Playa del Carmen ~ View topic - Vacation less than a week away

Joined: 17 Feb 2006 Posts: 1

Hi All,

Greetings from Chicago - I am taking a vacation in less than a week and I still dont have a condo/hotel booked. Arriving 2/23-06 - 3/2-06. I am looking for a beach-front condo in Playa or Playacar.. here is the problem. It seems that everything is booked when I call or email the hotels directly. Ive also been looking at condos (which I prefer) for the smaller feel.

Here is my question - has anyone gone to Playa without reservations and found accomadations? I really want to be adventurous, however I am taking my Mother, who is panicking because of the 'no reservation' situation.

Here is what Im looking for.. a 1BR modest, yet quaint room with an ocean-front/view in Playa or Playacar. Im willing to spend up to $200 a night, if necessary. I know that most hotels have reserve rooms for walk-ins.. yet I dont want to spend my first day, scrounging around for a hotel and having to settle for something I wont be happy with!

Does anyone have any input on this situation or how I can find something before I leave.

Thanks in advance and have a great day!
Playa - here I come... room or not!
Lisa

Hi Lisa!

If you've looked at any of my trip reports you will notice that I have gone to Playa many times with no reservation and have always found a room with no problems. I can find a room within an hour of arriving. Granted, that might be a bit easier for me since I know my way around the town and can check on rooms very quickly.

You will find a room, however it may not be on the beach and it may not be a condo. I have never tried to do a walk-in condo, so I really can't comment on that.

I've checked your dates on http://www.bestday.com/ and there are some hotels with availability in your price range. Los Itzaes is a decent little hotel with nice beds, mini-fridge, small rooftop pool...located very close to the bus station and about 3 blocks from the beach. If your mother would feel more comfortable, you could book a room for a few nights which would give you time to check out other hotels at a more leisurely pace and not haul your luggage around while doing so.

Also, I see some vacancies for different parts of your dates at http://www.villassacbe.com/

Maybe you can stay in one condo there for a few nights and then move into a different one there for the other nights. Villas Sacbe isn't located on the beach, but is just a couple of blocks from the beach and is right in the middle of the action on 5th Avenue.

Let me know what you decide to do!

Jen