Allegro Playacar is located next to its five-star sister resort, Royal Hideaway Playacar, just south of Playa del Carmen in the gated community of Playacar.  Barceló Hotels and Resort Group acquired both properties in 2016 and has done extensive renovations to Allegro Playacar including the following:

• complete room renovations with shower-only bathroom
• updated lobby and surroundings
• updated pool areas with man-made shade structures around the quiet pool
• sports bar above the lobby
• updated restaurants with additional Asian a la carte
• updated disco
• updated Kid’s Club
• replaced wooden steps with concrete
• new balcony hammocks
• planted more palm trees on the beach for shade purposes

While there was discussion about adding a new fitness center with the renovations, the property still was without one in early 2017.

Allegro Playacar is in a great location with its close proximity to Playa del Carmen (a 25-min. walk), and a 5-min. walk to the small shopping area of Plaza Playacar with its many souvenir shops, stalls, and Starbucks with its free WiFi; golfing opportunities are also nearby for the enthusiast.  Allegro Playacar is a budget-friendly all-inclusive for singles, couples, and families within a tropical setting–thatched roofs cover two-story Polynesian-style bungalows in the midst of mature palm trees and natural flora.  The grounds are mature and well-manicured (although some new plantings were part of the overall renovation process) with an easily navigable layout; no need for trams or shuttles since it only takes little more than five min. to walk from the lobby to the ocean.

The real star of the resort is its beach–the restoration it received several years ago has made Playacar beach one of the premiere stretches of coastline in the Riviera Maya.  The resort’s beach is fairly typical of the entire Playacar beach area with its soft white sand, brilliant turquoise water, smooth ocean entry, and wide expanse leaving lots of room for sunning and sports activities.  Beach walkers can go on extensive treks for miles in each direction, while those who like to enjoy water sports can find easy access to kayaks and hobie cats, as well as motorized water sports for an extra fee.  While there were more palm trees planted during the renovation, guests will find that shade opportunities on the beach have dwindled since the resort is trying to do away with the shade palapas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests will love the two pools; the beachfront activities pool is the most popular with its swim-up bar and adjacent eating opportunities, while the “quiet” pool sits further back from the beach.  While shade palapas around the pools are also dwindling in number, there is a new overhead shade structure at the quiet pool.  If loungers are difficult to come by at the activities pool, there most likely are ones available at the quiet pool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest rooms have been completely redone (with the exception of the thatched roofs) and include tiled floors, ebony cabinets housing the mini-bar and coffee maker, new flat screen TV’s, and light wall and linen hues.  Bathrooms are new as well with walk-in showers, while all balcony areas continue to have a hammock for afternoon siestas.  Don’t expect beachfront rooms at Allego Playacar, however, since these are typically reserved for vacation club/timeshare members.

Guests who want a change of pace outside of pool and beach time will appreciate the resort’s multi-sports courts, tennis courts, and giant chess set, all of which are located fairly close to the resort’s main pathway.  Allegro Playacar also offers its guests massage services, a theater, disco, and new sports bar for additional entertainment options.

Type of Resort:  Family-friendly

Pro:  Beach, budget-friendly, walking distance to Playa del Carmen, renovated 2016, compact resort

Con:  WiFi $, small guest rooms, no room service or fitness center

Best Suited For:  Singles, couples, and families with a limited budget looking for an all-inclusive resort experience on a great beach.

No. of Rooms:  286

Room Amenities:  King or two dbl beds, balcony/terrace with hammock, A/C, ceiling fan, table and two chairs, mini-bar, digital safe, flat screen TV, telephone, coffee maker, iron/ironing board, hair dryer, shower, and toiletries.  While there is no room service, WiFi is an extra charge.  Here is a brief rundown of the guest room categories;

• Superior:  King or two dbl beds.
• Superior Premium:  King or two dbl beds.  Bungalows in this category are closer to pools or beach areas.  Some rooms in this category have a partial ocean view.
• NOTE:  To escape the noise from the theater and disco, avoid buildings #11 and #12.

Physically Challenged Rooms:  Available

Resort Amenities:  Three pools (beachfront with swim-up bar, “quiet” pool, and small children’s pool in the Kid’s Club area), massage rooms, beauty salon, tennis courts (lit at night), multi-sports courts, shuffleboard, giant chess, non-motorized and motorized water sports, disco, theater, sports bar, Kid’s Club (ages 4-12), small playground, sporadic pool and beach wait service, guest services, gift shop, tour desk, medical services, laundry, child care, currency exchange, and ATM.

Restaurants/Bars:  One buffet restaurant, and three a la cartes including Mexican (Mexicano), Italian (La Trattoria), and a new Asian a la carte (no teppanyaki show tables); all three a la cartes require reservations (guests may book a la carte restaurants with Guest Services until 3 p.m.).  There is also a poolside lunch buffet and pizzeria as well as a snack are in the new sports bar.  Bars include a swim-up and poolside bar, lobby bar, disco bar, sports bar, and the Ambar Bar specializing in margaritas.  This resort offers named brands, but top-shelf liquor is an extra charge.

Entertainment:  There is a disco which is open until 2 a.m., an onsite theater which hosts evening shows, and a sports bar/games room.

Website:   https://www.barcelo.com/en-us/hotels/mexico/riviera-maya/allegro-playacar/