Playacar Palace- recent trips?

Layne · 03-03-2006

Just wondering if anyone has been to the Playacar Palace recently. We'll be there on the 19-25 of APR, and are wondering if we made a good choice. We're not too fussy, but would like a nice vacation.
Recent pics would be appreciated- thanks!

debk · 03-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Layne

Just wondering if anyone has been to the Playacar Palace recently. We'll be there on the 19-25 of APR, and are wondering if we made a good choice. We're not too fussy, but would like a nice vacation.
Recent pics would be appreciated- thanks!

Welcome! I'm sure you'll get some great help here. But if you are in a hurry, use the search feature (at the top) with Playacar Palace and you'll get alot of previous posts.

For what it's worth, I haven't been there, but looked into it just recently. Looks very nice online! Good luck and have a great time! (Don't forget to post a trip report!!! We love those.)

2theC · 03-03-2006

My husband and I are planning on going to the Playacar Palace in July. I did a search on the Playacar Palace and didn't find much information out there. But I guess that is understandable since the resort has only been open since December. We have always stayed at a Palace Resort hotel in the past when we have traveled to Mexico and the service that we have always received has been exceptional and the grounds and hotel are well maintained. I wouldn't expect anything different at the Playacar Palace.

4myjoy · 03-03-2006

We visited there in February. We were at ASP but spent the day at Playacar. It is very small. Only has 3 restaurants. But the pool area was very nice and the view is great. The staff seemed to be friendly, helpful and overall typical Palace people. We only ate snacks and had a couple of drinks but it seemed to be a quiet almost quaint place, especially compared to ASP. We have a couple of pictures but it was getting dark when I took them and it doesn't show very much. Not even as good as the pics on the Palace website. The pics on the website are a good representation of the look of the resort though. Although there is no beach to lay on in front of the resort you can get in the water there and they have steps from the pool area right down to the water's edge. I love the convenience to Playa del Carmen, the resort practically sits at the end of 5th Ave.

hoffer · 03-10-2006

Just got back from the Playacar Palace last week.

P.M. me if you want more info or pics.

S&K · 04-04-2006

I will be at Playacar Palace in 5 weeks.
I would love to see your pics.
Can you post?

hoffer · 04-04-2006

O.K. here's some pics.

Eileencc · 04-04-2006

hoffer, those pics are beautiful. The hotel looks very nice, and the beach looks great. Hope you decide to post a trip report of your experiences there so that we can get a sense of what the place is like...

hoffer · 04-04-2006

I put one on Tripadvisor. How do I do one on here? Just write?

2theC · 04-04-2006

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Seeing those pictures makes my husband and I even more excited about heading to the Playacar Palace.

hoffer · 04-04-2006

Here's my review I wrote on tripadvisor on March 6, 2006:

Stayed at the Playacar from Feb. 22 - Mar. 1, 2006 and had a great time. The service is the best we've had. From the time you arrive till the time you leave everyone at the Playacar is so friendly, helpful and courtious. If we needed something all we had to do was ask and received an immediate response.
The rooms are nicely laid out, starting with the see through glass shower that you don't have to trip over a ledge to get in, spacious sink and vanity area, big closet with cozy Palace robes (we didn't have slippers in our room) to slip in to after enjoying a relaxing moment in your in-room Jacuzzi while sipping complimentary champagne. Then there is the balcony as we had, overlooking the pool, swim-up bar and looking out into the blue ocean with a view of Cozumel in the background.
We did the Palace Passport sail and snorkel tour at Miroma. It was a windy day so a bit rough out snorkeling but saw quite a few fish, coral, and fans. I do wish we had more snorkeling time. If you do the tour and don't pay to do any other adventure tours offered after snorkeling you can lounge around the nice beach at Miroma and have free refreshments.
Rented a car from Playacar and used the voucher they give to save money on the rental. Went to Coba on our own as the tour offered free through the Palace is only on Thursdays and we were busy that day. Coba is an unescavated, jungle kind of place. Lots of distance in between ruins so I would suggest renting the guys that will peddle you on a three wheeled bike that 2 people sit in front on and enjoy the ruins without the long walk. Were told it is about 3/4 of a mile to the largest ruin. Well worth paying to go on the bikes so you can save your energy to climb the ruin.
There is a great variety of food at the Playacar. Breakfast buffet consists of many Mexican dishes, fruits and breads. You can also have the chef cook an omelette with almost anything you'd like in it, eggs any way you'd like them done, waffles or pancakes. Try the variety of Mexican breakfast food a bit though. Lunches have many differents items also, right down to again having the cook make a burger, hot dog and fries, or chicken or beef fajitas. There are lots of other entrees that are ready to eat though. The same applies to dinner. Have them cook a steak, chicken or just eat some of the many Mexican dishes already prepared. We ate at the Italian restaurant twice and the food there was outstanding with a good choice of dishes on the menu. Sad to say we did not make time to eat at the Thai restaurant as we like Oriental food. You can also order room service pretty much 24 hrs. a day. The filet with mushroom sauce was excellent. Of course the kids like the burgers and fries and the Club sandwiches.
The pool is very nice, not big and not used a lot. The view off the pool of the ocean is breathtaking. There was some beach in front a couple of days we were there but not enough to take a lounge chair down. There is a nice beach 50 yards to the south of the pool. They do have a few activities going on during the day such as volleyball, and water polo.
Night time at the Playacar is full of good family entertainment. Mexican dancing, no money casino night, and a fire show by the pool (don't miss this) are some of the nightly shows we saw.
The only negatives we had were that there was not much for teenagers to do and there weren't many other teens there during the week we spent at Playacar. Ours could only take so much of laying around the pool and beach. The first part of the week that we were at Playacar the lounges in the best spots by the pool and overlooking the ocean were taken by 8 A.M. Later in our stay this problem wasn't so bad. There were still plenty of chairs and lounges available all of the time, but not in the prime spots.
There are some small ruins down the street about a block to the south of the hotel in to the Playacar community that are pretty neat. A few smaller ruins and a bunch of iguanas. There is also a small ruin just to the north of the hotel on the other side of the small road that leads down to the ferry dock. Here you can see some capybaras running around also. The hotel is right on the end of 5th Ave. where all of your shopping needs can be met. Pretty entertaining spot to go at any time of day to eat, drink, shop, or just sight see.
The staff at the Playacar Palace is the key to the whole place. They were there to make our stay as good as it could possibly be and seemed to be genuinly enjoying doing so. If you'd like other info not on here feel free to contact me.

