Playacar Palace

We enjoyed our stay there. Close to town, the ocean was calm and warm. The ferry to Cozumel is walking distance. The pool was nice, the activities were fun. The restaurants for the most part were very good. The room was very clean, and we had a great view. The...

We enjoyed our stay there. Close to town, the ocean was calm and warm. The ferry to Cozumel is walking distance. The pool was nice, the activities were fun. The restaurants for the most part were very good. The room was very clean, and we had a great view. The spa was excellent. My only complaint is the same at every moon palace resort, no beer selection to choose from.

We just returned from Playacar Palace where we went with another couple for a week. It is a smaller resort, but very well taken care of, and it is an all inclusive family friendly resort. The rooms were always clean and fully stocked with towels and the staff were very...

We just returned from Playacar Palace where we went with another couple for a week. It is a smaller resort, but very well taken care of, and it is an all inclusive family friendly resort. The rooms were always clean and fully stocked with towels and the staff were very friendly. Our rooms were always fresh and the beds made sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. The beach is also nicer than the Moonpalace Sunrise beach as there was very little sargassam seaweed. The water was a little rough the last few days, but a welcome escape from the pools. There is a few restaurants in the hotel and we tried them all. Our favorites were the Italian Trattoria and Madre Mia. Kevin at Trattoria made the service absolutely perfetto! He was very attentive and seemed to know exactly when we were all done and then had our next dish ready. I don't know if it was the time of the season, but it was also not too busy and we prefer that more intimate and quiet dinner. We loved the thin breadsticks and the Italian drinks and the entire staff work so hard everywhere on the resort. At Madre Mia which is Latin American cuisine, we were met by the friendly hostess Edith at the front who found us our table. Our server the first night was Ivan and he recommended a few appetizers. We ordered a few to try and some main dishes, and it was amazing food! We liked it so much we went back a second night and once again Edith greeted us. Rigoberto was our server this second night and recommended fantastic drinks to try. We ordered different items to try and were as just impressed with everything being cooked perfectly and it was so flavorful! It definately became our favorite place. There is so much to do at this resort, that the week just flies by. We went out everyday walking and shopping on 5th Avenue and did a day trip to Cozumel that is free, you don't need resort credits. Just choose and pay for anyone of the 3 ferries that are leaving on the half hour time slots. They all run about 16 - 19 US per person, depending on the time of day and which ferry you take. There are excursions you can also book but we didn't go this time as we were happy just hanging in the local areas. The four of us all really enjoyed this week and will definately be coming back.

This was our first time at Playacar Palace and being Palace members, it is by far our favorite. We have been to the Moon Palace several times and The Grand. Playacar just has a very friendly, family atmosphere. Much smaller than MP and the Grand, but also more personable. My...

This was our first time at Playacar Palace and being Palace members, it is by far our favorite. We have been to the Moon Palace several times and The Grand. Playacar just has a very friendly, family atmosphere. Much smaller than MP and the Grand, but also more personable. My husband and I did not want for anything. We were always checked on by the staff no matter where we were in the hotel. Drinks were constantly flowing at the pool, Daniel, Daniela and Sylvi are amazing servers and very personable. Love that they remember your names and make you feel welcome at all times. The resort is small, but loved that I could walk back to my room in 5 minutes from the pool if I forgot something. Another perk was you see the same guests daily at the pool or beach. Made some very good friends on our trip. Alex at the lobby bar always served you with a smile and would make drink suggestions as well as never letting your cocktail be empty. The maid service was top notch! Lucera did an amazing job cleaning our room daily. Allen our concierge was friendly and helped with managing our tours. Spa services were amazing! Palace Resorts never disappoint with their spa services. Entertainment every night was excellent. From the fire show to the nightly music to the Super Bowl party and the special Valentines dinner. Love the proximity Playacar is to 5th Avenue. A huge bonus with not feeling confined to your resort. Loved walking to the town in the morning and the evening with all the vendors, shops and restaurants. So much to do and see. The ferry to Cozumel is just a 5 minute walk from the resort. Another perk staying at Playacar. You can also enjoy the day at Cozumel Palace and shop, eat and enjoy the downtown. All the food at the restaurants were absolutely delicious! Food was top notch and very fresh. Enjoyed the tequila tasting at Lahna, teppanyaki at Momo was excellent! And the shrimp cocktail at the pool bar was my favorite everyday. Cannot wait to return to Playacar Palace next year. Looking forward to seeing updates to the resort scheduled for September this year. Big shout out to Manual at the concierge baggage service. The little reminders he mentioned to us when checking out of our room was very smart. We felt very safe in Playa de Carmen and during our day trip to Cozumel. We have traveled to other islands, but always come back to Mexico for the kind people, service and the best food!

