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Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Maroma Beach, these elegant bungalows offer breathtaking ocean views in a luxurious and magnificent décor. All bungalows offer a private innity pool and an oversized deck with lounge chairs where you can delight your soul while watching the sunrise or by having a stunning sunset experience.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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The Palafitos Overwater Bungalows draw guests in with their impeccable cleanliness and extensive amenities, from luxurious accommodations to diverse activities. Many guests revel in the hotel's vibrant atmosphere, thanks to lively music and engaging events, while the superb location garners accolades for enhancing special occasions. The service at the hotel receives high marks for its attentive and personalized touch.
However, some travelers consider the hotel overpriced, citing room quality and food that may not meet expectations for the cost. Despite this, the stunning views and direct water access from the rooms are consistently praised.
Location
Superb
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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I don't have words to describe :) exceptional service that we received at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows! We celebrated our 25th Anniversary at this place and I am glad we chose this place for this milestone event. Rooms are located right above the water and very well maintained with direct access to the water from the deck. We were assigned Enrique and Pilar as our butlers. Both were amazing to ensure all our needs were met during the stay. Being a vegetarian, I was bit skeptical if we will get needed options. However, Enrique and Pilar made sure that we did not have any trouble for our food options. Plenty of options to choose from different hotels and best was inroom service for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Alberto, was very helpful for driving us around the resort. Time well spent for our 25th Anniversary at this place!!!
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gerencia General, Propietario at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Responded 27 Nov 2024
Dear Kalpesh S, Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience at Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows. We are thrilled to hear that you chose to celebrate your 25th Anniversary with us and that our team, particularly Enrique, Pilar, and Alberto, contributed to making your stay memorable. It is heartening to know that you appreciated the exceptional service and the accommodations we provide, as well as the variety of vegetarian options available. We aim to cater to all dietary needs to ensure that our guests have a delightful culinary experience. Your kind words motivate our team to continue delivering high-quality service and guest satisfaction. Once again, thank you for your feedback, and we hope to welcome you back for more memorable occasions in the future. Best regards, Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
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Just returned from our trip 12/6. This was our first time at Palafitos and first time staying in an overwater bungalow. The whole experience is perfection and a bit decadent. Everything you could possibly want for a relaxing trip is right there. The Palafitos restaurant is phenomenal and you could eat every meal there, though I suggest branching out to the Maroma as well. Mio and Caribbean Grill were quite nice.
I'll start with the negative - Being a person who tries to get the most out of our vacations, I like to research my destination to lessen the learning curve. I found the website and online information a bit lacking. With some work you can answer most questions, but only if you know what to ask. Unfortunately, you don't know what you don't know. The maps have little detail. The descriptions of restaurants and bars are fluffy with little substance, and it's hard to get a feel for what to expect. That's the only thing I could say needs work.
Positives - Too many to list. The rooms are clean and well maintained. ANY issue we had (need extra hangers, an electrical outlet malfunction, pillows, etc) were addressed quickly. The rooms have everything. mimi-bar, soaking pool, ocean, dech, lounge chairs and wilk in ocean. Upon arrival you will be introduced to one of your butlers. You'll have an AM and PM butler to assist with everything (reservations and drinks, answering questions and ensuring all your expectations are met). We had the privilege of getting to know Aldo and Liz. They are wonderful people who went out of their way to make our vacation special. Never once did we feel like they were "just doing their job" They truly cared. I also have to give a shout out to Clemente and Fernando. We met some friends and partied in the water behind our bungalows. Between Clemente and Fernando we never once became parched or hungry. - Thanks guys! The app (GA Palafitos) is a must for the trip. Everything from activities to room service can be accessed. Download it and make sure it gets activated upon arrival. Room service is awesome. We would order breakfast upon waking and by the time we were moving around and enjoying an expresso on the deck food and drinks arrive.
