Trip to Mexico November 2009

In November 2009 I had the opportunity to travel to Riviera Maya, Mexico and visit the Karisma properties to do site inspections and also view several locations where they perform destination weddings. All of the resorts are absolutely beautiful and the staff is very warm and friendly. When you walk into any of the Karisma properties you are met with a warm towel and a beverage. I would recommend the Karisma properties to anyone who is looking for the perfect beach for a destination wedding, honeymoon couples and families.

El Dorado Royale
While I was in Riviera Maya I stayed at the El Dorado Royale in a spacious Jacuzzi Junior Suite. The El Dorado Royale is a very large property with golf carts traveling up and down the path to take you to where you need to go. The El Dorado Royale is an adults-only, Gourmet Inclusive, beachfront resort for couples, honeymooners and destination weddings. It sits on 1.5 miles of sandy beach and is just 30 minutes from the Cancun Airport. There is a beachfront wedding chapel where Catholic weddings can be performed. There are also off site English speaking wedding coordinators providing full destination wedding coordination services and a dedicated onsite wedding team at every Karisma property.


Maroma
El Dorado Maroma is a beachfront Karisma resort situated on Maroma beach which was voted one of the best beaches in the world. This resort is ideal for guests seeking active relaxation in a luxuriously laid-back environment with gourmet cuisine and impeccable service. The Maroma also has a beachfront wedding chapel with the ability to perform Catholic weddings. The resort is located 40 minutes south of the Cancun Airport so I would suggest upgrading to non-stop transfers. The Maroma sits close to the Marina Maroma which offers many water activities but is far enough away not to be bothered by it. The spa at the Maroma is very small and it doesn't have a bridal suite but the bride will have full use of the spa if she decides to have her destination wedding at the Maroma.


Azul Beach
Azul Beach Hotel, by Karisma, is a family friendly hotel that sits on over half a mile of the white sands of Bahia Petempich and is only 20 minutes from the Cancun Airport. All rooms are just steps away from the beach, pool, restaurants and bars. The resort provides unique baby amenities such as strollers, cribs, baby milk heaters, bottle sterilizers, baby stepping stool, baby bath and much more. The Azul Beach also has a children's activity service and baby-sitting services if parents want a little quiet time to relax.


Villa Carola
The Azul Villa Carola is a 10,700 square foot, two level haven with 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, an oversized private pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, dedicated staff and a multitude of services and amenities. Casually eleggant, the Italian marble and mahogany furniture will enhance any family vacation, wedding party or small group getaway. The Villa Carola is located just 20 minutes south of the Cancun Airport and guests may elect to use the amenities and services of next door Azul Beach hotel or using the fully equipped granite gourmet kitchen. You can rent the whole villa (6 bedrooms) or rent only the bottom half (3 bedrooms) and the Villa Carola must be rented for a minimum of 4 nights.


Seaside Suites
El Dorado Seaside Suites, by Karisma, offers barefoot elegance along a white sand beach. This adults-only Karisma property was named one of the "10 Most Romantic Hotels in the World" by Forbes and sits on a long white sand beach with coral reef directly in front which is fantastic for snorkeling and fish feeding. This El Dorado Seaside Suites has a nice pier where destination weddings can be performed along with the dinner. At this resort you can sleep overnight on a romantic beach bed which is unique. The Seaside Suites is about an hour south of the Cancun Airport so I would highly recommend purchasing non-stop transfers to shave off about 20 minutes of your transfer time. For destination weddings there is guaranteed judge availabilty at the El Dorado Maroma, El Dorado Royale and the El Dorado Seaside Suites.




Azul Sensatori
The Azul Sensatori Hotel, by Karisma, is a family friendly hotel that sits on over 1,000 feet of white sandy beach and has a vareily of suite categories including family and honeymooner suites. At the Azul Sensatori, if you request connecting rooms you are guaranteed them which is something that can't be done at most other resort. There is a Teens Club with activities and the latest video gaming and disco bar and also a kids club with splash park, MyGym program and Fisherprice toys. There is an adults-only restaurant, Le Chique, that parents can go to for a night out but make sure you make reservations at least 24 hours in advance. The Azul Sensatori is a much larger property than the Azul Beach so there could be a lot of walking for the little ones so keep that in mind. The Azul Sensatori also provides baby amenities such as baby strollers, baby cribs, baby food and much, much more. For destination weddings, the Azul Sensatori offers a unique location, a rooftop overlooking the Caribbean Sea. This wedding package is called the Sky Wedding and is an add-on to the Silver or Gold Wedding Package only.