The Palace family made our stay great. Carlos was great serving around the pool. Antonio is a great sommelier. You have great managers like Daniel and Benito. Almond, Daniella and Samantha were great with activities around the pool. They made our vacation great.

My husband and I just completed a weeklong stay at Playacar Palace. We’re members of Palace Resorts and have been to most of their properties, many multiple times, over the last two decades. This was our first time in Playacar and it met or exceeded the standards of all Palace...

My husband and I just completed a weeklong stay at Playacar Palace. We’re members of Palace Resorts and have been to most of their properties, many multiple times, over the last two decades. This was our first time in Playacar and it met or exceeded the standards of all Palace properties. I love the welcome with smiles, a flower, and drinks and appreciate that that type of service lasts for the entire stay. The property is beautifully maintained with employees constantly working to ensure a pleasantly visual appearance and healthful environment of the grounds at all times. Despite being a small hotel, their bars, restaurants, spa, and entertainment options kept us busy each day. With unique menu options suitable to each restaurants’ theme, the food rivaled any I would encounter on the Las Vegas Strip and the service was in all cases exceptional. Experiences like Italian teppanyaki, surprise pre-dinner tequila tasting, dishes prepared at the table, dishes accented with fire, and decadent and magnificently adorned desserts were such wonderful surprises. Each evenings’ entertainment was great. Having been to so many resorts, I was not excited about more rock and circus shows; they all started to seem the same. These performers, though, provided extra flare and showmanship and most included innovative acts I’d never before witnessed. There was only one thing that bothered me and it was a problem all week. Guests would place towels and personal items on loungers by 8 AM and not remove them all day whether they were there or not. This occurred despite several signs saying personal items would be removed after 30 minutes. I swam one morning at 8:45 AM and nearly every lounger was already taken. When I exited the water at 10:15 AM, all the towels were still there and nearly all seats were still empty. When my husband and I would try to find a lounger in the afternoon, none were available (even though most had no one sitting in them). I had to ask pool concierges to find loungers for us and they sometimes acted as if irritated by the request. Please, Playacar Palace, just follow your own rule! Some of the restaurants: Madre Mia This Latin-themed restaurant serves extraordinarily unique flavor combinations and delicious, artistically-manicured dishes of the highest quality. Who knew combinations like passionfruit ceviche, hazelnut soda liquor, and applesauce with fried octopus would pair so well?!? Additionally, the service was top-notch. Rigoberto was attentive, knowledgable, and fun. Lanha: Our dinner at Lanha was a mesmerizing delight of experiences and flavors. The small venue seats only 14 and personalized service is the name of the game. We had no idea what we had in store for us! Once everyone was comfortably seated with drinks and we learned there was a prix-fixe menu, we were told that we were invited to attend an unexpected tequila tasting session. Those choosing to attend were ushered into an adjacent room, finely set for our tasting. The room was filled with “aahhhs.” We tasted three tequilas and they even talked to me into tasting worm salt. After returning to the dining area, we were lavished with a seven course meal. Each of the dishes offered an explosion of delectable Yucatán flavors. The final two courses were both desserts. Can't beat that! Chef Wilbert definitely WOW'd us while head waiter Jose Luis kept us entertained with details about each dish. His assistant, Brian, was a perfect apprentice, intuitively knowing what Jose and the patrons needed at each turn of the plate. