El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condos Hotel

The El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condos Hotel feels much more high-end than the designation “condo hotel” would imply. The grounds are lush and private, with palms and other tropical plants shading winding stone pathways lined with Buddha sculptures, lily ponds, waterfalls, and wooden benches carved and imported from Bali. The hotel feels like a slice of Southeast Asia in Mexico, with most of the furnishings and art in the common areas and apartments (and even the elaborate Balinese sunbeds lining the beach) flown in to create a serene waterside paradise. No detail is spared, from the inlaid wood doorways to the brass Buddha hands that serve as doorknobs or hangers and the stone mosaics underfoot. Even the front desk is a piece of art, made from a rough-hewn slab of wood.

The restaurants associated with the hotel, Plank and Imprevist, are designed to impress the senses, and are two of the best, trendiest, and most elegant in Playa del Carmen. Even the on-site beach club, Indigo, is trendy and lively.

Nothing at the El Taj is done halfway. The gym is a real, boutique gym, not a hotel fitness center. The condos aren’t timeshares with decor and furnishings cobbled together. With such excellent service and a great location, the El Taj is a haven for business travelers and tourists alike.

The El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condos Hotel is ideally located on the beach, but also in the center of lively Playa del Carmen, a former fishing village that is now a nightlife destination. Two blocks from the hotel is Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue, a high-end international shopping and dining street. Five blocks from the property is a supermarket, convenient for stocking condo kitchens. Nearby activities include swimming with dolphins, eco- and aqua-parks, zip-lining, deep sea fishing, horseback riding, and exploring the Mayan ruins at Tulum and Chichen Itza. The Cancun airport is 35 miles from the hotel, and the hotel can arrange airport transfers. There's also free parking.

Rooms at the El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condos Hotel are either one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartments with separate living and dining areas. Oceanfront suites have sea views and direct beach access; Beachside suites overlook the pools, gardens, and ponds. Buildings are elegant and artistic, outfitted in white stucco with thatched roofs. Every apartment has a large terrace with lawn furniture. Penthouse apartments have roof decks furnished with gas grills, dining tables, sun beds, oversized built-in couches, wet bars, and even private hot tubs.

The decor is airy and chic, with marble floors, tasteful beige and brocade upholstery, and an uncluttered feel. The Balinese touches continue here, with Buddhas, artistic lighting fixtures, hand-carved wood furniture, and Southeast Asian artwork and fabrics. Live orchids bring the jungle vibe inside. Bathrooms have stylized stone sinks and large walk-in showers (with clotheslines). The toiletries are high-end and locally produced. Kitchens are modern and warm, with wood cabinets, stainless steel refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers, as well as microwaves, blenders, and other appliances. There is plenty of cook-, dish-,  and serving-ware, and utensils, all of which are matched sets. Dish soap, foil, and paper products are provided. Water coolers and free bottled water are included. Some units have washer/dryers. The minibar in each includes full-sized bottles of tequila, margarita mix, and an accompanying blender.

Rooms also have DVD players, and the hotel offers a library of movies to borrow. There are flat-screen plasma TVs in each bedroom, and white noise machines by the beds, although the throbbing bass from nearby Playa del Carmen nightclubs can be an issue, despite soundproofed windows. Beds are made with Egyptian cotton sheets and guests’ choice of pillows. iPod docks and chargers are provided.

The El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condos Hotel has two pools: one a striking black mosaic infinity pool, the other a blue mosaic freeform pool with seating built into the water. Both are pleasant but small, and not ringed by rows of sun beds. The Indigo Beach Club -- slightly off-site -- is where the action is at the El Taj, with a gourmet restaurant, and pizza, snacks, and drinks available at the beach bar. Free towels, waiter service, and sun beds are at your beck and call, with gray fringed beach umbrellas, palm palapas, and elaborate antique Balinese beds for lounging by the waves. The Beach Club happy hour features a DJ.

Maya Spa is a luxury spa offering Ayurvedic treatments, massages, wraps, scrubs, facials, and mani/pedis, with sunburn treatments on the menu for those who overdo it on the beach. The hotel's gym is also a destination, not a mere hotel fitness room; managed by New York City’s luxury Equinox chain, the gym is filled with high-end cardio and weight equipment, and a bank of huge flat-screen TVs. The trainers offer daily outdoor group runs and trendy fitness classes, including spinning, yoga, and jiu jitsu. For after workouts, there is a juice bar and a resident chiropractor. Free yoga and meditation classes are also offered on the beach on select mornings.

Although the El Taj condos all have excellent kitchens, the hotel’s restaurants are not to be missed. Imprevist and Plank are two of Playa del Carmen’s best places to eat, although both are located a short walk from the resort. Imprevist offers an extensive, creative breakfast and brunch menu, a cool cocktail list, and gourmet dinners. Plank serves a fusion of Latin and Asian cuisine, perfectly fitting with the Balinese-Mexican vibe of the hotel. Much of Plank’s menu is prepared and served on various woods or Himalayan salt planks. Private chefs can also be booked to prepare meals in individual condos, or romantic private dinners can be served on the beach upon request.