I’m combining two resorts in Cancun, Mexico, in this article since they are both owned by Lomas Hospitality and are sister properties. This means that guests can stay at one resort while also enjoying the amenities of the other. Additionally, there is another section of the resort called El Dorado Royale, but we have not stayed in those rooms.

Our first visit was to El Dorado Casitas Royale, an adults-only resort, in the summer of 2023 and we truly enjoyed our stay. The “casita” concept is a great touch, featuring multiple sections of buildings, each with its own main pool, bar, and a dedicated restaurant. Our casita building had Las Olas, a restaurant where we could enjoy poolside lunches. Plus, every section has direct beach access with plenty of private cabanas available.

We enjoyed our first stay enough to return with our kids and my in-laws, this time at Generations Riviera Maya, their family-friendly resort this January of 2025. While our stay was decent, our experience at Casitas Royale was far superior. The biggest issue we encountered at Generations was inconsistent service, which fell short in several areas. However, there were also positives, and I’ll share the highlights, and lowlights, of both stays below.

Rooms

El Dorado Royale Casitas

We spent a week at the El Dorado Royale Casitas. When choosing a resort, I wanted something not too far from Cancun Airport (since we often stay in Playa del Carmen and wanted a change) and a room with a balcony pool.

Our room was spacious, beautifully designed, and offered stunning ocean views. However, the pool on our balcony didn’t feel particularly clean, so we didn’t use it much and instead spent most of our time at the main pool. We love pool bars, and it was great to be able to move easily between the pool and the beach.

One of the highlights was the beach cabanas- they were fantastic. Since each casita section has its own beachfront, there were always plenty of cabanas available for guests in our area. The same went for the poolside chairs- it never felt overcrowded, which made for a relaxing and enjoyable stay.

Generations Riviera Maya

We went into this trip with extremely high expectations, largely due to the tour we had taken during a previous visit when they were trying to sell us a membership. During the tour, they showed us a stunning three-bedroom suite at this property, and we immediately knew we wanted to return with our kids and Travis’ parents. The suite featured a shared main entrance with three separate bedrooms: a master suite with a king bed, bathroom, living room, and kitchen; a connecting two-queen bedroom with a living area and bathroom; and another king bedroom with its own living space and bathroom. One of the most exciting features was the balcony pool, which allowed guests to swim between the rooms, though each patio had divider walls for privacy.

I’ll save the details of our confusion upon arrival for the section about the membership presentation, but to say we were disappointed at check-in would be an understatement. We were informed that we had been “upgraded” to a three-bedroom suite that included the Presidential Suite. Had we known this was considered an upgrade or even an option, we likely would have booked it from the start. Initially, we were excited to see the same room that had impressed us on the tour. However, that excitement quickly faded when we realized the poor condition of the suite. Every couch was covered in stains, presumably from years of guests sitting on them in wet swimsuits. Much of the furniture was visibly worn and damaged, and the room my in-laws took had dirty floors and felt neglected. Given the price we paid, this was a disappointing way to start our trip.

Despite our initial frustrations, we made a conscious effort not to let it ruin the experience. The room layout was still exactly what we had hoped for, and the boys absolutely loved the balcony pool.

Unfortunately, the disappointments continued throughout the week. One recurring issue was that our room was not restocked with water. During our previous stay at El Dorado Casitas Royale, this was never a problem, but at Generations, it seemed to be a staffing issue. Despite multiple calls requesting refills, they never followed through. Small inconveniences like this added up, making it difficult to overlook the resort’s inconsistencies in service.

Dining

This is where we feel these resorts truly shine. During our first stay, we were extremely impressed with both the quality and variety of the food, so we were eager to see if Generations would live up to our expectations. Having visited several other all-inclusive resorts where the food is often mediocre at best, we appreciated that dining here felt like an experience rather than just a necessity.

Reservations weren’t required for the restaurants open for breakfast and lunch, making it easy to dine at your convenience. However, dinner reservations were necessary. You could book them through your concierge or use the resort’s app to check availability upon arrival.

