My boyfriend and I really enjoyed staying at Villa Las Brisas.
We liked the fact that we were staying on a private beach, when we wanted to go on out to dinner or on an adventure Kerstin and Horacio would send us in the right direction, they know the best places to eat and pointed our centoes as well as beaches we would never have found on our own.
We hope to be returning next Dec. I highly recommend this hotel.

After a long flight from California, and after seeing the growth and craziness that's occurred in Playa Del Carmen since our last visit 15 years ago, Villa las Brisas and it's location in Akumal was a true breath of fresh tropical air! We had the casita above the little store so not right on the beach but everthing was so well designed, clean and efficient we had no complaints. The little kitchenette was great and the owners were terrific- really nice people! When we informed them the hot water was lacking, they immediately checked it out and found someone ha turned the water heater down- problem solved. The beach is gorgeous and just busy enough to be interesting and the portion in front of Las Brisas is the quietest part of the beach! We stayed 3 days and loved every minute. Our only suggestions for the owners would be a few more hooks for wet towels and a bench for open suitcases would be nice. My wife also wished the casita had a balcony like the front units but it was most comfortable even without those ammenities.

This is a very well-run establishment, with gorgeous rooms and landscaping. The rooms facing the beach are especially stunning, but any of the rooms in this place would put you much closer to the beach (the water is literally steps away) than any of the rooms at some of the bigger hotels (like the Grand Bahia, just down the beach); and the backfacing rooms look out onto a very tastefully done garden. The friendly owners live there themselves, and are very available for help or advice. You'd have to drive to Akumal (about 3 km, on the highway) for restaurants and shopping; Tulum and Playa del Carmen are very close by as well. The beach is quite nice, and away from the bustle of the bigger hotels.

This is truly one of those places that you're tempted not to tell anyone about because you're afraid word will get out. It is, quite simply, perfect. My wife and I stayed there for three days last November. From the moment we walked in the door of the apartment, we were instantly relaxed. We had the top floor suite, with a balcony looking down on the beach and the azure sea right outside. The suite was spacious, clean, well appointed and beautifully laid out, with tile counters, natural wood and a really great shower. The owners were courteous, helpful and unobtrusive. Whether it was because of the time of year or the financial collapse, we had the little stretch of beach and ocean outfront virtually to ourselves for most of the trip. Combine that with a friendly dive shop 50 yards down the road, and reef diving sites a few minutes offshore, and it made for a perfect mini-vacation.

The only downside is that, unless you're willing to pay bloated prices for mundane fare at the resort down the beach, finding a decent restaurant takes a little doing. There are some quite nice ones in the town of Akumal, less than 10 minutes away by car, but it's best to ask directions before you go. There is also a "restaurant" in the small hotel attached to dive shop, but it seems to open on an as needed basis and is not recommended.