Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach II
Seriously, why is this hotel rated #1 with tripadvisor.com ?
I contemplated booking La Tortuga but, decided to go with the lower rated Shangri La Caribe instead, just because of the actual location of the ocean front beach rooms. in your opinions, did I make a better choice ?
I read that the rooms at La Tortuga can get quite noisy at night due to the proximity to 5th st. and the disco that plays loud music till close to 6am.
Shangri La offers 2 meals a day where as La Tortuga only has breakfast.
I also know I will probably have to taxi it to 5th from Shangri La a few times, so tell me your thoughts please !
Enjoy the sun!!!!!!
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I am not generally a huge fan of Trip Advisor as the primary source of travel information...this site is much more useful IMHO...having said that, La Tortuga is my favorite hotel in Playa....... so far...and we have been going to Playa for 5 years...3 times at La Tortuga. But that is just our preference.
La Tortuga and Shangri-La are completely different experiences I believe.
La Tortuga's pool setting is absolutely beautiful..."enclosed", serene and jungle-like river pool in the middle of the "city", yet right outside the door of your room....the bar and restaurant are both there and they serve both great food and drinks...the breakfast is ala carte off the menu and and wonderful.......walk outside the hotel seclusion and you are immediately in the middle of the action of the city......this is a relatively small, intimate, boutique-type hotel....we like all of this... (we are resort and restaurant owners who live in the country!)
The service is generally excellent and the staff are all friendly and delightful.
As Playa del Carmen grows rapidly, there is some of the Playa construction noise from time to time, but it is diminished by the nature of the construction of the hotel itself which surrounds the inner sanctuary with their own hotel building. I am certain some rooms are indeed more noisy than others...if you get a room that faces this inner sanctuary, I do not believe you will hear any noise from the clubs that will bother you. A room on the outside street side could be a bit nosier...but we only stay at poolside rooms so it is hard for me to say. La Tortuga is on 14th Street....the discos are on 8th or so I think.
I have not stayed at Shangri-La, but had friends who spent the first part of their vacation at La Tortuga and the second part there....Shangri-La is beautiful! First, it is on a beautiful and non-crowded part of the beach! The buildings are much more rustic and tropical looking in a good way. I hear that the service and amenities, while completely acceptable, are not nearly up to the level that they are at La Tortuga, This hotel is located much further north, out of the action of 5th.......You will not have to take a taxi to 5th...it is just a bit longer walk..... you are going to love it!
So, it all depends on what you are looking for I think....both places are very nice for very different reasons.