I'm following your posts around the forum. Have been to Cozumel x 4 and Isla Murjeres once.

No nightlife on Isla. Very limited on Cozumel. Cozumel has the better tasting and less expensive food and drinks prices in San Miguel. Isla was better than Cancun or Playa (IMHO).

We have done AI in Cozumel for the drinks, but it's really not necessary. The better AI resorts are located pretty far for San Miguel, which requires a taxi to to get/to from. It would be difficult for me to suggest a hotel on either as we tend to go for the low budget AI's for drinks and then still eat in town. We have stayed at the Cozumel Caribe, which is now a condo complex, the La something, which was basically a motel 6 and the El Cozumenlo, which is a low budget AI with great rooms and views, but iffy food. Only a 5 minute or so cab ride into town.

Check out the Mahekel Beach Resort in Playa. Also check these small boutique properties in Playa. There will not be AI, but many are within walking distance to 5th Avenue. Check carefully as some are not on the beach either.

http://www.locogringo.com/dynamic/lodging.cfm?area=Playa%20del%20Carmen&type=Hotel/Resort

LOL KVR, you beat me to this forum!!! I just responded to the other regarding Jamaica!

Your opinions resonate as you seem to give very detailed advice on the places you have traveled.

You say San Miguel is the place to go in Coz but a hefty distance from the airport??

Im thinking Isla may not be the location for what I am looking for.

San Miguel is the name of the actual town in Cozumel. No, it's not a hefty distance from the airport. The better quality AI's are a hefty distance from the town.

I liked Isla, but would not return. It's small and nothing really to do but eat and sit on the beach. It's a great day trip from Cancun though.

I went back and read your other response. For what you are looking for, I would say one of the boutique hotels in Playa that I gave you the link for or Cozumel. Depends on what you want to see and do off the resort. More things to see and do in the Playa area than in Cozumel.

PDC is your best option. Isla Mujeres will be too quiet especially at night after the day trippers leave (great for a day trip as KVR says).

I'm no expert on that side of Mexico (Puerto Vallarta is my go-to place), but I think Playa del Carmen by far comes closest to what you are looking for.

Ok so PDC it is!!!!!! thank you for helping me make a decision.. Now, just which hotel/resort to choose.

Im into more of a villa feel with resort accommodations. Laid back and secluded on the beach yet activities outside the resort within reasonable distance. Not couples only but more geared to romantic/couples (what I mean is no water parks or kids parading around - I've been to places with some kids, ages 10-13 sporadically floating around but they were well behaved).. A 4 star place with a 3 star price lol but KVR, you have led me to what I believe to be is a gem at the Mahekal Beach Resort!!

There is a poster on this forum who stayed at the Mahekal in July. They posted a report and seemed to have enjoyed it. Here's the link:

http://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/playa-del-carmen-trip-report-mahekal-july-2012.cfm