Getting dizzy with hotel options

bmar · 02-15-2004

We are looking for a hotel on the beach with: good ocean views, balcony with hammocks, good pool, good beach, beach bar service, quiet rooms, good beds - not hard as a rock, ac , tv would be a bonus, clean rooms, helpful staff.

Playa-Maya is towards the top of my list, but I'm also thinking about Shangri-La or Continental Plaza. Any comments on how well these hotels meet our wishes or any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

**denisea** · 02-15-2004

You can't go wrong with the Playa Maya --- great location easily accessible to everything with terrific staff/management. Shangri-La is further away from town and larger. Continental Plaza is oldest hotel in Playa and could use a face lift --- I wouldn't even put in the same category as the Playa Maya and Shangri-La.

There's been lots of previous discussions about all 3 of these hotels --- I'd recommend doing a search on each of them and reading what's been said by others.

paulpick · 02-15-2004

We stayed at the Playa Maya over Christmas. I think it is a perfect introduction to the area. Right on the beach in the middle of everything, but not overwhelming or noisy in the least. It is convenient to virtually everything. You have to enter the hotel from the beach. How cool is that 8) . The staff will set up your beach lounge chairs and umbrellas for you and serve you food and beverages throughout the day. The hotel is crisp and clean. We stayed in the two room family suite and it was just as represented on their website. The view was fabulous. In fact, their website is an accurate representation in all respects. Our stay there was like being at an a la carte all-inclusive, if that makes sense.

The pool is on the small side, but was clean and inviting. However, with the lovely carribean only a few steps further away, we never went in, including my pool rat daughter (who was the reason we insisted on having a hotel with a pool). The beach was great while we were there, but that apparently can change with the tide. But regardless of what Mother Nature may have wrought by the time you visit, a good beach in front of a beach bar/beach club will only be a five minute walk away.

The beds were good. I would describe them as firm, not hard, but then that's my preference. None of our more sensitive travelers (wife and two daughters) complained. The balcony was on the small side and fit only one hammock or two chairs (there is a hook to move the hammock out of the way). With that said, I didn't see any hotels with multiple hammocks per room.

I also considered your other options. Both were on the periphery of town; Shangri La to the north and the Continental to the south. The Continental seem too big and impersonal for my taste and the Shangri La included meals and was more expensive.

I know the feeling of sensory overload looking for hotels on line. I actually had an excel spreadsheet with about a dozen different hotels with prices and ammenities. It was only marginally helpful. Hope this personal experience is helpful. Feel free to send me a PM if you would like any more info or have other questions.

bmar · 02-16-2004

Steve caught me posting the same question on another site. :oops:

I've ruled out CP. I only included it because my boyfriend was interested but I know I've read some poor reviews of it but couldn't find them when he was looking. Playa-Maya looks really nice and I kinda feel like I know Steve from his posts on various sites, but Shangri-La looks really interesting. However, I just found out Shangri-La doesn't have AC, telephones, clocks, refrigerators or ice machines. I'm starting to lean towards Playa-Maya again. The stress I create to go on vacation!!!

Bugs · 02-17-2004

Hi
I just go back from PdC yesterday. We spent 10 days at the Continental Plaza. It was GREAT. I wouldn't write it off yet. The pool is great. The continental breakfest is just amazing! I looked forward to it everymorning. It may be a little old but still very nice. I stayed at the Playa Maya last year and it also was very nice. The pool is small and it's quite windy on the beach. The pool at the Continental is surrounded so no wind gets in. So I've been to Maui, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, PdC twice and I had by far the best experience at the Continental Plaza. If you have any question you can email me. I know a where you can get the best room rate for the hotel that includes the continental breakfest, (worth at least 15-17 dollors per couple everymorning.)

Annie

02-15-2004	#1 (permalink)
bmar way into it Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 145	Getting dizzy with hotel options We are looking for a hotel on the beach with: good ocean views, balcony with hammocks, good pool, good beach, beach bar service, quiet rooms, good beds - not hard as a rock, ac , tv would be a bonus, clean rooms, helpful staff. Playa-Maya is towards the top of my list, but I'm also thinking about Shangri-La or Continental Plaza. Any comments on how well these hotels meet our wishes or any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for your help!

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02-15-2004	#2 (permalink)
denisea Forum Goddess Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: On the road to ruins... Posts: 7,025	You can't go wrong with the Playa Maya --- great location easily accessible to everything with terrific staff/management. Shangri-La is further away from town and larger. Continental Plaza is oldest hotel in Playa and could use a face lift --- I wouldn't even put in the same category as the Playa Maya and Shangri-La. There's been lots of previous discussions about all 3 of these hotels --- I'd recommend doing a search on each of them and reading what's been said by others.

02-15-2004	#3 (permalink)
paulpick toe in water Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 40	We stayed at the Playa Maya over Christmas. I think it is a perfect introduction to the area. Right on the beach in the middle of everything, but not overwhelming or noisy in the least. It is convenient to virtually everything. You have to enter the hotel from the beach. How cool is that 8) . The staff will set up your beach lounge chairs and umbrellas for you and serve you food and beverages throughout the day. The hotel is crisp and clean. We stayed in the two room family suite and it was just as represented on their website. The view was fabulous. In fact, their website is an accurate representation in all respects. Our stay there was like being at an a la carte all-inclusive, if that makes sense. The pool is on the small side, but was clean and inviting. However, with the lovely carribean only a few steps further away, we never went in, including my pool rat daughter (who was the reason we insisted on having a hotel with a pool). The beach was great while we were there, but that apparently can change with the tide. But regardless of what Mother Nature may have wrought by the time you visit, a good beach in front of a beach bar/beach club will only be a five minute walk away. The beds were good. I would describe them as firm, not hard, but then that's my preference. None of our more sensitive travelers (wife and two daughters) complained. The balcony was on the small side and fit only one hammock or two chairs (there is a hook to move the hammock out of the way). With that said, I didn't see any hotels with multiple hammocks per room. I also considered your other options. Both were on the periphery of town; Shangri La to the north and the Continental to the south. The Continental seem too big and impersonal for my taste and the Shangri La included meals and was more expensive. I know the feeling of sensory overload looking for hotels on line. I actually had an excel spreadsheet with about a dozen different hotels with prices and ammenities. It was only marginally helpful. Hope this personal experience is helpful. Feel free to send me a PM if you would like any more info or have other questions.

02-16-2004	#4 (permalink)
bmar way into it Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 145	Steve caught me posting the same question on another site. :oops: I've ruled out CP. I only included it because my boyfriend was interested but I know I've read some poor reviews of it but couldn't find them when he was looking. Playa-Maya looks really nice and I kinda feel like I know Steve from his posts on various sites, but Shangri-La looks really interesting. However, I just found out Shangri-La doesn't have AC, telephones, clocks, refrigerators or ice machines. I'm starting to lean towards Playa-Maya again. The stress I create to go on vacation!!!

02-17-2004	#5 (permalink)
Bugs toe in water Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Carman, Manitoba. Posts: 44	Hi I just go back from PdC yesterday. We spent 10 days at the Continental Plaza. It was GREAT. I wouldn't write it off yet. The pool is great. The continental breakfest is just amazing! I looked forward to it everymorning. It may be a little old but still very nice. I stayed at the Playa Maya last year and it also was very nice. The pool is small and it's quite windy on the beach. The pool at the Continental is surrounded so no wind gets in. So I've been to Maui, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, PdC twice and I had by far the best experience at the Continental Plaza. If you have any question you can email me. I know a where you can get the best room rate for the hotel that includes the continental breakfest, (worth at least 15-17 dollors per couple everymorning.) Annie

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