Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen
A last minute booking without any research on the resort came with its ups and down. Would we be this spontaneous again? Definitely! Perhaps with a bit of research next time.
Quick Overview:
Resort: Wyndham Alltra Playa Del Carmen Adults only All Inclusive
Location: Oceanfront property within walking distance to 5th Avenue
Budget: $400-$700+ per night depending on room category
Best for: Adults looking for a getaway that does not involve the beach and want to be close to the bars/clubs/restaurants around 5th Avenue
Restaurants on-site: 4 (Mexican, Grill, Italian, Buffet)
Bars: 4
Alcohol: low to medium level brands; Bars do not open until 11am. Breakfast buffet is the only restaurant serving at 10am but you must be dining there in order to get a drink.
We originally booked an Oceanfront Junior Suite Walkout but decided to upgrade upon arrival to the Grand Master Oceanfront Suite. It was spacious and comfortable, with a balcony overlooking the main pool and ocean. The mosquitoes, and the smell of seaweed, on the other hand, made it hard to enjoy the balcony for too long. The mass of seaweed collecting behind the hotel was so bad that it smelled of backed up sewage some days.
If the resort had a beach, it would have been impossible to sit on the beach with seaweed that bad. To be noted - there is NO beach here. We are beach people and the pictures online were deceiving, seeming to have a beach.
The main pool was the primary hangout area for most guests. Pool chairs were claimed by 8:15am. We went downstairs at 8am everyday to block ours. Cabanas along the pool can be reserved with the Concierge desk for a daily rental fee which can any from $70-$150 depending on the day of the week. Rentals come with a bottle and waiter service. Our room came with a guaranteed cabana but those cabanas were not poolside. In order to get a cabana poolside, we would’ve had to pay an up charge (after already paying $700 a night for the room - nonsense!) We ended up not even using our cabana the entire time. There is poolside waiter service (so you don’t have to have a cabana to receive poolside waiter service) - Pablo was our guy for all three days and he kept our drinks filled! We didn’t even have to leave the comfort of the pool. Just be sure to tip! A cocktail in a pineapple can be ordered pool side for an additional $50, or in a coconut for an additional $10.
Off the Hook is a tranquility pool on the 3rd floor overlooking the street, with a pool bar, and serving sushi. There are no daily activities hosted at that pool. A hot tub/jacuzzi is on the rooftop and does not have a bar. Location of Off the Hook made that side of the resort look and feel like a motel. It seemed as if I had stepped into a completely different resort than the one where we were staying.
Resort activities started early morning varying from yoga, water Zumba, volleyball, etc. Saturday afternoon was the pool foam party. Now, I love foam parties but they leave the pool extremely mercury! Still fun, nevertheless. All activities end by 4pm, and nightly entertainment runs from 7pm-8pm. I love resort night entertainment but 7pm was a bit too early for us. It meant dinner needs to be around 6pm or after 8pm. For an adults only resort, entertainment should really be after 9pm.
Food options are limited compared to any other resort we have visited. Ventana is the only place for breakfast, serving international buffet and fresh juices. Lunch options were pizza and Ventana (a la carte). A poolside pop-up taco station was set up Thursday-Saturday from noon - 2pm serving various tacos and nachos. Dinner options were Ventana (buffet), Zarape (Mexican), Bella (Italian), Brasas (Grill). All restaurants required a reservation for dinner with the exception of Ventana. Reservations must be made by 5pm through the front desk or concierge. Zarape and Bella were our favorites. All four restaurants had an option to “upgrade” the meals by adding a lobster, various seafood, or steak. Prices started from $60 per upgrade/add on.
Now the most important part of a vacation - BARS! Four bars - Agave (at the main pool, oceanfront), Off the hook (3rd floor at the tranquility pool), Lobby bar, and one beachside which we could not find. All bars open at 11am, with only the lobby bar staying open until midnight. This was rather frustrating. We are morning people and start our day by 8ish. To wait until 11am for a drink on vacation is ridiculous. Want to prep for a drink before 11am? On the night before, get a few shots of whatever alcohol you are drinking, and mix your own cocktail the next morning. Or the resort can make it easy by 1) serving alcohol before 11am or 2) adding liquor dispensers in each room like most resorts in Cancun!
Overall, the property is clean, staff is friendly, rooms are decent. However, we felt as if we were forced to follow the resort’s schedule while paying for our own vacation. It felt as if we were on Spirit or Frontier - with an upcharge for everything. The pictures online did not match what we actually saw as far as the pools and beach. Definitely expected better from Wyndham!
For an adults only resort in Cancun, they have way too many restrictions! I know we would not return to this resort. But, if you are looking for a getaway that does not involve the beach and want to be close to the bars/clubs/restaurants around 5th Avenue, don’t mind the alcohol restrictions, or limited options for food - this might be the resort for you.
