Life's a Beach | Expat Life in Playa del Carmen : Investing

TAO Living Residences For Sale in Bahia Príncipe

Rob Kinnon — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:02:00 GMT

Sophisticated Style

Bahia Príncipe, Quintana Roo - Introducing Tao Inspired Living Community! A community built upon the values of connection, inspiration, creativity and compassion. Tao is committed to the betterment of our local ecology, traditional cultures and global community.

Nestled in the 717-acre Bahia Principe Residential Complex and Golf Resort, five minutes from the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean, and surrounded by the world class Robert Trent Jones II 36-hole golf course, Tao Inspired Living offers spacious Residences, Townhomes and Condominiums, as well as, a Wellness Center and Retreat (boutique hotel).
The Tao Wellness Center in adjacent to the living community claims a natural sanctuary with absolute respect for the surrounding environment. The holistic program is led by the internationally recognized best- selling author, Jonathan Ellerby Ph.D. with over 20 years of holistic healing, spiritual counseling, integrative medicine and corporate consulting.

All of the condominium options include 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms keeping in mind the visual connection between the indoor living and outdoor living areas providing additional space. These spacious condos offer well-appointed kitchens with a breakfast bar and an open living area. The Tao Inspired Living Residences offer 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms on two levels allowing an efficient use of space. The first floor features a master bedroom with ensuite bath, an equipped kitchen, spacious living room overlooking the terrace and private pool. The second floor offers 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with an additional terrace.

Tao Inspired Living Community offers focus on inner peace programs, fitness, nutrition, creative arts, Gourmet health food restaurant and Cafe, Eco-Boutique focusing on the finest quality products for your daily needs and wellness interests, a private Beach Club and the Robert Trent Jones II 36-hole championship golf course.

For more information regarding this opportunity please contact us today.

Click here for more pictures and property information

Acanto Boutique Hotel is Now Open!

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:28:00 GMT

Great Hotels of the World has announced one of its new member properties, Acanto Boutique Hotel in Playa del Carmen, Mexico has just completed a $5 million refurbishment following a two year rebuild. Acanto Boutique Hotel has rebuilt the entire hotel with 14 added bedrooms, making it fully equipped with 21 luxurious one, two and three bedroom mega suites.

The suites are fully furnished with deluxe marble flooring and granite counters, along with solid wood cabinets and plasma televisions. They will now also have their own fitted kitchens and private outdoor areas with hammocks, where guests can enjoy the climate and relax within the privacy of their own terrace. The hotel will feature brand new leisure facilities, including an intimate spa, offering an array of treatments, seven new rooftop Jacuzzis and the possibility for guests to host barbecues on the terrace. A total of 21 underground parking spaces have now been added to the property, ensuring greater convenience for its guests.

Acanto Boutique Hotel has added a café and a wine bar to further add to the services provided. With a prime location, being just one block away from the beach and half a block from Playa Del Carmen’s bustling 5th Avenue, Acanto Boutique Hotel now offers guests privileged access to the Playa del Carmen Beach Club and discounted rates at the fitness centre, located only one block away.

Matthew Schilowitz, director of sales at Acanto Boutique Hotel commented: “Acanto Boutique Hotel has undergone rapid improvement, putting our hotel in a unique position.“We have all worked extremely hard to incorporate a variety of new features and facilities and we only hope to move forward in improving and bettering Acanto Boutique Hotel in every way we can for our guests.”

Acanto Boutique Hotel was one of the first boutique hotels in the area from 2004 and has been recommended by Frommers and Master Card global premium division. The hotel also has a selection of residences.

Source: Breaking Travel News

For information about condominium sales at Acanto and other Mexico investment opportunities, contact Rob Kinnon.

Playa del Carmen Real Estate - 4 Unit Building on Calle 40

Rob Kinnon — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:53:00 GMT

4 Units with 6 Bedrooms and 6 Baths - $1,200,000 USD

Calle 40, Playa del Carmen - This building is located in a prime location, just off 5th Avenue. The four condominium units include two penthouses with two bedrooms and private rooftop terraces. There is a large one bedroom apartment and a studio, all with access to the pool and the garden.

This valuable investment property is located on Calle 40, in the heart of the most up and coming area of Playa del Carmen, just a few blocks from the pedestrian area of 5th Avenue and just one block from Calle 38. This neighborhood is becoming THE destination for fine dining. Cocina 38, Baremar, Cava Veinte 33, Piola, ComoComo, La Cueva del Chango and many other fabulous Playa del Carmen restaurants can be found just around the corner from this incredible investment property.