Finally, enjoy. Palafitos is Spanish for relaxation. Ok, it's not. But it should be.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Get the app GA Palafitos
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Elisa Gomez, Other at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Responded 12 Jan 2024
Dear C8459FKmichaelw, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback on your recent stay at Palafitos. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience of our overwater bungalows and the exceptional service provided by our team, including Aldo, Liz, Clemente, and Fernando. Your insights on the website and online information are appreciated, and we will certainly take your suggestions into consideration for improvement. We strive to provide comprehensive details to enhance the planning process for our guests, and your feedback is invaluable. We are delighted to know that you found the rooms well-maintained, the butlers attentive, and the app convenient for a seamless experience. Your kind words motivate us to continue delivering memorable stays. Thank you for choosing Palafitos Overwater Bungalows, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another relaxing getaway. Warm regards,
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My husband and I came here to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and stayed at the overwater bungalows for 3 nights. It exceeded all our expectations in the room, the food, the service, and the beach. From the beginning of our stay with Alberto helping with our luggage and giving us a short tour of the resort, to Dennys at check-in, Aldo and Fernando as our personal concierge, the wait staff, house keeping…all were fabulous. My husband and I travel multiple times a year and this is the best resort we have ever stayed at. The butler service, provided by Fernando and Aldo, was exceptional, both were very attentive and knew how to make our stay even more special for our anniversary. The beach is in great condition with shallow waters, and there is a dedicated beach for Palafitos members, featuring drink service, beach chairs, and canopy beds. The Palafitos restaurant was amazing on both nights we visited, showcasing their specialty weekend menu. The creativity and thought behind the dishes were evident in every bite. On another night, we dined at the Caribbean restaurant in the main resort, which was also excellent. The only disappointment was that we weren’t there long enough :( Both my husband and I would recommend this resort to anyone looking for a romantic getaway to reconnect with their spouse or just to be at a beautiful, high quality resort. We will 100% be back!
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gerencia General, Propietario at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Responded 1 week ago
Dear Katie K, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows! We are thrilled to hear that you chose to celebrate your 20th wedding anniversary with us and that our accommodations, service, and dining exceeded your expectations. It brings us great joy to know that our dedicated team, including Alberto, Dennys, Aldo, and Fernando, contributed to making your stay memorable. We take pride in our butler service, and it’s gratifying to hear that Fernando and Aldo made your anniversary celebration even more special. We appreciate your kind words about our beach and the Palafitos restaurant. Our culinary team works hard to provide exceptional dining experiences, and we are glad you enjoyed the creative dishes. We look forward to welcoming you back for a longer stay, as we would love to provide you with even more unforgettable moments in the future! Warm regards, Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
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Originally we had planned to go to Maldives and experience the overwater cottages. But on further Googling found this relative new resort right "here" i.e. 3.5 hours from Chicago and immediately saw the advantages on saved travel times, not having to deal with Jetlag etc. etc. and boy did we have a wonderful time at PALAFITOS overwater bungalows!
Everything about our stay was amazing! Our Butlers Chris and Manuel were incredibly attentive and gracious! Food was outstanding. They catered to our special needs being vegetarians and went out of their way to make our meals. Note that Palafitos is connected with El Dorado Maroma so we had access to their 4 restaurants in addition to Palafitos own restaurant. Each restaurant had veg options and the serving staff and chefs were more than willing to accommodate.
The bungalows themselves are nicely situated, well furnished and stocked with enough all-inclusive alcohol (if you indulge) and we had the privilege of being on the sunrise side of the resort and experienced some amazing sunrises right from our comfortable bed.
Some of the things that we most enjoyed were the picnic at the beach, paddle boarding and Kayaking with Mike! Being non- swimmers Mike went out of his way to make sure we felt safe during our kayaking and paddle boarding adventures! Oh and this was all included.
The other good aspect of this resort is that it has a marina like right there, a short walk on the beach and all the other water/boating activities are right there. We did Parasailing and Speed Boating and we had a blast. Especially the Speed boating, which is not for the faint of heart, it's fast and with the waves, the boat jumps and you hang on for dear life, but oh it was so much fun!
There other things couples can indulge in like SPA massages on the beach or Romantic dinner in a tent on the beach, we took a pass on it this time around. Which obviously means my wife and I will definitely be coming back.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Karisma Hotels, Director General at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Responded 4 Jan 2023
Dear Guest Thank you for your wonderful review of your experiences at Palafitos at el Dorado Maroma , it was a pleasure to host your vacation and we are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your Karisma experience. There is nothing more rewarding than to receive the praise from our valued guests and we will certainly share your experiences with our employees. We are very happy to hear that the staff mentioned had such a positive effect on your visit and they will be rewarded for their efforts. Thank you again and we look forward to your next visit to the Palafitos at el Dorado Maroma Regards
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We visited Palafitos for my 40th birthday celebration. The bungalows were spacious and well appointed. We loved using the outdoor shower, laying on the sun deck in the breeze, and dipping into the water from our private stairs. Everything from the service, rooms, dining, and beaches were truly excellent. We never had to worry about making reservations, this was handled by the butler staff or we were otherwise accommodated without a reservation. We loved being able to switch between the total privacy of our bungalow to the Maroma resort where we could meet other guests and enjoy the pools. It was completely relaxing and a true escape. Many thanks to Pilar, Aimee, Enrique, Alberto, Fernando, who made our stay one we’ll never forget!
