Playacar Palace

This was our first visit to Mexico and Playacar Palace. From arrival we were impressed with the standard of staff and hotel. In particular Xiomara and Adela from the entertainment team were excellent,Miguel from MoMo was always very friendly and professional. Porfirio and Dionicio from the Buffet restaurant were excellent and friendly. Paulina from the Lobby and Luna bar was friendly and remembered our drinks order from day one. We have been fortunate to have stayed in lovely hotels in our holidays and Playacar Palace is one of the best we have stayed at and wouldn't hesitate to go back. Read less

First visit to Mexico and Playacar Palace. We found the general standard of the hotel exceptional. This would include the food, cleanliness, and friendliness of staff. Xiomara and Adela from the entertainment team were so caring and very enthusiastic. Miguel from MoMo was always smiling and helpful. Paulina in the Lobby and Luna Bar always remembered our drinks order from day 1. Dionicio and Porfirio in the Buffet Restaurant were very efficient and friendly. We have been fortunate enough to have stayed in some top class hotels and Playacar Palace would be at the top of our list. Read less

Being able to vacation in such a beautiful place was so amazing with the poolside relaxation, great excursions and incredible spa. Not only that, but the workers were SO friendly and helpful, my family and I were even able to get to know quite a few of them through long conversations! Carmen from the pool bar was very friendly and great at his job, we loved talking to him! At the Bocelli Italian restaurant so many waiters were wonderful! From Oscar, Israel, the other Oscar and Marco (the great chef) and Marysol (the best hostess) were all incredible! Hoping to be able to visit Playa del Carmen and them next year! Read less

My wife and I have stayed at Playacar Palace many times in the past and have always so thoroughly enjoyed out time there that we wanted to come back for our 20th Anniversary. And, as always the resort itself, its amenities, location, and wonderful staff are beyond fantastic! More about our 20th Anniversary later in this report. When you first arrive you are greeted with a big smile, a fruit drink, a cool and wonderfully scented towel, and a flower for the ladies. Check in is quickly and expertly handled by the Front Desk staff. It doesn’t matter who checks you in, whether it’s Carmen, the Front Desk Manager or Javier, Julio, Natalia, Alan, Adriana, Fernando or Viridiana, all are experts in customer service, and all will do whatever it takes to make you happy and your stay just perfect. Playacar Palace has around 250 rooms with several choices as to the type of room you may prefer. The rooms are very well appointed and have in room Jacuzzis, a mini bar, and a small fridge stocked with water, juice, soft drinks, mixers, and beer. Should you like to have a different variety of drinks, just ask. Location: The resort is located about a five minute walk from 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. Do go for a walk there and check out the many shops, restaurants and bars. There is so much to see and do. My wife (a sports fanatic) and I have gone to watch several college football games and basketball games at one of the sports bars on 5th Avenue. Always a great time. In addition, the Ferry to Cozumel Island is also only a five minute walk away. Do go and visit Cozumel one day while you are staying at Playacar Palace. There are many things to do and see there as well. Restaurants: There are several restaurant options available to guests. A buffet style breakfast is served at the International Restaurant with so many choices to absolutely more than satisfy anyones’ desire or tastes. Lunch is also served at the same restaurant as a buffet. Or, you can opt for lunch at the pool side snack bar, or even order lunch while you are lounging by the pool, and the servers will bring it right to you. You don’t even have to move. Dinner options include a Brazilian style restaurant, a Mayan restaurant, Italian, Asian including a Hibachi table option, or a buffet style dinner at the International Restaurant. Some evenings, specialty dinners are served at the pool side, such as during Mexican night. It doesn’t matter what you choose, the dining options are plentiful and the food is absolutely delicious. And all of the restaurant servers are first class. Special thanks to Israel, Dion, and Ezequiel. Spa: While I don’t use the Spa, my wife does. She tells me all the time how wonderful the Spa and the staff is. It is very modern and offers a large variety of services. Maybe that is why I don’t see my wife by the pool very much; she is taking full advantage of the Spa as well as the Gym. Gym: The resort does have a relatively small but very well equipped Gym. It is certainly enough for those guest who like to frequent the Gym at home. For me, I do, but I prefer to swim in the ocean whenever I have the opportunity. Entertainment: There is daily music and entertainment by the pool, or if you don’t like that, you can go to the other end of the pool or the beach and be away from it. And there is a special show every evening. They all are excellent and very entertaining. Our personal favorite, and not to be missed is the “Sand Show.” Beach: The beach is sandy and the water is usually quite calm. Lounges are available on the beach, but the width of the beach can vary based on storms at sea and sometimes the time of year. But regardless, one can walk out into the water quite a distance before it gets deep. One of my favorite activities here is to go for an ocean swim. It is perfectly safe. And, Ignacio the lifeguard not only keeps an eye on the beach and ocean but is also so helpful in helping guests open their beach umbrellas whenever he sees someone he can help. I also want to mention David Antonio, the head of Security here. Many mornings I went down to the pool and beach to watch the sunrise. And who did I see, but David, keeping an eye on the property. Not that there was any problem at all; just his job. It was such a pleasure chatting with him about the sunrises, the nearby town and Mexico in general. Just a wonderful person. Pool: The pool is quite large and has a pool bar on one end, and a special swimming area for small children on the other. There is also a large Jacuzzi. Lounges and umbrellas are available all around the pool (as well as the beach). And, doing the colder months, the pool is heated. Servers are always close at hand to make sure that your order for drinks (or lunch) is taken care of. Our 20th Anniversary: We were at the resort with two other couples, and all of us were absolutely amazed at our Anniversary surprises. Everything from an Anniversary cake in our room, to a special in-room breakfast (from a very special menu), to a special dinner at the Italian Restaurant, and a super special private dinner for us and our friends, with some really great entertainment by Hiram, the Magic Man (he is so good and entertaining that none of us could figure out how he did some of his tricks). I want to again thank several people that made this special dinner so wonderful and memorable for all of us. These include Jair, our special Chef; Joaquin, the Pastry Chef; Carlos, the Sommelier; Ruben, our waiter; Laura, the Bar Manager; and Cesar, the Food and Beverage Manager. Also, may thanks to Isabel and her assistant in Public Relations. Both of them helped immensely in making this a very special Anniversary for us. In general: My wife and I highly recommend Playacar Palace. While there are many choices for resorts in this area, this resort with its wonderful location, special amenities, and management and staff that will always go to all ends to make sure that you have a fantastic vacation experience. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all about this resort. I will be glad to answer them. Read less