Situated a block and a half from Shangri La Beach, one of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen, these units are perfect for attracting both long term and vacation renters.

This well maintained building is currently fully occupied and will be sold furnished.This is a great opportunity for someone looking to invest in the area and provides a chic place to live with three units to rent out for income.

For more information please Rob@BuyPlaya.com or call 984-115-4611.

Click here for more pictures and Property information.

Travels in the Yucatan - More Merida Real Estate Adventures

Rob Kinnon — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 04:48:00 GMT

After resting up from our long but fun day in Tizimin, we jumped right back into real estate recon mode on Monday morning. Having considerably narrowed down not only our selected neighborhoods but also the physical characteristics of the properties we wanted to view, the showings were far more productive. Rob went to meet with the owner of a lovely boutique hotel for sale, completely renovated, fully occupied, very well reviewed on TripAdvisor and priced well below comparable properties that we had seen listed. This was more for our investors than ourselves but certainly gave one a good vision of just how much is possible in some of these raw spaces. In the right property, a good sense of style and a little elbow grease can be rewarded with amazing results. (Sorry no pics of this one. It's a secret)

After an early lunch at the Gran Hotel we continued on and visited several single family homes and a recently retired hostel and finished up our day with a fabulous sushi dinner at Campay a bit further north on Prolongacion Paseo Monteo. It has been so long since I've seen proper sushi, I wanted it all! We settled on some gyoza, a few fancy rolls and an enormous sashimi platter. Heaven!

Good night Merida.

Back to: Day 1 - Travels in the Yucatan

Travels in the Yucatan - Exploring Colonial Ruins

Rob Kinnon — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 05:40:00 GMT

As this trip was planned to be for work as well as pleasure, we did our best to get the work out of the way first. In all honesty, even the kids have grown accustomed to and now find the fun in poking around old ruins...even the ruins of Colonial Merida! It was interesting to see what we would find behind the grand facades and elegant entries. Considering our price point, we were looking for the most part at buildings that were quite dilapidated and would require both imagination and renovation. Some of the best building we toured were those that had been virtually untouched since they were first built. In other words, no one had gone in and screwed them up yet with awful new tile and drop ceilings. Uugh.

Our real estate focus on this trip had a two pronged approach: we would we looking for well located historic homes, requiring a full overhaul that could then be either flipped or held as income generating vacation rentals AND buildings in any condition that could be converted for use as a hostel, guest house or small hotel. Suffice it to say we started out with a lot on our plate. After driving around and acquainting ourselves with the historic centro and the popular surrounding neighborhoods, we were able to cull our list to just a handful of the most viable options. This was my favorite of the day.

The real estate agent we were working with recommended lunch at Los Almendros, one of the most traditional local restaurants serving authentic Yucatecan cuisine such as queso relleno, sopa de lima, lomitas, pavo en escabeche, salbutes, panuchos and more. I was pleased to see that we were the only gringos in the place despite the desirable location on the pretty Parque Mejorada which commemorates the 6 “niños heroes” who lost their lives defending the Chapultapec Castle in Mexico City during the Mexican-American War of 1847. While the dining rooms are bright and lacking in much charm, the food and the service are both top notch. Rob and I split an order of panuchos and tried out the spicy pavo en relleno negro and the juicy cochinita pibil.

After lunch we returned to Casa Esplendid to catch up on email, relax by the pool and generally get our bearings for the evening. Lunch will still sitting pretty well with us all so we opted for a stroll through the Gran Plaza and in and out of the nearby shops. The kids each grabbed a sweet sorbet while Rob and I sat and enjoyed some coffee, reviewed our viewings from the day and watched the zocalo come to life.

After coffee in the park, Rob and I were looking for a light dinner so we ended up stopping in to the restaurant at Hotel Casa Lucia located close by the park of the same name. They had some good Italian and middle eastern menu options which kept us all happy. The coup de gras was the incredible chocolate cake the children ordered for dessert.......

.......which I gladly helped them finish when we returned home. Hey, it's my vacation too, right?

Go to: Day 3 - Parque Centenario and the Merida Zoo

Travels in the Yucatan - Merida Day 1

Rob Kinnon — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 01:03:00 GMT

We have been to Merida several times in the six years that we have lived in Mexico. One of Cole's annual Tae Kwon Do tournaments is hosted here and we are looking forward Birdie's first qualifying horse show that will take place at the Hipico del Sureste at the end of March. It's a great city and I am enjoying it now more than ever. We are here on a recon mission, looking for investment properties for ourselves and for buyers looking to expand their portfolios, so it's not as much of vacation as I might like. Still, the kids are coming with us so we will be looking for opportunities for fun when we are not picking our way through old colonial ruins.

