We stayed four nights at Aventura Mexicana. It is overall a nice hotel and we enjoyed our stay. We booked through the hotel website. They had a good rate of about $78 a day for a room with two beds (we have two little children with us) on their website, but even a better rate if you stay 5 nights or longer (25% discount). It would cheaper to book for 5 nights (and stay 4) then it was to book 4 nights. However, since the difference was not too much, and I wanted to avoid confusion, I simply booked 4 nights and paid the 50% deposit. A couple of weeks later, I found out through the website that they had a better deal, so now a 3 night stay would be entitled for a 25% discount. I called the toll free number and was able to have my rate discounted 25%. That was awesome!

The check in was simple. No bell boys, you carry your bags, although the reception gave us a hand - we had to climb some stairs.

The room was decent, had two beds, the AC was working, there was a mini fridge (don't set the temperature too low, we had our yogurt frozen). We were on the family side of the hotel. You can reach the adult side through their restaurant, the Mayan Bistro. I've heard that the rooms at the adult side were way better, but we had kids, so we got to stick with our rooms.

At any rate, the hotel grounds were beautiful and well maintained. They have several pools and spas. They have a limited amount of parking spaces but we were always able to find parking. They have a free computer with internet in the lobby. The maid cleaned our room well, did the nice towel art sculptures but some days forgot to bring us the extra towels for the kids.

Breakfast was in the Mayan Bistro. Continental breakfast is included and it's decent. You can help yourself with toast (white and wheat bread), several types of pastries (mostly croissants), coffee, cream, orange juice, butter, jam. You can also order hot food from 35 pesos to 50 pesos (note: the hotel website offers you to buy full breakfast for an additional 50 pesos pp per day - I recommend you to skip it, you can always buy it on the day if you wish).

The location is one of the best things of the hotel. It is located North of the Constituyentes in an area named Little Italy, very close to fifth avenue. The area is nice, is a bit cheaper (slices of pizza costs 13 pesos, as opposed to 20 pesos on the other side of Constituyentes), less crowded but not less vibrant. There is a Ciao Gelato, a babe noddles, and even a little gem of a libanese restaurant beside babe noddles. You are also 2 blocks from Ah Cacao, some of the best desserts in PDC. Constituyentes is a major road that links fifth avenue to the freeway, but has less traffic than its sibling in the south, Juarez. I also found that parking is easier in this area. It is also close to some of the best stretch of beach in Playa where two of the best beach clubs are located: Kool and Mamitas. We have little children, so we don't need to be right on the action, just close, and that's where we were.

Service is good. Maid cleaned the room pretty well, however, we wished she hasn't forgotten the towels for the kids. Also one day the AC broke down. We notified the reception, she went to check the AC, called the technician. By the time we were back from dinner, the AC was functional again.

My only quibble, in addition to the missing towels for the kids, was that the room feels a little bit in need for a renovation. There were some cracked and stained tiles, and the shower curtain would not block the water from flooding the bathroom floor. Some reviews seem to point that the rooms on the adult side are way better. I believe so. However, because of the hotel was such a bargain, I thought it was an excellent value. I would probably deduct a star or two from the ratings if I have to pay high season rates for that room.

As a first timer to Playa del Carmen I am thrilled to have chosen this gem. It is small, very clean and well done. There are many really expensive hotels and many dumps. This hotel is very well priced and I think you get the biggest bang for your buck. The employees are very good too. Front desk managers Antonio & Javier were very informative and friendly. The hotel has a nice sushi bar, I think its the only one in Playa. Great, great hotel

My husband and I stayed that this lovely Hotel. It is located on the North side of the 5th Ave, strip (between 5th and 10th) on Calle 24. This was a great location since it was just up from all the action, but still set off enough not to be disturbed by the crowd on 5th Ave. during the evening. The room was clean and efficient with an AC and 2 ceiling fans in the HOT climate of Mexico. The pool was nice and the restaurant was great for breakfast, snacks and, of course, meals. All prices were very reasonable. Happy Hour every day has a 2 for 1 special. The Hotel is just a few blocks walk to the beach. The Hotel gives a discount ticket for the KOOL Beach Club. One thing to note, in Mexico toilet paper cannot be paced in the toilet when flushing. The Hotel should have told us this when we checked in. Unfortunately the front desk did not, and the room-maid had to be called to unclog the toilet. Fortunately, there was just a little bit of paper which needed to be cleaned out from a "small deposit" which thankfully did go down the drain and was not blocked by the toilet paper. My husband and I stayed on the "adult side" of the hotel which was free of any loud playing kids. The grounds of the Hotel has a "garden setting" atmosphere which is nice to enjoy, sit and relax. There is an upper lounge balcony which can be used to take the sun, enjoy a drink, or just sit and relax. There is always nice Mexican style music playing on the Hotel's outside sound system. The staff is helpful and friendly. Compared to similar Hotels is the area, the price of this Hotel was very affordable and offers discount specials which makes this a great find for the money (we paid $65 USD per nite with 1 nite free booking directly on the Hotel's website). All guests were of a mature age group (no young spring breakers). You will love your stay.

Nice room, very close to the main commercial center of the town, not right on the beach, breakfast was good if you pay the extra five dollars. Parking was easy on the street.

Note: the main tourist stretch in Playa Del Carmen is a pedestrian-only road, and is very touristy and expensive. If you're looking to get away from commercial corporate America, go inland or further south.