If your dream wedding is a beachy destination full of luxury and romance, we have the perfect place for you. We had the pleasure of visiting two different resorts in Playa Del Carmen recently, and fell in love with both of them! So if you are looking for more of a private romantic getaway, or something more family oriented, El Dorado resorts has something for you! While this trip was sponsored by Apple Vacations, all of my opinions are my own, and I promise to give a thorough and honest review of the resorts!

 

Effortless travel

One of the biggest things to consider when planning your wedding abroad is travel. Especially if you are inviting guests, ease of travel is a big consideration! Cancun airport is just a 30 minute drive from both El Dorado resorts, and travel into Cancun is a breeze. Plus, it’s just a 3 hour flight from DC making it an easy trip for almost anyone.

 

A tale of two weddings

One of my favorite things about visiting both El Dorado Maroma and El Dorado Casitas Royale was how different they were! Both resorts were beautiful but they each had unique aspects that cater to a different kind of destination wedding. So whether you are looking for a romantic elopement or vow renewal, or a large family affair, El Dorado resorts has something for you.

 

A Romantic Elopement or adults only wedding

 

The first resort we visited was El Dorado Maroma. This quiet, adults only, romantic resort felt very exclusive even on the drive in. As you drive deeper into the jungle, you start to feel how secluded and exclusive this resort is. A much smaller resort, El Dorado Maroma is known for its private, romantic atmosphere.

One of the first things you’ll notice about El Dorado Maroma is the two different resorts on one property. There is the Maroma resort, and the Palafitos. If you are dreaming of an overwater bungalow like you’d find in Tahiti or Fiji, the Palafitos are the closest overwater bungalows to the US. These dreamy private rooms all have their own deck with insane ocean views, and an outdoor hot tub for you to enjoy. Plus the rooms have windows on the floor so you can see the waves below you no matter where you are. 

There is also an exclusive restaurant over the water in the Palafitos area that is absolutely incredible. Not only the food, but the views will take your breath away. This restaurant is also available to host your rehearsal dinner or cocktail hour, which would be absolutely beautiful with the ocean background.

If overwater bungalows aren’t your style (or in your budget) the Maroma resort is just as romantic and beautiful on land. With beautiful beaches just steps away from your room, dreamy blue pools, a gorgeous spa and even a nightclub, Maroma is the perfect resort for a couple or small group to get away. We had the pleasure of witnessing a beachfront wedding and it was absolutely gorgeous. 

And when you are done tying the knot, they have lots of fun things to do on property! With dance lessons, volleyball, canoes, and more, we were having fun from dawn until dusk! 

Another incredible perk at El Dorado Maroma is the Villa. This 5 room villa can be reserved exclusively with your family or friends, and includes private rooms, a communal area where you can gather and a private pool. You can even reserve a private chef that will cook exclusively for you and your guests! This would be perfect for a bridal party, to share with all your friends, and extend the fun into your honeymoon.

El Dorado Maroma also has a marina where you can venture out into excursions like parasailing, ATV tours, scuba diving and more. So whether you are there for relaxation, or you want some adventure, you get both at El Dorado Maroma.

The Maroma Wedding Experience

If having a luxury wedding experience is on your bucket list, El Dorado Maroma is exactly what you are looking for. Imagine waking up the day of your wedding for a couples massage, followed by getting ready in the most beautiful bridal suite, complete with make-up booths and brunch snacks. Then walking down to the most beautiful ocean side chapel or right onto the beach for your ceremony. With every last detail taken care of, your wedding experience is stress free in paradise at this intimate resort.

With the incredible amenities, top notch service and experience, the El Dorado Maroma is the perfect destination for your romantic getaway, elopement or small adult only wedding. But if you have a large family, or even kids, El Dorado resorts has another option that might be more your speed.

Family Friendly Fun

In addition to visiting the beautiful El Dorado Maroma, we had the amazing opportunity to visit their sister resort El Dorado Royale. This property was truly unique because it was three resorts in one, each with their own unique flavor!

Immediately we noticed that the El Dorado Royale property was much bigger than the Maroma resort, and had an incredible variety of options for wedding venues. The other great thing about this property was the capacity to accommodate large scale events. Weddings with hundreds of guests can have an incredible experience, and one that is inclusive for the whole family.

 

Three resorts in one. 

Similar to the Maroma property, with the Palafitos resort, El Dorado Royale has 3 different properties that are available for guests to explore! First is the flagship property El Dorado Royale. This property had a lot of fun features and experiences, including an outdoor night club, dozens of pools, and various areas that were instagram ready! Including really fun eating opportunities like an “Iron Chef” style restaurant, and a world class spa, you would never get bored! 

But for the person who is looking for a quieter, more exclusive experience, right next door is the El Dorado Royale Casitas. This is where we stayed, and this unique area of the resort is made up of casita villages that are centered around their own private pool. Having a quieter, more exclusive area felt so relaxing and luxurious, and having easy access to the more fun and exciting side was such a nice change of pace.

And unlike the Maroma property, the third resort in this group is a family friendly resort called Generations. With lots of activities for kids (including a kids club where they can play while the adults have fun) this is the perfect set-up for large family weddings.

All three resorts are connected through a system of trolleys that take you around the property, so you can spread out and have your own vacation, while still having a large wedding that is fit for a family of any size.

 

Scenic ocean side wedding venues

One of the most incredible things about weddings at El Dorado Royale was the incredible variety in wedding venues. Want a covered outdoor wedding with 180 degree ocean views- they’ve got it. Want to literally walk on the beach, with room for over 100 people, they’ve got it. Want a rooftop wedding with incredible views of the water and jungle- they’ve got it. Want a traditional Mayan ceremony in a cenote- they’ve got it!

And with on site florists and designers, everything is taken care of, so you can just fly in with your dress and your family, and celebrate your wedding without any of the stress.

Luxury weddings for large parties

In addition to having incredible variety, the spa at El Dorado Royale has an incredible bridal suite complex complete with 5 different massage rooms for couples, and a large scale salon and make up studio for you to get ready. This entire floor of the spa can accommodate even the largest of bridal parties with exclusivity, privacy and luxury on your incredible day.

 

And let me tell you about the FOOD.

One of the highlights of BOTH El Dorado resorts was the food! El Dorado resorts have what is called Gourmet Inclusive dining, which means its not the buffet style “all inclusive” food you may have experienced in the past. Both resorts offer gourmet food in an all inclusive experience, and I can’t say enough about how incredible the food was. If you are a foodie or enjoy high quality service and dining experiences, you can’t go wrong with either El Dorado resorts.

All in all, I was extremely impressed with the wedding experience offerings at both El Dorado Resorts. The resorts were gorgeous, and luxurious, the wedding packages were inclusive and extravagant, the food was incredible, the views were breathtaking and the overall experience will leave you wishing you never had to leave.

And no matter if you want a romantic elopement style experience, a large family event to remember, or something in between, El Dorado has something for everyone.

So whether you are planning a destination wedding, a tropical honeymoon, or a fun girl’s weekend getaway, El Dorado Spa Resorts by Karisma is the ideal choice for you. Ready to book? Complete this form to get all the information you need to plan your dream big event!