Real PDC - needlessly worried

katiekinsmom · 02-02-2006

After reading the mixed reviews on other sites, we were worried about booking at the Real Playa Del Carmen. We had a terrific time! It was a great price so we had the $ to experience some of the local restaurants. It's in town so we could walk to everything. Don't be afraid of this wonderful, little hotel - we loved it - despite Trip Advisor's bad reviews. I wrote a good one.

manyboys · 02-02-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiekinsmom

After reading the mixed reviews on other sites, we were worried about booking at the Real Playa Del Carmen. We had a terrific time! It was a great price so we had the $ to experience some of the local restaurants. It's in town so we could walk to everything. Don't be afraid of this wonderful, little hotel - we loved it - despite Trip Advisor's bad reviews. I wrote a good one.

katiekinsmom, Which Real resort are you referring to....Gran or Royal?? Glad to hear you had a great time!!

katiekinsmom · 02-02-2006

Neither - this is the Real Playa Del Carmen - at 5th Ave. and Calle 34. We used the Beach Club at the Gran. No privileges at the Royal. They are all sister clubs. The Real is listed as anwhere from 2 star to 4 star depending on the site. I would call it a 3 1/2 star, a great deal!

Jason in MS · 02-14-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiekinsmom

Neither - this is the Real Playa Del Carmen - at 5th Ave. and Calle 34. We used the Beach Club at the Gran. No privileges at the Royal. They are all sister clubs. The Real is listed as anwhere from 2 star to 4 star depending on the site. I would call it a 3 1/2 star, a great deal!

I totally agree w/ you on the Real Playa del Carmen. The facilities are nice, and the fact that you're not on the beach is not a problem...as long as you know what to expect. The walk to the beach club at the Gran Porto Real is only 5-7 minutes.

Also, with the money you save, you can still enjoy drinks, food, etc. out in town.

Just my $.02, but we're going back to RPdC in May....

Luv2Dance · 03-21-2006

I have been looking into staying at the Real Playa del Carmen Hotel and was wondering if anyone has info on the beach privileges at the Gran Porto Real. Are you allowed to eat and drink on the sister property while using the beach and was also wondering if you have pool privileges at the Gran. The all inclusive aspect is nice but also want to be in town to enjoy checking out all the great dining spots. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

maliasma · 03-21-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason in MS

I totally agree w/ you on the Real Playa del Carmen. The facilities are nice, and the fact that you're not on the beach is not a problem...as long as you know what to expect. The walk to the beach club at the Gran Porto Real is only 5-7 minutes.

Also, with the money you save, you can still enjoy drinks, food, etc. out in town.

Just my $.02, but we're going back to RPdC in May....

Waaaayyyy off topic, but where in Northern MS are you from? My father is from Water Valley.

Got lots of family in Mississippi...Water Valley, Oxford, Mt. Olive, Laurel...

To stay on topic (sorta)...we're going to the Royal Porto Real in April...sister to the Real PCD and GPR. Looking forward to it!

RonH · 03-21-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2Dance

I have been looking into staying at the Real Playa del Carmen Hotel and was wondering if anyone has info on the beach privileges at the Gran Porto Real. Are you allowed to eat and drink on the sister property while using the beach and was also wondering if you have pool privileges at the Gran. The all inclusive aspect is nice but also want to be in town to enjoy checking out all the great dining spots. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hey Luv, I will give a TR on our trip at the end of Apr. This is our first "AI" Trip
in years, so it will feel a little strange to actually not cook or go out all the time to eat or drink. The simple reason we are doing this is because of price. We know PDC so for us its not a big deal not to be right on the beach. This will be the first time here so I will give it a good look over and give everybody a true opinion, (mine of course). As long as the beds are rock hard, you gotta wait 5 minutes for the shower to become luke warm, we'll be happy

katiekinsmom · 03-21-2006

For LUV2Dance:
I started this thread after staying at the Real PDC. Most people only know of the Gran and the Royal. We were allowed to drink at the bar at the beach at the Gran, but no food - other than bar snacks (not much). You only get to use the beach, chairs, and the bar - not the pool. You don't have access to the Gran hotel. The Entertainment guys from the Real organize the beach activities and were terrific!

There are some informative reviews written on the trip advisor site about this hotel - I recommend you read them. We would go back for the great price!

