Okay so this is a long list....

[Rixx]

Been there....don't go to Sunscape. It was named something else up until two yrs ago. Then changed to Sunscape. It's like a Motel 6...cheap, cheap.

You must be thinking of another resort? Which one...I don't know.

The Bahia has a nice beach...but it's way north of there. Just south of Akumal.

[missixty]

Originally Posted by Rixx

Add another to your list... RIU Playacar

It has a GREAT beach...almost as nice as the Barcelo. (Which is probably the best of the ones listed)

What I don't like about the Barcelo....it's HUGE. With around 2000 rooms, you have some MAJOR walking to get to anything. Along with the crowds of people there. And it's REMOTE. Nothing really close at all, and a hefty cab fee to go anywhere. I can remember long lines to get a drink, almost at all the bars. Especially the pool. Didn't have a swim up bar IN the pool.

RIU Playacar is one of the smaller hotels. (200 rooms) Close enough to Playa, you can walk into town. (15 mins) Or take a cab for 5 bucks. It's small enough to be 'personable' with a GREAT staff. It does have a Pool Bar...swim up service!

Put it this way....We have been on numerous (17, so far) trips to the area, stayed at a bunch of the resorts, and the RIU Playacar is the ONLY resort we have returned to. We have stayed there 3-4 times. It's by far the Wife's favorite. Her 2nd fav....El Dorado Seaside.

This photo is of the entrance to the RIU beach...Plenty of shade available, if needed. Don't let the photo fool you....no trees on the beach, they are set back off it.



Another resort to consider for Best Beach...Akumal Beach Resort.

For me...this is MY personal favorite. Rooms right ON the beach, open your door to the water. THE best snorkeling there is.....Sea Turtles right there to snorkel with. Walking distance to everything in Akumal...10 mins away.

However...it's pretty 'standard'. Everything, BUT the beach is so-so....nothing fancy at all. Maybe the best staff of all....Not the place to go to be 'pampered'. But if you're a snorkeling fool....this IS the spot.

This was taken from the room....


ABR has the best beach of all the resorts I have seen...


It really depends on what you guys like to do most....as to the best fit in a resort.

Price wise....Barcelo will be the most $$$$. Riu running a close 2nd, and ABR probably running 500 dollars for the week cheaper. (between 2 people)

When did you stay at the Riu in Playacar? Playacar beach has taken a major battering over the past year which is why we were thinking of going further afield for the next trip. Also as we've been told they are pumping sand back in sometime next year, and we've had a holiday cancelled due to this before so are a bit wary of booking Playacar for 2009...we're off to somewhere other than Mexico in 2010 () but will most prob return to Playacar after that, we do love the area.

[missixty]

Originally Posted by Rixx

Been there....don't go to Sunscape. It was named something else up until two yrs ago. Then changed to Sunscape. It's like a Motel 6...cheap, cheap.

You must be thinking of another resort? Which one...I don't know.

The Bahia has a nice beach...but it's way north of there. Just south of Akumal.

My brother has stayed at the Bahia and said it's the best AI he's stayed at. I got a good price up for it and it said it has 21 bars and 17 resteraunts Was really considering it but looks way to far out on the map, my brother said it took about 15 minutes in a collectivo from the highway, but to me it looks at least 30 minutes away??

[sctx]

Originally Posted by Rixx

Been there....don't go to Sunscape. It was named something else up until two yrs ago. Then changed to Sunscape. It's like a Motel 6...cheap, cheap.

looked pretty plush to me, but they wouldn't show us the condo units..... just south of Caleta Tankah???.......... they did serve us 7 ounce beers and food that rivals many elementary school cafeterias

[Rixx]

Originally Posted by missixty

When did you stay at the Riu in Playacar? Playacar beach has taken a major battering over the past year which is why we were thinking of going further afield for the next trip. Also as we've been told they are pumping sand back in sometime next year, and we've had a holiday cancelled due to this before so are a bit wary of booking Playacar for 2009...we're off to somewhere other than Mexico in 2010 () but will most prob return to Playacar after that, we do love the area.

You're right....it's been 2 yrs since the last stay there. There was a rut (erosion) in the beach last yr. (went by there) but nothing serious. Still a nice beach!

[missixty]

Originally Posted by Rixx

You're right....it's been 2 yrs since the last stay there. There was a rut (erosion) in the beach last yr. (went by there) but nothing serious. Still a nice beach!

