At Tablet, we pride ourselves on providing the most unforgettable hotel experiences. Our Checking In column follows notable travelers as they share a recent stay at a Tablet hotel.
This week, we trail Christiane Lemieux, the globe-trotting founder of the home furnishings and decor line, DwellStudio, as she takes us south to Be Playa in Mexico's Playa del Carmen. Enjoy this intimate look at Christine's trip, told through her own words and photos:
We chose Be Playa in Playa del Carmen as our home base. This turned out to be an excellent call.
The decor is what I call "modern flea" -- lots of vintage, but set against the backdrop of a modern luxe hotel, with everything a traveler could want. Owner-architect Sebastian Sas and his wife Bernice have great taste. She has commissioned local artisans to create amazing pillows and textiles that are also for sale in her shop, La Trouppe, in Tulum.
The hotel is on a lovely leafy side street, just a short walk from the ocean. It made for a great town/beach experience all in one, allowing us to feel a bit like locals. The roof, complete with a pool and a vintage foosball table, was a fun alternative to the beach. The kids loved the rocking chairs in the water and played on them for hours.
We also loved the hotel's breakfast, which included heaps of fresh croissants straight out of the oven. For lunch and dinner, there are many good restaurants within walking distance (also great for the kids). For paletas, Mexican popsicles, our favorite place was La Flor de Michoacan.
If you're traveling with adventurous eaters, HC de Monterey, a butcher shop that cooks great steak is absolutely worth a try. And finally, you can't visit the beach without feasting on fish tacos. See the doctor at Dr. Taco.
