Palace resorts? Royal PDC? Food choices? Palace Passport?

[bigwally]

Trying to plan this trip is doing my head in. I have it narrowed down to either the Playacar Palace or Aventura Spa Palace, or the Royal Playa del Carmen.

The two Palace properties....I like the idea of the smaller PP, but like the bigger rooms at the ASP. Though I do have a gut feeling that the ASP will be just too large a property. In either case, I've heard mixed reports about the food offerings.

My wife and I aren't serious foodies, but I would like to be safe in the knowledge that either would be better than going to a Hometown Buffet! The same thing tends to happen on the cruises we take - I hear people complain all the time about food my wife and I think is simply delightful.

I also don't want to be pitched at every turn by folks hawking timeshares, which I've heard way more of as I've been trolling forums (especially at the ASP) than I would like.

However, the big attraction for us at Palace properties would be the Palace Passport and its tours. I expect that this is something we could get some value from, being as we are more inclined to tour than sit on a lounge chair. But then again, being dropped off for extended periods at kickback stores may make this less of a bargain than we planned on.

And this is where the RPC comes in. The difference in price between the RPC and the PP is between $600 and $700. Now some of that will be eaten up by the need to upgrade to a Royal Suite, in order to match the amenities offered in the regular rooms at the PP (robes and slippers come immediately to mind), and some more will be eaten up with needing to get our own airport transfers (they are included in the Palace packages), so that takes us within $250-$350 of the cost at either Palace property. I dare say that, with some careful shopping, my wife and I can get tours for between $50pp and $75pp for just about anything we'd like to do (which will likely be more about the ruins than snorkling or dolphins).

So, what would you guys do? Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Would like to get our visit tied up by the end of next week.

[Babaloo]

The Royal.
People seem to love it.
You will be right in town
That's a huge plus as far as i'm concerned

[Mamacita]

Well, my $.02 is that the Palace resorts are quite nice. We're booked into the Playacar Palace in Nov and a huge plus for me is that it's very close to town, which the Royal also is. Although there is no beach, we will probably get our beach time in Akumal and Tulum utilizing the tours that the Palace resorts offer, so that's no biggie for me. My deal is that my mom is giving us her timeshare week there, so it wasn't really my choice, but I'm happy with what we've got.

ASP just seems so huge it's not for me, but I hear people love it. It's far from town and has no beach.

Many people love the Royal. If the price diff is not that big of a deal for you, it may be the way to go, although for some reason it doesn't seem my style. Too "royal" or something. But many people RAVE about it, food and beach and location are all A+.

[Leia]

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that I would not stay at an all inclusive resort again. I much prefer to stay in one of the smaller hotels in town and have dinner at a different amazing restaurant every night. There are so many to choose from in Playa that a two week vacation doesn't give you enough time to sample half of them. My tours in the future will only be with playa info tours because I now know, you get what you pay for. If we don't go somewhere on our own then a tour through this site is most definitely the way to go. Again, that's just my opinion and I wouldn't want to try and shatter your hard work at researching this far.... but you were looking for an opinion weren't you?!

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by Leia

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that I would not stay at an all inclusive resort again. I much prefer to stay in one of the smaller hotels in town and have dinner at a different amazing restaurant every night. There are so many to choose from in Playa that a two week vacation doesn't give you enough time to sample half of them. My tours in the future will only be with playa info tours because I now know, you get what you pay for. If we don't go somewhere on our own then a tour through this site is most definitely the way to go. Again, that's just my opinion and I wouldn't want to try and shatter your hard work at researching this far.... but you were looking for an opinion weren't you?!

Actually, I agree whole heartedly with you
...but I didn't want to come across as an A.I. basher (which I'm not)

[Mamacita]

Well, I haven't even been to Playa yet and I wouldn't choose an AI either, so I agree. But we're foodies and the allure of the restaurants is a big draw. But things are tight and Mom offered her timeshare week, so here we are booked at Playacar Palace, and I am thrilled that the money we save with her paying for the accomodations will allow lots of excursions and some trips to town for dinner too!

Having said that, I can see why people like AI's and in this case I think PP or the Royal are the best choices because they are so close to town. The Royal getting the edge because beach:good, no kids:good, location:good, reviews:good.

[Leia]

Thanks Rick! I didn't want to bash AIs either and I have stayed at one or two over the years. I just happen to love going out for dinner in Playa. I love walking along 5th and trying to decide which restaurant to stop at because there are so many. We also had some of our better meals off 5th this year. Given the choice, I would stay at one of the smaller hotels and enjoy Playa that way.

[Shammy]

Not that I'm saying anyone is AI bashing, and the original poster did indeed ask for an opinion. But he asked for an opinion on specific AI resorts, which should he choose. That's why he posted it in the AI forum. Bringing up why it's better to do a non AI really isn't keeping with the theme of the question. Of course it's fine for people to have their own opinion on the type of accommodations they prefer, but I'm of the belief that if someone is set on AI and is asking about certain properties, then those are more along the lines of the opinions he's looking for, si?

[Shammy]

BTW bigwally - if you prefer a very nice beach, then you'll want to choose the Royal PDC. There really is no beach at the Playacar Palace, there are no chairs on the beach at all, and sometimes there is no beach at all. ASP has man made beaches and lagoons, no access to the ocean. All are nice resorts, and if the free tours are your bag, then I can see the argument to stay there. But you're paying more for either Palace property, just to get the included tours - which are based upon availability and usually done in large groups. You could take the money you save by staying at the Royal and do one or two Yucatreks tours and that would indeed be a very enjoyable day for you - I guarantee it!

My opinion of course.

[Mamacita]

Originally Posted by Shammy

BTW bigwally - if you prefer a very nice beach, then you'll want to choose the Royal PDC. There really is no beach at the Playacar Palace, there are no chairs on the beach at all, and sometimes there is no beach at all. ASP has man made beaches and lagoons, no access to the ocean. All are nice resorts, and if the free tours are your bag, then I can see the argument to stay there. But you're paying more for either Palace property, just to get the included tours - which are based upon availability and usually done in large groups. You could take the money you save by staying at the Royal and do one or two Yucatreks tours and that would indeed be a very enjoyable day for you - I guarantee it!

My opinion of course.

Okay, so, seriously...is there any disagreeing with this? Shammy's da bomb!

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by Mamacita

Okay, so, seriously...is there any disagreeing with this? Shammy's da bomb!

I heavily moderate anyone who disagrees with me!



Sorry, just cracking myself up here!

[Leia]

The only reason I mentioned the alternative way to stay and see Playa was because bigwally only had one post.....I thought perhaps he had not considered or didn't know that there is another way to experience this amazing part of the world.

[bigwally]

Thanks all. All opinions and suggestions are well received!

Yes, I do indeed want an AI for this trip. It doesn't really have anything to do with the cost of food outside the AI. I am certain there are some amazing restaurants (and at bargain prices too) out on 5th, some we may well try even though we're in an AI.

But the reason we're choosing an AI is much the same as we choose to cruise - not having to think a whole lot about where and when we're going to eat. My wife and I both tend to suffer from "should we?" syndrome, where hours is spent wandering around various restaurants, checking out the posted menus and trying to figure out which we fancy.

Edit: Does anyone know why there are no paragraphs when I first post? I have to do an edit to format the post again.

[bigwally]

OK, so I've decided on the RPdC. Now, which are the best Royal Junior ocean view suites to try and snag for views of the ocean and/or pool?

[jelly_bean]

we are going to the RPDC at the end of may and want a great non smoking Jr.OV Ste. that is relatively quiet. We tend to take naps in the late afternoon and don't want a lot of pool noise. can you help?