Playa Palms Beach Hotel (Playa del Carmen, Mexico)

If you can go for a room with a sea view, you really won't regret it. You'll get to look out over palm trees and the azure ocean, while kicking back in your very own balcony hammock.

Playa Palms Boutique Beach is right on the beach, but also very close to a whole bunch of great restaurants and shops. Within a few minutes' walk you can be browsing fashion boutiques or dining in a local restaurant.

The friendly staff here really make you feel like you're on vacation, always on hand to cater for your needs. If you want to book a fishing trip or a day excursion they can arrange it for you.

While this hotel is right on the beach, there are many boats moored up there which makes it difficult to have a swim in the sea. The beach also feels quite crowded, and you're likely to see seaweed and rubbish scattered across the sand.

The complimentary breakfast provided here is poor, amounting to little more than coffee and toast. Expect things like powdered creamer instead of fresh milk and juice from a carton instead of freshly squeezed juice.

The Wi-Fi at Playa Palms Boutique Beach is poor, and trying to do things as basic as making a Skype call are near to impossible. It will often cut out and there are multiple connections that you will have to log into depending your location in the hotel.