It sounds dreamy, right? Step outside your spacious oceanfront hotel room to take a dip in your very own swimming pool located just a few feet from your suite’s sliding-glass door. Indeed, there’s an adults-only, all-inclusive resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, south of Playa del Carmen, that faces the ocean with infinity pools on all six floors.
That said, the pools on each floor of the El Dorado Seaside Suites are not created equal. You’ll want to reserve your room carefully — and know up front some of the benefits and pitfalls of each level — before you arrive. Here’s the scoop.
Oceanfront Honeymoon Suites At El Dorado Seaside Suites
My husband and I went big on our first trip after we received our COVID-19 vaccines this spring. We booked a sixth-floor oceanfront honeymoon suite at El Dorado Seaside Suites, even though we celebrated our honeymoon more than 20 years ago!
Since “honeymoon” is a resort room category, not a requirement, we thought, “Why not?!” Our accommodations came with some fun extras (candlelight dinner on the beach, special room-service breakfast) and we wanted to ensure great views of the ocean on the top floor.
We’re so glad we reserved this room type. Indeed, the ocean vistas, especially at sunrise, were spectacular. We appreciated all the sun that the top-floor patio and infinity pool received throughout the day. And it felt great to hop in the not-too-cold pool after an exercise walk or day spent on the beach.
Oceanfront Pool Swim Up Suites At El Dorado Seaside Suites
We’re doubly glad we didn’t book the swim-up suites on the first floor. Many visitors covet these accommodations, as they lead directly to the main pool with a swim-up bar just a few splashes away. But the pool is also party central!
There’s zero privacy while lounging on your patio that’s in full view of guests frolicking in the main infinity pool. However, if you don’t mind being on display, this room category is ideal for vacationers who like to be in the midst of all the action — dancing to live music (a band sets up poolside at least once weekly), aqua aerobics, pool volleyball, and a whole lot of folks socializing around the bar (all alcoholic drinks are included in your all-inclusive vacation here).
Oceanfront Swim Up Suites At El Dorado Seaside Suites
Note that this room category doesn’t include the word “pool” (that is, the main pool) in its name. These rooms are located on the second through fifth floors of the V-shaped building. While they indeed have balcony infinity pools, the rooms don’t receive a ton of sunlight throughout the day. And, according to multiple reports on Facebook fan groups for the resort, the water in these balcony pools isn’t very warm — unless you’re visiting in the toasty months of July and August.
Of course, pool temperature is relative! But if you’re hoping to dip into bathwater temperatures on a December vacation, you may be sorely disappointed. (I didn’t see many people using pools on the second to fifth floors in early May.)
Also reported in the Facebook fan groups: the lack of ocean views on the second floor. There are just too many (beautiful!) palm trees in the way to get a great view of the water. So, while these rooms may be priced most affordably, you may be missing out on warm pool water or great views if you end up on the second to fifth floors.
What Else You Need To Know About Visiting El Dorado Seaside Suites
You actually get to enjoy two resorts for the price of one when you book a vacation here. That’s because El Dorado Seaside Suites is adjacent to El Dorado Seaside Palms, so a variety of restaurants, bars, activities (beach volleyball, morning yoga), and a great beach are just a short stroll (or golf-cart shuttle ride) away. As an all-inclusive guest, you have access to it all.
And this is key because the beach at the newer Seaside Suites section is quite rocky. The beach at next-door Seaside Palms is bigger, with a nicer stretch of white sand and a quiet bay for swimming and snorkeling. (Don’t expect to boogie board here; there are man-made sandbars protecting the beach, so big, rolling waves don’t reach the shore.)
The resorts share an upscale spa; I highly recommend a massage or other body treatment that includes “water journey” hydrotherapy featuring a sublime steam room, warm soaking pool with multiple jets, hot tub, and exhilarating cold plunge!
My favorite restaurant is also located on the Palms side. At La Carreta, I enjoyed the marinated pork tacos with pineapple salsa and the savory chicken mole. Also, keep an eye out for outdoor pop-up stands throughout the entire resort, where you might be able to grab authentic tacos de canasta or chicken kebabs to go.
Pro Tip: Rooms at El Dorado Seaside Suites are spacious with a large bathroom, Jacuzzi tub, and modern decor, no matter what category you book. However, Mexico’s humidity and the resort’s oceanfront location can lead to the sleek floors being coated with condensation if you leave your balcony door open! Be sure to turn the A/C on “dry” mode to help combat this problem.