Here are some brief overviews of our experiences at each:

El Dorado Casitas

Cocotal: The international breakfast buffet at Cocotal was excellent! They offered a fantastic variety of dishes each morning, and I especially enjoyed the yogurt bar with fresh fruit and granola. Breakfast buffets can be hit or miss, but this one was consistently great—we genuinely looked forward to dining here every morning.

D’Italia Casitas: On the night we dined here, the air conditioning wasn’t working, so they moved all the tables outside. While it was quite warm, we actually enjoyed the outdoor atmosphere. This restaurant was a standout for us—the menu had a great variety of dishes, and every one we tried was full of flavor.

Santa Fe Grill: We had both breakfast and dinner at Santa Fe Grill. Breakfast was a nice change from Cocotal since it offered à la carte dishes you wouldn’t find at the buffet. However, dinner was probably our least favorite meal of the trip. There was nothing wrong with it per se, but the menu just wasn’t to our taste.

Kampai: We tried both lunch and dinner at Kampai, and both meals were fantastic. The restaurant offered a great selection of Asian cuisine, including sushi, and every dish we ordered was delicious.

Fuentes: This was an add-on experience for the Culinary Theater and live show, and it was absolutely worth it! We upgraded our table to the front area, which gave us an up-close view of the action. The chefs walked us through the preparation of each dish before we got to enjoy it, and every course was outstanding. To top it off, they surprised me with a special dessert for my birthday. I highly recommend making time for this experience if you’re staying at the resort!

Candlelight Dinner: This was a private beachfront dinner set up under a beautifully decorated teepee, allowing us to enjoy the sand and ocean views while we dined. Although it’s an add-on experience, ours was complimentary because we attended the Exotic Travelers presentation. The food was good, but I wasn’t particularly hungry that evening so that wasn’t memorable for me. The most unforgettable part of the night was witnessing a sea turtle laying eggs just steps away from our table- it was absolutely magical. If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic, and intimate dining experience, this is a wonderful option.

Las Olas: We loved having Las Olas right behind the main pool in our casita section. The menu changed daily, offering a fun variety of cuisines like Chicago-style hot dogs, paella, and hamburgers. It was incredibly convenient to grab a bite after spending time in the pool, making it one of our favorite casual dining spots.

Generations Riviera Maya

Almost every meal we had at the resort was excellent. However, securing dinner reservations upon arrival was unnecessarily stressful. We were initially told we could book through the app, but when we checked, every restaurant was fully booked. Assuming it might be due to our party of six, I tried searching for smaller groups of four, but there were still no available reservations. The next day, we visited the concierge desk for assistance, but they were unhelpful and kept directing us back to the app, which was frustrating.

Eventually, a manager stepped in and offered to call the restaurants directly to check for cancellations or available slots. He asked us to check back later, and after some persistence, we finally received confirmation that we had dinner reservations each night. Though some were later than we preferred, and they could only secure a table for four at The Wine Cellar. While we appreciated the effort, it was unclear where we were expected to eat if we hadn’t pushed so hard to get reservations. To our surprise, once we dined at the restaurants, we noticed several open tables throughout the evening, reinforcing our suspicion that the issue was more about staffing shortages than actual availability. This seemed to align with the inconsistent service we had been experiencing during our stay.

Another unusual aspect of this resort was the lack of convenient poolside dining options. If you were even slightly wet, you weren’t allowed to dine at Palms, nor could you grab a plate to go from the buffet. There was a small stand near the pool that was supposed to serve hamburgers, hot dogs, and tacos during the day, but it was either closed or significantly delayed in opening each day. This made grabbing a quick bite while relaxing by the pool more challenging than it should have been.

Wine Kitchen: This meal was, without a doubt, the highlight dinner of our trip and felt like true fine dining within an all-inclusive resort. Every dish we tried was near perfection! The menu offered an excellent variety, including steak, pasta carbonara, and fresh fish, all expertly prepared. The wine selection was equally impressive, making for a well-rounded, high-end dining experience. If you’re visiting the resort, do not miss this restaurant!

