In Mexico’s Cancun/Riviera Maya region, there are the vacationers who seek revelry and those who prefer stillness. After being among thousands of conference attendees for a week, the last thing I wanted was to throw myself into more hyper-social scenarios on my time off. No tequila-fueled partying this trip...seclusion was calling. I followed in the footsteps of serenity seekers, and checked into El Dorado Maroma, a mellow, all-inclusive resort known to deliver high-end beachfront R&R.
With just 128 suites (though it feels far smaller on any given day), El Dorado Maroma is the go-to for honeymooners and anniversary-celebrating couples, both of which account for half of the resort’s guest types. Because no minors are allowed, there are no screaming children to interrupt downtime, and no overwhelming crowds in the resort’s multiple pools and bars. The numerous palm tree fronds rustling from the constant breeze are the only “loud noises” you’ll endure here.
Staying inside the spacious accommodations for the day or evening is not a bad idea either, as the resort features an impressive 11 different accommodation types, from swim-up Jacuzzi suites to the two-story Presidential Beachfront Villas and the newly-built overwater bungalows.
The resort’s beachfront offers plenty of space to lounge, with attendants delivering any drinks you’d like directly to your lounger or comfy cabana. Their spa program features Mayan influences and include special treatments such as the Tequila Ritual and Kakaw Body Treatment. Indoor massages are available at the Naay Spa, and al fresco therapies can be experienced at Sky Massage. I chose the latter in order to linger longer on the beach. Nothing beats a body rub under a luxurious, open-air palapa where gentle playlists are swapped for the sounds of the Caribbean Sea breezes.
Deemed “Gourmet Inclusive,” every meal—from contemporary Peruvian ceviche in hot spot Lima Limon to the succulent grilled prime rib at beachside Papitos—is an excellent choice. Much of the produce is grown locally by the Karisma brand at their massive Green House complex, which uses hydroponic technology to grow everything from mint leaves to juicy tomatoes and cucumbers for all their Mexico-based properties. Not only are El Dorado Maroma guests dining on fresh, tasty food, they can do so without the need to book restaurant reservations months in advance or pay extra for a premium meal like typical all-inclusives.
On September 1, the resort’s brand new Palafitos, or overwater bungalows, will make their debut. The villas features 30 high-end, overwater suites with glass-bottom floors and private pools jutting from Maroma Beach’s shores. Its restaurant (Over the Water Grill and Wine Bar) and Naay Spa Over the Water are available exclusively to bungalow guests. Rates begin at $516 a night for non-bungalow guests, while rates for the palafitos have not yet been released.
