Maya Villa Condo Hotel & Beach Club

Many past guests (everyone from honeymooners to families of six) consider Maya Villa Condo Hotel & Beach Club their "home away from home" in Mexico. Two-story, hacienda-style buildings are built on gorgeous garden grounds complete with authentic Mayan statues, blooming flowers, and wooden railed balconies. A gecko-shaped, river-style pool snakes its way between the buildings, and ends with a hot tub and waterfall feature. It's about a one-block walk to the hotel's chic beach club on the sand. Imprevist restaurant is located near reception, and faces the street.

The hotel has a convenient and lovely location one block from 5th Avenue and one block from the beaches of Playa del Carmen, in the upscale Premier Zone. Guests will find everything from souvenir shops, to nightclubs, to restaurants, to sand within walking distance of the resort. The street itself is quiet without a lot of traffic. There's a candle boutique across from the main entrance to the hotel. On-site parking is free.

There are only 17 condos available at Maya Villa Condo Hotel & Beach Club. Each is spotless and perfectly maintained with little to complain about, unless you really want a bathtub or rain head shower. Decor is simple but sophisticated; some walls are painted light yellow, and Mayan art adds some local flair. Leather furniture, simple white bed linens, and wooden cabinets look upscale. Flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, and free Wi-Fi are standard. Kitchens include stainless steel appliances and complete sets of cooking gear. Marble bathrooms have high-end toiletries, marble showers with built-in benches, and elegant bowl sinks. Not surprisingly, the best units are the penthouses, with private roof terraces overlooking the ocean and outdoor hot tubs. Noise doesn't seem to be an issue in any of the rooms.

Though the hotel is a block from the beach, it does offer guests free access to the luxe and comfortable beach club on the sand. Here guests find high-quality (albeit tightly packed) sun loungers with umbrellas and a proper restaurant serving three meals a day, plus drinks and snacks. The breakfast buffet gets high marks. Imprevist restaurant is a convenient option as it's located on-site.

The gym looks like something you'd find in California: It's spacious, and stocked with LifeFitness machines and free weights. There are a boxing studio and colorful juice bar with to-go snacks and sports drinks. Guests can use the locker room and showers, even after checking out, which is convenient for those who want to spend the day at the beach before a later flight. The spa is small, but posh: It includes comfy chairs for pedicures and treatment rooms for massages. The concierge can arrange excursions and tours. Private chefs are available for hire. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.