God, i'm so confuesed on where to go...

[sunshinequeen]

Man, i'm still not sure where to go in Jan. Loving the RIU Tequila ( for great pricing) but not right on the beach. Also loving the Catalonia for the pricing as well but a pretty rocky beach. First choice would be the Sandos Galla but really expensive !! Is there anywhere else priced about the same that is on the beach? Looking into the other resorts in the strip like the Grand Cocoa beach, Reef Playacar, Allegro Playacar and the Viva resorts. Does anyone have any fav's out of these ? Basic rooms are good, great food is a must. We aren't too picky but want to try some local foods. Just having fun trying to decide !!!!!!!!!!!! Is anyone else in the same boat ?

[Shammy]

*Warning*

You're dangerously close to getting the dreaded Analysis Paralysis disease.
Seek treatment quickly!

*End Warning*

[TAPPY]

Originally Posted by sunshinequeen

Man, i'm still not sure where to go in Jan. Loving the RIU Tequila ( for great pricing) but not right on the beach. Also loving the Catalonia for the pricing as well but a pretty rocky beach. First choice would be the Sandos Galla but really expensive !! Is there anywhere else priced about the same that is on the beach? Looking into the other resorts in the strip like the Grand Cocoa beach, Reef Playacar, Allegro Playacar and the Viva resorts. Does anyone have any fav's out of these ? Basic rooms are good, great food is a must. We aren't too picky but want to try some local foods. Just having fun trying to decide !!!!!!!!!!!! Is anyone else in the same boat ?

Stop reading all the reviews...you will make your self crazy. Just pick a resort and start packing. You will have a great time no matter where you go. (I loved the beach at the Cat)

[Beachnutt719]

Take all reviews with a grain of salt. To each his own. What someone else hated might be just right for you. Enjoy!

[matthew1811]

I couldn't agree more with everyone. As long as you are not going to some bottom of the barrel hotel, you'll be fine. The greatest hotels in the world even get bad reviews sometimes, so defiintely don't put too much emphasis on reviews individually...go with reviews on the whole and just book it.

[Shammy]

The peeps are giving out excellent advice today - I concur!

[Tyk]

We haven't been there since they did some significant work to the place, but we really liked the Viva Maya for a "cheaper" AI. It had a very nice beach, which was the deciding factor for us.

[Mr Cancun]

I've stayed at the Viva Maya about 5 or 6 times, loved it for different reasons. BUT, saying that, for about the same money, I would choose any of the Riu's (meaning Yucatan or Playacar) for your next trip. Stayed also several times at the Allegro Playacar but think that one is overpriced. If the Iberostars are in your price range, you cannot go wrong there either. Hell, just give me a place to go with a roof & brewski & I am there !!

Last year we tried the Reef Coco Beach, loved the proximity to town. Food was only so-so. Great food by the pool area (mostly where we ate) and it does have different management now. Great thing was that I was able to walk right into the water, find a captain in a boat & take off fishing for a day.

[bigdave]

are you wanting AI?
if not check out some of the hotels on this site. some are only a block or two from the beach. i have stayed at several a beach front AI's and been farther from the beach than when i stay in town. have fun

[actran]

You guys are all taking the fun out of it.

First he needs to make a chart that has all his choices, the things that are important, ranked in order of importance, then he needs to assign a value for each thing at each place. When that's done, he needs to total it, meditate on it and decide.

If that doesn't bring a sense of peace and joy, he needs to drink 5 shots of tequila, pin up his choices on a dart board and see which one he can hit. If the dart doesn't stick, 5 more shots of tequila

[bigdave]

Originally Posted by actran

You guys are all taking the fun out of it.

First he needs to make a chart that has all his choices, the things that are important, ranked in order of importance, then he needs to assign a value for each thing at each place. When that's done, he needs to total it, meditate on it and decide.

If that doesn't bring a sense of peace and joy, he needs to drink 5 shots of tequila, pin up his choices on a dart board and see which one he can hit. If the dart doesn't stick, 5 more shots of tequila

since we are making a game of it. while making the list a shot should be taken for each resort over three on the list. next shots for any resort with over three reasons to visit it. then if you hesistate at all another shot. and so on. enjoy the tequila. and drink responsibly.(dont spill any)

[Dallas91]

Originally Posted by sunshinequeen

Man, i'm still not sure where to go in Jan. Loving the RIU Tequila ( for great pricing) but not right on the beach. Also loving the Catalonia for the pricing as well but a pretty rocky beach. First choice would be the Sandos Galla but really expensive !! Is there anywhere else priced about the same that is on the beach? Looking into the other resorts in the strip like the Grand Cocoa beach, Reef Playacar, Allegro Playacar and the Viva resorts. Does anyone have any fav's out of these ? Basic rooms are good, great food is a must. We aren't too picky but want to try some local foods. Just having fun trying to decide !!!!!!!!!!!! Is anyone else in the same boat ?

Wow, just even thinking about trying to juggle that many choices in my head hurts. I've never done AI, but I have heard good things about Grand Coco Beach. It is on a gorgeous strip of beach. We stayed just south of it at Shangri-La.
I concur with the other Peeps. You are going to be happy most anywhere you stay. I am a beach person so staying on the beach was a must.
Based on what I have read from this forum, I am not sure that any AI is going to live up to your "great food is a must". Not saying the food is bad, actually there are many reports of it being "good", but I have yet to hear of anyone raving about AI dining. Comparatively speaking, the best meals in Playa (IMO) are outside of your hotel/resort. Depending on your length of stay, dedicate at least 1 lunch or dinner out in Playa. You do want to get your money's worth from your resort, but there are SO many great places out there, it's worth at least one trip (my personal favorite, Los Carboncitos....great value and GREAT arrachera).
That's my two pesos, though probably only worth one

[Dallas91]

Originally Posted by actran

You guys are all taking the fun out of it.

First he needs to make a chart that has all his choices, the things that are important, ranked in order of importance, then he needs to assign a value for each thing at each place. When that's done, he needs to total it, meditate on it and decide.

If that doesn't bring a sense of peace and joy, he needs to drink 5 shots of tequila, pin up his choices on a dart board and see which one he can hit. If the dart doesn't stick, 5 more shots of tequila

I was thinking it might have more to do with star alignment, the next lunar eclipse, and if there was pole dancing going on at the Tequila Barrel this evening. There is always rolling a die and letting chance dictate your destination. You've at least done the legwork and narrowed it down to a few (10) places or so :p

[skilohmyhusky]

Have you checked out Royal Porto Real Resort?It is right on the beach and only 2 short blocks from 5th Avenue where you can eat, drink, shop.We have stayed at Royal Porto twice now and have loved it. You can even use everything at Gran Porto across the street but the Gran Porto people can not use Royal Porto.Check out Royal Porto rooms, they are very nice. Food was good and service was good.It's not too big of a resort, the beach is nice and you can walk north to Mamitas,etc. Good luck on your choice.If you plan to take children, Royal might not be the place as I have read a couple remarks that later this year it will be adult only.

[PCANNIE]

Can't go wrong with any of the Riu Hotels, the food is consistant and quite good. The Sandos Playacar is another family oriented AI and the food is pretty good. Anywhere you go on the beach is a good vacation in Playa