain but when we did it was sorted out by the concierge Ruth and I was given a complentary treatment at the Spa. Now again, this is only our opinion but when one books a holiday to a resort far away from other hotels on the best beach in the world which is also supposed to be a relaxing spa resort, one would expect a bit of peace and quiet but we did experience a little noise. Lots of door banging (by staff and guests), loud TVs and unfortunately we were opposite Rick's bar so just bad luck I guess. We did suggest that maybe the TV's should have a set volume limit and they did take that on board. We also mentioned the door banging too which seemed to get better.

Someone did mention in another review that the music speaker on the beach was a bit annoying. I do agree a little as there wasn't really any need for it except for when Ivan the entertainment's guy was doing water arobics in the pool. But in the afternoon they did play alot of ballads and it was actually quite relaxing some days. Maybe they had altered the volume after the previous people had complained? They also mentioned the curtains on the balconies these were for privacy only and could be tied back if you wanted.

There was some work being carried out both weeks we were there and it did get loud at times, towards the end of the fortnight they had finished an outside grill area which will house another eating option for the hotel. We didn't benefit from it this time but we do intend to return to enjoy it soon. My husband quite enjoyed watching them build it especially when we found out to get a perfect rounded edge on a patio just use some guttering pipe!!! Fantastic!

Now, after those small grumbles I have to give it large. These people were the most warm, sincere and genuine I have ever met in my life. To be welcomed and taken into people's hearts the way we were is far beyond compehension. The staff did not require a tip to give you good service like other hotels we have visited. If we did leave a tip it was accepted with sincere thanks regardless of how large or small or on more than one occasion not accepted.

This is a Gourmet Inclusive resort so the food is exceptional and incredibly fresh, the drinks available are all the top brands except the Champagne good, but it does pack a punch but I'm not a drinker so it doesn't take much!

For breakfast and lunch you went to Sabores near the main pool where everytime we received outstanding service from Jose, Marcial and Mario (super mario) and nothing was too much trouble for them. It's even more amazing when you learn how much these guys are on a week. At breakfast and lunch you could eat outside and on a Thurs, Fri and Sat there was lunch on the beach.

Dinner was again, in either Sabores (mexican/continental), Mio (italian) or the Asian/Japanese (can't remeber the name). The asian restaurant is good where you can get sushi, sashimi and stir fries etc. Our favourite was Mio. If you didn't fancy a full on 3 course meal every night then you could go to any restaurant and just order one dish which I did on a number of occasions, my favourite was the Mahi Mahi from Mio. Alfredo and Carlos will see you right in there. There is 24 hour room service but it is very basic, don't be scared to ask for something that isn't on the menu though as they will try to accomodate you. I'm a health freak and used the gym a couple of times as I do alot of running the gym has more than enough equipment to keep your routine. I was paranoid about gaining weight but after 2 weeks of beautiful fresh food 3 times a day and a couple of runs I lost 6lbs!!!! Hilarious. Even funnier my husband lost 4lbs and wished he'd ignored my 'skip a desert today darling' remarks.

Rick's bar is where everything happens on a night, great eighties revival music videos are played (hilarious, brought back memories) and then some kind of live act, girls look out for the 4 piece mexican rock band-fantastic and boy! they melted some hearts. Alex and Christian will keep you entertained and maybe give you a game of pool. At the moment it's England 9 Mexico 7 to be continued........

The Spa is lovely and I enjoyed 2 massages and a paraffin pedicure, I recommend the pedicure the day before you come home as it really conditions your feet after the heat, sand etc.

The Marina is just to the side of the hotel and does not cause a problem in fact is quite welcoming if you like to hear the sound of boats etc. My husband did half a day's deep sea fishing and he just walked to the marina instead of having to endure a coach ride for half an hour first before catching a boat.

Now we are very quiet people and keep ourselves to ourselves and for the first week of our holiday were in bed at 8pm every night and slept for 10 wonderful hours of dreamless sleep (think it was the humidity as normally I average 4 hours a night!), but if you wear a smile and say please and thankyou these people will love you. I have come home with new friends not only from Mexico but from Canada and America and we have been overwhelmed with the kindness we have received this last fortnight. So much so, we plan to return to this little piece of paradise to renew our wedding vows very soon. We have swapped email addresses with a couple of the concierge who are going to help us arrange this so that it will be perfect.

Thank you all so much at the Maroma for providing us with a holiday that we so needed, and I hope this helps other potential guests on Trip Advisor, I almost didn't want to write a good review so that people wouldn't visit and it could just remain ours.

My wife and I stayed at EDM for 8days around Easter. Had a lovely time. would definitely recommend this place for a small relaxing boutique type resort. The staff was great, my wife made many friends. We stayed in the older Mi Hotelito part, not as fancy as the bigger new building, but more established, with a true tropical feeling, very close to the beach. We love the International restaurant by the main pool. The menu kepted us intrigued for all 3 meals. The Italian Restaurant had some fine adventuresome choices but one night we had a hankering for Spaghetti Bolognese, ask and you shall receive. All the restaurants were very accommodating with special food requests. The older thatched beach beds are down by the Mi Hotelito end with more shady palms. You can still find one as late as 8am, even thought the resort was full.

