Mahekal-about to book but scared... - Page 2

queencityfan · 10-27-2011

We did buy styrofoam the first year but we did pass it on to be re-used to another couple.

Cocotel · 10-27-2011

We did that, too. We even had beers left in it and made some people very happy by giving it all to them.

NurseLovesVaca · 10-27-2011

Thanks so much for all your reassurance. I will for sure bring a collapsable one and use it as a beach bag-brilliant!

Very excited, just have to get the ok from the boss.

wintersssssss · 10-27-2011

Personally, I think thats a lot to pay for a week in May, You can rent a nice condo for half that price and still have lots left for everything else. We are renting at Palmar del Sol in May for 143 a night and that includes free passes to a very nice beach club where you can bring your own food and drinks. I also looked at Mahekal but felt it was too much money for what you get. However, if being on the beach is important then it may be worth it for you. Whatever you decide I am sure you will have a great vacation. I just got back in Oct and already can not wait to get back in May!

Lori

alwaysmissinpdc · 10-27-2011

It is more expensive than other options but after a really stressful year we stayed there last November with no regrets. The beach is beautiful with a very relaxing vibe. Every room has it's own porch with hammocks for reading and napping. Used a cooler for beverages and snacks, but also gave some business to the bar for happy hour and an occasional afternoon cold beer.

Dinner is so-so but breakfast and lunch are good.

It's an oasis in a town that's bustling, but a stone's throw to the liveliness of Playa when you want to join in.

It was a pleasure to move from room to beach to pool effortlessly - ie not packing much of a beach bag.

whitecat · 10-28-2011

Check Expedia. They were $40.00 a day cheaper than the site.

beachbuddies · 10-28-2011

Can't imagine anyone not enjoying the special ambiance...beach...people @ Mahekal! Heading back early December for our 3rd stay...Loved the flexibility that the "quasi - inclusive" offered in terms of 2 meals/day that would still allow us to experience the many fabulous Playa restaurant offerings in a cost-effective manner...Initially had concerns re: some negative comments posted with respect to the "dinners"...but never had anything but a positive experience
Wondering what site you are on? $2k sounds out of line for May? I looked on the Resort site & suggests approx. $1400-$1500...we stay in the "cheap seats" ; ie Garden View Pueblito area which is lovely & only 2 minutes to the beach
Also rented a fridge last trip for $5/day

Trev · 10-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachbuddies

Can't imagine anyone not enjoying the special ambiance...beach...people @ Mahekal!

Each to their own. We did not like it and will not go back. Beach is okay but not better than further south. We've had better experience for less money elsewhere in Playa.

tailgater · 11-03-2011

Stayed at Las Palapas next door to Mahekal.
More expensive then AI, but well worth it.

We purchased a Cooler Bag and used it as a carry on. It's a great cooler, and we've used it many times since.
Filled it with Ice from the local store, which was actually cheaper than the "free" ice at the bar because we'd always tip them for their service.

Drank cold drinks from the cooler when at our palapa, or on the beach.
Bought from the bar when at the pool, during happy hour, and when we wanted to drink from the coconut shells.

Would not change a thing. Simply awesome.

Islandgal · 11-03-2011

We love Mahekal - just stayed there for our 3rd time in October. It's worth every penny!

karona · 11-03-2011

I would love to stay at either Mahekal or Las Palapas.... They are in the most beautiful setting and I hope they never change much... Maybe one day.

NurseLovesVaca · 11-03-2011

Thanks to all!

queencityfan · 11-04-2011

Be sure to read Sassy's trip report!

Sassygirl18 · 11-04-2011

We just got back from Playa on Sunday and LOVED it. I am in the process of writing the trip report which you can read here.

Anyway...re: costs...

First, Mahekal will rent you a small refrigerator for your room for $5/day. This is what we did. We went to the Mega supermarket and stocked up on beer, liquor sodas, etc. and that greatly reduced our beverage costs for the week. Mahekal has a 2-for-1 happy hour every day from 5-6 p.m. - very good deal.

With the exception of 1 day, we opted to have breakfast and lunch at Mahekal and dinner in town. The one dinner we had at Mahekal was mediocre, but we found the breakfasts and lunches were very good to excellent.

You can eat a nice dinner in town, including drinks and tip for $25-$40 USD for two people. One of the cheapest places we ate (and it was delicious!!!) was El Fogon, a restaurant many on this board highly recommend. I think our entire bill came to about $25 (including tip!) for 2 entress, a couple beers and a non-alcoholic drink. Our dinner at Piola, which was probably the best pizza either of us has ever eaten in our lives, was about $30-$35, including a couple drinks and a dessert. There are lots of good, cheap places to eat in Playa and if you are coming from the US, the dollar is strong right now. I think we got about 13.3 pesos per dollar last week.

NurseLovesVaca · 11-04-2011

Thanks! Great exchange rate!

