Have not long been back from our holiday at The Mandarin and we had a fantastic time.

The hotel and grounds were immaculate and the grounds and pool spilled over onto a glorious beach and clear blue sea with angel fish swimming around you as you swam!The pool was also kept immaculate and at both the pool and on the beach a waiter came round periodically to offer you a lovely cool cocktail or beer.

The rooms are spacious and exceptionally clean with no signs of any insects.
There are three restaurants, a buffet with a different theme every night as well as salads and a roast, and there was also an excellent Mexican restaurant and a 'special night out' restaurant.

Breakfast and lunch could be eaten in the buffet or in the restaurant by the pool which was more relaxed and served burgers, nachos, salad and cafe type food.

Although the hotel is literally in the middle of nowhere there is a shuttle bus to take you into Playa del Carmen from 12.00 midday until 6.00pm. After or before that is a cab for 10 dollars.

There were not many British there, we found mainly canadians, but because it's not too big a hotel we found it to be very friendly and most people spoke to you.

The entertainment was good and not too pushy but if you have children and want evening entertainment for them then this is not the place for you as there wasn't any. This was how we liked it.

On the way home we heard people from other hotels complaining that the kids entertainment went on untill 10.00pm!

This is a fairly quiet hotel away from the town and not full of drunken teenagers or small children. I would say it was best for couples or people over 40.

The hotel organises many excursions. these are cheaper and just as good as Thomsons.
Dont expect anything from the Thomson rep. All he did was try to push us into buying tours and gave us no local info.

All in all this was a lovely hotel and reasonably priced.
It is not a top dog, posh, gourmet hotel, but it IS clean, friendly, nice food,with lots of choice, great staff and on a nice beach.

We would definitely go there again.