Luv2Dance · 03-21-2006

Thanks for the info on the beach privileges at the Gran. The lack of access to the Gran pool is really a non issue with us as we spend 99% of our time on the beach anyway. Good to know about the food though. We probably would just go and search for great spots to eat nearby for lunch. Starting to wonder why we shouldn't just consider going non AI. Sounds like it might be more fun to just wing it. Thanks again!

katiekinsmom · 03-21-2006

We thought of going non-AI as well but we still couldn't beat the price and this way you get to choose which meals you pay for and which ones you get for free! A great deal all around. I wrote the review that was posted on trip advisor on Feb. 2, if you read them.

Luv2Dance · 03-21-2006

We have gone to 4 AI's in the last three years so personally I would prefer to go non AI but we might be travelling with another couple who might not be interested in going anywhere but to an AI. Maybe I'll refer them to this forum so they can check out all the neat non AI's located in Playa. I have enjoyed going to AI's as I just pretty much sat on the beach and vegged out but I am now looking to stay in town and explore.

debk · 03-21-2006

Hello - Interesting thread! We are staying at the Royal Porto Real in April and were wondering about the Real in town. Is there a place to stop for a drink that has some people watching or is just a cool place to hang out? It looks like a really nice hotel. We booked out resort before finding these great sites! Glad you had a great time!

Cheesehead · 03-22-2006

Actually all the Real's are in Playa del Carmen, the Royal is right on the beach across the street from the Gran Porto Real, the Real Playa del Carmen is on 5th Ave and Calle 34. We stayed at the Gran in March 2005 and at the Real PDC March 2006.
It was nice being right on the beach but for the price difference you can't go wrong with the Real PDC.
A Good place to hang out downtown to people watch is the Tequila Barrell right on 5th or one of my favorite places to go for the live music is the Fa Bar at the Siesta Fiesta right on 5th. You will find many nice little restaurants/bars along 5th to sit and enjoy a cold drink or a nice meal. Don't be afraid to check out different places. Also some very nice places off of 5th, take a walk down some of the side streets, you'll find places like the Beer Bucket and if you like to dance try out the Mambo Cafe and a trip to Playa isn't complete unless you hit the Blue Parrot beach bar at least one night.
Enjoy, wish I was going back soon.

Mr Cancun · 03-22-2006

They will run a last minute special for the Real PdC on either Funjet or Worry Free Vactions for like $299 to $399 for this resort (3-4 days). I remember it use to be called Club Bananas. We were at Reef Coco Beach last July so I had a taxi guy one night on the way back from town stop there. I went to the front desk and grabbed a brochure. They also let me peek at the pool area.
When we were combing the beach area one day I did see the sign by the Porto Real that said Real PdC area with beach chairs.

If I see that price again, I will have to book it to check it out. Location was great for not being on the beach.

Rissask · 03-22-2006

Just an FYI- this hotel was formerly called 'Club Bananas'.

it is a three star and it is much less fancy than the Gran and Royal Porto Real hotels...and I don't believe people staying at it can use the other facilities.

Good to hear you had a good time there!

Edited to add- sorry! I see Mr Cancun already pointed out the former name!

DO they still have their own beach club for the hotel? It used to be between the Tukan and the Gran Porto Real's beach...

02-02-2006	#1 (permalink)
katiekinsmom sandflea Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9	Real PDC - needlessly worried After reading the mixed reviews on other sites, we were worried about booking at the Real Playa Del Carmen. We had a terrific time! It was a great price so we had the $ to experience some of the local restaurants. It's in town so we could walk to everything. Don't be afraid of this wonderful, little hotel - we loved it - despite Trip Advisor's bad reviews. I wrote a good one.

03-22-2006	#14 (permalink)
Mr Cancun añejo Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Far North Dallas Posts: 3,196	Every Once In A While They will run a last minute special for the Real PdC on either Funjet or Worry Free Vactions for like $299 to $399 for this resort (3-4 days). I remember it use to be called Club Bananas. We were at Reef Coco Beach last July so I had a taxi guy one night on the way back from town stop there. I went to the front desk and grabbed a brochure. They also let me peek at the pool area. When we were combing the beach area one day I did see the sign by the Porto Real that said Real PdC area with beach chairs. If I see that price again, I will have to book it to check it out. Location was great for not being on the beach.

