A few years ago, some girlfriends and I decided to head over to Playa Del Carmen for major R & R. My friend "B" had a wedding there and decided to rope in some vacation days and we tagged along. My brother "G" happened to be visiting from the UK at the time, so he tagged along and was our photographer and faux bodyguard for the week (I think he secretly loved being surrounded by five ladies).

El Taj was where we called home for a glorious week away in paradise (aka Playa Del Carmen , Mexico). Just close your eyes for a moment and imagine waking up to the sound of waves crashing in, the bluest waters, breakfast on the beach, massages on the beach - that is El Taj Playa Del Carmen. I cannot take credit for finding this home away from home (or even the pictures in this post) - I have my friend "B" and my brother "G" to thank for scouting out the location and taking the photo, respectively.

The bus from the Cancun airport dropped us at the city center in Playa Del Carmen. We could have easily walked to the hotel but opted for the $5 cab ride instead to avoid the hassle of dragging luggage around town. We arrived at a fully furnished 2 bedrooms / 2 bath condo that fit six easily. The property has two views and we got the beach view - thankfully. It cost a little bit more but worth the extra charge. The condo also had a semi-private balcony with a grill and jacuzzi. Our kitchen was fully furnished with pots, pans and the major cooking utensils offering the flexibility to cook our meals (we did not take advantage of that - who wants to deal with kitchen chores on vacation).

Breakfast was served on the beach daily for a fee (which can be rolled into your reservation, paid daily or charged to the Condo). We chose to pay daily to give us some flexibility. After breakfast - we alternated between lounging on our balcony,laying on the beach, beachside massage, reading and major relaxation. I did not get to indulge in a massage, but it was highly recommended.

The property is centrally located and within walking distance of restaurants and nightlife in the city. We were also within walking distance of grocery and souvenir stores if needed. I loved every moment of the vacation and our stay at El Taj. I will most likely stay here again if I venture to that part of the world. Current rates start at $285 per night so pack a bag, round up a few friends and head over. You will thank me.