welch

It's been many years since I visited the Yucatan- my husband hasn't. We're in our early 50's and don't want a total rustic resort. I love the sound of Tulum and and ocean front property. How is Suenos? Also have been offered a good deal at Royal Hideaway in Playacar. This might be a little impersonl. Anyone with thoughts? Travel is at the beginning of May and we love Kauai and St. Barths!
Thanks!!

schmerl

Royal Hideaway is supposedly one of the finest resorts in the area. If you got a great deal there, go for it.
You might want to check out
http://www.mybeachboard.com/smf/index.php
or
http://www.locogringo.com/forums/tt.asp?forumid=1

schmerl

Royal Hideaway was just refurbished (after the hurricane). Here's a link to some recent pictures.
http://www.royalhideaway.com/news/04...y/gallery.html

welch

Thanks for the links. The rooms look to be very upgraded.
I do love the smaller properties and would love to have a room that's truly ocean front which is why we were thinking of Tulum. I realize the properties there are much more rustic- but sometimes that's not bad!
Has anyone made a comparison with the luxury AI's and the smaller, but "I know where I am" properties?

Diana

I agree that if you can get a good deal at RH, jump on it.

If you don't want to spend quite that much, or if you don't want an AI, we stayed at Los Lirios and enjoyed it very much.

Ana y Jose gets good reviews.

Also look at Maroma and Ikal del Mar. (Luxury properties which are smaller.)

zootsi

We stayed just down the beach from Suenos at Tierra del Sol. This area is still quite undeveloped (although the road was being paved as we were leaving), and each hotel makes it's own electricity. The beach is miles of white sand, with just small hotels and campgrounds set in the trees. Very quiet, especially at night, and many of the places have a 'new agey' vibe. Some are very rustic, others are more upscale. The town of Tulum is a few miles inland, and is quite small with a handful of fun places to eat. A car is almost a necessity in this area. The surf here can be rough at times, and you won't have trouble finding an isolated spot. If you want something a bit more civilized but yet quiet, take a look at Akumal - go to locogringo.com.

eileen

Please keep in mind that nardly any of the rooms at RH are oceanfront and most of them don't even have an oceanview. It's one of the few things we didn't like about the resort. Also, the beach near RH is very crowded as it is one large resort after another. The food and service were wonderful and it is a lovely resort.

nankar

You may already know that Playacar is a gated community full of tourists and complete with "swim with the dolphins", etc. That may not be the atmosphere you are looking for. Both Tulum and Akumal are more "bicycle riding" laid back places than Playacar although Playacar is right beside Playa del Carmen so there is much to do there.

remy93

There are excellent beachfront rooms at Las Palapas in Playa del Carmen. This resort is right on the best beach in PDC. It is a small property - about 70 units - and the staff is fantastic. We were just there (last week) for five nights. It is set in a very natural area (lots of palm trees and vegetation. However, there is also plenty of sun to go around. We had a garden deluxe room with a thatched roof which I do NOT recommend. Next time, we will have a beach front unit. The beach front units are literally steps away from the magnificent water. Check into it!