As always, we are taking the route south through Tulum and then up to Valladolid before heading west to Merida. The road is now smooth and fast and the connection with the Merida cuota is well marked. We particularly enjoy seeing all the new shops and restaurants that have sprung up between Tulum and Coba. It sure has changed in the past six years!

Future bloggers?

PEMEX cracking down on scamming attendants!

Current cuota fares from Valladolid to Merida

While we usually stay at Luz en Yucatan, our very favorite small hotel in Merida, we decided to treat ourselves this time and rent a house and give ourselves some room to spread out a bit. We are spending nearly a week in the city so personal space will be important. Rob selected Casa Esplendida, a sprawling four bedroom colonial located just across the street from the Merida English Language Library, in a super neighborhood that seems to be a haven for Merida expats. The house was fully refurbished about a year ago and is a perfect place to call home base as we explore the city. Perfectly situated within a ten minute walk of both the Gran Plaza and the south end of Paseo Montejo, we couldn't be in a better spot.

Day 1 was a travel day and we did little more than arrive, check in, get settled and wander into the main square for a stroll and some dinner. Touristy but always good, we chose Pancho's for our first meal. Rob had never been before but the kids and I gave Pancho's two (or rather three) thumbs up when we were last here at the end of October. Pancho's did not disappoint despite being jam packed with (primarily gringo) tourists, like ourselves. The kids both enjoyed the arrachera quesadillas while the grown ups devoured a salad of octopus, avocado and arugula and the pate rustico followed by a beautiful piece of sea bass served with wilted spinach and rice in a mild chile sauce and, for Rob, the cowboy steak with a serrano chile sauce and mashed sweet potatoes. Delicious. I would be remiss if I did not mention that the service at Pancho's is perhaps the best I have received anywhere in Mexico. I am looking forward to trying either Trotters or La Tratto, the other two venues in the renowned restaurant group headed by Paul Trotter.

Birdie enjoying the steak quesadilla

Mayan Coffee - Always a crowd pleaser!

After dinner, we took a stroll to the Gran Plaza to check out what festivities might be going on. On the south west corner a stage had been erected and several thousand people were seated and waiting for some sort of convert to commence. I would love to say we decided to move on because the kids were tired but, in reality, it was the grown ups who couldn't hang. ;)

In the north east corner by the cathedral another stage held a dozen or so Municipal VIPs backed by a large screen. The city's accomplishments of the year were being announced and celebrated followed by a brief fireworks display. Good timing on our part! The kids grabbed some marquesitas for dessert and Rob and I sat in the park and enjoyed an after dinner coffee, a quiet end to our first day in the city. Tomorrow is jam packed full of buildings to tour. Curious about what we will find....

Must finish the night with Marquesitas....

and coffee at Peon Conteras.

Goodnight Merida.

Go to: Day 2 - Exploring Colonial Ruins

Land For Sale on Cozumel - Perfect for Eco-Park!

Rob Kinnon — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:00:00 GMT

• "Perfect for Eco-Park" - $10,000,000 USD - 47 hectares of raw land

Cozumel, Quintana Roo - An amazing opportunity to build your own community or business on the ever popular island of Cozumel!

This 47 Hectare plot of land is a developer’s dream! Currently there is very little for the 5,000 -10,000 arriving cruise ship guests to do on this amazing island and this would be the perfect plot of land to develop some sort of eco-park or other tourist development. If you are not interested in the tourist trade, you could use this property to build a lovely housing project. The zoning is very flexible on this amazing piece of land. Just bring your ideas and you can make them happen on this giant slice of land!

For more information and to arrange to see the property, contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com or call 984-115-4611 MX or 518-250-1269 US/CA.

Sleek Modern Condo for Sale in Playacar

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

$162,000 usd

Playacar Golf Course Community, Playa del Carmen - Only a few units remaining! Spacious modern 2 bedroom condominiums located in a quiet area of Playacar Phase 2. Puerta del Cielo is located close to schools, grocery stores, medical facilities and all the conveniences for comfortable living. The complex is just a few minutes drive from the beach and all the excitement of downtown Playa but tucked away from all the hustle and bustle of city life. This is the perfect place to retire or just get away from it all for awhile! Contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com to arrange a tour of this quiet complex.

