If you are willing to go 20 minutes south of Playa, check out the Esencia. It is a great area, on beautiful Xpu-Ha beach. Small (30 rooms), peaceful with one restaurant. There prices just went up, but it looks like a slice of heaven. We will be there in exactly 2 weeks. Can't wait!

Well I think both of the above are AI, actually, though they are certainly nice properties.

The small hotel option I think depends rather more on your specific preferences as to location, character, style and so forth. I mean I believe small properties differ more from other small properties to a much greater extent than large AI resorts differ from other large AI resorts. (Probably get some argument here on that point, but that's OK!)

There are also some luxury small properties you might want to look at -- Ikal del Mar, just to name one -- but then those are mostly located out of town...

Steve

Esencia has breakfast included, but lunch and dinner are on you. It is owned by same folks who own Ikal del Mar, both being very nice. I've heard the beach is nicer down at Esencia though. There a variety of different rooms, and price ranges, to choose from.

Sorry, don't know aobut Esencia. I was writing in reference to Summer's mention of the Royal and Shangri-la Caribe in the first post. You beat me by a minute, while I was writing, so my comment re the 2 above came out funny. :-)

Steve

If I am not mistaken Escencia is an Orient Express Hotels and Ikal is run by A Kor Hotels.

I have read good things about the Playa Maya.

Just checked, Maroma is the orient express hotel. Though Esencia isn't listed on Kor group website, it was purchased by them, about a year ago? Really makes no difference, they're all nice. We leave in 1 1/2 weeks. Yippee!!!!!

We love Shangri La. It is not AI. Breakfast and dinner are included but not lunch or drinks. We feel it is so reasonable (approx $100.00 per person per day) that we often enjoy dinner in town.

what about some average ones, not too fancy but not a dump either? and if some that offer all inclusive and don't that way we can get it for a few days and the go into town the others.