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Trattoria: We enjoyed two meals in Trattoria. The first was Italian teppanyaki, an experience we’d never even heard of before arriving at the Playacar Palace. We were so fortunate to see it the day we arrived so we could make a booking. Pasta made before your eyes with Parmesan cut directly from the cheese wheel… wowzers! Only six people can participate each night and it only happens a few nights a week so BOOK EARLY! For our second evening, we had the traditional seating with additional surprises abounding. Squid ink breadsticks! What the heck?!? Of course I tried it! More courses than anyone could possibly eat and desserts made directly at the table. Could you ask for more decadence? Oh, yes,… the service… it was impeccable. Some employees who provided exceptional service during our stay included: —Maintenance: Alan from maintenance worked so hard cleaning the pool. It looked awesome in the areas he finished. —Sales Team: Nancy and Carlos in sales are such fun, motivating people! —Entertainment Team: Alex and the rest of the entertainment team were incredible. Alex knew the local ocean and gave input regarding swimming conditions that others (including the lifeguards) were unable to provide. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the names of the two others who provided exceptional service and left a strong impression on me. One was the man who graciously moved the aquabike into and out of the pool each day just for me. I really appreciated that he understood my training needs and responded with such support. The woman led my husband and I on a bike tour and took us to culturally- and historically-rich places nearby that we would have missed otherwise. She also greeted me daily by name and with a contagious smile. —Spa: Yesenia was my main host for hydrotherapy each day. She was so respectful of my time, allowing me to choose how to enjoy the spa instead of forcing a set routine. She also regularly asked if I needed anything and responded positively even when I asked for the most specific things (i.e., milk, Earl Grey tea, lots and lots of extra hot water). I hope she knows how much she was appreciated. Also at the spa was Alejandro in reception. He greeted everyone with a huge smile and though it took awhile to make bookings, he was kind so it didn’t seem that long. He recognized my husband and I when we entered the spa and always ensured we were comfortable while we waited for services. —Sweet Coffee: Leonel filled my sweet orders so often I was sure he’d be judgmental. In fact, he was like my personal “drug dealer” keeping me in sugar for eight days straight. Thank you, Leonel for not judging… I have a lot of exercising to do at home. —Lobby Bar: All the bartenders were skilled and I really appreciated that they made grasshoppers with the crème de menthe I provided (since it wasn’t already stocked at the hotel). Mostly, though, my husband and I were most impressed with the woman who delivered the drinks to our table. Unfortunately, I can’t remember her name (maybe Pamela?). She was so understated, such a presence of kindness and peace. —Cozumel Palace Reception: I spent a day in Cozumel taking advantage of the privilege to visit any Palace Resort property during a stay. Antonio warmly greeted me at the door and took time to give me a tour of the lobby and show me the best place to snorkel by pointing to the home of the local sea turtle. He went out of his way to make me feel welcome and ensure my time in Cozumel was perfect. Very minor suggestions: —Stock crème de menthe at the bars. —Use real milk and cream instead of substitutes. —Provide (small) bottles of shampoo and conditioner next to the bathtubs. —Use those metal 1/2-straw-like things to remove crumbs from the table between courses (especially in Trattoria with all the bread). —Have music in the lobby before the shows each night. Sometimes, the music was after the show (too late for my old bones). Other times, it was only in restaurants where we weren’t dining that night. We loved it when there was a post-dinner musical interlude between dinner and the show.

After an amazing trip a year ago and also staying at 4 other palace properties in between Playacar is still one of our favorites. Dalia is an excellent DC. She took care of all our our needs before and after we arrived. The last 2 times we had scenic views...