1206 sqft.
2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Mini split A/C on each bedroom and the living room
Living room, dining room, kitchen,
Roof Terraces
Parking Space
Swimming Pool
Laundry room, parking
Access to beach club in Playacar
Near the beach
Near schools & shopping mall

Click here for more pictures and property information

What Lies Beneath.....

Rob Kinnon — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

So, I though you all might like to see what some of the cenotes look like that have been found in our little Xpu Ha neighborhood. This is the cenote that is on Jeff's lot. He is Mitch and Sev's builder and has completed several homes in the same enclave. His experience dealing with his own cenote has given him invaluable insight as to what they can bring to the process....the good and the bad. With his own property, be decided to make the cenote a real center-point for the back yard plan. As you can see, the pool is built around it with the entertainment palapa (that's a fancy word for bar) serving as an observation point and entry point.

When the opening was found, it was considerably smaller. Jeff decided to enlarge the entry point in order to build a staircase down into the cave. The cavern has been dug out slowly over time and sand brought in to make paths and a more comfortable sitting areas. One of the nicest features is a waterfall created by a recirculating pump which keeps the water in the cave fresh and algae free. It is incredibly dramatic.

Building in Mexico - Mitch and Sev - Part 2

Rob Kinnon — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

I had hoped to be able to post an update before now but life somehow got in the way. Lots of progress being made on site as you will see from the photo update. One big surprise since our last blog entry...a dry cenote was uncovered near (but not in) the shallow end of the pool. The opening has been enlarged a bit for ease of entry and an open space has been found that could be suitable for use as a fun subterranean reading area or meditation room. A wine cellar was suggested but I think the heat and the humidity will not be suitable for keeping wine at a consistently cool temperature. From this opening there is a tunnel that runs out quite a distance, out past the boundaries of the lot. One of the workmen has climbed through quite a way but there is a drop off that will require bringing in a ladder of sorts if they are to investigate any further. It's pretty neat but not as cool as the cenote that the builder, Jeff, has at his house. I'll post some pictures of that soon....

The good news is, the location of the cenote will not in anyway impede the construction or the integrity of the building. Work has been progressing quickly. Sev has been here for the past month so he and Mitch have been spending a lot of time on site making decisions on interior wood for doors and cabinetry, tiles and other finishes. The plans for the electrics and plumbing have also been finalized.

Golf Course Residences and Wellness Center Being Built in Akumal

Rob Kinnon — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Health and Wellness Center

• $269,000 USD - Exclusive Golf Course Residences for Sale

Bahia Principe Golf & Residences, Akumal - Set beside the new 36 hole Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course, just moments from the pristine beaches of Akumal, condos and town homes in a modern full or part-time living community. Centered around the state of the art TAO Wellness Center in the Bahia Principe Golf/Resort Community these exclusive homes will revive your senses and your life in style at an affordable price.

TAO was created with the concept to nourish your Mind, Body & Soul. Escape the influences of the metropolis and come enjoy an ideal combination of a quality, comfortable lifestyle, set in the exuberant vegetation of the natural Mayan forest, amid the wonder of the astounding Robert Trent Jones II championship golf course and minutes from the crystal clear blue Caribbean sea and white sandy beaches. Offering an abundance of amenities, you’ll be spoiled for choices of things to do here at TAO. Come and see why so many people are choosing to call the Riviera Maya home.

Condos and Town Homes Residences from $170,000 to $399,000 usd.

Click here for more property information

Bahia Principe Golf Club

Luxurious Oceanview Condo For Sale in Coco Beach

Rob Kinnon — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Oceanviews!

• Playa del Carmen Real Estate - 2 Bedroom Condo for Sale - $345,000 USD - AMAZING PRICE!!

Coco Beach, Oceanview - Completely furnished, ocean view condo! Priced well!!

This luxurious condominium is being offered fully-furnished including top of the line leather furniture and custom-made window treatments. Rich paint colors bring out the gleaming mahogany cabinetry in this contemporary, 2 bedrooms 2 1/2 bath condo. This a quiet corner unit with over-sized windows which bring in plenty of sunlight and cool ocean breezes. It is completely equipped including washer and dryer and ready for immediate occupancy. The unit has an excellent history with Playa del Carmen vacation rentals.

