Hi, We're planning a trip to Playa del Carmen this October and are looking for recommendations on a nice hotel\resort.

Our requirements are - a nice beach (preferably private beach), nice pools, quiet, family-friendly (we have a 2year old). Our budget is around $150-$200 per night. We dont mind an AI, non-AI, etc - as long as the place is nice and caters for families (as opposed to adults-only or couples-only).

Any tips and recommendations ? Thanks in advance !

you might want to check out Las Palapas or Shangri-La Caribe.
For a bit more (all-inclusive) luxury, the Royal Porto Real is in a great lcoation. And the Iberostar Tucan/Quetezal is a very popular family all inclusive in Playacar.

Ditto Royal Porto Real . Have stayed there three times. Beautiful beach, beautiful hotel and close enough to walk up to 5th avenue.

Royal Porto Real is running about 243USD per night in October. Beachfront at Shangri La is $250 per night. The Garden View rooms are 145 - 180 per night. The beach at Shangri La is a bit quieter than Royal Porto Real. Grand Coco Bay is family friendly on a nice beach and is the last all inclusive on the north end of Playa Del Carmen right after Shangri La Caribe. I also like Riviera Del Sol which is 1 block from the beach and includes breakfastand beach chairs/palapas at Mamitas and Playa Maya which is directly on the beach and also includes breakfast, beach chairs and umbrellas. Both Riviera Del Sol and Playa Maya are very clean and quiet.

Regaridng the Royal Porto Real, does it feel a bit more upscale than some all inclusives? Also, what is the weather in PDC often like in Jan/Feb?

Another option would be the Gran Puerto Real, which is a sister hotel of the Royal Porto Real and right next door. It is much more affordable, though if you select this hotel make sure you get a junior suite and not one of the regular hotel rooms (which are not ocean front).

The beach in front for swimming at the Gran Porto Real is not so hot. I would also look at Shangri La Caribe, Las Palapas which is at the north part of PDC. You won't find many private beaches in Playa Del Carmen - actually you won't find any. All the beaches in MX are open to the public. You might also look in Playacar which is a short taxi ride to PDC and has family friendly AI's. You could stay at the last one south on the beach in Playacar and not have another resort to your south.

it is about a walk of 3 minutes to an excellent beach (mamitas) from the Gran Porto. I wouldn't let that stop you from staying there.

For that much money I'd want a nice beach and not have to pay at Mamitas. There's other places to stay that are around the same price with a nice beach.