Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great Condo in the heart of the Playa del Carmen beach action

Guest: jules (Steamboat Springs, CO)
Date of Stay: 03/20/12 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

If you want to be in the middle of it all, within easy walking of everything; the beach and 5th Avenue shops and restaurants, this property is a very good choice. The views from the outside balcony were wonderful and the interior is decorated and outfitted perfectly. The pool is quite large, but for some reason the water was not circulating through the waterfall or infinity spillway. It was large enough to swim laps. I would recommend researching restaurants prior to arrival as there is a huge selection and some are good and some are awful. Just walking around and selecting whatever seemed good resulted in a very poor meal. The owner provides good recommendations; the front desk is not helpful. The beach has eroded away quite a bit since our last visit 5 years ago, but still lovely. It is quite busy and walking south is a quieter experience. Bring earplugs for sleeping as there is often loud music playing from the beach. We had a very nice stay and enjoyed ourselves.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Another perfect stay at El Faro!

Guest: popcorngirl (Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/06/12 Review Submitted: 03/30/12

When it was time to plan our winter trip the decision was an easy one. We had stayed in Terry's condo last year and loved it so "why mess with perfection"? Check in was a breeze- with even the same front desk staff-the only difference is they wanted us to wear wristbands (they explained that the resort is much busier and they need to know who belongs) and the use of El Faro beach towels as opposed to our owner's. Opening the door to the condo was just like coming home! We all agreed that we have never felt so comfortable on vacation as we do in this condo. The owner's have gone to great lengths to ensure their guests comfort and it shows. From oversized comfortable furniture on the enormous balcony, to flat screens in every room, to lighted vanity mirrors in the bathrooms, to a fully stocked kitchen and this year's most welcome addition WIFI! You simply cannot ask for more. Even when you are walking around the resort you will notice that many of the condos seem sparsely furnished- not Reef 302. The grounds and pool are as lovely as we remembered - even if the sea has reclaimed alot of the beach! This stretch of beach is very lively and a lot of fun can be had people watching and visiting the numerous beach bars. The staff is helpful and we even had the same housekeeper who did a wonderful job of keeping our condo spic and span. I think it really says something about a place when you can go back for a repeat visit another year and see many, many of the same staff. We didn't eat at Wicky's as much as last year- I am not sure if there has been some sort of changes but it just didn't seem to be the same as the previous year. The food wasn't as good and the service was at times non existent. No matter. There is many wonderful places to eat just steps away. We had memorable meals this year at: Playa Maya- toes in the sand breakfast La Terraya for lunch and dinner La Mission for a spectacular dinner La Piola for a lovely Italian mean Canibal Royal beach club for truly the most amazing shrimp tacos ever!!! All in all, just a wonderful stay! I am sure we will be back if for no other reason than many family members have stated that they want to come with us!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

searching for the laundry room

Guest: Jewels (Granite Bay, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/18/12 Review Submitted: 02/27/12

I want to start out by saying the condo's are centrally located and are very nice and clean, nice pool area, the balcony comfortable and roomy, the staff very nice, the only problem was this condo did not have a laundry room, big minus for us. Also it was situated between two restaurants, one on each side of the condo, which plays loud music, that made it very difficult to sleep and we could not open our doors to enjoy the ocean.

Recommended for:

Best property in Playa!!

Guest: Jana Stoermer (Tyler, TX)
Date of Stay: 10/08/11 Review Submitted: 11/21/11

The place was FABULOUS!!! I can’t say enough good things about it. Some of my group stayed in your condo, and some stayed at the same resort, but a unit that was owned/managed by a separate group. Your unit was SOOOO much better than the other...everything about it was better! The kitchen was fully stocked, there were multiple TVs, and the décor was very tasteful. It was all the nice little extra touches (like the kids toys, the conch shell lights, jellyfish lamps, magazines, beach bag, cooler, etc.) that made your place feel like home. The employees were accommodating to every need and all of the requests were taken care of right away. The maids did a great job and it was nice to have daily service included. The view from the unit is breathtaking, and having the stairway right beside the front door made it easy to come up from the pool to restock the cooler, or grab a quick bite. The location of the resort could not have been better. We were close to everything....shopping, nightlife, restaraunts, bus station, WalMart, grocery store, ferry, dive shop....you name it, and it was within walking distance. We were glad to not have to rent a car, and only used a taxi/bus when traveling to the ruins, snorkeling, or to the ecopark. We were traveling with small children, and always felt safe walking around town. The dive shop you recommended, Geofish was equally impressive. All the guys in our group are scuba snobes, and they were very pleased with the dive sites, equipment, and pricing. The location was great, very convenient to the condo. Christie was always available to help, even when it wasn’t a question related to diving. She assisted us with restaurant choices, directions to various places, and choosing a park for the kids. I was glad to have her around the corner! We were very pleased with the transportation company you arranged. They were very accommodating and pleasant to ride with. He even stopped and let me buy some cerveza once we left the airport. All of your suggestions were good, and I’m glad that we had you to help! I could always count on you to answer any question we had in a timely manner. We will definitely be back!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing Vacation

