Playa del Secreto - Sandy's Villas - Casa de Tyler

Guest: jill (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 12/31/11 Review Submitted: 01/13/12

We recently returned from our week stay at Casa de Tyler at Sandy's Villa's in Playa del Secreto. What an amazing place. The owners of the condo live on-site and are the most wonderful, gracious hosts. Anything we needed or any advice - they were quick to help. Chuck and Rhonda were very accommodating, laid-back and just a general pleasure to get to know! We miss them already! The grounds were beautiful. Very well cared for. Hammocks abound, and the pool was a great feature for our 5-year old. We spent a couple nights out at the palapa using the grill, so that was great too. It's a short walk to the beach, but what a wonderful beach it was. You pretty much have it to yourself. We walked a big portion of the area, and this is BY FAR the best in the area. You can wade out quite far and no rocks. Not the same at the adults only mega-resort down the beach (that we got kicked out of for walking on the property with our kid..) The condo itself was awesome. Some friends were staying in another at the property and even though the layout was the same...Casa de Tyler was a far cry from theirs. It had everything we needed, was beautifully decorated and really felt like home while we were there. It is a very quiet place and it is truly a place to go to get away, relax, read books and just generally recharge! We spent 7 days there and the the first 4 we didn't leave. We made all of our meals there and just relaxed. The next few were spent doing some excursions and again, Chuck and Rhonda gave us pointers and helped us to have a great time. We took our son to XCaret and he snorkled for the first time...great experience. Did the underground river and it was a great time. We took a day trip to Isla Mujeres another day and really enjoyed that. We are already trying to figure out how we can make this a more regular thing...we will definitely be back!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

A dream come true

Guest: Judi (Monroe, WA, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/06/11 Review Submitted: 06/11/11

Our three week vacation was truly a dream come true. The grounds are beautfiul and the condominium is charmingly decorated and very comfortable. If you want to get away from crowds and enjoy peace and quiet, this is the place to go. And I can't say enough about our hosts, Rhonda and Chuck who made us feel at home. We will return next year, and until then enjoy the wonderful memories from this vacation.

Owner response:It was a pleasure having you here and we look forward to seeing you next May.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

beach retreat

Guest: rob (minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 02/15/11 Review Submitted: 02/26/11

Our second stay at this wonderful site, comfortable condo free of urban distraction on secluded Playa del Secreto. Birdsong in the AM, walks on the beach and swimming in the surf highlighted our stay. The grounds are immaculate with palms and gorgeous blooming plants around a pool and gazebo with grill. The owner was friendly and helped with whatever we needed. The condo is 10 minutes from Puerto Moreles and 20 minutes from the much busier Playa del Carmen. Restaurants we liked: Yaxche - the best in Playa, and Mercadito del Mar in Puerto is unsurpassed for seafood and originality - say hello to Xava - the young chef. We will go back and have recommended this to all our friends.

Owner response:It was a pleasure having you here. Let me know when you plan to come back.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, age 55+.

Casa de Tyler

Guest: Chris (Ladysmith, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/08/11 Review Submitted: 01/17/11

A little slice of paradise on a secluded beach (they're not kidding) between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen. The condo is cute but quite sizable and very well equipped. The king size bed is very comfortable. Grounds are beautiful, complete with tropical birds and 3 delightful dogs. Pool is large and well maintained. Hosts are extremely friendly and helpful. Puerto Morelos (10 min drive) is an ecclectic Mexican fishing village with a large ex-pat contingent but, nevertheless, maintains its Mexican character. There are an unusually large number of restaurants from beachside Palapa grills to an upscale gourmet restaurant, most very reasonably priced. If you're looking for a quiet holiday, away from the hubbub, the hawkers and time-share salesmen, this is the place to go.

Owner response:Hi Chris, It's people like you that we enjoy having visit here at our little paradise. You recognize the natural beauty of the surroundings. We make every effort to be sure you are comfortable and happy in Casa de Tyler. Please come again and again. You are always welcome!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Fabulous

Guest: Jason & Sonya (Port Ludlow, Washington)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/12/10

We just returned from Sandy's Villas and are already trying to figure out when we can return. Casa de Tyler is very spacious and has everything you need from a fully stocked kitchen to books and movies. It is a 1 minute walk to the beautiful private beach where you can find the most amazing shells. The grounds are gorgeous and the pool is just a few steps from the condo. Chuck and Rhonda are AMAZING, Rhonda even made homemade ice cream (which I haven't had since I was a kid). This was definitely the best relaxing vacation we have ever had. We will back and sure to tell our friends what a wonderful place Sandy's Villas is.

Owner response:We love having guests that notice all the wonders of nature. Ours is a unique mix of "away from it all" and "everything you need".