Long winded, but thorough I hope. We were down there for part of Peepfest also and met some wonderful people from this forum (and others also). That is what we liked most of Playa, the people.

Mike

debk · 04-05-2006

Excellent report and beautiful pics! Looks like you had a great time!

hoffer · 04-05-2006

Gracias, had an awesome time! Can't get back soon enough. Will probably be a year or 2 before we do though

.

03-03-2006	#1 (permalink)
Layne sandflea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Behind the Zion Curtain, i.e. Utah Posts: 8	Playacar Palace- recent trips? Just wondering if anyone has been to the Playacar Palace recently. We'll be there on the 19-25 of APR, and are wondering if we made a good choice. We're not too fussy, but would like a nice vacation. Recent pics would be appreciated- thanks!

03-03-2006	#3 (permalink)
2theC way into it Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 120	Playacar Palace My husband and I are planning on going to the Playacar Palace in July. I did a search on the Playacar Palace and didn't find much information out there. But I guess that is understandable since the resort has only been open since December. We have always stayed at a Palace Resort hotel in the past when we have traveled to Mexico and the service that we have always received has been exceptional and the grounds and hotel are well maintained. I wouldn't expect anything different at the Playacar Palace.

04-04-2006	#6 (permalink)
S&K lost on fifth Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 23	more pics please I will be at Playacar Palace in 5 weeks. I would love to see your pics. Can you post?

04-04-2006	#10 (permalink)
2theC way into it Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 120	Great Pics! Thanks for sharing the pictures. Seeing those pictures makes my husband and I even more excited about heading to the Playacar Palace.

