No More Mega-Resorts for Us!!!

JudyBluEyes · 03-18-2006

OK, we've officially decided after staying in town for the first time...thanks Tony & Cheri for a great week at the Luna Blue, (yeah, you were right Tony)

...we will probably never go back to an AI... :p

Last time we tried to stay at the Royal Porto and check out town but it didn't work out and we ended up moving to the Riu Palace, which don't get me wrong we enjoyed very much, but we didn't get into town much. Sooooo, this time we did just that, we checked out PDC and we loved it! We had a blast finding places to eat even though we are not much for big fancy meals so we ended up spending very little on food. We found some great little places on the north end and one night dinner was less than $10us for both of us!! It was cool to go to Mamitas or one of the small hotels on the beach or just sit at the TB and people watch. Besides it felt so good to walk down 5th without those plastic bracelets dangling from our wrists LOL!!

We are returning in May for 11 nights and I can't wait to explore more of PDC. Then in the fall - yeah, we're thinking ahead - we may do a week in PDC and a week further south like Akumel or Tulum...

monte · 03-18-2006

Make sure ya'll are in Playa the weekend of the 5th.

It'll be like running into old friends

JudyBluEyes · 03-18-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by monte

Make sure ya'll are in Playa the weekend of the 5th.

It'll be like running into old friends

We arrive on the 4th...

baked · 03-18-2006

I agree 100%

monte · 03-18-2006

Oh I love the new avatar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baked

I agree 100%

CaroleLB · 03-19-2006

It was my first trip to PdC outside of AI, too. Definitely a nice way to break the ice when you know so many people in town.

Playa feels very comfortable now. I'll do it no other way!

palmtreegirl · 03-19-2006

We stayed at the Riu Palace last year as well. And like you said, it was very nice but we didn't get out much in to Playa itself. We went in a couple nights and realized what we were missing. This year we vowed to stay in Playa and had, I would have to say, one of our best trips ever. We stayed at Luna Blue, enjoyed some of the smaller, off the beaten path restaurants, and just took it all in. It was a awesome trip. We probably won't do an AI again either.

angelhouston819 · 03-19-2006

the first two times to Playa...i stayed at an AI. never again will i do that in Playa. i just LOVE staying in town. it is a totally different experience. i really enjoy a hotel with personable service that you don't feel like "just another guest". plus, there are soooo many great places to eat and hang out in town. at the AI's, i felt like i had to eat the meals at the buffets and stay there to take advantage of the drinks/nightlife. i actually come out ahead staying in town at a non AI.

A'

Nerak936 · 03-19-2006

AI is a good way to go if you've never been to Playa... but after you've become comfortable with knowing your way around and you do non-AI, it's rare that people want to go back to an AI. David and I have certainly seen our last of AI buffets and plastic bracelets!

maliasma · 03-19-2006

This trip coming up is my first experience with an AI ever...and I'm sure it is going to be my last...especially if hubby & I are going to be checking out hotels while we're there!

MsRubio · 03-19-2006

This trip was our first time not doing the AI...and now we know that we would never do an AI again...we saved so much money by staying in town...loved the experience...we are very comfortable with our surroundings...and really got to know PDC from a whole different perspective...loved the quiet north end of town...and love the dining choices PDC has to offer...don't pass up the chance to stay in town.

Bluespicker · 03-19-2006

As far as I'm concerned staying in town is the best way to do Playa.

StewartG · 03-19-2006

They only time I would ever do an AI is when I'm forced to, as in - on a cruise ship!

I can't even *imagine* for myself and my family staying in an AI in or around Playa. I know its what some people are into, but we would *never* even consider it!

I would guess that the vast majority of people who don't rave about PDC after visiting are the ones who say in an AI!

I find staying in town and doing everything on our own a MUCH more "organic" experience, if that makes any sense...

JudyBE - I'm glad you had a good time with Tony and Cheri - I plan on visiting their hotel next time I'm in town!

StewartG

JudyBluEyes · 03-19-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsRubio

This trip was our first time not doing the AI...and now we know that we would never do an AI again...we saved so much money by staying in town...loved the experience...we are very comfortable with our surroundings...and really got to know PDC from a whole different perspective...loved the quiet north end of town...and love the dining choices PDC has to offer...don't pass up the chance to stay in town.

When I first started coming on this board I stuck up for the AIs, but you're right Monica, it's a whole different experience. Those AIs could be anywhere, and it just seemed so limited and confining by comparison, besides I didn't drink anywhere near so much sugar...lol!! We're really looking forward to going back and exploring more and saying hi to the locals that we met down there!

JudyBluEyes · 03-19-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by StewartG

They only time I would ever do an AI is when I'm forced to, as in - on a cruise ship!

I can't even *imagine* for myself and my family staying in an AI in or around Playa. I know its what some people are into, but we would *never* even consider it!