After an amazing trip a year ago and also staying at 4 other palace properties in between Playacar is still one of our favorites. Dalia is an excellent DC. She took care of all our our needs before and after we arrived. The last 2 times we had scenic views of the ocean from a room on a high floor. This time we were upgraded to a first floor room by the pool with a separate room for watching TV and relaxing. It was a pleasant surprise! The staff is always a staple of the resort. They have many long time employees. Ignacio & Aaron are incredible PC's. Benito runs a smooth bar crew which includes veterans Carmen & Silva. Cafe Del Mar is a outstanding for breakfast and lunch. Estafanio, Isreal, Manuela, Roberto, David, Leavander Guillermo, Sanitago, Mauricio, Enrique and Paola are great. Trattoria is our favorite restaurant and Daniel keeps things running smoothly. We love how we can pick from premium wines as Diamond members there compared to other palace properties. The transition from a night club bar to Madre Mia is definitely a hit. We had a fabolous meal with our server Miguel, Fernando, ALfredo, Ivan, Edwin, Gracielo, and even Chef Santos came out to inquire how our meal was. It was awesome! Besides the views, pool, beach, food and service we keep coming back because we love 5th Avenue. We love walking it in the morning when it is quite and at night when it's packed. We never felt unsafe and we love being able to buy real mexican goods or american (if that's what you want) only a block away from the resort. The resort is going to get a facelift in the next year and it will be that much better.

We recently stayed at Playacar Palace for 5 nights and had a wonderful time. We saw 2 shows and they were fantastic! They were downstairs so I think a lot of people miss them which is a shame. The dancing was phenomenal! ALL the food was delicious, but La Trattoria...

We recently stayed at Playacar Palace for 5 nights and had a wonderful time. We saw 2 shows and they were fantastic! They were downstairs so I think a lot of people miss them which is a shame. The dancing was phenomenal! ALL the food was delicious, but La Trattoria was above and beyond. We LOVED every course and would like to thank Antonio, Brian, and Kevin. We also met one of the sommeliers, but I may have mixed up some of the names. The spa-so very relaxing. My masseuse was Mercedes and I never fall asleep. But she relaxed me so much and I was mad when I did! Definitely heading back as we also loved the town of Playacar (picture).

Generally good stay, clean, but showing signs of need for TLC and feels like it has slipped a bit since our last stay 6 years ago. We had a shorter stay this trip of only 4 nights Jan 31-Feb 4. Upon check-in, they offered to allow us to pay and...

