Cassidy

We're interested in going to this area specifically, but are hoping to find a hotel that is less Americanized w/out a billion spring break kids and that does not have other hotels towering over it. The area near Playa Del Carmen would be perfect, except the hotels are huge (1000 rooms) and the hotel beaches seemed on top of eachother.

Thank you!

puglvr2004

Well, my suggestion is still a large resort, but we had the pleasure of staying at the Moon Palace this past October. Very large, very "resort" and all tourists-- but many from Canada or Europe instead of just Americans. In Oct. there wasn't a trace of a Spring Break attitude. MP sits maybe 30 minutes outside of Cancun or the hotel strip... there are no other resorts bordering their property so their beach is very secluded. They do not have the crystal clear water typical of Cancun though, due to a natural rock reef along their coast.
Please let me know if you would like add'l info, or if you would like to see a few pictures.

Cassidy

Thank you for your suggestion. Funny enough, I am actually going to that place for a long weekend. It's my husband's brother-in-laws convention, but he's taking us for our wedding gift. We're lucky enough to be able to possibly go back again w/ my family, but there is no way they'll want to stay in a hotel w/ more than 400 or 500 rooms.

Thanks again for your opinion.

jeepsterchick

Get the Can Do Map for Playa Del Carmen, on it lists a lot if not ALL the local hotels with their website (most have one!), I have looked up several and was pleased to what I found.
http://www.cancun.com/links/cancunmap/index.stm
$7.95 on the honor system, they are fast!

"Life is a book, if you dont travel you read one page"

JeanH

I'll second the Can Do map of Playa Del Carmen. There are dozens of small hotels in the town of Playa del Carmen itself. Some right on the beach. We stayed at Hotel Colibri for about $65.00 a night last January. It certainly wasn't fancy, but it was clean and we had a great time. I have heard they were going to be doing some construction so ask about it, if you're considering it. Playa has so many fun, and pretty decent food wise, restaurants that I would consider not doing an all inclusive.

I do think that some of the resorts in Playacar are less than 500 rooms.

Bo

Just a few miles down the road from Moon Palace (so i don't need to tell you the beach is not the best) is Cebia del Mar. Very secluded and quaint, amazing service: www.ceibadelmar.com

Not too much else in the area although you can ride the bicycles to "town", but it's a nice, secluded, get-a-way.

Little_Man

differentworld.com has lots of small, deluxe hotels in that area with good descriptions. Although I've never used them to book, it's a nice website to browse!

Helena

I've been to Cancun many, many times. My favorite is Camino Real on Punta Cancun. It's an older hotel, not glitzy and americanized as many of the others. The rooms are a little dated, but the location, grounds, staff and the beach, as far as I'm concerned, are the best. The hotel has 381 rooms consisting of a pyramid section and tower section. They do not allow spring breakers. It's within walking distance of many restaurants,malls, etc. I have tons of photos and will be happy to e-mail to you if you'd like.

NNJBOBBY

Another option in Cancun may be the Intercontinental Presidente hotel on the top of Cancun facing Isla Mulheres. This hotel one of the first in Cancun is on the best beach with no waves, its not too big, its not glitzy either, very basic, clean, great location and best beach because it had its pick being the first hotel built in Cancun and the price is right. No spring breakers if you don't go in the spring.

twoinluv

El Rey del Caribe. It is just a few miles from the main drag in Cancun, has a beautiful, garden-like courtyard with a pool and ourdoor massage room, and we only paid about $80 per night for a room with 2 beds and a kitchenette. The food is served in the courtyard and was terrific. A taxi to the beach is only a few dollars & you are within a couple of blocks of an internet cafe, various taco bars, a major grocery store, and the main bus terminal in Cancun (in case you go to Chichen Itza or Playa del Carmen). I highly recommend this hotel.