Guest: Lori (Charles City,Iowa)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/18/11

This was the first time staying in Playa Del Carmen for my family and me. We have always stayed at all-inclusives in MX and were pretty apprehensive about staying in a condo. Have no fear...it was absolutely wonderful! Even the three teenagers loved it. We had a late night flight so it was dark when we arrived and what a great surprise in the morning we we woke up to see the incredible view outside the master bedroom! The condo is a great place for couples or families. We loved the beach and pool service provided by Wicky's at a reasonable price. We were able to run a tab all week and settle up at departure of trip. This is something that was very important to us to have the service and food options at the facility. We ate many meals off site on the beach, 5th Avenue and the local food vendors. The condo is fully equipped with everything you could possibly need. It wasn't just the condo and facility that made our vacation, it was the service with booking the condo and trip details provided by Terry that made this a great find. She went out of her way to answer any of my many questions and even made sure to assist booking transportation to and from the property. We are seasoned travelers and I feel this property is top notch and I highly recommend.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car.

What a great place

Guest: Koen (Nethelands)
Date of Stay: 07/18/11 Review Submitted: 08/14/11

El Faro is located at the beach, just 100 meters from the famous Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen but our condo was located on a quiet spot. We had a kind and helpfull reception at the desk. It was clear that the owners of this condo only wish the best for their visitors. We felt at ease instantly. We wanted to make a few dives, and the best diving shops are around the corner. We spent five lovely days in this luxurious condo and we had the best holiday ever. Thanks!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The title is right - there is a little magic at El Faro!

Guest: Lolo (Phoenix, AZ)
Date of Stay: 05/09/11 Review Submitted: 05/26/11

Beautiful property and amazing location! The condo is even lovelier in person and everything we could possibly want was supplied - even a couple of coolers and plastic drinkware to tote our cocktails to the beach and save some pesos! The jacuzzi tub was a soothing way to wrap up a day at Wicky's Beach Club, and the comfy bed kept us well rested and re-energized for nights out on Avenida Quinta. Just steps away from the white sand, the beach is free of any rocks, debris, or boats, and we spent many hours bobbing in the waves. With the doors open you can hear the techno music from the nightclubs a block away, but not a sound once they're closed. Terry was a great host and very communicative- be sure to check out the wealth of information about the area and dining she has at the condo. A wonderful vacation, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend this property to friends!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Location! Location! Location!

Guest: Wanda (Grand Rapids, Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 04/30/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

We love staying at El Faro! It is so convenient and secure. It was nice to see El Faro’s familiar and friendly staff. They couldn’t be more accommodating. We stayed for 10 days and walked everywhere we needed to go. Just a few steps down the beach to go fishing, and arrange a snorkeling trip with "Playa Deep Sea Fishing". Even went parasailing for the first time. The beach is so clean and beautiful with blinding white sand. The staff at Wicky’s is very attentive and the food is the best! You would never be able to tell you were in heart of Playa’s shopping, dining and entertainment district as it is a quite and relaxing stay. The Mayan Magic Condo is exactly that, the beautiful Mayan mural brings the Mayan culture right to you. The rooms are comfortable and lovely. We enjoyed the view from our balcony for morning coffee and evening cocktails. The grill came in handy for the Mahi Mahi we caught earlier in the day. We couldn’t have asked for a better vacation and beautiful accommodations. Thanks!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best Vacation Ever

Guest: popcorngirl (Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/02/11 Review Submitted: 03/25/11

Right from the start I found Terry to be very helpful and quick to respond to my questions. She made me feel very at ease when it came to dealing with a private owner as opposed to a large resort. Our vacation was just perfect! The front desk was very friendly and helpful as they took us to our condo. When we got there? Wow! This place is incredible. Spotless- so much so that we ended up unpacking which is something I never do! I just can't stress enough how wonderful it is to be able to spread out just like at home. The view is nothing short of breathtaking. We were on the balcony constantly- coffee in the morning, happy hour in the afternoon and a nightcap in the evening. There were six of us staying in the condo and there was ample room for all. The pool is glorious- probably the nicest pool I saw all week with the most comfortable lounge chairs ever. The beach (much wider since the restoration) is perfect- miles of pure, fine white sand. The location of the condo is great. Beachfront and only one short block to the centre of fifth ave with all it has to offer. I had arranged a grocery service to have some stuff in the condo which worked great and El Faro is only 3 short blocks to Walmart for everything else. Wicky's downstairs ended up being a great choice for a snack poolside and didn't seem to mind us ordering food but drinking drinks from our condo. The security made it a point to find out who we were and where we were staying on our first day which I really appreciated. I just can't say enough about this place and I just know all of my gushing is going to result in more bookings for Terry's place. Hmmm, that might not be a good thing for me-ha

