[mominplaya]

We just returned from a week at Allegro Playacar and really enjoyed our stay at this resort. The location is perfect - along the ocean within Playacar, a gated community right in Playa Del Carmen. The beach is beautiful with no rocks or weeds in the water. During the day you can walk on the beach all the way to 5th Avenue. A ten minute 5 dollar taxi ride from the resort takes you into town.

We have been travelling to Playa for more than 10 years, stayed in hotels, condos and apartments and other all inclusive hotels. We found the cost of a week's all inclusive stay including flight at the Allegro to be a very good deal and are happy we picked this resort. We booked through Nolitours and the total cost for the week was less than we have paid for just airfare in the past. When we have stayed in Playa for months at a time, it has been more economical to rent an apartment. For a week or two family vacation, especially with children and teenagers, this resort is ideal. It is not a large resort and to us it is an ideal size to walk to the resort beach or to the restaurant with children or an older family member. There are connecting rooms for families who require them.

There were a mixture of young couples, singles, teenagers, families and retirees at the resort when we were there. The young couples and single people tended to gather wherever the activities were during the day and appeared to be having a great time. Guests were from all over North America, Europe and South America.

We were pleasantly surprised at how beautiful and well kept the grounds are and how nice we were treated by all the staff. The activities staff were friendly, professional and made sure everyone had a good time. Activities are offered all day, but there is no pressure to participate. Most daily activities were offered by the pool. People who did not wish to participate in the activities were happy sitting on the lounge chairs with a drink and snack socializing with other guests. Families with small children tended to use the large pool on the other side of the snack bar.

The beach is beautiful and right next door to the 5 diamond Royal Hideaway Resort. The rooms are not luxurious, but are what the average 3 star hotel in Canada would be. Our housekeeper Lucy kept the room spotless and we have no complaints at all about the room. We loved the balcony with the hammock and table and chairs when we wanted to relax. The TV is outdated, but has the standard area Hotel Cable TV package. We spent very little time in our room, so that wasn't a problem for us.

The evening entertainment was good and the theatre was full every evening. There was a half-hour mini-disco each evening at 9 in which children from the kids club were given an opportunity to perform on stage. Children we saw with the Kids Club staff were having a great time during the day and they were very excited when we heard them telling their parents what they did during the day.

Breakfast consisted of pancakes, waffles, fresh omlettes, eggs, fresh fruit, fresh breads and pastries, toast and a hot breakfast buffet. Lunch at the Snack Bar consisted of a hot lunch buffet, soup, fresh pasta, hamburgers, hot dogs and fries in addition to the salad bar, a variety of different breads and pastries and desserts. Pizza was also served from noon until 6 was made fresh all afternoon. Evening buffets were good and there was a section where pork chops, chicken or fish was freshly grilled. There was a fresh pasta station, numerous hot dishes in the buffet section, desserts and serve yourself ice cream. There are two restaurants at the resort where you can order off the menu - the Mexican Restaurant and the Italian Restaurant.

If you want to try an excellent authentic Mexican meal, take a 5 dollar taxi drive to El Fogon by Wallmart in the evening. There are always taxi's waiting at the bottom of the escalators in Wallmart to take you back to the resort. Or, take a walk down 5th Avenue and catch a taxi by the Bus Station.

At the bar in Allegro, order a "Banana Momma" drink and take it back to your balcony for a relaxing afternoon drink. If you want a high end resort with excellent al la carte meals and are prepared to pay a much higher price, we recommend The Royal Hideaway next door where we have had great food and excellent service.

If you want a night life after the evening entertainment, take a 5 dollar taxi ride and head to 5th Avenue where all the action is - many night clubs, bars, etc. Taxis are always waiting outside the front door at the resort.

We recommend the Allegro Playacar resort for its location, its beach, the beautiful clean grounds and the wonderful staff. Other guests we talked to really enjoyed their stay at this resort and plan on returning.

We were not bothered at all by the time share people and assume it was because we did not go to their desk to accept their offer of a free gift.