Bait and Switch - Dean Fricke. Date of travel: Feb 2006
2006- HOTEL Dos Playas did a bait and switch thing: When we arrived with out saying a thing they put us in a car to drive us to our rooms. The rear transport car doors were locked and we tried many times to open them. The lazy driver wouldn't and never left his seat to open them, nor did he reach around back to unlock them- Finally one of us opened the front passanger door and reached into the backseat and unlocked the door. This should have been a warning. The driver then drove us to a totally different bay side hotel though we had booked a ocean side room over the internet (Best Day Travel). Then after we get there and complained, we were told we were compensated for the change by including a breakfast and free transportation (ride to the different - less quality hotel and location.) The driver finally returned us to the checkin desk but never loaded or unloaded a single bag of ours (4 of us). So now we had to get a taxi and drive up and down Cancun looking for an open hotel. We pretty much waisted that entire vacation day looking for a room, not to mention the cab fares, understand that 1/2 of Cancun is destroyed and the few decent hotels (meaning not under construction) left are full. It is my opinion that you should not even consider booking HOTEL Dos Playas, they seem to play us as stupid Americans. You have been warned. Tour Operator: Best Day Travel

Shirley Towers & Lianne Boundford. Date of travel: Dec 2005
The Dos Playas Hotel is, at first sight, a bit of a disappointment. When you transfer from the airport you will pass very plush American style hotels which look like everything you think you want. On arriving at the Dos Playas we tried to get moved to something a little more stylish. The next morning we awoke to the beach on the doorstep and the most friendly staff you could wish for. If you are after a pleasant holiday with no snobbery and a relaxed atmosphere with no hassle and no having to dress for dinner then this is the place for you. We practically lived in our bikinis for the whole fortnight. The pool is adequately sized and there are discreet and friendly security staff on duty at all times who patrol the beach and hotel grounds. With regards to food the buffet style breakfast is the highlight of the day with as much fresh fruit as you can manage and with omeletes cooked before your very eyes by staff who let you choose your fillings from a selection at the counter. Evening meals are a bit samey with a rota of soups and meats and vegetable dishes but then we're semi veggie and even we didn't really struggle. You can pay next to nothing at the hotel to have extra dishes cooked up for you. Next door to the hotel is the Fat Tuesday Nightclub which is within staggering distance and there are also some shops nearby as well as the lagoon across the road which is interesting and where you can pay to join in activities such as trips on little water scooters through the reeds, etc. Again, if you want pure unadulturated luxury then you might want to pay more and go a bit more plastic and American. If you want friendly and laid back then this is the place for you. It is also nearer to the Downtown Cancun end of the strip which is Cancun and this is worth a visit as it's a taste of mexico as it really is and not as it has been built to appear. Just remember first impressions aren't everything - the Dos Playas is what you make of it and you can make quite a lot of it with not too much effort. Tour Operator: Thomas Cook