So, here's the thing. Sometimes when we are sitting in traffic or writing a Brief or trying to not be annoyed, we dream about being back at Papaya Playa. Oh those lounge swings on the beach. Oh those happy hour beverages. Oh the outdoor showers. Did I mention that the chairs at the bars are all swings?
Papaya Playa is rustic and primitive. There are no frills here. It's a few important steps up from camping. (One of us is not really a "camper" and was quite comfortable) But, the people are SUPER nice and helpful and the beach is beautiful and immaculate.
Most of the Cabanas are exposed to the elements - wind flows freely through the "walls", and the thatch roof may have a few little holes in it, but there are perfect little mosquito nets on the beds that keep all things off while you sleep -- and if you ask very nicely they will give you an extra flat-ish pillow.
The bathrooms are cleaned every morning and are well maintained. There are hot-water outdoor showers.
If you can help it, it's better to get there during the day because it can be a little disorienting at night (there is no electricity after 11 -- which is part of the charm).
When we were there the other guests tended to be mellow-ish backpackers (20-30yrs.) families, and couples.
We met up with friends of ours from home and had a fantastic (and very laid back) time waking with the sound of waves crashing on the beach, bleary-eyed-ly staking claim on a lounge swing, taking our morning swim and then hanging out all hard core. After 4pm or so we'd meander to the beach bar and finish our crossword puzzles while sipping cocktails on the bar swings. Then we'd head into town for great tacos al pastor and dream about doing the whole thing again the next day.
The food at the hotel is pretty expensive so we tended to go into town (via taxi) for dinners and often bought in town fresh tortillas, queso oaxaca, and avocado that we ate for lunch on the beach. But the few times we did eat at Papaya Playa the food was good. If you are going to choose to eat one meal at the hotel per day, we'd suggest breakfast. Seriously, if the food was less expensive we would have spent a lot more money at the hotel.
In sum:
Top 3 things we loved: Swings (all of them), The kind and helpful Staff, that it was an easy place to be.
Top 3 things we didn't love: The music on the beach (it just wasn't our thing - better to choose music than be forced into it), the mildewy mattresses (not that we didn't sleep like logs each night), we were told that there would be bikes and snorkels to rent, but there were weren't.

We will go back for sure. And hope that you want to too; especially if you are friendly-sorts who are not there to party all night and hit on folks. Cancun is better suited for your needs and we hope to preserve this lovely place where you can get a cocktail and so on, but you can also sleep for 13 hours, undisturbed.

Well, I read all of the horrible reviews and had some trepidation, but upon arriving to Papaya Playa after backpacking through Central America for three months it was seriously above par for ambiance and beauty.

We payed about $30 dollars a night for a bungalow right on the beach and the views and surroundings were stunning! Seriously you are not going to find anything this cheap right on the Carribean! However it is true about the horrible service. It is not that they are outright rude, they just don't pay you any mind at all. It took 30 minutes in the mornings for me to get someones attention so I could get some Coffee! Very frustrating but at the same time if you have been backpacking then it seems about normal. This place is perfect for open minded people who have been travelling in a budget manner. Not for anyone with expectations of a chocolate on your pillow!

Well,

We were 3 young people and evrybody have the same feeling, it's not good value !

The welcome is horrible, the price are high compare to other hotel and the rooms are very basic. The beachstuff are used and nobody take care of it.

We spent a night there and we change for the next hotel COPAL) and the beach, for the same price, we had a beautiful bengalow, a friendly staff and a nice beach/bar and restaurant !

So go to COPAL after the papaya playa when you comme from tulum pueblo .

Since the last hurricaine they have not repaired the leeking roofs,
which made sleeping often wretched. There is supossed to be a bar but it opens late every night and they NEVER have the right ingredients to make to drink you want -margaritas are bad. If they would put a little time and money back into the place and serve some better food and drinks this place wood be ideal!