At Different World we generally stay clear of large all-inclusive properties, but the Occidental Royal Hideaway Resort in Playacar is refreshingly different - an intimate hotel with excellent service and exclusively a la carte dining in four romantic restaurants.

The location is ideal - the hotel faces a beautiful wide, sandy beach less than two miles from the buzzing nightlife of Playa del Carmen.

Children under sixteen aren't accepted at the hotel, and there are no discos or kids' clubs here - evenings are spent at a choice of two cozy and elegant bars or perhaps watching a Mexican Fiesta show in the impressive theater.

Royal Hideaway Guest Rooms

The two hundred guest rooms are arranged in quaint, pastel colored villas reminiscent of Caribbean gingerbread houses.

The Deluxe rooms are spacious and comfortable but rather conventional - it's worth upgrading to the Junior Suites for their gorgeous sun terraces alone (but book well in advance as there are only six suites in this category).

The rooms and suites farther back from the beach are generally the quietest as the music played around the pool during the afternoon could become annoying. The hotel grounds are well maintained and the vistas of gardens and water features around the resort are very pleasant.

Activities and Facilities

A good variety of activities fall into the all-inclusive program and there's a daily schedule of events including volleyball and aerobics.

However, these don't dominate the public areas (unlike at some all-inclusives) and there's generally a relaxed and elegant ambience that's marred only slightly by occasional noise from the bigger hotels on either side of this property.

Be sure to check out the excellent dive and water sports shop on-site which offers PADI certification courses and diving excursions to Cozumel (at extra charges) plus a good selection of Hobie Cat sailboats, kayaks and windsurfing equipment.

The Royal Hideaway also has an excellent Thalgo-designed spa with a wide range of expert treatments and indulgent massages, plus a Redken hair and beauty salon so you're guaranteed to look your best. For any special occasions, including weddings, this property is ideal.

The beach, spa and turquoise ocean are the big attractions during the daytime, but for us the excellent dining facilities are the highlight after dark.

We were amazed by the quality of the restaurants at the Royal Hideaway, particularly by the intimacy of the two specialty restaurants, Azia and Palazzo, and the elegance of the a la carte breakfast service at Ventanas.

Dining a la carte in these alluring surroundings, it's very easy to forget that this is an all-inclusive property. For this reason we have no hesitation in recommending the Royal Hideaway not only to AI-aficionados, but to anyone looking for a service-orientated, luxury beachfront property on the Riviera Maya.