Where to stay? so many great options !

Never stayed in Playa del Carmen before - we usually head to Akumal area - but want to spend 3 days in PDC before we head home (working our way closer to the airport, slowly, VERY slowly).  Our agenda is 1 day to Cozumel anyway, and by then we will be snorekeled out so beach is not a priority.  We usually do AIs but the street food and restaurant options in PDC look more appealing so we want to try a non-AI - close to town, and reasonably priced (since we will have spent all our money on staying at the Palladium by this time).  Price, good pool, close to town (long walks ok - ) meet our needs -  Appreciate any suggestions.

I guess they blanked out the competiton...so check out TA.....email me....if you want.

Luna Blue, Fusion Hotel, Hotel Lunata

I've stayed at both the Hotel Fiesta Banana and the Hotel Riviera del Sol in Playa's North End Little Italy neighborhood, and can recommend both. Both hotels are relatively inexpensive (the Fiesta Banana moreso) and close by Mamitas and Kool Beach clubs. The North End is a great part of town, with easy access to lots of good restaurants and bars, and it's just a short walk to the main drag of La Quinta if you want to get downtown.