Pros

  • Set in an exclusive residential neighborhood with its own quiet beach
  • Modern, all-inclusive property feels chic and stylish throughout
  • Attractive rooms have marble floors and two-person hot tubs
  • Most rooms have furnished outdoor spaces, many with ocean views
  • Large outdoor pool with kiddy section and poolside bar/cafe
  • Three restaurants serving Italian, Asian, and buffet-style cuisine
  • Late-night lounge serving Thai small plates and cocktails
  • Spa offering massage treatments, hydrotherapy pools, and steam room
  • Fitness center with natural light and modern equipment
  • Access to Palace Resorts in Cancun, Cozumel, and Riviera Maya
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • Some guests have experienced interior noise
  • Little and underwhelming entertainment (pro for some)
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Bottom Line

Playacar Palace is an upscale all-inclusive hotel located in an exclusive residential neighborhood in the heart of Playa del Carmen. Set beside the harbor, the property is well-situated for ferry trips to Cozumel, plus it has its own quiet beach and is just a few minutes' walk from a mall with restaurants, bars, and shops. Features include a large pool, three restaurants, and a late-night lounge serving Thai cuisine. The 201 rooms are modern and chic, with liquor-dispenser minibars and two-person hot tubs; most have balconies with ocean views. While most guests are couples, many families also stay here, taking advantage of the kiddy pool and kids' club. The Royal Playa del Carmen, a comparably priced adult-only all-inclusive located downtown, has more of a party vibe.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Playacar Palace

Scene

Elegant and modern all-inclusive on the beach 

The Playacar Palace is an all-inclusive property with a chic look throughout. This might have something to do with its location in an exclusive residential neighborhood sporting its very own white-sand beach. The hotel's cluster of five-story white buildings wraps around a central pool area that fronts the beach. Open-air hallways have white-marble floors, and wind around a stylish interior garden with hammocks strung up between tall palms. Decor throughout the property, including at the poolside bar, is likewise understated. Walls are painted white, and everything is neat and clean. Furniture is modern and mostly in neutral tones, with occasional pops of royal purple or aqua. The low-lit lounge draws guests at night and has a different vibe, with geometric columns painted bright red. Most guests are tourist couples and families who want a low-key stay and to be able to easily explore the area on foot. 

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Location

Residential neighborhood near restaurants and shopping

The Playacar Palace is located on the beach in a residential neighborhood of Playa del Carmen. Ferries to Cozumel depart from UltraMar Playa del Carmen at the harbor, a five-minute walk away. While the property feels quiet, it's just a few minutes' walk from Paseo Del Carmen, an outdoor shopping center that also has bars and restaurants. For more nightlife, dining, and shopping, downtown Playa del Carmen is just a 10-minute drive away. There, guests can also access fishing and ocean-adventure tours from the beach. Playacar Spa & Golf Club is a five-minute drive away (some packages include transportation). Tulum, with more beaches, is a 55-minute drive away. Cancun International Airport is a 50-minute drive, while downtown Cancun is roughly an hour away by car. 

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Rooms

Attractive, neutral-tone rooms with two-person hot tubs

Rooms at the Playacar Palace have a modern, upscale feel with whitewashed and cool-gray decor, plus neutral accents. Marble floors, two-person hot tubs, and carved-stone wall hangings all lend an air of sophistication. Natural touches such as rattan cabinet doors, and branches in wall-mounted glass vases lend some warmth. Most rooms have balconies, and all have partial or full ocean views. Suites add sitting areas, while Concierge-Level rooms have special touches such as DVD players, espresso machines, and turndown service with petit fours. Thick windows mean exterior noise from the next-door bar tends not to be an issue, but some guests have complained of interior noise. Standard features include air-conditioning, safes, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen LCD TVs, and MP3 alarm clocks. Minibars with liquor dispenser bottles are a nice touch, and there are coffeemakers as well. Bathrooms have marble shower stalls and high-end toiletries.

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Features

Private beach, three restaurants, and a late-night lounge

A strong feature here is the beach, which is famous among locals for being in a private residential area. There's also a decent-sized outdoor pool with a kiddy section. Loungers can be found at both. Daily and nightly entertainment are featured at the hotel, though it's limited and may be too low-key for some. There are a kids' club, a fitness center with a good selection of cardio and weight machines, as well as a wall of windows. The full-service spa features lots of stone decor and has a menu of various massage treatments for a fee. Hot and cold plunge pools, steam room, and a sauna are also available. Transportation to the hotel's golf club, which has food and drink there, is included in some packages. 