03-22-2006	#15 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,567	Just an FYI- this hotel was formerly called 'Club Bananas'. it is a three star and it is much less fancy than the Gran and Royal Porto Real hotels...and I don't believe people staying at it can use the other facilities. Good to hear you had a good time there! Edited to add- sorry! I see Mr Cancun already pointed out the former name! DO they still have their own beach club for the hotel? It used to be between the Tukan and the Gran Porto Real's beach... Last edited by Rissask; 03-22-2006 at 01:37 PM..

02-02-2006	#3 (permalink)
katiekinsmom sandflea Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9	Neither - this is the Real Playa Del Carmen - at 5th Ave. and Calle 34. We used the Beach Club at the Gran. No privileges at the Royal. They are all sister clubs. The Real is listed as anwhere from 2 star to 4 star depending on the site. I would call it a 3 1/2 star, a great deal!

03-21-2006	#5 (permalink)
Luv2Dance añejo Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 25,603	I have been looking into staying at the Real Playa del Carmen Hotel and was wondering if anyone has info on the beach privileges at the Gran Porto Real. Are you allowed to eat and drink on the sister property while using the beach and was also wondering if you have pool privileges at the Gran. The all inclusive aspect is nice but also want to be in town to enjoy checking out all the great dining spots. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

03-21-2006	#8 (permalink)
katiekinsmom sandflea Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9	For LUV2Dance: I started this thread after staying at the Real PDC. Most people only know of the Gran and the Royal. We were allowed to drink at the bar at the beach at the Gran, but no food - other than bar snacks (not much). You only get to use the beach, chairs, and the bar - not the pool. You don't have access to the Gran hotel. The Entertainment guys from the Real organize the beach activities and were terrific! There are some informative reviews written on the trip advisor site about this hotel - I recommend you read them. We would go back for the great price!

03-21-2006	#9 (permalink)
Luv2Dance añejo Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 25,603	Thanks for the info on the beach privileges at the Gran. The lack of access to the Gran pool is really a non issue with us as we spend 99% of our time on the beach anyway. Good to know about the food though. We probably would just go and search for great spots to eat nearby for lunch. Starting to wonder why we shouldn't just consider going non AI. Sounds like it might be more fun to just wing it. Thanks again!

03-21-2006	#10 (permalink)
katiekinsmom sandflea Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9	We thought of going non-AI as well but we still couldn't beat the price and this way you get to choose which meals you pay for and which ones you get for free! A great deal all around. I wrote the review that was posted on trip advisor on Feb. 2, if you read them.

03-21-2006	#11 (permalink)
Luv2Dance añejo Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 25,603	We have gone to 4 AI's in the last three years so personally I would prefer to go non AI but we might be travelling with another couple who might not be interested in going anywhere but to an AI. Maybe I'll refer them to this forum so they can check out all the neat non AI's located in Playa. I have enjoyed going to AI's as I just pretty much sat on the beach and vegged out but I am now looking to stay in town and explore.

03-21-2006	#12 (permalink)
debk beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 451	Hello - Interesting thread! We are staying at the Royal Porto Real in April and were wondering about the Real in town. Is there a place to stop for a drink that has some people watching or is just a cool place to hang out? It looks like a really nice hotel. We booked out resort before finding these great sites! Glad you had a great time!

03-22-2006	#13 (permalink)
Cheesehead way into it Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: WI Posts: 149	Actually all the Real's are in Playa del Carmen, the Royal is right on the beach across the street from the Gran Porto Real, the Real Playa del Carmen is on 5th Ave and Calle 34. We stayed at the Gran in March 2005 and at the Real PDC March 2006. It was nice being right on the beach but for the price difference you can't go wrong with the Real PDC. A Good place to hang out downtown to people watch is the Tequila Barrell right on 5th or one of my favorite places to go for the live music is the Fa Bar at the Siesta Fiesta right on 5th. You will find many nice little restaurants/bars along 5th to sit and enjoy a cold drink or a nice meal. Don't be afraid to check out different places. Also some very nice places off of 5th, take a walk down some of the side streets, you'll find places like the Beer Bucket and if you like to dance try out the Mambo Cafe and a trip to Playa isn't complete unless you hit the Blue Parrot beach bar at least one night. Enjoy, wish I was going back soon.

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