Allegro Playacar

Part of the Barcelo group, Allegro Playacar is an affordable beach resort near Playa del Carmen that aims to please the masses -- and mostly succeeds. The thatch-roofed bi-level lobby is adorned with tile-work and traditional-looking art, though what may catch the eye first are the mounds of suitcases on the floor waiting to be loaded into rooms or tour buses. People in beachwear and swimsuits gather on the couches or repack their bags on the floor before leaving. It's here guests will also find a gift shop with everything from pottery to bug spray, plus an excursions desk (scuba diving is a popular add-on in this area). The atmosphere is generally relaxed, but pushy salespeople who want to loop you into the travel club for this chain are hard to avoid. On the mezzanine level above, guests play billiards, grab sandwiches or popcorn from the lobby bar, or, during meal times, file into the large buffet restaurant. Out on the grounds, thatched-hut bungalows and well-landscaped lawns give the resort a tropical feel. The property mostly attracts North Americans, Argentinians, and Italians for one- or two-week-long vacations.

Located in an area populated with other resorts, hotels, and eateries, this property puts you close enough to the main areas of Playa del Carmen -- it's a 10-minute drive or a 20-30-minute walk to the popular 5th Avenue area in town -- while still giving you enough distance to enjoy a quiet and relaxing beach vacation. The property itself is right on a wide expanse of white sand beach, making it possible to walk out the door of your room and onto the shore in one minute or less. There is also a small shopping area across the street and a Starbucks for those needing a latte or perhaps a cheaper Wi-Fi connection.

Occupying two-story bungalows, the hotel's 286 rooms are smaller than what you’ll find at most Playa del Carmen hotels. However, they’ve recently received a round of TLC, when the hotel replaced their red-tile floors and muted seashell photographs with light wood-finish floors and colorful artwork of beach sunsets.

Rooms have flat-screen TVs and stocked minibars (from which you can drink Modelos and soda liberally since there is no additional charge, but choices are mostly non-alcoholic), as well as coffeemakers, coffee, and bottled water. There are both ceiling fans and air-conditioning. Wi-Fi comes at an additional per-person/per-day fee. Like the rest of the rooms, the bathrooms are small -- so small the sinks and countertops are outside of the bathrooms. Bathrooms have walk-in showers, some of which have been designed specifically for handicap use. Mini hairdryers and free safes are provided. 

Ocean-view rooms are worth the upgrade, but note that they are close to the party pool and will get a good deal of noise during the day. Units with kitchens or kitchenettes and two bedrooms are available, some facing the ocean. Hammocks on the balconies/terraces of upgraded rooms offer a nice opportunity for a siesta. Interconnecting rooms are available. 

The beach is a main draw here -- it features plenty of loungers and palapas to go around, as well as free activities like kayaking, sailing, and snorkeling. Diving lessons and excursions cost a fee. Massages by the beach are available, too. If you tire of the sand, this hotel also has two large pools (one for activity and the other for relaxation). There is almost always something going on at the activity pool -- Allegro’s multilingual animation team blasts club-like beats (think Pitbull) and oversees aquarobics, Zumba, and bingo, among other diversions. Games like ping-pong, Jenga, and darts are always available. Indoor billiards and air hockey are near the lobby bar. Two well-maintained hard tennis courts (free, with reservations), a clay basketball court, life-size chess under a palapa, and beach volleyball round out the land activities. The kids' club (free for ages 4 to 12) has a playground, a Mickey-Mouse-shaped wading pool, and scheduled activities like painting. 

The business center is really just two computers tucked into a busy store area (you can check e-mail for free here). Parking is free.

Food -- like at other Allegro resorts -- seems to be hit-or-miss (sometimes good, sometimes adequate). There are daily buffets guests can attend; the main one is Topaz, located above the lobby. It serves all three meals, including rotating dinner themes. Allegro's three a la carte restaurants require reservations; they include Fuji, a Japanese eatery adjacent to Topaz; Cielito Lindo, a traditional Mexican restaurant; and O' Sole Mio, an Italian restaurant. All-inclusive guests are entitled to an a la carte dinner every three nights; a perk of the brand’s Vacation Club membership is nightly a la carte dining. Members also have a lounge area by the beach with all-day snacks and a small infinity pool. 

There is a walk-up pizzeria by the pool, as well as a buffet-style pool grill. Food and drink service is available by the pool and on the beach, but there is no room service. Self-serve hot dogs, nachos, sandwiches, popcorn, coffee, and beer are available 24 hours a day in the lobby bar. Only local alcohols are included in the all-inclusive rates at the four total bars, so it's quite easy to fulfill any fantasy you might have of sipping a cocktail by the surf. The theater puts on nightly shows, like Michael Jackson impersonations, salsa dancing, and mariachi performances. Adjacent to the theater is the disco, which is open nightly until the wee hours of the morning. Light sleepers should request a room away from this area.