laurig

Hello,
I'm not a super frequent poster, but have found these boards incredibly helpful, and hope this review will in turn be helpful to someone else..

We spent our new year's holiday in Xpu-Ha at the Al-Cielo hotel. In a word it was an excellent experience. Al Cielo may not be for everyone but it was just perfect for us. My husband and I are mid-30s New Yorkers who were looking for a great beach and to get away from people and technology.

Al Cielo has 4 rooms right on one of the most beautiful beaches. White sand, turquoise water and a coral reef accessible by boat/catamaran/hobie cat very close by.

The rates include a breakfast that is extensive. Beautifully presented fruit followed by yogurt and granola followed by eggs prepared to your taste (a choice of options). The restaurant is known for continental and seafood choices. Their New Year's Eve menu was really great. Seven courses featuring local fishes, duck and lamb.

The hotel/beach is situated about 2 hours south of Cancun (so about an hour south of Playa Del Carmen and maybe 40 min. north of Tulum). We explored both Playa and Tulum and left each very glad for being in Xpu-ha. The vibe there is incredibly laid back.

The rooms are definitely not luxurious. But nicely done in all hardwood and while there is no A/C there's a constant breeze coming off the ocean.

In addition to Al Cielo's restaurant there is a beach restaurant within walking distance (up the beach) called Cafe Del Mar (that also has some basic hotel rooms -- for much less money, but seemingly less charm) that is great. We had a rental car, but if another couple at the hotel used cabs to go on day trips and for outside the hotel meals.

All in all it was a great vacation. We had a hell experience getting home on American Airlines, but I won't bore anyone with that.

Best,
Lauri

pepper131

Thanks for the info on Al Cielo; glad to hear it's as wonderful as it looks.

Little_Man

thanks for posting! it looks like a great place!!

laurig

It’s pretty special. Olga the hostess/proprietor is very gracious and welcoming. Given the development that’s going on up and down the coast, its even more amazing that such a unique place exists. We are rooting for her to be able to maintain the intimate, great spot.

hopefulist

Any fishing flats nearby? I know the Punta Allen area south of there is know for bonefishing, a passion of my husband's. Also, did the visitors who used taxis for day trips taxi to get there? Thanks for posting!

PatC

Lauri,

Thanks for the trip report -- glad you had a great time.

I've actually been considering Al Cielo for an upcoming trip in July. If you find a minute, could you tell me what room you had and if you would recommend it over the other rooms?

BTW, I, for one, would not be bored to hear about your adventure with American. We've almost always flown AA, but lately have come to think it might be time we consider flying with other airlines.

Thanks and take care,

Pat C

laurig

Hopeful: I am not sure about bonefishing we are not fish savvy, there is dive certification, snorkeling and kayaking within a 2 min walk up the beach. The hobiecat sailor actually came to us (he basically sailed up and was soliciting for rides) what really impressed my limited snorkeling experience was when he had us put on gear and essentially dragged us across an incredible coral reef. I have compared it to being in an aquarium (incredible). The taxi couple did use a cab to get from Cancun airport to the hotel and back.

PatC: our American airline trials began on the journey to Cancun. They lost my husband’s bag between Miami and Cancun. The bag did appear the next day at our hotel. But the airline staff person seemed too care not at all and indicated that this was a not infrequent occurrence.

The way out of Cancun was completely a joke. Our flight was canceled after we had boarded the plane for departure. They put us up in a hotel in Cancun (which was quiet nice) and I have since heard from friends who have family in Playa that this is a fairly common practice (canceling and stayovers). That portion of affair took approximately nine hours to sort out.

We were bused to the airport the next day at nine for a noon departure. The kind agent who re-ticketed us (first class) neglected to leave sufficient time for us to make the connection from Miami to New York. When the plane was delayed getting from the runway to the gate, no one bothered to contact anyone's connecting flight and so I would say about 70% of the passengers missed connections and had to be re-booked (again) to their final destinations. And in the mix we lost the first-class-ness of our first connection to a full plane.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but my biggest complaint overall is that American staff acted as if the whole situation was business as usual and when we were running around trying to figure out how to get luggage (after multiple changes to that information) not one person had a clear answer as to get from point a to point b.

A somewhat yucky end to an overall excellent trip. Oh. And as to the best room we stayed in Agua (king bed, three walls of windows) and were told it was the best. I think the downstairs rooms have two double bed and the two upstairs have king's.

handy5

I'll be staying there in afew weeks. Glad to read your positive report. Hope we have better luck with Continental!

ninasdream

thanks for the post- thinking about a beach vacation next. sorry abt the AA part, though.