Kinda non-Tulum related question (playa content)

[ditka3000]

we're spending 5 nights in Tulum and 3 near playcar (honeymoon).

we're contemplating Maroma or Esencia.

Anybody have an experience at either?

Again, it's the honeymoon, so we are thinking higher end resortish, but don't want to be too touristy etc.

Any help is appreciated (cannot wait to make it there).

[pepper]

Maroma is adults only. Doesn't Esencia allow kids? That may make a difference.

[beachreader]

Maroma looks fabulous to me. I've not looked at Esencia, but from the aerial photos, Maroma looks like it has the best beach in that area. Plus it's so close to the airport, you get that much more time to enjoy it!

[ditka3000]

thanks, beach. we're tacking that onto the end of our trip so we can be close to the airport for our morning flight out.

maroma is actually a bit cheaper.

[TheWindyCity]

Ditka3000,
For a non-touristy, but high end luxury, check out this link:
http://www.tidesrivieramaya.com/
I saw some photos on flickr by a honeymooning couple. The place looks really nice. The reviews on TripAdvisor.com are very positive. It's a bit pricey, but may be what you are looking for. Nice private little villas, and a main pool with spa service.
Congratulations!

[pepper]

We had stayed at the place Windy mentions a while back when it was Ikal del Mar. It was really great - the food, service, the room was nice...the outdoor shower. Spa was fab - we had a treatment everyday. But...the beach had slabs of rock and was difficult getting in/out of the ocean. We had to walk up the beach a bit to swim easily.

[AdGuy]

It sure looks like a nice place. I just hate to give my money to a big conglomerate interested in turning Tulum into PDC... :(

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i317/FloridaAdGuy/December2006TulumPictureson16MB301.jpg

[ditka3000]

i've looked at the Tides, too, and aside from AdMan's aversion to supporting Tulum's development (which I don't but think the government should be playing a role), I had heard there was a ton of construction and it wasn't extremely private?

true?

pepper--did you look at other places?

[minniemex]

Have you checked out Al Cielo?? http://www.alcielohotel.com/

Here are a couple pictures I took last November - I have only heard good things about it and they seemed to be very romantic. And it is on a very beautiful beach.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/Tulum/DSC01048.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/Tulum/DSC01049.jpg

[pepper]

When we were looking, Ikal was the only place in Mexico we considered...this was before I knew what I know now. Our top places were Peter Island and Biras Creek in the Virgin Islands (I think).

I really liked Ikal, but it's definately possible there's construction going on - And like I said, the beach was so-so.

I'd probably pick Maroma over Esencia and spend some time hanging out in Puerto Morelos.

In MayaKoba, there's supposed to be some great places opening - Banyan Tree is one that I've kept my eye on, but not sure when it will be completed.

[pepper]

Ohhh...isn't Esencia next door to Al Cielo?...it's probably the place with the white beach loungers,cabanas on the beach.

[ditka3000]

yeah, i think it's right up the road.

i'm leaning toward Maroma since I am not sure Esencia will be that much diff than anayjose, but i'm flying blind for the most part

[beachreader]

My impression of Al Cielo is that it's pretty low-maintenance, sort of a luxe version of a Tulum hotel. Maroma is full-service luxury from what I could see when I was drooling over it a few years ago. And as I said before, the aerial picture on LG (they don't rep Maroma, I don't think, but if you scan their aerial link up to that area, Maroma is marked) looks like it has the best beach in that area.

Pepper, I didn't know you stayed at Ikal del Mar? Interesting. I also didn't know it had been taken over by the Tides. I was shocked at the size (small) of their beach and the rocks and that pier right there in front. I wouldn't want to pay those prices for that beach, thought one of my favorite funky little beach restaurants is right next door (to the north; Panchito's or something? got a boat outside).

The "new" Lafitte hotel, Petit Lafitte, was supposed to go in right next door there to the south of Ikal/Tides, but they couldn't get the building permits because of the newly-strengthened restrictions on building in/near the mangrove swamps (or else they didn't pay off enough people). They've now taken over the Kai Kaana hotel, that small place a property or two north of Ikal.

There shouldn't be construction noise near the Ikal Tides; perhaps you're thinking of the Tides down in Playa, land of super-condo-construction noise?

[ditka3000]

this is where i was reading it.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g150812-d248161-r8227193-Tides_Riviera_Maya-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

said construction noise and privacy, which on my honeymoon is not a small issue. it's pretty much 6 in one, half dozen in the other on price.

[beachreader]

I read six or seven reviews there and I didn't see anything about construction noise, but maybe I didn't get deep enough into it. It looks fabulous, really, but while I've never been inside, the beach area would disappoint me a bit after staying at other beaches in the area. They do have lovely beach chairs, I must say.

[Lynnette]

Ahhhhhh....Xpu Ha is just gorgeous. Although not a beach club, Cafe del Mar is a great place to hang out, and Al Cielo has the most romantic restaurant and fabulous beach beds that you can rent!!! I really want to stay there for a few days sometime!!!


CAFE DEL MAR

http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/77073902-M.jpg



http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/77073946-M.jpg



AL CIELO

http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/77069619-M.jpg


http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/77071176-M.jpg

[pepper]

Can you believe, BR???....Yes, I stayed at Ikal...I'll admit it. We ate/drank at Panchito's a lot!! A marg at Ikal was $10usd and a marg at Panchitos' was $2.50...HELLO!!!...a 4 for 1.

The beach in that area was crap, but if you walked to the north just past KK, there was an empty lot with an abandoned bldg - the beach there was fab.

[beachreader]

When I stayed at Kailuum II, we often walked down to Panchito's for lunches when they weren't serving at KL and we were tired of paying for Lafitte's (good lunches and a great bar, just a bit pricey sometimes). It was a nice walk, about 10-15 minutes, so I know the abandoned nice beach of which you speak. Still, for that money, I want the beach right in my face, baby! :D


Lynette, thanks for the pictures of Xpu-Ha. I really really really really want to go there soon. It just looks stunning to me. I wonder if I can figure a way to make a few extra buckos to stay there?

[pocweb]

ditka3000,

I think Maroma would make a fine choice. I've never stayed there, but I hear nothing but good reviews and I think it definately would be a pampering type of place. Beautiful beach as well.