Very friendly small hotel located right on the beach. Felt like coming home! Clean, modern, safe, secure, very friendly, right in the heart of Playa, and very quiet - which was a concern of mine as i knew there are the all-night boom-boom clubs in the area. Minimal noise - i slept with the sliding door open, could hear the waves all night, and smell the coffee in the morning!
Everything from making the reservation to checking out was effortless. Great full breakfasts are included - restaurant right on the beach. I met many long-term Playa vacationers that come spend the day here at the beach renting chairs (as opposed to other hotels or a beach club) - they said it was very friendly, knew the staff, and they come for the food as the restaurant is excellent.
Hotel is located off 8th St North, nestled in with many other hotels big and small. Just 4 blocks from the ADO bus from the airport - no need for cab. Bustling 5th Ave is just up the street, with many excellent restaurants very close by. The entire area is very walkable.
I ventured out deeper into town for more local diners (better prices). On different nights of the week different clubs have a band and thats 'the place to be' for happy hour/dancing/meeting others. I went as a single (50 y.o.) and had no problem meeting people and feeling very safe. Many of these clubs were right down the beach, so close to 'home' when the night was over.
There are a lot of small hotels in town. The advantage of Playa Maya is that you're right on the beach - no need to put on shoes for most of the day, availability for great restaurant/snacks/refreshments with consistently friendly service, and are assured a beach chair and great service!
Playa in general has really developed and is getting more pricey and sophisticated, with North Americans owning homes/condos, and many europeans opening up small inns and cafes - you can find most any activity/sport/yoga/health food, etc etc.
For food, I tried to keep it local but found a great variety of choices - if you head off the tourist area, you can find great meals and get back into the ole'Mexico budget.
Restaurants - these were recommended by others and I found consistently excellent food:
Mexican - Carboncitos, just off 5th ave on 4th St - tortilla soup is a meal in itself
Fogans - more local, on calle 20 just before 30th ave - great food = lots of tourists+locals
Italian - Titi Panini - calle 10, b/w 10th and 15th ave; excellent healthy salad bar, wonderful owners.
Thai - Babe's Noodles - calle 10 b/w 5th and 10th ave; half orders available also
el Diez ("10") - Argentinian (after their Soccer player #10) - steaks, seafood, grilled veg's, great pizza - right on 5th ave and calle 26.
Thank you Playa Maya!!

My boyfriend and I stayed at Playa Maya Hotel in August of 2011. We were there for 7 nights and enjoyed the hotel very much. As said in many other reviews, the staff are so friendly and welcoming - especially Juan. When we were leaving the hotel to go home, we forgot a bag of clothes in the room, and Juan came all the way to the bus station to bring us the bag of clothes. What other hotel staff member would do that for a guest?

The beach is beautiful, and the proximity to fifth avenue is awesome.

If there were one thing I would change, it would be to have an all-inclusive option. That was the ONLY drawback for us. Please let me know if this ever changes and we'll be back!

This is my third time to Playa Maya. Was there for 7 nights and left on 1-18-12. Just love this hotel. Staed in room 302 on the top floor with a beautiful view of the ocean. Best room in my opinion. Close to 5th Ave (but far enough so no noise), the beach is right as you exit the hotel; the included breakfast was great each morning. Even though their site says Continental breakfast (I believe), it is a FULL breakfast. They put the beach lounges out each morning and set up an umbrella if you like. The staff at the desk and in the restaurant are all VERY friendly and accomodating. Also, the place if VERY clean in the rooms and the rest of the hotel. Price also includes Wi-Fi. THIS IT THE PLACE TO STAY!!
The only reason I would NOT want to recommend this place is so when I want to return, I can get a room.

We arrived 1/8/12, this was our first time at Playa Maya and we soon realized we had made a great choice! The location can't be any better, right on the beach, just feet from the water and a constant breeze. We stayed in room 201, it had the best view each morning of the sun coming up and we enjoyed coffee there each day on the balcony.The room was quite nice and always clean. We ate all our meals at Playa Maya, the selection was great incluing the fish tacos,shrimp tacos,coconut shrimp, calamari,and the grouper! Yum! Our last night there they set up a special table{we were the last to eat} and Jesus took excellent care to make it perfect! Maria and Julianna helped us book side trips{Tulum and Selvatica} and guided us to all pick-up locations. The staff is friendly and helpful, the location is perfect{the busy shopping st., 5th is one block away} and the Beach,where you can find any shell you want! Want to relax with GREAT service,come to Playa Maya, you will not be disappointed!!