Be Playa

Be Playa: A Comprehensive Review of the Michelin Key Selected Property in Playa del Carmen

Be Playa, a Michelin Key Selected property in the vibrant heart of Playa del Carmen, offers guests a stylish and adult-only boutique hotel experience, lauded for its prime location and trendy rooftop amenities. While generally well-regarded, recent guest feedback highlights both its strengths and areas for improvement.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general sentiment for Be Playa is largely positive, with guests often finding it to be a good value for the area. While some recent reviews reflect concerns about maintenance and noise, many still praise its location, design, and service. The hotel holds ratings around "good" to "excellent" on various platforms. Its selection as a Michelin Key property signifies its exceptional comfort and warm hospitality.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently love Be Playa's exceptional location, being just a block away from the main tourist street (Quinta Avenida) and a short walk (approximately 5 minutes) to the beach. The hotel's rooftop bar and pool are significant draws, offering city and beach views, and transforming into a lively atmosphere with DJ sets and live music during weekly pool parties. The hip and cool decor of the hotel and rooms also receives frequent commendation.

3. Room Quality

Be Playa consists of 23 suites, including Standard and Master Suites, designed with a modern aesthetic featuring clean white walls, white marble, and hardwood floors. Rooms are generally described as clean, large, and well-appointed, equipped with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and mini-bars. En-suite bathrooms include showers, hair dryers, and complimentary toiletries. However, some recent reviews indicate that rooms are starting to show signs of wear, with issues like holes in curtains or deteriorating bathroom mirrors. There have also been instances of non-functional jacuzzis in master suites.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel features two on-site restaurants, including Sushi Club, which specializes in Asian cuisine for lunch and dinner. A poolside bar on the terrace offers signature cocktails and boasts beautiful pool views. Continental breakfast is available each morning. However, the breakfast experience has received criticism, with some guests reporting it as "horrible," noting that the kitchen is sometimes closed in the morning or that there are long waiting times (up to 40 minutes) for items like omelets.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff is largely positive, with many guests describing the staff as lovely, helpful, attentive, and providing excellent customer service. Front desk staff have been particularly helpful with issues such as street parking. However, some guests have noted a "casual indifference attitude" from bartenders at the poolside bar.

6. Location & Accessibility

Be Playa boasts an "excellent" and "unbeatable" location in Downtown Playa del Carmen. It is conveniently situated within a 10-minute walk of popular attractions like Quinta Avenida, Playa del Carmen Main Beach, and Mamitas Beach. The Quinta Alegria Shopping Mall and Coco Bongo are also nearby. The hotel is approximately 55 km (45 minutes) from Cancun International Airport, and airport transfers can be arranged for a surcharge. Public transport, such as the Colectivo pick-up bus stop, is also in close proximity.

7. Value & Pricing

Many guests consider Be Playa to offer great value for its area. Prices for a stay can start from around $42, with average weeknight prices around $95 and weekend nights around $104. August is noted as the cheapest month to stay, with December being the most expensive.

8. Common Complaints

Several recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Noise: Significant complaints about excessive noise from the rooftop bar's live music or DJ sets, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, often continuing until 3 AM. Noise from busy clubs across the street and general hotel soundproofing issues have also been mentioned.
• Breakfast: Poor quality and service at breakfast, with reports of the kitchen being closed or long waiting times.
• Maintenance: Some rooms are showing signs of wear and tear, including holes in curtains and deteriorating bathroom mirrors. Non-functional jacuzzis in master suites have also been a point of disappointment.
• Construction: Guests have reported construction on every floor, leading to paint smells and noise in the rooms.
• Parking: The hotel does not offer parking, and street parking is metered and can be inconvenient, with machines not always accepting credit cards or notes.

Sources

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8. boutiquhotel.com
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10. agoda.com
11. hotelesenplayadelcarmen.info
12. hiplayadelcarmen.com
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