Palms: After spending a few hours in the pool, we decided to try Palms, assuming it would serve as the resort’s poolside dining option. By the time we arrived, we were completely dry, though I was wearing a swimsuit with a cover-up tied around my waist. However, they asked me to put on a full cover-up and turned away several other guests who were slightly damp from the pool. While the dress code enforcement felt a bit excessive for a casual dining spot, the Mexican food here was solid. We all enjoyed our nachos and tacos, making it a good meal overall, just not the quick, relaxed poolside option we expected.

Chef Market: The breakfast at Chef Market was good, but by the second day, we were already tired of it. The selection didn’t change, and there just wasn’t enough variety to keep things interesting. Mornings were also chaotic, with waits for a table, slow replenishment of empty food stations, and long lines for made-to-order items like omelets and crêpes. Service was hit or miss- on multiple occasions, it took forever just to get water and coffee.

On New Year’s Eve, Chef Market hosted a special buffet dinner, which was a nice upgrade from the usual breakfast experience. However, it was also the only available dinner option that night for us unless we opted for room service, as everything else was fully booked.

Jade: I was especially excited to try Jade, remembering how much we enjoyed the Asian restaurant at the other resort. Thankfully, it did not disappoint! Everyone in our group was happy with their food, and the menu featured a great selection of dishes, including sushi.

Habb: The Indian cuisine at Habb was excellent, and we had the chance to try several dishes we hadn’t experienced before. The meal started with freshly baked naan bread served alongside a variety of dipping sauces, which was a great introduction to the flavors of the meal. The stunning views from the restaurant made the experience even better!

Room Service: The food quality and variety from room service were great, with options like quesadillas, pasta, pizza, hamburgers, and grilled chicken. However, the delivery times were painfully slow. It often took 30 minutes just for them to confirm our order, and while they quoted an estimated 45-minute delivery time, we sometimes waited up to two hours for our food. One afternoon, we ordered room service thinking it would be a quick lunch for our boys after swimming, but it arrived so late that it was nearly time for our dinner reservation. While convenient in theory, the unreliable wait times made it frustrating in practice.

More Inclusive Package

The More Inclusive package appeared to be a newer offering, as it wasn’t available during our stay at El Dorado Casitas Royale. According to the website, the package includes:

• Round-trip airport transportation
• Catamaran & reef snorkeling excursion
• Access to Maroma Beach Club
• Aqua Nick Water Park
• Ecotourism Ranch (swimming & horse interactions)
• Cenote & underground expedition

Upon arrival, we were instructed to visit the Lomas Hospitality desk to book these activities. However, when we went to do so, we were disappointed to find that almost everything, except for Maroma Beach Club and Aqua Nick Water Park, was already fully booked. This was frustrating, as my husband and oldest son were especially looking forward to the snorkeling excursion. Despite the setback, we knew we’d still make the most of our time by relaxing and enjoying the resort throughout the week.

Aqua Nick Water Park

We had been eagerly anticipating our visit to Aqua Nick after touring it on our last trip, and it absolutely lived up to our expectations. The experience was fantastic! Our whole family had a great time, and we appreciated that the park wasn’t overcrowded. Since we arrived shortly after opening, we had no trouble securing lounge chairs for the day, and the wait times for the water slides were minimal, never exceeding a few minutes.

Even though Aqua Nick is owned by the Nickelodeon Resort next door, they have an agreement to extend the all-inclusive benefits to Lomas Hospitality guests. This meant that food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, were included during our visit, which was a great perk.

Generations provided transportation to and from the water park, with the shuttle getting us there right as it opened. However, the return transportation wasn’t scheduled until park closing. Since the park wasn’t crowded, we were able to enjoy all the attractions multiple times and found ourselves ready to leave much earlier than expected. Rather than waiting, we opted to take a taxi back to the resort, which the park staff helped arrange. The ride was quick and hassle-free, making for a smooth end to a fun-filled day.

Amenities & Entertainment

El Dorado Royale Casitas

While most of our time was spent relaxing by the beach and pool, we did attend a few of the evening entertainment shows, and we were pleasantly surprised by the quality.

We also indulged in a couples massage at the Naay Spa in the Casitas area, which was an incredibly relaxing experience. Arriving early allowed us to enjoy the indoor pool and hydrotherapy circuit before our treatment, making the experience even more rejuvenating. I enjoyed it so much that I returned for a solo massage during our last trip to Generations!

