The Fives Playa del Carmen
Beach Resort
When we got to The Fives Playa Del Carmen, Mexico our concierge at the member’s check-in listed the excluded benefits under new management. The property is no longer part of the Karisma brand. This was our third attempt at visiting this destination, which you may have known if you follow our travels.
Our initial trip was canceled due to the pandemic and even though I had already packed the suitcases of our children, we could not travel. The next year, we had to reschedule once more as we discovered that our daughter’s passports had already expired and there was not enough time to renew them.
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We were taken to our one-bedroom penthouse suite after checking in, and we were pleasantly surprised that it was ready before the scheduled time. The suite was spacious and clean. We decided to fully enjoy our vacation regardless of what comes up. Throughout the week, we were won over by the monkeys on the property, the rooftop penthouse during evenings, and the delicious cuisine.
For those who are interested, here is some information about what you can expect as an exotic member taking advantage of this spot while it is still available. The 1 bedroom penthouse suite is spacious and allowed us to stay up and hang out after the girls went to sleep. On the rooftop, there is a grill, a jacuzzi, a patio bed, and a dining table, as well as a bathroom located at the top of the stairs.
Please note that pool chairs are limited in number and Bali Beds can only be reserved for one day with your membership. However, you can book extra days for $75 per day. If you want to make the most of your pool or beach experience, you can enhance it by adding a seafood tower for $25 which includes lobster, octopus, scallops, white fish, and a balsamic salad. It’s highly recommended!
The membership benefits are additional amenities that are not necessary for travel but are the main reason why members sign up. We appreciate the perks and privileges that come with it. However, it was disappointing to receive the list of benefits that the company would no longer provide when we were on our twice-delayed trip and were enjoying our welcome drink.
The room provides the desired alcoholic beverages and custom pillows. While members receive a premium room service menu, they have to pay a small $3.50 fee for delivery, which can be bothersome. As part of our membership benefits, we relished our beach dinner, and we were also invited to a personal member’s dinner with entertainment.
If you love great food, you will definitely enjoy the cuisine at Karisma resorts. I was thrilled to not have to cook any meals during my stay. My daughters, Giana and Misha, really enjoyed the French toast at Flavours, and my husband, James, loved the omelet station. I even tried the breakfast taco stand located right outside the entrance, which was quite adventurous!
At the Oka Sushi Bar, we tried a variety of rolls by dining family-style and crisscrossing our arms. My preferred meal was the Fritto misto all Italiana, while grandma’s lasagna made with a creamy veal salsa at the Arezzos was also enjoyable. On the fourth day, we visited the Gin Bar where I had the best craft cocktail I’ve ever had.
In addition to freshly cut herbs and blended drinks or nice Mexican beer, they also offered tasty popcorn. If the children couldn’t find anything they liked on the menu, they ordered a gourmet version of Mac and Cheese.
During our vacation at Karisma Playa del Carmen location, we were unable to use the spa credits we had booked. As a result, we opted to have two 75-minute couples massages by a competing company under a beach cabana for $40 each. We also utilized the club during our stay. It was a wonderful week and a trip that we will always remember.
We saw a monkey right after starting our self-guided tour at the resort. The resort has a natural preserve area with a wooden bridge. Many animals like spider monkeys, a wild hog, and Coatis live in this area. The resort is in the middle of a tropical forest, and there is a secret healing garden at its center. I had booked an eco-tour to visit the monkey sanctuary, but was surprised to see monkeys around the resort during our stay.
I enjoy seeking unique experiences when traveling and typically book at least one off-site excursion. After researching, I decided to book a private eco-tour with Bushman, as I appreciate the positive impact of ecotourism. I hoped that my kids could learn about a different culture and way of life during this excursion.
Bushman Photography provides Private Adventures with itineraries designed for travelers who want to learn and discover the significant relevance of the communities they visit. A certified naturalist and photographer guide you on a day trip to unique places that are unfamiliar to most tourists. Bushman Photography believes that the Mayan Community should benefit from their presence.
I would give this resort an overall rating of 4/5 stars as it meets our high standards. The layout is well-organized with a central area that has a quaint small-town feel. However, we had difficulty using the shuttles as they are primarily for residents. We were able to find a shortcut and stopped relying on the shuttles. Additionally, our kids had a great time at the kids’ club.
During their stay, the girls participated in several activities such as an educational nature tour, a scavenger hunt, and crafting a camera. On the last day, there was a pool party with games and prizes. While the girls were having fun, the parents enjoyed a romantic candlelit anniversary dinner.
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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