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Take advantage of the “more inclusive” offerings (catamaran tour with snorkeling and jet skis) at...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gerencia General, Propietario at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Responded 16 Dec 2024
Dear hmclaug, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows. We are thrilled to hear that you chose to celebrate your 40th birthday with us and that our spacious bungalows, outdoor shower, and sun deck contributed to your memorable stay. We are particularly pleased that our dedicated butler staff was able to accommodate your needs seamlessly, allowing you to relax without the stress of reservations. It is delightful to know you enjoyed the balance of privacy within your bungalow and the vibrant atmosphere of the Maroma resort. Your kind words about our team members, especially Pilar, Aimee, Enrique, Alberto, and Fernando, are greatly appreciated and will be shared with them. We are committed to providing exceptional service and creating unforgettable experiences for our guests. Thank you once again for your feedback, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another relaxing escape in the future. Best regards, Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
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We visited July 2023 , The whole experience was 5 stars from arriving at reception , our room was absolutely beautiful with an outdoor shower . Best beach I have ever been on and been to some nice places around the world .
Food in every restaurant was fantastic , my favourite was the chocolate evening at the Palifitos . They had the most amazing saxophone player .
Breakfast was freshly cooked each day . Fruit , omelettes and Mexican choices . The bar service on the beach from Alfredo was superb .
What made this holiday the best was the entertainment staff Alex , Omar , Octavia and Chris . The pool party was loved by all ages , Mexican fiesta on the beach we loved as a family .
All in all a fabulous resort and we had the best holiday . As Omar would say Excellente
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Karisma Hotels, General Manager at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Responded 14 Jul 2023
Dear Sarah B Thank you for your wonderful review of your experiences at Palafitos at el Dorado Maroma , it was a pleasure to host your vacation and we are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your Karisma experience. There is nothing more rewarding than to receive the praise from our valued guests and we will certainly share your experiences with our employees. We are very happy to hear that the staff mentioned had such a positive effect on your visit and they will be rewarded for their efforts. Thank you again and we look forward to your next visit to the Palafitos at el Dorado Maroma
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Everything was perfection. The bungalows were gorgeous and peaceful. The service was impeccable we were constantly checked on and pampered. The food at Palifotos was only accessible from the bungalows and was exceptional both in service and food. Each night the menu changed and was local and delicious and elevated!!!!
The beach was pristine - there were always cabanas and chairs and staff attending to every need. They had activities throughout the days and a huge beach NYE celebration with a live band drinks and fireworks.
Fernando, Fernanda and Liz were our butlers and they were all Warm And accommodating instantaneously throughout. We were soiled rotten.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gerencia General, Propietario at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Responded 1 week ago
Dear Jennifer S, Thank you for your delightful review. We are thrilled to hear that you found our bungalows to be both gorgeous and peaceful. It is wonderful to know that our service met your expectations and that you felt pampered throughout your stay. We take great pride in our culinary offerings, and we are pleased that you enjoyed the exceptional dining experience with our changing menus featuring local cuisine. It is also heartening to learn that our beach and activity offerings contributed to your memorable time, particularly the New Year’s Eve celebration. We will be sure to recognize Fernando, Fernanda, and Liz for their outstanding service, as it is our staff's dedication that truly enhances our guests' experiences. Thank you once again for your kind words, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Best regards, Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
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I’ve never experienced true luxury until I stayed at the Palafitos Overwater Bungalows for 3 nights for my honeymoon. The service is superb, the food is magnificent and the views/water is breathtaking. Your stay can be whatever you’d like it to be, relaxing and peaceful, or adventurous and exciting. My husband and I wanted a bit of both and lounged on the ocean hammocks, made crafts, and jet skiied!
The resort is quite small, and obviously pricey, so we felt 3-4 nights here is perfect for our liking, but to each their own! We went straight to this resort from our Playa Del Carmen wedding so we had been in Mexico already for a few days.
It was the perfect honeymoon. I did want to share the tipping etiquette for the butlers. My husband and I read online that $25 a day for each butler was adequate, but upon our departure after giving each butler $75, we noticed they didn’t seem pleased. I now know 5% of the stay cost is what is expected for tip, so be prepared to pay this. Unfortunately we were not as we had never been to a place like this before nor do we normally stay at such expensive resorts (we splurged because overwater bungalows was my honeymoon dream). Fernando and Aldo are the best, you will be lucky should you be assigned to them!
