Originally Posted by scubadu

So... a few things. We just returned from Playa del Carmen and have been several times. We enjoy the area/town.

First, I would 100% avoid, at all costs, the Thompson Main House. You could not pay me to stay there. I'm sure the hard product/service might be lovely, but it's a little like staying in Times Square; it's at the heart of the craziness of 5th Ave which is the primary tourist area (it's literally attached to a small mall).

Second, we have not stayed at Thompson Beach House, but have been intrigued with it. However, we prefer quiet and we have walked by it on a few different occasions and it does have a night club directly across the street which can have some pretty loud music later into the evening, so I guess it just depends how good their windows are if you don't like loud music into the evening.

Finally, we prefer and really like the Grand Hyatt PDC and have been several times. They treat us wonderfully (some of that might be returning guest/Globalist, not sure). It has a great location. Your are right on the beach and it's well insulated, but you can easily walk right out the front gate and you are few blocks from the main tourist area/street of PDC (5th Ave). There is also an Oxxo directly across the street if you want to pick up some cheaper snacks/drinks, etc. There is a large supermarket just a few blocks away as well (Chedraui). Not sure if you have any club awards in your account that you might have earned, but they have a great club with breakfast and then a "happy hour" from 6 to 8 PM with sort of a "light" dinner, desserts, etc. There is also an open bar with wine, beer, and cocktails, all complimentary (during the 6-8 PM Happy Hour only) Many days we don't even leave the property, we have breakfast a little late (i.e. brunch), hang out around the pool all day, and then have dinner and drinks in the club (which is more than sufficient for us). Usually once or twice we''ll go into town one evening for dinner. Also, there is a "beach club" sort of attached to the property and it does have music (sometimes a little loud) during the day, but they shut down by 7 PM and they are not open Mon-Wed. I personally would not want a room on the side of the resort with the beach club, so they put us on the opposite side and it's never bothered us. But if you were right above that beach club it could be annoying if you are in your room as you'd likely hear the music.

To be honest though, we usually do cash/paid stays at this property. I find points redemption here to be pretty poor value, so I'd check that. We tend to go here at off season, less crowded times. For example, our stay here last week was on a paid rate of, I think about $210 per night. The points redemption was 25K per night. That isn't a great redemption in my book, so we just paid cash. Also, I should mention, this is a large property, with a lot of rooms, but again, we intentionally go when rates are lower and occupancy is lower. But not sure I'd want to be their in high season, when it's at full occupancy. They also have weddings here, but those are mostly in the evening, once we've "retired" for the day and they have never bothered us.

Lastly, not sure if you've been in this area before, but honestly, if you are planning to stay mostly in PDC, I would not really recommend flying in/out of CZM, unless you just really want to see CZM (but even in that case, I'd do the opposite and just take a day trip by ferry to CZM) That really just adds complexity/hassle with getting to and from the ferry, ferry to and from the airport, baggage (even if carry-on only), etc.

Regards

P.S. Not sure I can offer much advice on All-Inclusives. There obviously are gazillion of them in the area, but I am perennially disappointed by them whenever I give in and try one. Like the concept, but the quality of the food and beverage is often just disappointing, relative to the price.