Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House
During our trip to Playa del Carmen in early 2023, we stayed at the Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House. I wanted to share some of the hotels we stayed at and get your thoughts on them.
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It’s important to note that there are two Thompson hotels in Playa del Carmen: Main House and Beach House. Main House is situated in the city center as part of an outdoor shopping mall and is larger in size. On the other hand, if you prefer a more boutique-style hotel that’s located right on the beach, then Beach House might be a better fit for you. Keep this in mind before making your booking.
If you are staying at Main House, you can participate in the events happening at Beach House and explore both hotels.
The cost of staying at the Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House or Beach House is more affordable than rates in the United States. The Main House offers a cheaper option at around $220 per night for a simple room. If you prefer a suite, both locations cost about the same, with a suite of over 800 square feet available for less than $410 per night at either place.
The hotel is situated in Playa del Carmen’s downtown area, which means that you have convenient access to restaurants, shops, and nightclubs as soon as you step outside. However, because the hotel is part of an outdoor mall, you won’t be able to see the ocean from your room. Instead, you’ll be surrounded by the city’s lively atmosphere.
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If you enjoy nightlife, this hotel is a great choice. However, keep in mind that being close to nightclubs means you will hear loud music on weekends. It will not just be ambient noise but will be so loud that you might feel like there’s a club on your patio.
There are four open-air clubs playing music opposite each other on the same street. Additionally, the nearby restaurants are also playing their own music. If you do not plan on getting drunk and sleeping, I recommend bringing earplugs, especially if you are staying in a unit facing the mall/Quinta Avenida.
The rooms at the Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House are impressively spacious, especially considering the price. It’s not surprising though, as hotels in Mexico tend to offer more space and better finishes compared to those in the US and Europe. We booked a room with a king-sized bed.
When I saw pictures of the pool, I was impressed. However, I found out that the rooftop pool area is managed by Alessia Day Club. While we were there, the Thompson hotel guests could access the roof for free, but non-guests had to pay a cover charge. It’s worth noting that you can choose your own seating around the pool. You don’t have to pay extra money to get a lilypad or a day bed. I can’t say for sure if the cabanas are the same way though. Overall, if I had to choose, I would rather be out close to the pool anyway.
The day club with a DJ does not offer a Vegas-style pool party atmosphere. During my visit, there was no one at the pool and the DJ played ambient music. It was not a lively club, but rather a relaxing pool area where you can sunbathe and enjoy cocktails with chill music.
Please note that fancy cameras are not allowed on the rooftop for photography purposes. You may be asked to put it away if you bring one.
The hotel stay was average and without any issues, but it also didn’t have any standout features.
Although we didn’t eat at the hotel, we would have tried the food at Catch if we had another evening there. Catch is a popular seafood sushi restaurant group from New York that I’m familiar with after dining at their locations in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
I was enticed to try Catch restaurant in Playa del Carmen because their menu prices are lower than in the US, even though Catch is usually an expensive restaurant. However, the decor in Playa del Carmen isn’t as captivating as it is in LA or Las Vegas, which is a significant factor that draws people to Catch.
From 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, there was a happy hour with a 2-for-1 drink offer. However, the catch is that you must order the same cocktail, and they will only serve both drinks at once without the option of splitting them. As a result, even though it was just the two of us, we ended up with four drinks at our table.
The Thompson Main House caters more to young, party-going, bachelorette crowds. It’s located very close to nightclubs, making it convenient to get to and from the hotel. The rooms are spacious enough for four people and their visitors. If you prefer a quiet weekend, this hotel may not be for you. Keep in mind that it’s for adults only, so families should try the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen instead.
It’s worth noting that the Thompson Hotel brand belongs to the World of Hyatt program. This means you can use your points or free night certificates at any Thompson Hotel location. Additionally, if you have a Hyatt status, such as being an Explorist member (the middle tier out of three), you may have access to extra perks such as late check-out and room upgrades (when available).
Initially, the room prices may seem affordable, starting at $125 per night. However, as you proceed with the booking, the resort fees and taxes add up significantly, almost raising the price to $200 per night. Nevertheless, using my reward points to settle the payment exempted me from paying any fees. I found it a good deal to redeem 12,000 points instead of paying $200 for the room.
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Although I enjoyed the design and rooms at the Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House, I’m not sure if I would stay here again due to the loud music from the nearby clubs. Perhaps staying on weekdays, when the clubs are less active, could be an option. It’s a shame because the location is excellent and the amenities are fantastic. It remains to be seen if any changes will be made to address the noise issue.
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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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