Generally good stay, clean, but showing signs of need for TLC and feels like it has slipped a bit since our last stay 6 years ago. We had a shorter stay this trip of only 4 nights Jan 31-Feb 4. Upon check-in, they offered to allow us to pay and upgrade our room to ocean view category for a reasonable amount. We ended up in room 523, which is near the center of the hotel overlooking the terrace and pool areas with a straight view to the ocean. We traveled as friends of members, but were not traveling at the same time. I feel our experience was pretty standard and comparable to those who would be booking through a 3rd party agency like Expedia, Travelocity, etc. We had more resort credits booking through a member, but with a shorter trip only $150 available at spa, however it allowed me to get a treatment for close to 75% off the listed price. I have enjoyed Palace resorts and will likely continue to do so, but you’ll notice a lot of improvement opportunities mentioned in my review. I’m naturally a critical person. But I’m also a person who can appreciate a trip to a nice warm location in the winter where staff work hard to make sure you have a pleasant stay. In general we had a good stay, the property was clean, employees helpful and friendly and food was good to great at all meals. But I was concerned about a few things. Our first arrival afternoon (Fri 1/31) we went to sit around the pool around 3:45 or so. We stayed until around 5:30 without anyone acknowledging or asking us if we wanted a drink. Yes, we could walk up to a bar and get what we needed, but the normal Palace standard was not evident at that hour of the day. Not the best first impression. Luckily the pool service improved on the other 3 full days we were there. The outside of the building looks like it hadn’t been painted in quite some time. Usually they stay on top of this due to the salty air and humid conditions which require that timely maintenance, but there were black areas on quite a few sections of the building. The booths that are in the buffet have multiple rips and the booths in the Asian restaurant had many ugly and obvious stains. If there is air conditioning in those restaurants, it is rarely used or set to a very high temperature making it hot and uncomfortable for dining. These observations made me feel like I was at a Hard Rock resort instead of a Palace resort. (I’ve always thought Hard Rock properties and services appear older and generally “cheaper” and less cared for than Palace properties.) At all Palace resorts they use fragrance machines. They are very strong. They used to have light fragrances in warmers that were pleasant. The current Aromaria machines and fragrance offerings are too potent for sensitive people. There were several times I could not sit in the lobby bar because the smell was too overwhelming. (As a side note, we didn’t find the scent a Le Blanc overwhelming, just the ones at Cozumel and Playacar.) Room – balcony was slightly larger than the side room balconies and had a lovely straight view to the pool and ocean. Room was clean, but furnishings outdated. The bed was comfortable enough. Housekeeping was great – on the 2nd day they realized one of our suitcases was on the floor. We came back to the room and they had found another luggage rack and put our suitcase up for us. Little things like this do make you feel well taken care of. Everything seemed to work, but with nuances. Water pressure was very low in the sink and in the shower. I did not report the low pressure because we figured it was a purposeful use of low-flow technology in faucets or the fact we were on a higher floor. We did not appreciate the rain shower head in a room with low water pressure; it was on the side wall instead of directly overhead so felt awkward standing real close to the wall to get within the stream of water. The room overlooks the terrace outside the lobby bar and there are bright lights that remain on until the very early morning hours (I’m guessing between 2-4am they may turn off). There is light pollution coming around the sides and top of the blackout curtains. The room can be noisy if you try to sleep earlier than 11pm. Some evenings the lobby bar has events and the music can be heard. Also, the walkway to the room overlooks the tree in the lobby/motorcade area, so when some vehicles arrive and back in to a parking spot, they make the “beeping” sound which can be a nuisance. Our biggest concern with the room was the air conditioner thermostat. It turned itself to “OFF” at least 3 times. I didn’t report it the first time, but the 2nd instance was when we woke up to it showing OFF one morning and the floor being slippery from condensation. On that day I reported it at front desk. They sent someone quickly and he took the unit off the wall, did something, and then said it was fine. The AC itself was great, super cold when it was working and not turning itself off! However, the unit is likely programmed to turn itself off at random times (energy savings settings??) but this is unacceptable when people are in the room sleeping, as well as being a safety hazard. The 3rd time it happened was while we were at dinner. We came back and the unit clearly said OFF. The room had raised 5 degrees in a short period of time for dinner and entertainment. For a 2nd time I went to the front desk and reported it. I asked what the notes were from earlier that day when maintenance had already been to