El Dorado Royale is proof that you don’t need to splurge on a high-tier swim-up suite or dedicated butler service to have an incredible adults-only Mexican getaway. Staying here for a week in January showed us that booking a standard room is actually the ultimate secret to getting a top-tier Riviera Maya vacation at a bargain price.
While the entry-level accommodations are fairly basic and show their age compared to the newer sections of the resort, it really didn’t matter. You spend almost all your time out exploring anyway, and standard rooms give you access to the exact same top-shelf dining, bars, and expansive grounds as everyone else.
The real standout here is Karisma’s “Gourmet Inclusive” dining. Instead of generic all-inclusive buffets sitting under heat lamps, you get genuine à la carte meals ranging from fresh Mexican and Italian specialties to coal-oven grills that easily rival great standalone restaurants. On top of that, the staff goes out of their way to make you feel completely welcomed—the waitstaff, bartenders, and groundskeepers bring a level of warmth that elevates the entire trip.
Plus, the resort’s massive layout gives you plenty of room to roam. You can easily stroll over to check out neighboring properties like El Dorado Casitas Royale for extra pool options and scenery. Just make sure to take advantage of a day trip down to El Dorado Maroma. Swapping the main resort’s rockier coastline for Maroma’s powdery white sand and turquoise water makes for an absolutely unbeatable beach day.