Aileen

We are a senior couple looking for a small retreat in Carmen del Playa...in late Sept or Oct....with beachfront accomodations, all inclusive, wonderful beach with palm trees if possible for sun protection, low-key and not a luxury highrise....near the town if possible...Just want to spend a few of those "golden?" days in the sun in a beautiful surrounding. Would appreciate any tips. Many thanks!

Lenleigh

Aileen-<BR><BR>My family and recently returned from Reef Club Playacar and were very happy with the resort. It has a great location in Playacar, one of the closest to Playa Del Carmen. It is also nice as there is only one hotel next to it so it is not as crowded on the beach. They do have several areas with palm trees and shade on/near the pools and on the beach. It is definitly a family resort so you shouldn't see too many highschoolers/college students. They also have beautiful lucious grounds. If you would like to see my photos, there is a link below and that site also has a link to my trip report as well. <BR><BR>http://community.webshots.com/user/lenleigh

betty

Hi, a friend and I stayed at the Bravo Club El Mandarin in Playa last March (both in our 50's-60's). We thoroughly enjoyed this resort, quiet, two storey bungalows, great food, attentive staff, many palapa's, etc. My son and his fiance are getting married there in 2003 since his Mother loved the place so much. I have travelled extensively and found this resort to be one of the nicest resorts in Mexico.

barbara

Gala Resort would seem to fit your bill

Debbie

Hi Aileen, I think the RIU Yucatan is your best best. It's $3 cab ride or 25 minute walk to town (beach or sidewalk). It's 3 storey, low-key and close to beach. It's the cheaper than it's more luxurious sister the Palace and with a bit of an older crowd compared to it's off the beach other sister resort the Tequila. All inclusive and you can also cross the street to eat at the Tequila for some different surroundings. <BR>The RIU is close to the beach from almost any room between the main lobby and restaurant building down to the pool. If concerned that the entertainment in the lounge (by the pool) will keep you up (only noisy until 11ish) just ask for a room 'in the middle somewhere'. What else, oh, plenty of loungechairs and palm trees out on the beach. This is a wonderful all inclusive place. Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have!

Mexico Specialist

El Dorado Royale or El Dorado Resort and Spa fit the bill, except for close to town. <BR>The Resort and Spa has transportation to Playa del Carmen daily and Cancun twice a week.<BR>El Dorado Royale has transportation to Cancun daily or get a driver with another couple or two.<BR>www.wiredflyer.com<BR>Chose any state, any agency and click on their website.<BR>Click Mexico, Resorts and Mayan Suncooast for photo tours of most properties mentioned

Ally

Regarding the suggestions made below:<BR>Reef Clubmaller property (200 rooms) and very close to town (5 minutes, tops) but can get noisy with kids around.<BR>Bravo Club:This is 10 minutes from town and not exactly small at 320 rooms.<BR>Riu Yucatan:HUGE at 507 rooms!<BR>El Dorado Royal: 1.5 miles from town, only 235 rooms and adults only, so peaceful.<BR>El Dorado Resort & Spa:The smallest of all at 177 suites and also adults only, but 25 minutes from town.

Ally

Ooops. I should have said 'regarding the suggestions made 'above'!<BR>Anyway, I forgot the Gala.<BR>This resort is also very close to town. It has 300 rooms and they allow kids, but web site states they have an adults only pool.<BR>Have fun deciding on the best resort for you!

carolyn

My suggestion would be the Shangri-La Caribe just north of town, about a 15 minute walk, you can walk down the beach to the center of town. I'm sure cab fare would also be fairly inexpensive.<BR><BR><BR>It is small, wonderful staff. Most rooms are small townhouses, with one bedroom on the first floor and one on the second, all have porches and hammocks. Very laid back, and extremely clean. We were on the top floor and felt like we were living in a tree fort.<BR><BR>It's is not an all-inclusive, but the price includes breakfast and dinner, taxes and tips, much better food than any AI we've been too. They have an outdoor restaurant where you can purchase lunch, it's not very expensive. We stayed 4 days/5 nights and our food-alcohol bill came to around $50 a piece.<BR><BR>The only downfalls, which we didn't mind, are there are no phone, tvs, radios and NO air conditioning; the rooms have ceiling fans and with the ocean breezes it was never warm for us in November, the thatched roofs and construction kept the room cool even in mid-day when it was 85+ degrees.<BR><BR>If you're looking for a resort with lots of amenities and planned activities and nightly entertainment, the Shangri-La is not for you, but if you're looking for peaceful, beautiful surroundings, this is it!<BR><BR>Their website is http://www.mexicoholiday.com/destinations/shangri.html

like to help

Here is a good website www.playaguide.com with hotel listings for both all inclusives and non all inclusives. I myself prefer small boutique hotels of not more than 30 rooms. It is a more intimate atmosphere.