My only complaint is the use of music. A resort like this which caters to a sightly older adult crowd should realize that people need a break from noise. Not necessary, especially near a beach. The active crowd can find a ton of recreation a block north of the resort at the Maroma Marina .

We highly recommend EDM and look forward to someday returning.

We stayed at the resort for a week. We had been to another Karisma Resort, which is now part of another group, last year and loved it. Our experience at this resort was different. In terms of the location and beach, it is wonderful. The water is lovely to swim in, and the beach is great for walking. We originally booked in the Mi Hotelito section but thought that the rooms were dark and a little damp. Plus we didn't like the white fabric stretched across the balconies blocking the views. We upgraded to Infinity suites without the pool. The Infinity Suites on the third and forth floors don't have the pool, and instead have lovely large balconies with a bed, two chairs and a table. They are large, clean and very nice. The bathrooms were very nice with thick towels and nice soaps. The outdoor showers could be great, but the faucet points the water directly at the door, so it is impossible to be under the water. The indoor shower was very good.

The food was very good. We wished that the 24 bar had been open in the evening. It is a lovely place to have a drink and to feel that you are someplace else. In Ricks, with the loud music and pulsing lights, you could be anywhere. There are not many places to eat outdoors and this is something that the resort seems to be working on.

The people working at the resort on the whole were extremely nice and tried to be helpful. Lisa, a concierge, worked to get us into upgraded rooms, and tried to get the music at the beach turned down.

The only thing that really disturbed us and that will ultimately prevent us from going there or another Karisma resort again is the constant "music" that is played all over the resort. Especially the speaker that is put on at 9 until 5 directly on the beautiful,could be peaceful, beach. We had to argue to get them to turn it down or off for short periods. It drove us absolutely crazy. We didn't go to be on a beach to listen to music (and, what's more, that we had no control over). We could go to Coney Island for that. I didn't mind the live music at lunch, or the music at the bar areas. But to have to be subjected to a down beat all day on the beach is another story. It would have been a different experience without it, and I doubt that anyone staying there would have missed it. We would be booking our stay next year without it.

We just returned from two weeks at the El Dorado Maroma and wish to say, we didn't want to leave. The resort is fabulous for romance, peace and quiet and long, long walks on white sand beaches. It is over 2 miles south of the closest resort but only 15 minutes from Playa Del Carmen.
The resort is made up of the older rooms or the newest, larger rooms - some with infinity pools on the decks. We stayed in the older section which had direct ocean views from all rooms. The pictures you see on their website are of the older section and only two stories in height. The newer rooms are in four story buildings - there are no elevators - and probably have 50 or so rooms in total. The entire resort only has 72 rooms so it is very, very small and cozy.
For those who are interested, the Maroma Beach Marina is directly to the north of the resort. Although they rent power boats and jet skis, the noise was not that obvious.
We have traveled to Mexico for over 25 years and enjoyed this resort the most of any and we have stayed at them all. Understand that we are in our 50's so not into the "have to do something" every waking moment on our vacations and go to rest, relax and read. If you want activity - go to El Dorado Royale - it's a lively place with lots of things to do - more oriented for the younger crowd (we were there last year). At El Dorado Maroma (EDM) you do not have to rush out in the wee hours of the morning to set your towels out to get a place at the beach. The pool areas do not have the blaring um-pa boom music playing, the staff is extremely pleasant and the food is wonderful.
The restaurants are not buffet - although there is a small one at the breakfast and lunch restaurant. There are only three restaurants - one of which is open for breakfast and lunch. Lunch is served on the beach on Thursday, Friday and Saturday although you can still get lunch in the restaurant but who would want to. There is an Oriental, an Italian and a Mexican restaurant. Smaller healthier portions but you can try alot of different foods so believe me you do not go away hungry. Of the two weeks we were there, we ate at the oriental every night but three and never got tired of it. This is where you will meet most of the other guests and have a chance to chit-chat. We made some good friends and had some wonderful conversations.
Perhaps the only short coming is the resort is rather understaffed. Service is not fast but they try hard.
My husband and I walked daily down the beach. We actually did some community service while we were there and picked up trash along the beach further down. The stuff that floats in off the ships - oh my gosh. Shoes, water bottles, plastic bags...etc. We picked up 6 hugh bags of trash and hauled it back to the resort to be disposed of. We actually had some other travelers from the resorts down the way help us. It made us feel good as well. (The EDM will provide bags if you are interested - just ask at the Consierge desk).
We did not go snorkling at the resort or at the Marina where the hugh catamarans leave from. If you walk down the beach about 1/2 mile, you will find a sail boat called the Eight Dwarfs and William is the owner. Not a fancy boat but goes to the same place as the big boats do but only charges $30 per person for a three hour trip. Tell him Rick and Mary sent you.
I must let you know that my husband and I are members of Exotic Travel and have been - that is my disclaimer - but I would recommend this resort to anyone who wants a laid-back, recovery vacation.
Hope this helps and may everyone have a wonderful vacation - and DON'T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN!!!!