'The Meridian' is a 36 unit condominium complex conveniently located just 100 meters from the world-famous Coco Beach in Playa del Carmen. Situated between 40th and 42nd street, The Meridian features a one-of-a-kind rooftop pool with unobstructed views of the turquoise waters of The Caribbean Sea. Truly the most beautiful beach in the Riviera Maya, Coco Beach has white sands and Caribbean blue waters, perfect for snorkeling, diving, boating, or just relaxing on the beach on another perfect day in Playa del Carmen.

Click here for more pictures and property information

To arrange a viewing of this lovely condominium, please contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com
or call 984-115-4611 (Mexico) or 518-250-1269 (US/Canada)

Restaurant for Sale in Playa del Carmen Real Estate

Rob Kinnon — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Restaurant for Sale

• Playa del Carmen Real Estate - $75,000 USD - Restaurant For Sale

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo - Restaurant for Sale in Playa del Carmen.

Beautifully designed, well located restaurant for sale in Playa del Carmen. The restaurant is 100% furnished and equipped for a turnkey sale. Sale of the business includes all furnishings (tables and seating for 40), all kitchen equipment, computer system and LCD TV. Please inquire for more information and a complete inventory.

Square footage of dining space: 35 m2 (inside) 25 m2 (outside)
Square footage of kitchen space 28 m2
Square footage of common areas (restroom) 4 m2

Current rent monthly: $ 975 usd (1st year)
$ 2000 pesos monthly plaza maintenance fee
$ 25,000 pesos approx. monthly utilities
Lease termination date: December 2014 (option to renew for another three years)
Existing company website to be transferred in the sale.

Click here for more pictures and property information.

Please contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com for more information
or call 984-115-4611 (Mexico) 518-250-1269 (Us/Canada)

Luxury Beachfront Condos for Sale in Playa del Carmen

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Exclusive Beachfront Complex

• 1,500 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bedroom Beachfront Condominiums - $785,000 USD - A Beachfront Tropical Retreat

Beachfront, Playa del Carmen - Located in the Premier Zone of Playa del Carmen is the new El Taj Oceanfront Condominiums. Ideally located between the Caribbean Ocean and 5th Ave., you can enjoy the sounds of the ocean waves with the convenience of the best restaurants, nightlife and shopping, all within easy walking distance.

El Taj Oceanfront, designed by one of Mexico's premier architects and completed in March 2010, is located directly on the newly restored beaches of Playa del Carmen. This exclusive complex has 41 oceanfront condominiums, each with spectacular views. Included is a beach club with a 5 star restaurant, Indigo Beach, right on the premises.

El Taj Condominiums provide you with full ownership and individual title. It's an investment that you can enjoy while earning a great income. If you decide to rent your condo, a property management service is provided that is comparable to a four star hotel. A sophisticated electronic reservation system allows you to monitor the status of your unit from the privacy of your home, while knowing that your guests are receiving the benefits of daily maid service, a concierge and friendly staff.

1, 2 and 3 bedroom condominiums are available for sale. Contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com for a full list of prices, specifications and upgrade options.

Pictures shown are those of a fully furnished 2 bedroom condominium. Layouts and finishes may vary.

Click Here for Pictures and Detailed Property Information

3 Bedroom Beachfront Condo for Sale

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Fabulous Beachfront Location

• 2,031 sq. ft., 3 baths, 3 bedrooms - $1,220,000 USD - Last 3 Bedroom Available!

Beachfront, Playa del Carmen - Located in the Premier Zone of Playa del Carmen is the new El Taj Oceanfront Condominiums. Ideally located between the Caribbean Ocean and 5th Ave., you can enjoy the sounds of the ocean waves with the convenience of the best restaurants, nightlife and shopping, all within easy walking distance.

El Taj Oceanfront, designed by one of Mexico's premier architects and completed in March 2010, is located directly on the newly restored beaches of Playa del Carmen. This exclusive complex has 41 oceanfront condominiums, each with spectacular views. Included is a beach club with a 5 star restaurant, Indigo Beach, right on the premises.

El Taj Condominiums provide you with full ownership and individual title. It's an investment that you can enjoy while earning a great income. If you decide to rent your condo, a property management and concierge service is provided that is comparable to that of a four star hotel. A sophisticated electronic reservation system allows you to monitor the status of your unit from the privacy of your home, while knowing that your guests are receiving the benefits of daily maid service, a concierge and friendly staff.

1, 2 and 3 bedroom condominiums are available for sale. Contact Rob@BuyPlaya.com today for a full list of prices specifications and upgrade options.

Pictures shown are those of a fully furnished 3 bedroom condominium. Layouts and finishes may vary.

Detailed Property Information