Okay experts, where should I stay? (non-AI)

[MichelleS]

Hi all - I'll be getting married at the Barcelo in mid-February. Looking for a non-AI to stay at for a 3-day mini honeymoon. Here are my criteria:

On the beach (ocean view or ocean front a must)
Villa / Condo / Hotel - doesn't matter
Nicer rooms
Either Playa or Coz
Price not an issue

Since we will have spent 7 days with our guests, we'll be ready to just bop around Playa / Coz for a few days, and want a nice hotel to go back to at night.

I've researched everywhere, and am unsure where to stay. The Xaman-Ha penthouse is booked for our timeframe, not sure which villas would be good to stay in (or if we can get one for only 3 days), or would we like El Faro?? Playa Azul in Cozumel looked kind of cool as well.

I had looked into Maroma, Ikal del Mar, Ceiba del Mar, but I want something closer to Playa.

Obviously, I have issues, so please help!

thanks, Michelle

[Bugs]

I've stayed at the Continental Plaza Playacar and at Playa Maya. Both are on the beach. I really liked both. If your looking for a nice room and view Playa Maya is the way to go. If you like a nice pool than the Continental Plaza is really great. Hope this helps.

[playa3]

We prefer the Blue Parrot ocean front condos--right on the beach and in the center of town. The Contentinal is great but is being shut down for remodeling and will reopen in Dec as a Place resort. I also read that the El Faro is being remodeled, but am not sure.

[jeffandbecky]

If the beach is a big issue then try Playa Maya. If you are looking for a nice place without the beach you might look at Hotel Lunata. None of the rooms have an ocean view but the location in PDC can not be beat. In truth its about 100 yards from Playa Maya on 5th Ave. From what I understand Playa Maya is one of the newest beach front hotel in the center of PDC and would seem to fit your needs. Personally, I think that beach front in PDC is overrated due to the condition of the beach from the ferry pier to Porto Real. South of the pier is Playacar and north of Porto Real there are no beach front hotels.

Sincerely,
Jeff and Becky

[denisea]

For beachfront, my recommendation would be the Playa Maya.

For either a condo or villa that is ocean front or has an ocean view, my recommendation would be to fill out the inquiry form on the "villa and condo rentals" page of this site (found top right of this page under "trip planning") with all your particulars and see what Anna can find for you. She has other properties available in addition to those shown on that page.

[ryberg]

Originally Posted by jeffandbecky

If the beach is a big issue then try Playa Maya. From what I understand Playa Maya is one of the newest beach front hotel in the center of PDC and would seem to fit your needs. South of the pier is Playacar and north of Porto Real there are no beach front hotels.

Well the Reef Coco Beach is in operation and is on the beach north of the GPR, if I'm not mistaken. That is newer than we are and would make us the second newest on the beach, again if I'm not mistaken, having opened for operation just shortly after the All Riviera, down closer to the pier. Just for the record.

Personally, I think that beach front in PDC is overrated due to the condition of the beach from the ferry pier to Porto Real.

Here you just have to keep in mind the standard caveat that the beach conditions change all the time, as I am always quick to point out. Previous posts from me with photos of the beach illustrate this. So betting on the beach is more or less like betting on the weather.

If you are looking for a nice place without the beach you might look at Hotel Lunata. None of the rooms have an ocean view but the location in PDC can not be beat. In truth its about 100 yards from Playa Maya on 5th Ave.

Lunata is a nice place indeed, with very easy management, and we often deal with each other when one place is full and the other isn't. But I believe they do actually have an ocean view room, a jr suite with a kind of cupola/balcony.

Steve

[CMM]

Originally Posted by jeffandbecky

South of the pier is Playacar and north of Porto Real there are no beach front hotels.

Actually, there are two very nice options north of Porto Real - Las Palapas and Shangri-La Caribe. This is a nice, quiet section of town, and when we were there last October, this was by far the nicest stretch of beach in the area. They're a little more expensive than the hotels in town, but to us it was worth it to be in a quieter, more spacious atmosphere.

[saxman]

Originally Posted by CMM

Actually, there are two very nice options north of Porto Real - Las Palapas and Shangri-La Caribe. This is a nice, quiet section of town, and when we were there last October, this was by far the nicest stretch of beach in the area. They're a little more expensive than the hotels in town, but to us it was worth it to be in a quieter, more spacious atmosphere.

I just spent some time at both Shangri-La Caribe and Playa Maya last month. IMHO Playa Maya is a better quality place than SLC. In addition to better rooms (both allowed you to leave your windows open and fall asleep to the sounds of surf, Playa Maya has way better service and their beds are much more comfy), Playa Maya is centrally located to everything else and you aren't forced to waste money on the mediocre dinners at SLC (they are included in their rate).

[MichelleS]

thanks everyone!!

[FrankRN]

Hands down, you need to check out the Playa Maya. You can find out more about them at www.playa-maya.com

Steve, the manager of the property, is active here on the boards. We were there April 2004. The staff were great, the location is excellent, the beach is beautifuf, and I could go on all night.

Make sure you check them out before you book anywhere else.

[Michael]

We have our own house in Playa, which we rent. If we make a surprise visit and the house is rented. The first person we call is Steve.

[Grande Jaime]

The Hotel Colibri. Reasonable rates, great local, Close to the Beer Bucket! Web sight is still Hotel-Colibri.com, I think. Tell them Big Jimmy from the Bucket sent ya.