Joanne

My husband and I are planning a trip for our 25th wedding anniverary in February and we want to find a special place. This is our first vacation we have ever taken out of the country. After much research, we think Play Del Carmen will be a great location (beach, scuba, ruins, shopping) but I'd like to hear some first hand experiences about the Royal Hideaway. It looks beautiful in the brochures--is it as wonderful as it seems? Any information regarding rooms, food, service, location, beach, etc. will be greatly appreciated. We want this to be a special trip!

Kristine

I haven't been to this resort but I am in the process of researching a trip to the Playa area and have found the following message board to be a great resource--with many trip reports as well as basic info on the area. <BR>http://www.mytravelboard2.com/

Marian

We haven't stayed at Royal Hideway, but did go to visit and it was beautiful. <BR>Great location. Within walking distance to the village (Playa Del Carmen. Actually, it is an easly and pleasant walk. Very elegant (and expensive) We stayed at Riu Yucatan which is next to Royal Hideway. At Riu everything was to our satisfaction except the rooms which were dark and smelled funny like someone has taken several showers over a couple of weeks and forgot to open windows or turn on a vent....Hope that won't be the case at your hotel. The small village of Playa Del Carmen is the nicest I have seen so far. You will like it. You will love it.

Joanne

Thank you, Kristine and Marian. I have found the site you suggested to be helpful. Marian--were there any excursions, restaurants, etc. that you especially enjoyed in PDC? Did you go to see any of the ruins? Thanks for sharing about your trip!

Kimberly

The Royal Hideaway is fantastic. I just got back from my honeymoon and we loved it. Although the literature mentions that children are not allowed, we did see a couple families there. The rooms are very nice and the pool is gorgeous. The beach is lovely, but not 'private'. I would say it is the most plush place in Playa but didn't seem stuffy to us. It was very nice and while we wouldn't necessarily visit Playa again, we would stay at the Royal Hideaway family of resorts again. <BR>I would say a great day excursion worth taking would be to X-caret. While there we swam w/ the dolphins, went snorkling (not great) and enjoyed the ocean. You can also go fishing, scuba, horseback riding, etc. We recommend getting there 1st thing in the a.m. It opens at 8:30 and you really need the entire day to get the most out of your visit. Have a great time!

randy

My wife and I, along with sister and brother-in-law are planing a visit to Royal Hideaway in mid October. Does anyone know if there are adjoining rooms at his hotel? Also, are there "ocean view" rooms and if so are they worth paying extra for? Any recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks, Randy

Cindy

Joanne / Randy <BR> <BR>I have been to the Royal Hideaway 4 times and have had great experiences. I would not pay extra for the ocean view as it is only a partial view. There's so much to do you probably won't be in your room much anyway. <BR>Feel free to e-mail me if you have specific. <BR>

BranV

We went in April for our honeymoon and it was really wonderful. I wouldn't pay for the ocean view rooms, but you can go to their website and send an email to their concierge requesting things in advance. I've heard sometimes this does not work, but it worked beautifully for me. I requested certain buildings to stay in...closer to the water, got that. Made reservations in advance at the restaurants for dinner: a MUST, do it early or when you first arrive or you will find yourself stranded for dinner. Service can be a little scarce at times: promises made and not kept or an inability to find someone to help you, but they're earnest, and mean no harm. We did some spa treatments and it was GLORIOUS!! I would definitely say DO NOT visit Xcaret...it was like an american water park, but on the ocean...tons of kids, tons of tourists, and terrible snorkeling. Get to the beach early and stake out a cover for your lawn chairs. Even if you want the sun, it's nice to have to retreat back into. The beach service is GREAT, and the food they cook out by the water is fun...if you get hungry, just pop over for a hamburger! I once even saw the waiters on the beach going around offering fresh fruit to the sunbathers. We did room service several times since it was free...what fun. But it is non-existant night life wise, but we liked that. Just dressed up, went to dinner (generally almost 2 hours long!), then back to soak in a hot tub or swim. Here's what we did: Palazzo first night (after dinner, ask for baileys and coffee, then take it outside to the balcony and relax looking out at the lights across the water), Azia second night, Room Service third night, and Ventanas third night. Make sure you go for the high tea every day. Little sandwiches, fresh strawberries and relaxing with a cup of tea on the balcony. When we arrived, as soon as we stepped out of our cab, the breeze coming up through the open lobby almost made me weep it was so beautiful and peaceful, like paradise. And they really do great you on arrival with champagne and a moist towel. It was lovely. Have fun, I'm SO jealous!! But take your acidopholus and pepto everyday to assure an easy tummy!!

LIZ

There really isn't much I can add to Branv's post...The Royal Hideaway is absolutely 'top drawer'!...We'd go back in a flash but this year isn't the right time for us ($$$$???)... <BR>We're going to the El Dorado Royale next month but we're VERY spoiled now so we're hoping for the best!... <BR> <BR>You've chosen wisely... LIZ