There are three on-site restaurants, including a casual buffet option in the central lobby, an a la carte Italian eatery, and an elegant Asian restaurant. Bars are in the lobby and by the pool, while Luna Lounge serves Thai small plates and cocktails at night. There's 24-hour room service. Guests have access to all facilities at sister Palace Resorts in Cancun, Cozumel, and the Riviera Maya -- transportation is sometimes available. Free Wi-Fi is found throughout the resort. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Playacar Palace

Scene

Elegant and modern all-inclusive on the beach 

The Playacar Palace is an all-inclusive property with a chic look throughout. This might have something to do with its location in an exclusive residential neighborhood sporting its very own white-sand beach. The hotel's cluster of five-story white buildings wraps around a central pool area that fronts the beach. Open-air hallways have white-marble floors, and wind around a stylish interior garden with hammocks strung up between tall palms. Decor throughout the property, including at the poolside bar, is likewise understated. Walls are painted white, and everything is neat and clean. Furniture is modern and mostly in neutral tones, with occasional pops of royal purple or aqua. The low-lit lounge draws guests at night and has a different vibe, with geometric columns painted bright red. Most guests are tourist couples and families who want a low-key stay and to be able to easily explore the area on foot. 

See More Scene

Location

Residential neighborhood near restaurants and shopping

The Playacar Palace is located on the beach in a residential neighborhood of Playa del Carmen. Ferries to Cozumel depart from UltraMar Playa del Carmen at the harbor, a five-minute walk away. While the property feels quiet, it's just a few minutes' walk from Paseo Del Carmen, an outdoor shopping center that also has bars and restaurants. For more nightlife, dining, and shopping, downtown Playa del Carmen is just a 10-minute drive away. There, guests can also access fishing and ocean-adventure tours from the beach. Playacar Spa & Golf Club is a five-minute drive away (some packages include transportation). Tulum, with more beaches, is a 55-minute drive away. Cancun International Airport is a 50-minute drive, while downtown Cancun is roughly an hour away by car. 

See More Location

Rooms

Attractive, neutral-tone rooms with two-person hot tubs

Rooms at the Playacar Palace have a modern, upscale feel with whitewashed and cool-gray decor, plus neutral accents. Marble floors, two-person hot tubs, and carved-stone wall hangings all lend an air of sophistication. Natural touches such as rattan cabinet doors, and branches in wall-mounted glass vases lend some warmth. Most rooms have balconies, and all have partial or full ocean views. Suites add sitting areas, while Concierge-Level rooms have special touches such as DVD players, espresso machines, and turndown service with petit fours. Thick windows mean exterior noise from the next-door bar tends not to be an issue, but some guests have complained of interior noise. Standard features include air-conditioning, safes, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen LCD TVs, and MP3 alarm clocks. Minibars with liquor dispenser bottles are a nice touch, and there are coffeemakers as well. Bathrooms have marble shower stalls and high-end toiletries.

See More Rooms

Features

Private beach, three restaurants, and a late-night lounge

A strong feature here is the beach, which is famous among locals for being in a private residential area. There's also a decent-sized outdoor pool with a kiddy section. Loungers can be found at both. Daily and nightly entertainment are featured at the hotel, though it's limited and may be too low-key for some. There are a kids' club, a fitness center with a good selection of cardio and weight machines, as well as a wall of windows. The full-service spa features lots of stone decor and has a menu of various massage treatments for a fee. Hot and cold plunge pools, steam room, and a sauna are also available. Transportation to the hotel's golf club, which has food and drink there, is included in some packages. 

There are three on-site restaurants, including a casual buffet option in the central lobby, an a la carte Italian eatery, and an elegant Asian restaurant. Bars are in the lobby and by the pool, while Luna Lounge serves Thai small plates and cocktails at night. There's 24-hour room service. Guests have access to all facilities at sister Palace Resorts in Cancun, Cozumel, and the Riviera Maya -- transportation is sometimes available. Free Wi-Fi is found throughout the resort. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Kids Club

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.