the room for this issue. She didn’t answer the question. On both occasions I specifically asked if the units are pre-programmed to override guest settings but nobody acknowledges or answers this question and just “apologizes for the inconvenience”. This was very irritating to me. That evening (2/3) she said she would send someone. We waited over 1 ½ hours and nobody came. It was late, we wanted to rest, so we crossed our fingers and hoped the unit would run correctly all night. All employees should be trained to be forthcoming with information regarding any energy saving attempts from the resort company and notify guests if the rooms will not cool to the desired set temperature at any point during their stay. When asked if the patio door was closed, we assured them it was fine. We’ve traveled to Mexico over 20 years and know the routine with the door. But is it that difficult to give straight answers to the guests? Public Bathrooms – the one down the stairs and below the pool bar/outdoor eating area felt awkward when you went down the dingy stairs, but it was always clean. My husband commented that it was difficult to use the facilities as a tall person because the ceiling was low and an even lower section of the ceiling jutted out over the facilities. He saw the foam above the stairs, but didn’t notice the lowered area above the facilities until he bumped his head. He refused to use that particular restroom because of it. The other side of the pool area had a restroom near the Asian restaurant which was better. All restrooms felt like they could use an upgrade. Pool area – we did not actually get into the pool, but used the loungers in a couple different areas due to the beach not being deep enough during our stay for loungers out in the sand. Note, you will need to get up and locate your chairs early, I would recommend by 7:30-8am. There will be quite a number already marked for the diamond and residence vacation club members, but each day we were able to find a spot. Spa – very well done. I really like the Playacar spa (better than Sun Palace’s) and the hydro circuit is quite nice. I enjoyed a citrus massage. If you have credits (or if you don’t and just want to spend a lot of money) I recommend some time at the spa. **Note – I used the women’s shower facilities and the middle stall has a drainage problem. The water pressure was great with the rain shower, but water pooled in the bottom of the shower floor and quickly gathered 2-3 inches worth of water. I forgot to report this upon leaving the spa, hopefully this will be seen and fixed. Dining – With our shorter trip, we didn’t have a chance to reserve the Lahna option or the special Italian experience. As a note, if you are not a diamond or higher member of their vacation club, you can only reserve dining after check-in. And you can only do it up to 3 days prior to any given night. I did this as soon as I could after checking in. The options will likely be limited on your arrival day, so try to be flexible or plan for the buffet, room service or off-property dining. Room Service – used it for breakfast one morning by using the order ahead option in the app and all arrived perfectly – great job! PS, I only drink decaf coffee and have found it much better from room service than at the buffet. I think it must be brewed for room service, but in the buffet either prepared with instant granules or in an espresso machine which wasn’t nearly as good. Sweet & Coffee – you really must try the honey/pecan ice cream on days they have it! We tried it in the form of a milkshake and it ranks as good as the coconut for us. Madre Mia – new since our last visit and my favorite meal of the trip. The servers have great comradery and the vibe is hip and fun. The menu may seem small, but everything we had was delicious. We also sampled many of the specialty drinks on the cocktail list. Many were standouts, including our favorite, the “akalarre”. Make sure to reserve this one for dinner! Italian – it was pretty good. Service was good, it was warm in the room. The minimal charge to upgrade to Kataifi shrimp was worth it for my husband. The carbonara was very salty, even beyond the salty bacon. The duo cream soup not as good as it could be and tasted even saltier than normal. Lasagna is a standard - a good standby and consistent option. Asian – it was also pretty good. We like being able to try so many different smaller bites/appetizer/rolls and I thought the bulgogi was good and the sweet/sour chicken. Another in our party loved the wagyu ishiaki option and felt it was worth the room charge. Again – it was quite hot in the restaurant and only rarely did we feel the air. Buffet – had many breakfasts, lunches here. Buffet at lunch does vary, but after 5 days I think it would get tiring. But they have many options for many tastes. There seemed to be a little trouble with some of the items being replenished. The lettuce leaf options were minimal to near empty on several occasions. Also, many of the waffle/pancake bar toppings were placed into the wrong position based on the names on the display. We’ve been to most of the Palace resorts and they all have something to offer. Playacar is a decent choice for the price range. Would we return? Possibly, after they do some expected renovations. And we would also request a room in a quieter section away from lights shining in the room overnight and for a room that has AC that doesn’t shut itself off.