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A great place to relax

Guest: Jay and Robin (Las Vegas)
Date of Stay: 04/28/10 Review Submitted: 05/19/10

We didn't really know what to expect but the pictures we had seen and the reviews we read were all very encouraging. Well we were so very pleased to find the villa and the "secret" beach just the way it looked from the pictures. The grounds were so natural looking and created such a peaceful atmosphere, thanks to all the hard work our hosts put into keeping up with the lush flora. It was a real treat to watch the birds enjoy it all with us. We spent a lot of time in the pool that was kept sparkling fresh and clean. Casa de Tyler was very cozy and comfortable. Even though it was hot and humid we never had to use the airconditioner, we had a lovely cross breeze flowing through all night. We felt safe and secure enough to leave the windows and doors open. We found every thing we needed in the villa, from xtra towels to a cork screw. The short drive to Puerto Morelos was easy. The town had plenty of nice resturaunts to.choose from, many with oceanfront seating. The vendors were all very friendly and it was a treat looking and shopping . We especially enjoyed watching Abraham "finger" paint a beautiful picture just for us. Nine days went by way too fast! We would recomend SV to any one who likes the quieter side of vacationing. Rhonda and Chuck are the best hosts and really know how to make you feel at home. But Cricket and Scruffy and Kilby really stole our hearts. Cricket even wanted to share his beloved bone with my hubby! Yes we would go back anytime.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, age 55+.

Best wedding ever...

Guest: steph_and_nate (Pelham, AL USA)
Date of Stay: 04/12/10 Review Submitted: 05/03/10

This has been my favorite vacation spot for the last 5 years. When my boyfriend of 4 years proposed a while back, the only place I could think to have the wedding was at Sandy's Villas. We got married just a few weeks ago (mid-april) and the weather really didn't want to cooperate. Although it rained (quite rare, if you ask me - or anyone else in the area), we still had a wonderful wedding. Everything was so beautiful and Chuck & Rhonda were so helpful in getting everything arranged for us. Since the area is secluded, we were able to fill all the rentals with our wedding guests and have a great time being alone together. :) We were also able to contract with a local company for some large vans so that our large group could go places together. This place is the most beautiful place I have ever been and I'm so thankful to Chuck & Rhonda for not only letting us have our wedding here, but also for finding such a great place and sharing it with us. The description is pretty accurate, it's a great place to be alone. If you want to be in the middle of all of the action - this is not the place for you. This is a place to relax away from the noise or hustle and bustle of city life... which is what vacation should be. :D This is also a great central location to be able to go to puerto Morelos or Playa del Carmen for restaurants & shopping. If I can recommend anything else in the area, it's David Lau's in puerto Morelos. Best food I've ever had... and a great place for a rehearsal dinner. Thanks again so much for making everything so special, guys. LOVE YOU!

Owner response:The wedding was beautiful and we enjoyed meeting all your friends. Hope you will come back year after year.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Guest: JB & Jana (Spicewood, Texas)
Date of Stay: 01/30/10 Review Submitted: 01/30/10

We've just returned from Playa Secreto w/in the past couple of weeks and we had our calendar out for a return trip the day we got back home. The condo(5A)at Sandy's Villas was wonderful and the best lodging bargain we've found in many a moon. The property was gorgeous & lush with the wildest "puffy" grass lawn that just made you want to fall down and roll around on it. And the beach was just a short 30 sec. walk down the road and completely out of sight of any "resorts". We had no trouble "cabbing" it for the first few days, running into Puerto Morelos for lunch or dinner or to Playa del Carmen for an afternoon of wander-shopping followed by an evening of taste tests at a few Avenida Cinco watering holes. The "Dive In" dive shop in Puerto Morelos run by Brett Nielsen couldn't have been more perfect. Just the right balance of laid back but highly professional. The playa village of Puerto Morelos comes complete with a seaside town square surrounded by restaurants and a small grocery. We tried several of the restaurants and didn't have a bad meal, but David Lau's stood head and shoulders above all others. But none of this would've been possible without what turned out to be the best part of the trip...Rhonda and Chuck, our hosts at Sandy's Villas. We made two very good new friends over the seemingly short 10 days that were there. It was nothing at all to grab our coffee in the morning and head toward the beach, only to hear Rhonda call "Hola" (she's working muy mucho on her Spanish) through their screened patio door as we walked by. We'd stop and give her our general plan for the day and she invariably had what would turn out to be the best advice on how to maximize our enjoyment of the day. She's the second most laid back person I know. The Most laid back person being her husband, Chuck, who doesn't wear a watch and probably hasn't in some time. I am very envious. He loves to golf and he and I had a blast knocking balls into the beautiful cenotes and jungle surrounding Mayakoba's Chameleon course. Just stand next to Chuck and Rhonda and stress leaves the general area. Their ease of living is most refreshing and contagious. As self-confessed mid-40's "kids", Jana and I look for quiet, private, scenic places with that intangible: Flavor. And we found it all at Sandy's Villas in Playa Secreto. We obviously whole heartedly recommend Playa S

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Guest: Lenor (Birmingham, AL)
Date of Stay: 08/02/09 Review Submitted: 08/02/09

Playa del Secreto has the perfect location for a feeling like a local and visiting main tourist attractions. I enjoy feeling more like a local than a tourist when I travel and in my short week, I felt very at home in Puerto Morelos and Playa del Secreto. I felt like a local and loved it! Chuck and Rhonda have beautiful villas and my stay at Casa de Tyler had all the comforts of home as well as the relaxing environment of the Carribean! I loved my stay and I will return soon! It was my first visit to Mexico and definitely will not be my last!

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Guest: Jon Bahr (Missouri, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/26/09 Review Submitted: 04/26/09

With all the comments, i can only add this.....wihtin minutes you will feel you bloodpressure drop, and you will wonder where your stress went. No bling, no glamour, just relaxation.........

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