Playa del Carmen
 

Hi - have been researching places to stay in PDC for April/May 2007. We have narrowed it down to a handful - small,non AI: Playa Maya, Las Palapas, La Tortuga, Riviera del Sol, and MAYBE Acanto Suites (although Tripadvisor is full of overbooking horror stories.) I guess my biggest point of confusion is that some of these spots are "a couple of blocks to the beach:" what does that mean? A sweaty schlep with beach stuff or a stroll across the path? Also the non-beachfront places seem to offer a little more luxury for the money, is this true? Or am I splitting hairs?? Please share experiences! Must book asap-using FF miles on AA. Thanks. PS- we are a couple over 50 and this is our first trip to Mexico.

Las Palapas and Playa Maya are right on the beach. Playa Maya more toward the ferry pier and Las Palapas more toward Mamitas and north part of town. I prefer Las Palapas of the two although Playa Maya is very nice, clean and secure. I just like the beach at the north end of town better. I have stayed at Playa Maya and Riviera Del Sol. La Tortuga is off the beach so we did not go there. Riviera Del Sol was a great place to stay also. A block off the beach and an easy walk down a sandy road that does have construction on it to Mamitas. Mamitas was included in the price of the room as was breakfast. Juan Jose was a great manager and I thought the room was just fine for the money. The pool was larger than Playa Maya but I don't use the pool so it didn't matter. I know little about Acanto. I wouldn't say Riviera del Sol was more luxurious than Playa Maya. They were both pretty much the same although PM included the fridge in the price and Rivera del Sol added $5 a night if you wanted one. Riviera Del Sol is also at the north end of town. I'm 50 next month so I'm right there with you. Noise was not a factor at either place.

Thank you, colokid, that helps! Have you tried any of the AIs? Any recommendations among them?

I have been to the Iberostar complex north of town (too far away), the Riu's Tequila (3x), Yucatan, and Palace Riviera Maya. I've also stayed south in Tankah Tres and the Natz Ti Ha condos in Playa Del Carmen. For me, when we first began going I enjoyed the AI's especially when my kids were teens so I didn't have to worry about them. We joined friends of ours at the Yucatan in June and I really didn't have a good time because I had stayed in town so many times and enjoyed the different restaurants and the buffets really bugged them in the AI's. I've also stayed at Luna Blue in town which is a bit more of a walk to the beach from Riviera Del Sol. If you want to go AI the Riu Palace's (there are two in Playacar) are very nice and the Yucatan was recently renovated around the pool/bar area and they did do a nice job. I always enjoyed the Tequila also but it is more laid back and casual than the Palaces and is across the street (a short walk down a path or trolley ride to the beach). I have not stayed at the Royal Porto Real in town on Constitution but it consistently gets good reviews and is on a nice beach. Shangri La Caribe is also right on the beach next to Las Palapas. I prefer the north end of town because it is a quieter than the south end...that's just my preference. Playacar is also very nice, has a small outdoor mall across from the Palace and sidewalks to walk on throughout. It all depends on what kind of vacation you want. But they're all great. :)
Sue

To each his own I guess but I HIGHLY recommend not going AI in PDC. Among other things, you simply cannot get the quality of food at any AI buffet that you can sample in town. I think your list of possible hotels is pretty good.

I've stayed at Playa Maya and Tortuga and like both for different reasons. PM is ofcourse right on the beach and I've got my second stay already booked for March.
Tortuga has a really cool pool and the rooms and garden are beautiful and quiet. I'd not hesitate to stay there again. It's about 3 blocks to the beach but honestly, unless you pay premium prices at any of the AI's for beach front, you'll walk at least as far from your room to the beach.

Palapas may be the nicest of those you listed due to the beach location but I've never stayed there. That north end is very popular right now with lots of very cool new restaurants and definately the BEST beach. Palapas is a little bigger and more resort like than I prefer but that's just my bias. Call me odd but if I'm going to a beach in a foreign country, I like to actually feel like I'm not someplace in Florida.

I think you'd be thrilled w/any of the 3 I mentioned. Beware of one thing though......one trip to PDC is never enough!

The above is good info. Just to add to it and round out the picture a bit, La Tortuga is on the corner of 10th Ave and 14th street, a range where 10th is 2-3 blocks off the beach (heading there directly -- it would be different for their beach club). Riviera del sol is on 5th up north of Constituyentes, around 30th or so, at a place where 5th runs a couple of blocks or so off the beach. They're closer to Mamita's and I'd bet (though I don't know for sure) that in their case, the most direct walk to the beach would equal the walk to their beach club. :-)

Steve

The view out the bedroom window at Playa Maya to the water is outstanding. I really enjoyed sitting in my hammock swing at night looking at the lights on Cozumel and listening to the muted sounds of life. Also PM has t.v. in the room (I do like to at least keep up with what's going on in the world), the fridge which has water, and the outside breakfast under the palapa. Very relaxing. There's so many good places to go that any that you listed would be a good pick. I also don't like the AI's anymore but they did serve a purpose years ago for us.