Help quick-Allegro or Sandos Caracol Beach

Mn newbie · 02-11-2008

We have to book our vacation tomorrow and can't decide between Occidental Allegro and Sandos Caracol Beach. If you have knowledge of one or both, please give us your comments! Little worried about the beach at Allegro as well as the thatched roofs. Also worried that Sandos Caracol will be too big! HELP!

130taKen120 · 02-11-2008

Hi MNNewbie:

check these out, especially the reviews:

Sandos Caracol Beach & Spa (Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor

and

Occidental Allegro Playacar (Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya) - Resort Reviews - TripAdvisor

We're at Sandos Playacar in late March and have read 95% great reviews. Hope these give you some additional info!

sonofdob · 02-12-2008

Mn newbie...not familiar with the Allegro but have stayed at the Caracol and absolutely loved it...it is pretty big but that is part of the attraction as it is made up of many, many small 12 unit buildings that are spread out over the resort making it feel smaller...the restaurants are great, both a la carte and the buffets...many pools and bars and again spread out and varied so you can have a very quiet afternoon poolside or a very noisy activity filled afternoon depending on where in the resort you end up...let me know if you have anything specific to ask and I'll be happy to give you my opinion...sonofdob.

missixty · 02-12-2008

We stayed at the Allegro and loved it, the polynesian bungalow style buildings are gorgeous. The beach in Playacar is a mess/non existent now, particularly so at the Allegro unfortunately, so if the beach is important to you then probably best to opt for the Caracol.

Mn newbie · 02-13-2008

Is the Carocal beach nice and big to support that many people, and how is the swimming there? I've read most of the trip reports that were posted here, but you get about half and half on people who like and people who dont like, kinda hard to make a decision on that. If anyone else has an opinion please add it here, and thank you so much for the help you guys have all ready given me!!!!

Babaloo · 02-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by missixty

The beach in Playacar is a mess/non existent now, particularly so at the Allegro unfortunately, l.

actually, the beach to the right of the pool has a volleyball court and a good number of chairs and umbrellas

...and if you stay at the Allegro, get a first floor room or you might have geckos dropping down in on you (the ceiling/roof is a palapa)

Mn newbie · 02-13-2008

When you say in on you I hope It's on the roof and not in!! Are they extremely noisy and how hard will the main floor be to get on if everyone wants to be there? Thanks for your help, you guys have a very informative sight!

actran · 02-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

...and if you stay at the Allegro, get a first floor room or you might have geckos dropping down in on you (the ceiling/roof is a palapa)

Ewwwwww! I don't think anyone around more would be able to hear after my blood curdling shriek.

IMHO - it's not so much the lack of beach, it's the view of the huge sandbags. I mean really, as long as there is enough room for my beach lounger and a path for the waiter to keep me supplied with Havanna rum drinks, I'm good to go

Babaloo · 02-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mn newbie

When you say in on you I hope It's on the roof and not in!! Are they extremely noisy and how hard will the main floor be to get on if everyone wants to be there? Thanks for your help, you guys have a very informative sight!

palapas have a thatch roof...
..."things" can make their way thru

...but geckos are cool - how can you not like the Geico gecko?

...and not so noisy - a bit - but no too bad

Mn newbie · 02-13-2008

The wife is a little freaked out right now at the thought of something dropping down on the bed! How does the roof keep the rain out? Is this a big problem...enough to swith hotels? Or would a first floor request be enough? Can a person get a first floor room or are they all taken by people in the know???

Babaloo · 02-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mn newbie

The wife is a little freaked out right now at the thought of something dropping down on the bed! How does the roof keep the rain out? Is this a big problem...enough to swith hotels? Or would a first floor request be enough? Can a person get a first floor room or are they all taken by people in the know???

i live under a palapa here and i'm dry
...and truth be told, I've never had a creature drop in on me or susie (walk in, yes...drop in, no)

i have no idea how difficult it is to get a first floor room
i wouldn't worry about a thing...it's part of the charm

The Allegro is okay...not great...but it's okay

**Shammy** · 02-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by actran

twaiter to keep me supplied with Havanna rum drinks, I'm good to go

Havana rum at the Allegro isn't gonna happen my dear!