I would guess that the vast majority of people who don't rave about PDC after visiting are the ones who say in an AI!

I find staying in town and doing everything on our own a MUCH more "organic" experience, if that makes any sense...

JudyBE - I'm glad you had a good time with Tony and Cheri - I plan on visiting their hotel next time I'm in town!
StewartG

Stewart, Tony and Cheri are the most down to earth, real people I've ever met. They really made our stay with them so comfortable. We felt like we were coming home whenever we returned to our room. I would love to stay there again, but next time I think I'd like to have the room Monica and Mike had with the great balcony!!

03-18-2006	#1 (permalink)
JudyBluEyes añejo Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Playa Del Carmen Posts: 4,615	No More Mega-Resorts for Us!!! OK, we've officially decided after staying in town for the first time...thanks Tony & Cheri for a great week at the Luna Blue, (yeah, you were right Tony) ...we will probably never go back to an AI... :p Last time we tried to stay at the Royal Porto and check out town but it didn't work out and we ended up moving to the Riu Palace, which don't get me wrong we enjoyed very much, but we didn't get into town much. Sooooo, this time we did just that, we checked out PDC and we loved it! We had a blast finding places to eat even though we are not much for big fancy meals so we ended up spending very little on food. We found some great little places on the north end and one night dinner was less than $10us for both of us!! It was cool to go to Mamitas or one of the small hotels on the beach or just sit at the TB and people watch. Besides it felt so good to walk down 5th without those plastic bracelets dangling from our wrists LOL!! We are returning in May for 11 nights and I can't wait to explore more of PDC. Then in the fall - yeah, we're thinking ahead - we may do a week in PDC and a week further south like Akumel or Tulum...

03-18-2006	#2 (permalink)
monte añejo Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: dallas Posts: 12,278	Make sure ya'll are in Playa the weekend of the 5th. It'll be like running into old friends

03-18-2006	#4 (permalink)
baked beachaholic Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 402	I agree 100%

03-19-2006	#6 (permalink)
CaroleLB Go Cougars! Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,965	It was my first trip to PdC outside of AI, too. Definitely a nice way to break the ice when you know so many people in town. Playa feels very comfortable now. I'll do it no other way!

03-19-2006	#7 (permalink)
palmtreegirl beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 253	We stayed at the Riu Palace last year as well. And like you said, it was very nice but we didn't get out much in to Playa itself. We went in a couple nights and realized what we were missing. This year we vowed to stay in Playa and had, I would have to say, one of our best trips ever. We stayed at Luna Blue, enjoyed some of the smaller, off the beaten path restaurants, and just took it all in. It was a awesome trip. We probably won't do an AI again either.

03-19-2006	#8 (permalink)
angelhouston819 añejo Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 5,044	the first two times to Playa...i stayed at an AI. never again will i do that in Playa. i just LOVE staying in town. it is a totally different experience. i really enjoy a hotel with personable service that you don't feel like "just another guest". plus, there are soooo many great places to eat and hang out in town. at the AI's, i felt like i had to eat the meals at the buffets and stay there to take advantage of the drinks/nightlife. i actually come out ahead staying in town at a non AI. A'

03-19-2006	#9 (permalink)
Nerak936 Cat-Lovin Nerak Bead Lady Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,640	AI is a good way to go if you've never been to Playa... but after you've become comfortable with knowing your way around and you do non-AI, it's rare that people want to go back to an AI. David and I have certainly seen our last of AI buffets and plastic bracelets!

03-19-2006	#10 (permalink)
maliasma reposado Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 1,048	This trip coming up is my first experience with an AI ever...and I'm sure it is going to be my last...especially if hubby & I are going to be checking out hotels while we're there!

03-19-2006	#11 (permalink)
MsRubio añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Top of the Chesapeake Bay, Md Posts: 6,508	This trip was our first time not doing the AI...and now we know that we would never do an AI again...we saved so much money by staying in town...loved the experience...we are very comfortable with our surroundings...and really got to know PDC from a whole different perspective...loved the quiet north end of town...and love the dining choices PDC has to offer...don't pass up the chance to stay in town.

03-19-2006	#12 (permalink)
Bluespicker añejo Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rural Mankato,Minnesota Posts: 2,606	As far as I'm concerned staying in town is the best way to do Playa.

03-19-2006	#13 (permalink)
StewartG commie pinko Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Kremlin (when not at my dacha in Houston) Posts: 13,389	They only time I would ever do an AI is when I'm forced to, as in - on a cruise ship! I can't even imagine for myself and my family staying in an AI in or around Playa. I know its what some people are into, but we would never even consider it! I would guess that the vast majority of people who don't rave about PDC after visiting are the ones who say in an AI! I find staying in town and doing everything on our own a MUCH more "organic" experience, if that makes any sense... JudyBE - I'm glad you had a good time with Tony and Cheri - I plan on visiting their hotel next time I'm in town! StewartG

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