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gerencia General, Propietario at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Responded 24 Dec 2024
Dear Danielle A, Thank you for choosing Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows for your honeymoon and for sharing your delightful experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that you found our service exceptional and enjoyed the breathtaking views along with the various activities we offer. It is wonderful to know that you and your husband were able to create lasting memories during your stay. We appreciate your feedback regarding the tipping etiquette for our butlers. We strive to provide guests with a clear understanding of our service expectations, and we are grateful for your insights. Our team, including Fernando and Aldo, takes great pride in ensuring that each guest receives personalized care, and your recognition of their efforts will certainly be conveyed. Once again, thank you for your kind words. We hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable moments in the future. Warm regards, Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
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Everything from the moment we arrived to the moment we departed, was world class excellence.
The Palafitos bungalows were so beautiful that you never have to leave the resort. The glass floors were an extra special touch and every bungalow has its own infinity pool and steps into the pristine ocean.
The property is impeccably maintained and spotless. The staff is super friendly and accommodating and always smiling and happy. Service was super fast from ordering cocktails to your room or having a ride to your car for adventuring. Whatever your needs may be, they will be fulfilled. (Our butlers, William and Aldo, even surprised us with a romantic anniversary set up in our bungalow with a bottle of chilled champagne, and a filled jacuzzi complete with rose petals and candles!)
The food at the Palafitos restaurant is only accessible for guests of the bungalows and the cuisine is exceptional. Friday through Sundays are special themed menus that will blow your mind and taste buds!
Even though we knew other people were staying in the bungalows, if you choose to be reclusive you'll have all the privacy you desire. We hardly encountered anyone except at dinner or Rick's night club. It felt like we had the entire resort to ourselves. However, if you choose to be social there are plenty of pools with swim up bars and entertainment on the sister property, El Dorado Moroma. As the guest of the bungalows, you are also allowed to eat and drink at any of the other numerous restaurants on the property if you choose.
Definitely recommend a stay at this resort.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gerencia General, Propietario at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Responded 27 Nov 2024
Dear Patty B, Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience at Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows. We are thrilled to hear that your stay felt like pure paradise and that our facilities exceeded your expectations. Your kind words about our beautiful bungalows, impeccable maintenance, and friendly staff are greatly appreciated. We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere for all our guests, and it is gratifying to know that our team, especially William and Aldo, made your anniversary celebration memorable. We are also pleased to hear that you enjoyed the unique dining options and themed menus at our restaurant. It's fantastic to know that you felt both the privacy and social opportunities that our resort offers. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable stay in the future. Best regards, Hotel Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
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Simply AMAZING!!! Not sure where to begin, our week at Palafitos was an absolute joy. From the moment we arrived we were treated like royalty. Our butlers Fernando and Aldo were attentive to every need and desire, even anticipating our needs before we realized we had any! Fernando and Aldo were super responsive thru the chat on the app as well. The bungalow: we stayed in 1640 an elite oceanfront unit and highly recommend this one. It is a bit more private and the ocean is about 4’ deep-perfect for swimming and wading. The crystal clear water was supremely inviting and we spent countless hours in the ocean. The plunge pool isn’t heated but the sun and warm temps kept it warm and enjoyable. The room was delightful and had all the amenities you would need or want. The meals: we ate exclusively at the over water restaurant because well, when you are served perfection on the first day why would you go anywhere else?!! Saul and Enrique were the friendliest and most knowledgeable servers we have ever encountered in our travels around the world. Enrique and Saul made certain each meal was a true first class dinning experience. When we first mentioned my wife had a dietary restriction, Mario the chef came out and offered substitutions that she loved. As the week progressed Mario the chef would come to our table to ensure our dining experience was exceeding our expectations, which it did! Midway thru the week my wife looked at me and said she how can we go on another vacation after this? The bar has been set so high? I am so grateful to the all the cheerful, welcoming, wonderful staff who made this anniversary vacation so special. Again special thanks to Fernando, Aldo, Saul, Enrique and Mario for making this vacation a dream come true!
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Arrange for private airport transfers.
Upgrade to elite bungalow (1640 is the one we liked...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Karisma Hotels, General Manager at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Responded 7 Apr 2023
Dear Andre D, Firstly I wanted to thank you for taking the time to write a review about your stay with us, we are very glad that your experience with us was such a great time. Be confident that our staff will be delighted that you have acknowledged they work hard for your satisfaction. We will wait for the next opportunity to serve you. Sincerely General Manager
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We have found the service at the Palafitos to be excellent and we have tipped accordingly. Our two butlers received tips daily as well as house keeping and our waiters.
There are more places to choose from in the Playa del Carmen area.
PRICE RANGE
RM 5,488 - RM 7,549 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
MexicoYucatan PeninsulaQuintana RooRiviera MayaPlaya del Carmen
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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