**Susie Q Roo** · 02-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

i live under a palapa here and i'm dry
...and truth be told, I've never had a creature drop in on me or susie (walk in, yes...drop in, no)

That's not quite true. I was melting cheese on the stove for a broccoli casserole one Thanksgiving morning and a gecko plopped down about 4 inches away from the pot. Yes, I screamed and turn and ran!

(Even though I am generally pretty fond of geckos.) He just scared me. But... having said that, though my stove is under a palapa roof, it's OUTSIDE under a palapa roof. So anything that wants in IS in. Chances are very good that you won't see any critters at all even if you are in a 2nd floor room. (Which, btw, I have no idea about the availability of.)

Opatije · 02-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

i live under a palapa here and i'm dry
...and truth be told, I've never had a creature drop in on me or susie (walk in, yes...drop in, no)

i have no idea how difficult it is to get a first floor room
i wouldn't worry about a thing...it's part of the charm

The Allegro is okay...not great...but it's okay

especially after some heavy tequila drinking...(the creature that is)

Mn newbie · 02-14-2008

Great information, i'm glad you guys take time to answer my questions! I hope we didn't make a mistake booking Allegro, kinda getting a bad vibe about the place now. Our travel agent said we have 3 weeks to upgrade our hotel if we want to, but I like the location of the Allegra over Caracol so we can just walk into playa. Torn cause I don't want to be dissapointed with our resort!! Any and all info is greatly appreciated, thanks so much!!!!

02-11-2008	#1 (permalink)
Mn newbie lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 23	Help quick-Allegro or Sandos Caracol Beach We have to book our vacation tomorrow and can't decide between Occidental Allegro and Sandos Caracol Beach. If you have knowledge of one or both, please give us your comments! Little worried about the beach at Allegro as well as the thatched roofs. Also worried that Sandos Caracol will be too big! HELP!

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02-11-2008	#2 (permalink)
130taKen120 beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Frozentundra, MinneSnowta Posts: 381	Hi MNNewbie: check these out, especially the reviews: Sandos Caracol Beach & Spa (Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor and Occidental Allegro Playacar (Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya) - Resort Reviews - TripAdvisor We're at Sandos Playacar in late March and have read 95% great reviews. Hope these give you some additional info!

02-12-2008	#3 (permalink)
sonofdob beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: White Rock, B.C. Posts: 274	Mn newbie...not familiar with the Allegro but have stayed at the Caracol and absolutely loved it...it is pretty big but that is part of the attraction as it is made up of many, many small 12 unit buildings that are spread out over the resort making it feel smaller...the restaurants are great, both a la carte and the buffets...many pools and bars and again spread out and varied so you can have a very quiet afternoon poolside or a very noisy activity filled afternoon depending on where in the resort you end up...let me know if you have anything specific to ask and I'll be happy to give you my opinion...sonofdob.

02-12-2008	#4 (permalink)
missixty life=playa Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 570	We stayed at the Allegro and loved it, the polynesian bungalow style buildings are gorgeous. The beach in Playacar is a mess/non existent now, particularly so at the Allegro unfortunately, so if the beach is important to you then probably best to opt for the Caracol.

02-13-2008	#5 (permalink)
Mn newbie lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 23	Is the Carocal beach nice and big to support that many people, and how is the swimming there? I've read most of the trip reports that were posted here, but you get about half and half on people who like and people who dont like, kinda hard to make a decision on that. If anyone else has an opinion please add it here, and thank you so much for the help you guys have all ready given me!!!!

02-13-2008	#7 (permalink)
Mn newbie lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 23	When you say in on you I hope It's on the roof and not in!! Are they extremely noisy and how hard will the main floor be to get on if everyone wants to be there? Thanks for your help, you guys have a very informative sight!

02-13-2008	#10 (permalink)
Mn newbie lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 23	The wife is a little freaked out right now at the thought of something dropping down on the bed! How does the roof keep the rain out? Is this a big problem...enough to swith hotels? Or would a first floor request be enough? Can a person get a first floor room or are they all taken by people in the know???

02-14-2008	#15 (permalink)
Mn newbie lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 23	Great information, i'm glad you guys take time to answer my questions! I hope we didn't make a mistake booking Allegro, kinda getting a bad vibe about the place now. Our travel agent said we have 3 weeks to upgrade our hotel if we want to, but I like the location of the Allegra over Caracol so we can just walk into playa. Torn cause I don't want to be dissapointed with our resort!! Any and all info is greatly appreciated, thanks so much!!!!

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