MAYAN MONK SUITES, Playa del Carmen

The property sits on Calle 52 between 5th Avenue and 1st Avenue, placing you between the main pedestrian strip and the coast. The beach is 4 minutes on foot, and the main area of 5th Avenue (Calle 38) is 8-10 minutes walk. ADO bus terminal is 23 minutes walking or 7 minutes by taxi. The immediate block has several restaurants - Que Huevos, El Zorro Plateado, Balche Playa, and Marvin's Burgers are all within a 5-minute walk - and a grocery store is 10 minutes away. Despite being so close to the centre, the street is quiet enough for a good night's sleep, and the off-street parking garage keeps a rental car secure.

Apartments range from 1-bedroom (1 king bed) to 2-bedroom superior or deluxe units with either 1 or 2 beds. The penthouse is split over two floors with a private rooftop pool and barbecue. One-bedroom apartments and some smaller units have windows facing the next building, making them darker and less airy; superior two-bedroom apartments and the penthouse offer street or ocean views. The deluxe apartment (room 104) is a ground-floor unit with an enclosed internal terrace and no view of the outside. All apartments have a private entrance, a well-fitted kitchen (fridge, microwave, toaster, cookware, tea/coffee maker), a walk-in shower, and flat-screen TVs. Beds are consistently described as comfortable and the air conditioning is strong. Sofa beds are available in some units. Cots are provided on request.

There is no on-site dining facility. Grocery deliveries can be arranged for an additional charge. Each apartment includes a full kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, toaster, cookware, and a tea/coffee maker - ideal for self-catering. The property does not provide breakfast, but within a few minutes' walk you will find El Zorro Plateado, Balche Playa, Que Huevos, Marvin's Burgers, Pizza Italia, and El Sangha-Rito, offering a variety of Mexican and international food.

The outdoor swimming pool is located on the rooftop and is open all year. It comes with pool/beach towels, sun loungers or beach chairs, and sun umbrellas. The penthouse units have a private pool on their own roof. The on-site fitness centre is free and sufficient for a basic workout. For beachgoers, the shore is a 4-minute walk; diving, fishing, and the water park are all available off-site at an additional charge.