Beyond relaxation, the resort offers plenty of activities to keep guests entertained. Options include beach volleyball, fitness and yoga classes, kayaking, paddle boating, tennis courts, and even a guided tour of their on-site greenhouse. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, there’s always something to do!

Generations Riviera Maya

The resort offered a variety of activities throughout the day, with the schedule available on the hotel app or posted on a whiteboard near the main pool bar. While we didn’t participate in many activities ourselves, there appeared to be plenty happening, especially for kids. For those looking for indoor entertainment, there’s a game room with pool tables and a few arcade games.

In addition to indoor options, the resort is equipped with outdoor activities like a soccer goal, ping pong table, and basketball court. One thing we really appreciated was the abundance of beachfront cabanas available throughout the day, as well as plenty of poolside lounge chairs, ensuring we always had a comfortable spot to relax.

New Year’s Eve Party

Our anniversary falls on New Year’s Eve, so we were excited to see what the resort had planned for the celebration. I couldn’t find much information online before our trip, but upon arrival, they had a QR code available that led to the NYE schedule. It listed a special buffet at Chef’s Market, and for an additional charge, guests could reserve a table at the New Year’s Eve Party, which promised music, entertainment, and table service.

We decided to reserve a table for six, which cost around $450 USD. We had an amazing time at the party! The service was fantastic, with attentive servers making sure we had everything we needed. The entertainment was a highlight, featuring acrobatic performances, juggling, live singing, and a DJ. They even provided party favors to wear and enjoy throughout the evening, which added to the festive atmosphere. It was a great way to ring in the New Year!

Exotic Travelers Membership Presentation

During our stay at El Dorado Casitas Royale, our concierge had been trying to get us to attend a presentation about their membership/loyalty program. About halfway through our trip, we were enjoying ourselves so much that we decided to take a look at what the program had to offer. We had noticed some overwater villas that were supposedly only available to members and thought it might be worth learning more. The tour was promised to take about an hour, and in return, they offered some credits for experiences like candlelight dining on the beach.

We enjoyed exploring the different room options, and it was during this tour that we learned about the room we eventually stayed in at Generations Riviera Maya. However, there was a part of the experience that left us with a bad taste. During the Generations tour, they took us to the much more impressive Nickelodeon lobby, which made the small, one-receptionist Generations lobby feel disappointing and confusing when we arrived for our stay.

After the room tour, we were led to an office to discuss the pricing and details of the membership. Off the top of my head, the membership options ranged from $8,000 to $50,000 USD, offering perks like significantly discounted rates, room upgrades, airfare credits, airport transfers, spa credits, priority booking, and exclusive experiences not available to non-members.

Since we were already interested in returning to the resort or Generations, we were actually considering the idea, particularly because of the priority booking which seemed to offer access to better rooms. However, we’re not the type to make big commitments on the spot, and after over an hour of discussion, we decided to pause and continue our day, especially since it was my birthday. We told them we’d come back the next day if we decided to proceed.

That’s when things took a turn for the worse. A very aggressive salesman was brought in, and when we said we weren’t ready to commit, he started to become rude. At that point, we decided we’d had enough and ended the presentation. The experience left us completely turned off, and there was no way we were going to purchase.

Afterward, we did some research and found a mix of reviews online about the program, so I highly recommend doing your own research before making such a big investment.

Final Thoughts

After reflecting on our experience, we’ve come to the conclusion that we’re unlikely to return to another property owned by Lomas Hospitality. While we thoroughly enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and amenities such as the beach cabanas, Aqua Nick Park, and rooms with pool balconies, we feel our money is better spent at other all-inclusive resorts, particularly in the Playa del Carmen area. The service during our trip this January played a significant role in solidifying this decision.

That being said, there were still many highlights during our stays at both properties, and we don’t regret our vacations there. If you’re seeking a beautiful, laid-back atmosphere, excellent dining, and rooms featuring swim-up or private pool balconies, this is still a solid option. With so many resort choices in Mexico, it can be hard to choose the right one, but I hope this review has provided some helpful insights as you do your research!