10-28-2011	#22 (permalink)
beachbuddies toe in water Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 48	Mahekal = "Magical"... Can't imagine anyone not enjoying the special ambiance...beach...people @ Mahekal! Heading back early December for our 3rd stay...Loved the flexibility that the "quasi - inclusive" offered in terms of 2 meals/day that would still allow us to experience the many fabulous Playa restaurant offerings in a cost-effective manner...Initially had concerns re: some negative comments posted with respect to the "dinners"...but never had anything but a positive experience Wondering what site you are on? $2k sounds out of line for May? I looked on the Resort site & suggests approx. $1400-$1500...we stay in the "cheap seats" ; ie Garden View Pueblito area which is lovely & only 2 minutes to the beach Also rented a fridge last trip for $5/day

10-27-2011	#16 (permalink)
queencityfan añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 3,342	We did buy styrofoam the first year but we did pass it on to be re-used to another couple.

10-27-2011	#17 (permalink)
Cocotel reposado Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Utah! Posts: 1,061	We did that, too. We even had beers left in it and made some people very happy by giving it all to them.

10-27-2011	#18 (permalink)
NurseLovesVaca lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 22	Thanks so much for all your reassurance. I will for sure bring a collapsable one and use it as a beach bag-brilliant! Very excited, just have to get the ok from the boss.

10-27-2011	#19 (permalink)
wintersssssss way into it Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 100	Personally, I think thats a lot to pay for a week in May, You can rent a nice condo for half that price and still have lots left for everything else. We are renting at Palmar del Sol in May for 143 a night and that includes free passes to a very nice beach club where you can bring your own food and drinks. I also looked at Mahekal but felt it was too much money for what you get. However, if being on the beach is important then it may be worth it for you. Whatever you decide I am sure you will have a great vacation. I just got back in Oct and already can not wait to get back in May! Lori

10-27-2011	#20 (permalink)
alwaysmissinpdc añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: burbs north of Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,492	It is more expensive than other options but after a really stressful year we stayed there last November with no regrets. The beach is beautiful with a very relaxing vibe. Every room has it's own porch with hammocks for reading and napping. Used a cooler for beverages and snacks, but also gave some business to the bar for happy hour and an occasional afternoon cold beer. Dinner is so-so but breakfast and lunch are good. It's an oasis in a town that's bustling, but a stone's throw to the liveliness of Playa when you want to join in. It was a pleasure to move from room to beach to pool effortlessly - ie not packing much of a beach bag.

10-28-2011	#21 (permalink)
whitecat way into it Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 159	Check Expedia. They were $40.00 a day cheaper than the site.

11-03-2011	#24 (permalink)
tailgater toe in water Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 50	Stayed at Las Palapas next door to Mahekal. More expensive then AI, but well worth it. We purchased a Cooler Bag and used it as a carry on. It's a great cooler, and we've used it many times since. Filled it with Ice from the local store, which was actually cheaper than the "free" ice at the bar because we'd always tip them for their service. Drank cold drinks from the cooler when at our palapa, or on the beach. Bought from the bar when at the pool, during happy hour, and when we wanted to drink from the coconut shells. Would not change a thing. Simply awesome.

11-03-2011	#25 (permalink)
Islandgal lost on fifth Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 13	We love Mahekal - just stayed there for our 3rd time in October. It's worth every penny!

11-03-2011	#26 (permalink)
karona life=playa Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: victoria bc Posts: 630	I would love to stay at either Mahekal or Las Palapas.... They are in the most beautiful setting and I hope they never change much... Maybe one day.

11-03-2011	#27 (permalink)
NurseLovesVaca lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 22	Thanks to all!

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11-04-2011	#28 (permalink)
queencityfan añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 3,342	Be sure to read Sassy's trip report!

11-04-2011	#29 (permalink)
Sassygirl18 way into it Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 114	We just got back from Playa on Sunday and LOVED it. I am in the process of writing the trip report which you can read here. Anyway...re: costs... First, Mahekal will rent you a small refrigerator for your room for $5/day. This is what we did. We went to the Mega supermarket and stocked up on beer, liquor sodas, etc. and that greatly reduced our beverage costs for the week. Mahekal has a 2-for-1 happy hour every day from 5-6 p.m. - very good deal. With the exception of 1 day, we opted to have breakfast and lunch at Mahekal and dinner in town. The one dinner we had at Mahekal was mediocre, but we found the breakfasts and lunches were very good to excellent. You can eat a nice dinner in town, including drinks and tip for $25-$40 USD for two people. One of the cheapest places we ate (and it was delicious!!!) was El Fogon, a restaurant many on this board highly recommend. I think our entire bill came to about $25 (including tip!) for 2 entress, a couple beers and a non-alcoholic drink. Our dinner at Piola, which was probably the best pizza either of us has ever eaten in our lives, was about $30-$35, including a couple drinks and a dessert. There are lots of good, cheap places to eat in Playa and if you are coming from the US, the dollar is strong right now. I think we got about 13.3 pesos per dollar last week.

11-04-2011	#30 (permalink)
NurseLovesVaca lost on fifth Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 22	Thanks! Great exchange rate!