Normallly, I would wait until my vacation was over before reviewing the entire stay. This time, I felt that I had to leave a review before the good feelings left. We have not been at Playacar for a number of years but had good memories (which is why we came...

Normallly, I would wait until my vacation was over before reviewing the entire stay. This time, I felt that I had to leave a review before the good feelings left. We have not been at Playacar for a number of years but had good memories (which is why we came back). First night here, went to the new restaurant (to us) Madre Mia. Well! Impressed! I was alone for dinner this night but the staff took great care of me. Couldn’t decide on which steak cut, so they suggested I get a 1/2 serving each of the two I was considering. What a fantastic idea! I went for it. What a great decision. Picked out 3 Diamond wines to drink, asked for a recommendation, got one, no waffling, full of confidence, and I could not agree more with the recommendation. They decided on a dessert, which I was very happy with. Sadly, I can’t remember the server’s full name but I believe it started with Rig. Delighted so far. On a minor, niggly note, was not thrilled with the steady drumbeat of the venue’s music track. Still a five-star experience.

Playacar Palace is a very special family resort. The resort is small enough to make every guest feel special, but with a great variety of things to do. The pool concierges, Nacho and Aaron, take great care of you, and the pool wait staff makes sure you have drinks and...

Playacar Palace is a very special family resort. The resort is small enough to make every guest feel special, but with a great variety of things to do. The pool concierges, Nacho and Aaron, take great care of you, and the pool wait staff makes sure you have drinks and sodas. Concierges, Dalia and Ivan, are wonderful! Take advantage of the outdoor seating for breakfast and lunch. You won"t be disappointed and waiters Elvia, Manuela, Alexis and David, always greet you with a big smile and excellent service. All of the dining options are wonderful! There is live entertainment every evening. This is a gem!

Excellent service, great food, reasonable room rates. Some rooms will be partially or totally restricted from an ocean view...likely for non-members traveling on Costco or Sam's promotions. Tbe best poolside and ocean-view umbrellas and lounges are reserved by about 7 am...got to get up early to get a great view....

Excellent service, great food, reasonable room rates. Some rooms will be partially or totally restricted from an ocean view...likely for non-members traveling on Costco or Sam's promotions. Tbe best poolside and ocean-view umbrellas and lounges are reserved by about 7 am...got to get up early to get a great view. Spa and beauty services were about 2x as expensive as comparable services in the US, even after adjusting for the difficult to quantity "resort experience and ambience".

Playacar Palace offers an excellent location, but the beach and pool area is somewhat limited in size compared to the Hilton, Playa del Carmen where I usually stay. While the pool area is too compact for my preferences, the room was nicely appointed with marble or granite floors. The proximity...

Playacar Palace offers an excellent location, but the beach and pool area is somewhat limited in size compared to the Hilton, Playa del Carmen where I usually stay. While the pool area is too compact for my preferences, the room was nicely appointed with marble or granite floors. The proximity to 5th Avenue, shops, restaurants, and the ferry is a significant advantage. The food and service are commendable, but the restricted pool and beach area make it less suitable for my beach and golf vacations. Nonetheless, Playacar Palace presents a great value that will appeal to many families.

Beach is essentially gone and rather unswimmable. Pictures are old. Buffet was ok and nothing special. You can tell they are cutting back. Best part was coffee bar. Everyone always looking for tips. Weird hallways with very little signage so sometimes you end up in a closet.

Playacar Palace is one of if not our favorite family resorts to stay at. From the moment you arrive, they treat you as you would want to be treated when starting your vacation. We arrived the 2nd week of December and stayed for one week, too short when being spoiled,...

Playacar Palace is one of if not our favorite family resorts to stay at. From the moment you arrive, they treat you as you would want to be treated when starting your vacation. We arrived the 2nd week of December and stayed for one week, too short when being spoiled, with another couple celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. We made our dinner reservations through the Palace app, and we're able to get what we wanted most of the time. Our favorite restaurant was Madre mia, we ate there twice. We loved the Italian's hibachi style pasta from scratch dinner. To me, it was the best pasta dish I've ever had, and I'm not exaggerating. Very limited seating, so try booking as soon as you arrive. The Asian too was very good. The buffet was always good with fast efficient service from the entire crew. Room service was excellent. We received our orders promptly and accurately. Our room on the 3rd floor had a nice view of the pool and Caribbean sea. The room was done every day properly, and our fridge was well stocked. The pool was heated, which was nice because we had a couple of cool nights that would have left the pool very cold during the day. The pool service was amazing as usual. Can't say enough how good Playacar Palace service in general is so great! These are some of the employees who made our stay special: the pool area were Sylvia, Perla, Aaron and Nacho. Anna of the pool entertainment crew is such a nice person too. The Italian restaurant had Ricardo and Karina and the captain Daniel, who went out of his way to make our evening in the Italian restaurant extra special. Ivan at Madre Mia waited on us twice, so we received excellent service both times we dined there. Fabian did a great job of cleaning our room every day. I did a deep tissue massage at the spa and was lucky to get Lilia for my masseuse. She is very good at her job. I almost forgot to mention Brenda at the buffet for dinner. Both times we ate there, she was wonderful. I highly recommend Playacar Palace to anyone wanting to stay in Playa del Carmen. They're located at very short walk from Fifth Avenue. The beach is very small because of erosion. The government needs to repair the beach in the entire area. The beach may be small, but the water was pretty clean with very little to no sargasso on the beach. Water was warm and great for swimming or just standing and enjoying the waves.