Ah right...we couldn't believe the difference between last year and this year...we stayed at the Tucan in 2006 and the beach was huge, flat and really soft and sandy.

This year it has eroded and got a lot of sand bags and walking in the sea is almost a form of torture due to the mount of rocks!

[Rixx]

Originally Posted by missixty

My brother has stayed at the Bahia and said it's the best AI he's stayed at. I got a good price up for it and it said it has 21 bars and 17 resteraunts Was really considering it but looks way to far out on the map, my brother said it took about 15 minutes in a collectivo from the highway, but to me it looks at least 30 minutes away??

From Playa? It's a good 30 mins. The size of it ruled it out in our case.

Another great beach....The resort used to be called Oasis Akumal. It's been changed to something else now. Can't remember what....It's the 2nd resort south of Akumal...right after ABR. Anyone know...??

[Rixx]

Originally Posted by sctx

looked pretty plush to me, but they wouldn't show us the condo units..... just south of Caleta Tankah???.......... they did serve us 7 ounce beers and food that rivals many elementary school cafeterias

Just south....it's a light brown colored resort. Office-reception desk on the right side as you go in.

Everything goes downhill after that....

Beach is nice though....

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by Rixx

From Playa? It's a good 30 mins. The size of it ruled it out in our case.

Another great beach....The resort used to be called Oasis Akumal. It's been changed to something else now. Can't remember what....It's the 2nd resort south of Akumal...right after ABR. Anyone know...??

It's the Grand Oasis Riviera Maya now. But it's WAY outside her distance limits. It gets its share of negative reviews, but we're going there for a couple days next month... happy to share our opinions when we return.

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by Rixx

Just south....it's a light brown colored resort. Office-reception desk on the right side as you go in.

Everything goes downhill after that....

Beach is nice though....

Are you thinking of the Maya Tankah which used to be known as Freedom Paradise?

[missixty]

Does anyone have any opinions on the Catalonia Riviera Maya?

The beach looks okay and it doesn't look out of our distance limit.

The problem is we're getting a good price on it, which sort of puts me off a bit As in, why is it cheaper there must be a reason??

On the plus side, it's cheaper, and the couple we're going with want to spend not too much, so it would mean we could possibly all stay at the same hotel, rather than staying at seperate ones?

[Rixx]

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

It's the Grand Oasis Riviera Maya now. But it's WAY outside her distance limits. It gets its share of negative reviews, but we're going there for a couple days next month... happy to share our opinions when we return.

I spent 8 days there, then 8 at the Barcelo, about 4 yrs ago. Went directly from one to the other.

It's a great beach....the hotel was OK. Food wasn't all that. (after Barcelo) but to tell the truth, I preferred it over the Barcelo. For the lack of people, crowds, and not having to walk a 1/2 mile for anything. Good snorkeling here too!

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by Rixx

I spent 8 days there, then 8 at the Barcelo, about 4 yrs ago. Went directly from one to the other.

It's a great beach....the hotel was OK. Food wasn't all that. (after Barcelo) but to tell the truth, I preferred it over the Barcelo. For the lack of people, crowds, and not having to walk a 1/2 mile for anything. Good snorkeling here too!

It had a huge makeover since then and is now supposedly a higher end resort than it was then. I was there twice myself around that same time. I thought it was fine, but I don't need luxury. I'm anxious to see what changes the update brought.

[Rixx]

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

Are you thinking of the Maya Tankah which used to be known as Freedom Paradise?

No, isn't that one right there at Casa Cenote? On the right as you go down the road before the turn? The 'Fat people' resort, wasn't it? Pretty sure it is....

Sunscape is between Tulum, and Caleta Tankah. Pretty sure it's the 1st resort going north after Tulum.

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by Rixx

No, isn't that one right there at Casa Cenote? On the right as you go down the road before the turn? The 'Fat people' resort, wasn't it? Pretty sure it is....

Sunscape is between Tulum, and Caleta Tankah. Pretty sure it's the 1st resort going north after Tulum.

Sounds like that has to be what is now Dreams Tulum, but it's a gorgeous higher-end resort that's just beautiful and luxurious. We've stayed there, too, and felt totally spoiled. And yes, the beach is fantastic but it sure isn't easy to get into Playa from there.