04-04-2006	#11 (permalink)
hoffer way into it Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Janesville, WI U.S.A. Posts: 157	Here's my review I wrote on tripadvisor on March 6, 2006: Stayed at the Playacar from Feb. 22 - Mar. 1, 2006 and had a great time. The service is the best we've had. From the time you arrive till the time you leave everyone at the Playacar is so friendly, helpful and courtious. If we needed something all we had to do was ask and received an immediate response. The rooms are nicely laid out, starting with the see through glass shower that you don't have to trip over a ledge to get in, spacious sink and vanity area, big closet with cozy Palace robes (we didn't have slippers in our room) to slip in to after enjoying a relaxing moment in your in-room Jacuzzi while sipping complimentary champagne. Then there is the balcony as we had, overlooking the pool, swim-up bar and looking out into the blue ocean with a view of Cozumel in the background. We did the Palace Passport sail and snorkel tour at Miroma. It was a windy day so a bit rough out snorkeling but saw quite a few fish, coral, and fans. I do wish we had more snorkeling time. If you do the tour and don't pay to do any other adventure tours offered after snorkeling you can lounge around the nice beach at Miroma and have free refreshments. Rented a car from Playacar and used the voucher they give to save money on the rental. Went to Coba on our own as the tour offered free through the Palace is only on Thursdays and we were busy that day. Coba is an unescavated, jungle kind of place. Lots of distance in between ruins so I would suggest renting the guys that will peddle you on a three wheeled bike that 2 people sit in front on and enjoy the ruins without the long walk. Were told it is about 3/4 of a mile to the largest ruin. Well worth paying to go on the bikes so you can save your energy to climb the ruin. There is a great variety of food at the Playacar. Breakfast buffet consists of many Mexican dishes, fruits and breads. You can also have the chef cook an omelette with almost anything you'd like in it, eggs any way you'd like them done, waffles or pancakes. Try the variety of Mexican breakfast food a bit though. Lunches have many differents items also, right down to again having the cook make a burger, hot dog and fries, or chicken or beef fajitas. There are lots of other entrees that are ready to eat though. The same applies to dinner. Have them cook a steak, chicken or just eat some of the many Mexican dishes already prepared. We ate at the Italian restaurant twice and the food there was outstanding with a good choice of dishes on the menu. Sad to say we did not make time to eat at the Thai restaurant as we like Oriental food. You can also order room service pretty much 24 hrs. a day. The filet with mushroom sauce was excellent. Of course the kids like the burgers and fries and the Club sandwiches. The pool is very nice, not big and not used a lot. The view off the pool of the ocean is breathtaking. There was some beach in front a couple of days we were there but not enough to take a lounge chair down. There is a nice beach 50 yards to the south of the pool. They do have a few activities going on during the day such as volleyball, and water polo. Night time at the Playacar is full of good family entertainment. Mexican dancing, no money casino night, and a fire show by the pool (don't miss this) are some of the nightly shows we saw. The only negatives we had were that there was not much for teenagers to do and there weren't many other teens there during the week we spent at Playacar. Ours could only take so much of laying around the pool and beach. The first part of the week that we were at Playacar the lounges in the best spots by the pool and overlooking the ocean were taken by 8 A.M. Later in our stay this problem wasn't so bad. There were still plenty of chairs and lounges available all of the time, but not in the prime spots. There are some small ruins down the street about a block to the south of the hotel in to the Playacar community that are pretty neat. A few smaller ruins and a bunch of iguanas. There is also a small ruin just to the north of the hotel on the other side of the small road that leads down to the ferry dock. Here you can see some capybaras running around also. The hotel is right on the end of 5th Ave. where all of your shopping needs can be met. Pretty entertaining spot to go at any time of day to eat, drink, shop, or just sight see. The staff at the Playacar Palace is the key to the whole place. They were there to make our stay as good as it could possibly be and seemed to be genuinly enjoying doing so. If you'd like other info not on here feel free to contact me. Long winded, but thorough I hope. We were down there for part of Peepfest also and met some wonderful people from this forum (and others also). That is what we liked most of Playa, the people. Mike __________________ Remember where you're at and forget where you're from.

03-03-2006	#4 (permalink)
4myjoy lost on fifth Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 21	We visited there in February. We were at ASP but spent the day at Playacar. It is very small. Only has 3 restaurants. But the pool area was very nice and the view is great. The staff seemed to be friendly, helpful and overall typical Palace people. We only ate snacks and had a couple of drinks but it seemed to be a quiet almost quaint place, especially compared to ASP. We have a couple of pictures but it was getting dark when I took them and it doesn't show very much. Not even as good as the pics on the Palace website. The pics on the website are a good representation of the look of the resort though. Although there is no beach to lay on in front of the resort you can get in the water there and they have steps from the pool area right down to the water's edge. I love the convenience to Playa del Carmen, the resort practically sits at the end of 5th Ave.

03-10-2006	#5 (permalink)
hoffer way into it Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Janesville, WI U.S.A. Posts: 157	Just got back from the Playacar Palace last week. P.M. me if you want more info or pics.

04-04-2006	#7 (permalink)
hoffer way into it Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Janesville, WI U.S.A. Posts: 157	O.K. here's some pics.

04-04-2006	#8 (permalink)
Eileencc añejo Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of Boston, Mass Posts: 7,354	hoffer, those pics are beautiful. The hotel looks very nice, and the beach looks great. Hope you decide to post a trip report of your experiences there so that we can get a sense of what the place is like...

04-04-2006	#9 (permalink)
hoffer way into it Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Janesville, WI U.S.A. Posts: 157	I put one on Tripadvisor. How do I do one on here? Just write?

04-05-2006	#12 (permalink)
debk beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 451	Excellent report and beautiful pics! Looks like you had a great time!

04-05-2006	#13 (permalink)
hoffer way into it Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Janesville, WI U.S.A. Posts: 157	Gracias, had an awesome time! Can't get back soon enough. Will probably be a year or 2 before we do though .

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