I like Mosquito Blue. I don't know what its Mexican official rating is, but I think it would be 4* o

We are a 55 yr old Chicago couple, looking for a little sun/close walking distance to downtown/nicer amenities. Doesn't have to be the Ritz, but want want good beach view/dependable AC/concierge/decent pool/bar restaurant a plus.
Most of the hotels/accomendations within walking distance of 5th Avenue paul mccartney us tour in Playa del Carmen that are NOT AI are not situated on the beach. The ones that are, check the location carefully, as some of the beach in that area is not worth swimming in. The farther away from 5th Avenue, the better the beach.
Mahekal or Las Palapas I think are the only 2 that really fit your requirements. Both are very very nice and on a beautiful paul mccartney us tour stretch of beach. They are both a little further north but that area of 5th has grown a LOT in the last 5 years or so.
More south, Playa Maya is a great option, maybe not as upscale but it's a wonderful small property very centrally located. Tortuga paul mccartney us tour has undergone some changes since Anna left, most of them not good changes from what I've heard which is a shame. It used to be wonderful even if not beach front...no longer recommended IMO.
Thanks to all. Yes, we would be interested in 1BR condo on beach....how do I find those? Are they handled privately / by owner? Is El Taj such a bldg...and if so how do I gurantee the oceanfront vs beachside?
Mahekal and Las Palapas do not have phones or TV's in the room and some do not have A/C if that makes any difference to you. When are you going? That section of beach can get crowded during holidays and breaks.
Despite the excellent reviews, I did not think Petit Lafitte was great at all. The hotel itself is charming rustic, breakfast great but the beach is not that nice. We had good weather but the sea was murky and beach average, you need to walk a little northwards to find a spot without rocks in the sea. Evening meals were not good at all, unappealing set menu options. Room was nice, AC noisy, pool beautiful as so are the grounds. We had a car so drove into PDC in the evenings, if you don't have a car you need to get a taxi or get their shuttle. Concierge was great, other staff not so. No other dining options nearby. But people love it.
Look at El Faro condos in Playa. On the oceanfront, with a very good restaurant on site (Wickys) and service at their beach club, great pool. they do have some one bedroom units but the two bedroom owners will close off the 2nd bedroom and let you rent it as a one bedroom. paul mccartney us tour We stayed there before buying our own condo in Playa and it was really nice. There is a front desk that Is staffed 24/7. One block from the middle of 5th Ave ( at Calle 10) and next door to Zenzi, which has good music at night and wonderful food.
Playacar Palace is a beautiful property on a great beach in Playacar - not sure what the offer is there. We looked at it for my sons wedding and usually, if we want a quiet beach, that's where we head from our condo.
Mahekal and Las Palapas - depends on what time of year you are going as Mamitas Beach Club hosts BPM festival in January and Jazz Fest in November which can get pretty loud. Jazz Fest ends earlier than BPM. (Looking forward to it this year!)
One bedroom condo on the beach is going to be tough to find. Most are 2-3. Natz Ti Ha is a complex right behind paul mccartney us tour Mahekal paul mccartney us tour which is very nice, some have views from the higher units. Beautiful pool area also.
The beachfront directly in front of 5th Avenue where some of the boutique hotels are located, the locals tie up their fishing boats. It's not a great area for swimming. The area around the Mahekal is a much better beach front location. If you don't care about TV's or phones, I would go with the Mahekal. The better beach and closest to 5th Avenue.
Playa Maya is a wonderful little hotel. They do have AC and ocean front rooms. They do not have concierge, room service, a spa or any of the amenities that make 5 star. They have a very nice beachfront restaurant/bar and plenty of loungers on the beach. There is a pool but its really just a dip pool, certainly not the big resort type pools. In general I think Playa is more about the beach than about big pools
I like Mosquito Blue. I don't know what its Mexican official rating is, but I think it would be 4* or so. It was very nice, I loved it. It's not on the beach, but there aren't any really great hotels on the beach IMO, it's about a block off 5th avenue so if you get the right room, it's not too noisy (I requested something quiet, on the top floor). The AC worked fine, as I recall.