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Atmosphere = Great time at El Faro

Guest: Doreen (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 02/19/11 Review Submitted: 02/28/11

We had never been to Playa Del Carmen. We met up with my brother and his wife for a week stay recently. The condo was absolutely gorgeous with a true million dollar view. We watched the wonderful sunrises from our balcony many mornings. This condo is decorated in a native Mayan theme. It is a very comfortable condo which made us feel right at home. Terry has supplied all items needed for your stay. The grounds are immaculately maintained and the beaches are spotless. Terry was always quick to respond to any questions we had. She was also very helpful supplying information about the area and also offered assistance about transportation to El Faro. We had a great time exploring the area visiting various restaurants, rented a car to drive to Tulum to the ruins, we went to a cenote and also enjoyed quite a few massages ( only 20.00 US) each. This unit is wonderful and in our opinion the ONLY place to spend your stay while in Playa. We highly reccomend you stay here as you wont be dissapointed.!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

El Faro is everything we hoped for and more!

Guest: Kelly (Parksville, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/13/11

We have recently returned from spending 11 glorious days in Playa Del Carmen. The condo complex, “El Faro” was right on the beach; the view from the balcony was fabulous! The condo was amazing. It had two bedrooms both with comfortable King size beds and big screen TV’s and each with their own beautiful spa inspired bathrooms. The condo was equipped with everything you could think of. There were beach toys (boogy boards, frisbee, volleyball etc), bottle coolers for your beverages, and every kitchen utensil that we needed. The owners also had a collection of DVD’s and music for any quiet time in the condo. The front desk staff was great. Water was delivered very promptly and our rooms were cleaned daily. The owners were very helpful. Terry was very quick to answer any emails I sent with questions about the condo or the area. She even arranged our transportation from the airport. They had a great book in the condo with their favourite places to eat and things to do which was very helpful. Our two favourite places to eat were “El Fogon” (good Mexican food) and a small restaurant called “Cactus”. The beach in front of the condo is amazing. In January 2010, they did a beach restoration and added about 50 metres of sand to the beach area in front of the condo. The condo is in a fabulous location. It is within walking distance to everything in Playa del Carmen. It is 130 steps from the room to the sand at the beach (including the two flights of stairs); the famous 5th Ave is less than ½ a block away; and there are numerous restaurants in all directions. There were large grocery stores within walking distance (Mega store and Walmart). The ferry to Cozumel is about a 15 minute walk down the beach which is a great day trip and there were many places on the beach that offered massages for a very reasonable rate….we made two visits to a place called “Bang” that was about a 3 minute walk on the beach and they only charge $18US for an hour massage! As you can tell….we really enjoyed our stay at “El Faro”. My husband and parents repeatedly said “you did a great job picking this resort!”

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Magical experience at Mayan Magic

Guest: Susan (Centennial, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 11/18/10 Review Submitted: 01/20/11

The condo was everything we hoped for and more. We spent a week in November with our family (also rented another condo in this complex) and the experience could not have been better. This condo is comfortable, clean, convenient, beautifully decorated, with a good-sized balcony overlooking the pool and beach. We would go back there in a heartbeat and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good alternative to the large all-inclusive resorts. There is a restaurant in the condo complex and several others along the beach. We also found a number of good restaurants along 5th Ave., only a few blocks away. We had good luck arranging with van drivers to take us to special activities -- snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, visiting Mayan ruins, and swimming in a cenote. We give this place two thumbs up!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Everything you need!

Guest: Doug (Castle Rock, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 10/15/10 Review Submitted: 11/28/10

We stayed from 10/15/10 to 10/22/10 four of us in total. Everything said previously is right on the mark. Beautiful place, pool, location etc. The resturant tips are perfect and we had underground parking that was a plus since we rented a car for the week. I have been to Playa over 6 times and have found Terry's place to be the best value and comfort for the $. The only negative thing I can think of is the internet connection is a little week but my wife reminded me that I shouldn't be working anyways. Terry was so helpful and didn't leave any detail out. The reservation process and access was as planned. No hidden costs or surprises. Please feel free to contact me. Doug from Castle Rock,CO

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Paradise!

