Condohotel El Patio

This is an excellant hotel for the money. Not for someone who is wanting a five star hotel, but more than I expected. It has a living room, dining area and kitchen with a seperate bedroom. The bathroom has an authentic Mexican sink and a large shower. I loved the balcony off the bedroom, it was the perfect area for an early morning coffee or afternoon seista. The hotel is right on 5th Ave so it is a noisier then some, but you have to expect that to be right on the main street. The only night I found it really noisy was the first night, and that's because after getting up at 3am, it was only 8:30 when I went to sleep. It's only three blocks to Mamita's Beach Club and the hotel provides beach towel and 50% off of lounger's and such at the beach club. The hotel is in the perfect location for anything you want to do, wether it's tours, shopping, the beach, or just relaxing. It's close enough to everything on 5th yet far enough north to not be really, really noisty. If you stay here be sure to check out the Luna Blue bar 2 doors down on 26th. Nothing like sitting on the swings with pomegranite tequilla to end the evening. :) Loved everything about the hotel and am already planning next years trip!

For some fantastic authentic food for lunch or dinner, go down to El Fogon on Contituyente across from the Mega store. The best pastor and charros in town and very reasonable prices. We ate there 4 times, found it 3 years ago and still remembered it! The best place with reasonable prices for breakfast is the Bistro on 5th Avenue. They include coffee with your breakfast and the best thing I had there was the Eggs Oaxaca Style. Scrambled eggs with oaxaca cheese and red sauce, served with mashed potatoes and black beans. Yes, Virginia they eat mashed potatoes in Mexico. All of this was about $5 and the service outstanding. The "discount" at the Mamitas beach club has to be asked for at the reception desk and it is 50% off the things they offered there. A better choice is down past the pier, to the little restaurant/bar called Xaman-Ha bar at 14th & beach. Jorge and Mary, the owners will make sure you have a great stay and the buckets of beer brought to your lounge chair under an umbrella are nice and cold. Service is great and sincerely friendly. The boats come up with tourists and thier catch of the day, if you are lucky, you can make some friends and share your beer and fish! Nice spot, we spent our beach days there. Weather was kinda lousy from the storms coming in from the North, but a drizzly day in Playa is better than a sunny day working! Overall, we will be back.

We have been going to Playa del Carmen for winter vacation most of the last 20 years so I know the town fairly well. For our money, you can't beat the Little Italy section which is basically the neighborhood around Fifth Ave. and 26th Street. It's close to everything but yet far from the ferry dock so you avoid the "cruise people." Our balcony at Condohotel el Patio overlooks this intersection so we were right at home. Nice 1 bedroom condo. The queen bed was probably one of the best mattresses I've ever slept on. The bathroom was large, water pressure good, and hot water was hot. Large fridge worked great as did cable TV and Wi-Fi. However, kitchenette needs more cups, plates, pots, pans, etc. Room was on sale so we got a great value for the money. Not worth list price. Daily maid service kept the unit clean. Half price beach chairs at Mamita's. BUT BE AWARE: downtown PDC is loud....no matter where you stay. People come home from the clubs late and the shops open early. Bring your ear plugs!

Only a few blocks to the best beach area on the north end of Playa del Carmen. Close to main area of town, but not in the busiest area of fifth avenue so the noise levels were tolerable. Check in and out quick and easy. They even greeted me by name when I arrived before I identified myself, so obviously check reservations and ready for guest arrival. Clean and comfortable. Kitchen/dining area seperate from bedroom. Fridge, cooktop, blender, table, chairs and couch. Only complaint about facilities - no coffee maker. Believe other rooms had them, maybe broken and yet to be replaced. Small balcony off bedroom, nice place to read. Bedroom on street side of building, so sometimes a little street noise.