The Reef 28
Playa del Carmen
If you’re looking for a vacation spot in the central area of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, The Reef 28 might be a great choice. It’s an adults-only property that combines the distinctive charm of a boutique hotel with the abundance of amenities of a typical resort.
The hotel offers an all-inclusive rate that includes meals at the buffet restaurant, certain drinks, access to kids club activities, equipment rentals for non-motorized water sports, and daily entertainment. The suites have modern furnishings, a calming neutral decor, glass-enclosed rainfall showers, queen or king beds, and private terraces.
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The resort is located in Playa Del Carmen, which is a bohemian beach town on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. It has 120 rooms and is situated one block away from both the beach and the town’s main street, Fifth Avenue, where guests can find shops, bars, and restaurants. Visitors can reach the resort by flying into Cancun International Airport (CUN) and then driving for 45 minutes. Tulum’s Mayan ruins are an hour to the south, and it takes 30 minutes by ferry to reach the island of Cozumel.
You can look forward to a stylish urban beach getaway with a mix of South Beach aesthetics such as modern furniture and a neutral color scheme, as well as colorful Mexican motifs. Even though the hotel is located in a lively Playa del Camren area, you can escape the hustle and bustle in the comfort of your suite or at the rooftop pool, which provides a sense of elevation and peace. With a laid-back atmosphere, guests can unwind and enjoy a tranquil stay.
Out of 120 suites, there are 16 Master suites available that can accommodate up to three individuals. These suites come with two bathrooms, a large bedroom featuring a corner-set whirlpool tub, a kitchen, spacious living and dining areas, and a balcony. However, some guests may find them too big to offer a sense of intimacy. Alternatively, the Junior suites are cozier yet spacious.
They are adorned with a chocolate-and-cream mayan color scheme and feature a wooden screen that separates the living and sleeping areas. Additionally, these suites come equipped with a small kitchenette that includes a tea service, a microwave, and a fridge that is restocked every day with beer and soft drinks.
All of our suites come equipped with balconies, which can either face the street, offer an ocean view, or a partial ocean view. Additionally, all suites come with robes, slippers, and toiletries from Mexico. The bathrooms feature walk-in showers that are separated from the toilet by a glass wall. The only downside is that the closets feature permanent hangers.
When you visit this hotel, take the opportunity to relax on the rooftop where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view. There are facilities like one pool and two Jacuzzis available on the roof along with ample space for lounging. Additionally, you can dine on the roof and have drinks from the Arriba Bar.
The hotel has a great spa called the Okom Spa, which is a peaceful and relaxing place. You can enjoy hydrotherapy, massages, or beauty treatments there. The spa is among the best in Playa Del Carmen and is ideal for indulging in self-care or reducing stress.
The hotel has a gym on its top floor for vacationers who enjoy working out. Though it is a hotel gym, it is sufficient and comes with amenities such as air conditioning, a TV, towels, and a water cooler. The gym has various equipment, including treadmills, dumbbells, rowing machines, and machines.
Start your day with a breakfast buffet at Ventiocho, the all-day restaurant located in the bright atrium at the center of the building. The buffet offers a variety of options including cheese, fruit, and yogurt, as well as hot local dishes such as chilaquiles made with corn tortillas, salsa, and cheese. Don’t forget to visit the cook-to-order egg and pancake station.
Arriba, the rooftop restaurant, offers salads, sandwiches and pizza until 10:30 pm. You can enjoy your meal under a trellis or by the poolside on your lounger or cabana. Cachito serves à la carte Mexican dishes for lunch and dinner including popular favorites like guacamole, ceviche, and empanadas. Adjacent to Cachito is El Asiatico, an Asian restaurant that only opens for dinner and offers a fantastic pad Thai. All of the hotel’s restaurants are open to the public, which is uncommon for an all-inclusive. Additionally, there’s room service available, except from noon to 5 pm.
As the hotel belongs to the Reef Resorts group, guests can take advantage of exchange privileges and complimentary transportation to two other family-friendly, beachfront all-inclusive resorts located in Playa. Please note that these resorts are a bit older and have lower categories.
At The Reef 28, there are several amenities such as a rooftop pool, two whirlpools, four restaurants, and a spa called OKOM where treatments are available at extra cost. Additionally, guests who want to go to the beach can access two nearby clubs by paying a small fee which is credited for food and drink costs. During our visit, we noted that the staff were consistently friendly and willing to help, although some of them appeared to be inexperienced.
Consider staying at The Reef 28 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico if you want a vacation in the city center. This resort is designed for adults and combines the characteristics of a boutique hotel with the extensive facilities of a typical resort.
The hotel’s standard all-inclusive rate includes buffet meals, select drinks, kids club activities, nonmotorized water sports equipment rentals, and daily entertainment. The suites are decorated in neutral colors with modern furnishings and feature glass-enclosed rainfall showers, queen- or king-sized beds, and private terraces. To get more suite perks like free Wi-Fi access, a coffee maker, and bathrobes, you can upgrade to the premium all-inclusive package.
The accommodations come with access to a spa, a fitness center, and a rooftop pool. Past guests have praised the amazing views of Playa del Carmen from the rooftop pool. Additionally, the hotel has three bars, a buffet restaurant, and two a la carte eateries. However, some former visitors were disappointed with the specialty restaurants and suggested that the premium all-inclusive package may not be worth it. Nevertheless, many guests loved the hotel’s excellent location just a few blocks from the beach and the main city streets.
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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