Guest: redlinda1 (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 09/28/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

My husband and I spent our honeymoon in this wonderful unit. We have been to Playa many times and have stayed in many different places, but this was the best yet. The location is perfect! The stores, restaurants, bars and nightlife are just 1 block away, very close, yet far enough that you dont hear any of the hustle and bustle. Best of all the beautiful beach is literally steps away. We spent many days and night just relaxing on the wonderful balcony overlooking the water and taking in the magnificent views. Truly peaceful. The unit itself is beautifully decorated and is luxurious in every way. The bathrooms are magnificent, We slept in the second bedroom instead of the master because we felt the bed was softer, (just our preference). Everything we needed for the beach was provided. Terri really has thought of everything you'd need for an awesome vacation. We can not wait to return to El Faro.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Great Condo, perfect location close to restaurants and shops, great beach

Guest: Kim (Loveland, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 08/07/10

The condo was furnished beautifully, everything was in perfect condition and there were a lot of little extras that really make this a special place. I especially appreciated the comfy patio furniture. The patio is very large and we all spent a great deal of time enjoying the beautiful views. The owner was extremely responsive and provided lots of tips on restaurants and activities. The Property is in a perfect location....close to everything, but on a great stretch of beach. It has a really nice pool and an on-site restaurant with great food and service. The front desk staff and security guards were all very friendly and helpful. We can't wait to return!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

I walked the beach looking for a Zen spot

Guest: Upscaleaudio (Upland California)
Date of Stay: 04/15/10 Review Submitted: 04/28/10

I haven't stayed at this property, but ran into the owner while trying to pick a place for my next vacation to Playa. I was staying at a nice botique hotel, and prefer that to mega-resorts so common in Cancun. I walked the area I liked most for access to morning coffee and nice shopping while being a refuge when needed. In my opinion, and it's only my opinion, this property is the nicest in the area. Very high-quality, peaceful atmosphere, great units. And immediate access to get out to the beach in front of you or nightlife behind you. If you want romance Playa is the bomb compared to Cancun proper. It's obvious these folks take price in calling this their home.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great condo, great location and close to everything with a fabulous view of the ocean

Guest: Trishh (Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 03/24/10 Review Submitted: 04/06/10

This is a great condo. It's brand new, has all the amenities, is decorated beautifully and was very comfortable for the 5 of us staying there. Also, the owner is very helpful and will get you anything you need. We pre-ordered some things through the Condo for basic groceries and it worked out great. The Condo is very central to downtown Playa and all the great restaurants and shopping on 5th avenue. Everything is within walking distance. It also has a great view of the ocean. The condo has everything you need to make you comfortable including a small grill on the balcony, portable cooler to bring to the beach, water toys for the kids, everything you need to cook and even can coolers to keep your drinks cool. It also has a great onsite restaurant called Wicky's with absolutely fabulous hamburgers and great service. Dinner there is also great but a little spendy. We also walked to Walmart to get more groceries and provisions twice. It's really not a far walk and they have everything you need in terms of food and supplies. No need even to take a taxi. I'd recommend staying there and we would definitely go back.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car.

Great time at El Faro!!

Guest: ponski (Dallas, Texas)
Date of Stay: 03/15/10 Review Submitted: 04/03/10

Our family and some friends recently were at El Faro for Spring Break and had a blast!! El Faro is a great location and the beach is huge (3Xs the size it was in October due to bringing sand in) and beautiful with lots of great places to hang out, have a drink and some lunch (and a $17/hour massage listening to the waves!) We ate lunch a couple times at Wicky's which is the restaurant at El Faro. Upscale, nice chairs outside and great service on the beach. It was the BEST burger Ive even had!! Ask for the homemade crispy thin BBQ chips instd of the fries! We also loved Fusion which is a few doors down--great H HR and live music most of the time. Wicky's had great live music most days too. We stayed in Coral Reef 302 and it was decorated very mayan and cheerful. Nice balcony and comfy seating. there were 2 bedrooms with kings in both and nice sized baths. The kitchen was stocked with all you would need to cook but there are SO many places to go in the area we couldn't get to everyone we wanted! Really nice pool. Bring your goggles as it is a good lap swim too--long! You will LOVE the place!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: nicole a. (Lubbock TX)
Date of Stay: 01/11/10 Review Submitted: 01/11/10

The condo was just lovely, with lots of attention to detail. The owners have obviously put a lot of thought into making sure their guests are comfortable and have everything they need for a great vacation. The views from the condo were incredible: beachfront, as well as overlooking the beautiful pool. The staff were all wonderful - so polite, and they tried so hard to please. The condo's location is fantastic. It is just a few steps away from all the great shops and restaurants on 5th Avenue, and yet is very peaceful. I would definitely recommend this gorgeous condo!

Recommended for:

Guest: Carolyn Nibert (-)
Date of Stay: 03/15/09 Review Submitted: 03/15/09

Your condo looks stunning. You've really made it look very welcoming and I can't wait to visit El Faro.

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