Comparison of Allegro Playacar, Viva Azteca, Reef Club...

sbblake23 · 06-09-2004

Hi,

We are trying to plan a trip down to PDC over Thanksgiving. It will be my husband and I, sister and brother-in law, and Husband's parents.
We really think AI is the way to go... less stressful for everyone, easy.. you get my drift.
I have been looking at these resorts I listed above. Does anyone have any preferences between them, or any other resorts?
Last year, my husband and I went to Iberostar Tucan and LOVED it!

We are looking for somewhere with a good variety of eating choices, and some shade on the beach or pool.

Let me know what you guys think!
Sara

NancyT · 06-11-2004

We have stayed at the Allegro and Reef Club, but not the Viva. I would recommend the Allegro (and probably the Viva as well) over the Reef Club. The Allegro has just gone through a major renovation and though the rooms are small, they are very nice. We really enjoyed the view from the room and the hammock on the patio. The food was very good, especially at the specialty restaurants. We were very disappointed with the Reef Club, especially with the food. The quality and variety were just not there. The rooms are larger than at the Allegro, but you have to be careful of the location of the room. The first room we were assigned faced the street so when you sat out on the balcony all you saw were cars going by. Also the rooms around the cenote, especially those on the lower floor, had a strong musty smell. The beach at the Reef is wider and less crowded, but we enjoyed the beach at the Allegro just the same as at the Reef. The pools at the Allegro are also much nicer, and much bigger. The Reef pools are really small, and we did not find them very inviting. I think it is worth spending a little more money to stay at the Allegro. Hope this information is helpful.

chrisk · 06-12-2004

Hi,
I just spent the last week at the Allegro in Playacar. There were 5 of us, my self, my wife, my daughter (6), and my parents. We had a total of 2 rooms. All of us had a wonderful time. This is my second time to this resort and I will probably return again.

For me, the Allegro has several things going for it: It is located within easy walking distance to Playa del Carmen. I found the food quite good, which is amassing because I am some what picky. The beach was nice and sandy (a few resorts in playacar have some rocks). The evening entertainment was fun and seemed to attract a good size crowd. There is an international crowd present. There were lots of folks from Germany, Holland, Italy, and even Poland. The pools were also nice. They have 2 types of beer. And finally, there was never one part of the resort that was crowded beyond capacity.

The only thing I would consider a negative at the Allegro was the room. The rooms are small (maybe 12'x15') and some what basic. But for me, this wasn't a big deal because I only slept there. The rest of my time was spent in the common areas which are quite comfortable and well maintained.

I suspect the management knows that its rooms are smaller and basic when compared with some of the newer resorts. I think they try to compensate for this by concentrating on the things they can control. i.e. Good food, good common areas, and good entertainment.

Lastly, I don't drink mixed drinks, but I suspect they are watered down. Otherwise, I would have seem many more drunk folks than I did.

Andiline · 06-12-2004

I've not been in Viva Allegra, but in Viva Maya. The ressort in itself was not bad, it had a lot to offer (drinks were watered down there too

) but what really pissed me off was that you had to get up early (before 7 am) to get your towel on the beach to have a place under a palapa. And then a lot of those persons who occupied space didn't even show up all day. I don't known if this is different in Viva Allegra, but I have been told that this problem doesn't exist in the Iberostar Tucan.

Andrea

chrisk · 06-12-2004

The problem you mentioned with getting up early so you can get a spot under a palapa also exists at the Allegro in Playacar. We usually got up around 8am and always found a spot. By 9am, it would be hard to find a spot on the beach, but spots were still available around the pool.

06-09-2004	#1 (permalink)
sbblake23 ruined Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 80	Comparison of Allegro Playacar, Viva Azteca, Reef Club... Hi, We are trying to plan a trip down to PDC over Thanksgiving. It will be my husband and I, sister and brother-in law, and Husband's parents. We really think AI is the way to go... less stressful for everyone, easy.. you get my drift. I have been looking at these resorts I listed above. Does anyone have any preferences between them, or any other resorts? Last year, my husband and I went to Iberostar Tucan and LOVED it! We are looking for somewhere with a good variety of eating choices, and some shade on the beach or pool. Let me know what you guys think! Sara

06-11-2004	#2 (permalink)
NancyT sandflea Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 7	We have stayed at the Allegro and Reef Club, but not the Viva. I would recommend the Allegro (and probably the Viva as well) over the Reef Club. The Allegro has just gone through a major renovation and though the rooms are small, they are very nice. We really enjoyed the view from the room and the hammock on the patio. The food was very good, especially at the specialty restaurants. We were very disappointed with the Reef Club, especially with the food. The quality and variety were just not there. The rooms are larger than at the Allegro, but you have to be careful of the location of the room. The first room we were assigned faced the street so when you sat out on the balcony all you saw were cars going by. Also the rooms around the cenote, especially those on the lower floor, had a strong musty smell. The beach at the Reef is wider and less crowded, but we enjoyed the beach at the Allegro just the same as at the Reef. The pools at the Allegro are also much nicer, and much bigger. The Reef pools are really small, and we did not find them very inviting. I think it is worth spending a little more money to stay at the Allegro. Hope this information is helpful.

06-12-2004	#3 (permalink)
chrisk lost on fifth Join Date: May 2004 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 19	Hi, I just spent the last week at the Allegro in Playacar. There were 5 of us, my self, my wife, my daughter (6), and my parents. We had a total of 2 rooms. All of us had a wonderful time. This is my second time to this resort and I will probably return again. For me, the Allegro has several things going for it: It is located within easy walking distance to Playa del Carmen. I found the food quite good, which is amassing because I am some what picky. The beach was nice and sandy (a few resorts in playacar have some rocks). The evening entertainment was fun and seemed to attract a good size crowd. There is an international crowd present. There were lots of folks from Germany, Holland, Italy, and even Poland. The pools were also nice. They have 2 types of beer. And finally, there was never one part of the resort that was crowded beyond capacity. The only thing I would consider a negative at the Allegro was the room. The rooms are small (maybe 12'x15') and some what basic. But for me, this wasn't a big deal because I only slept there. The rest of my time was spent in the common areas which are quite comfortable and well maintained. I suspect the management knows that its rooms are smaller and basic when compared with some of the newer resorts. I think they try to compensate for this by concentrating on the things they can control. i.e. Good food, good common areas, and good entertainment. Lastly, I don't drink mixed drinks, but I suspect they are watered down. Otherwise, I would have seem many more drunk folks than I did.

06-12-2004	#4 (permalink)
Andiline añejo Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cologne, Germany Posts: 7,600	I've not been in Viva Allegra, but in Viva Maya. The ressort in itself was not bad, it had a lot to offer (drinks were watered down there too ) but what really pissed me off was that you had to get up early (before 7 am) to get your towel on the beach to have a place under a palapa. And then a lot of those persons who occupied space didn't even show up all day. I don't known if this is different in Viva Allegra, but I have been told that this problem doesn't exist in the Iberostar Tucan. Andrea

06-12-2004	#5 (permalink)
chrisk lost on fifth Join Date: May 2004 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 19	The problem you mentioned with getting up early so you can get a spot under a palapa also exists at the Allegro in Playacar. We usually got up around 8am and always found a spot. By 9am, it would be hard to find a spot on the beach, but spots were still available around the pool.

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