We stayed at AV for a couple a days in the week right before memorial day weekend in U.S. We booked a 1-bedroom condo through the AV website. May is low season and we got an excellent rate of $110 per night. We traveled with 2 small kids (2 and 5).

Check in was easy, staff is cordial and professional. Before getting the key, try to ask for either an ocean front unit or at least a room away from the main street. They were not able to meet the first request but were glad to accommodate the second.

The room is quite comfortable: it has 2 tvs, one in the living room and one in the bedroom. My son originally thought about sleeping on the sofabed in the living room, but even he thought it was not too comfortable, so all four of us squeezed on the king bed (which was not too bad, the kids are small). The fridge was a plus for storing water, juice, beer, yogurt, and it was quite nice to have those available when coming back from the beach for an occasional break. Also, the room had one of the coolest AC ever.

The beach, it has been said, is one of the best (if not the best) in Cancun. It is not too long and is shared by a couple of other hotels - the InterContinental Presidente is right next door, in case someone wishes to consider an alternative to AV while staying on the same beach.

We had breakfast included in the rate. Very good. It has several types of bread, toast, donuts, milk, coffee, tea, yogurt, fruits, hot chocolate, pancakes, waffles, sausage links, bacon, scrambled eggs, several omelete fillings, and other stuff that I can['t quite remember. They will also prepare eggs for you on the site. I particularly liked the motulenos: a piece of tortilla with refried black beans, an egg, some sauce and other stuff, and some fried bananas.

They have a beach front restaurant that serves lunch and dinner. I thought they were pretty good. At first, I didn't find it cheap, but after spending a couple of days in the area, I started to find it a bargain. Anyway, I thought the tik n xic was very good (tik n xic is a fish seasoned with Yucatecan spices that is grilled wrapped on a banana leaf). We also ordered coconut shrimp, beer, water, juice, and bill was ~$40 usd.

The hotel has a convenience store. Prices are ok. Hotel has also coin operated laundry (buy tokens on the front desk) and a public computer (10c per minute, also buy access on the front desk).

Location is great. There is a bus station right in front of AV. In our case, we had a rental car, a fast drive to downtown (we had lunch there and shopped at the Walmart), and also to the party zone and island malls.

Very few minuses but I should note them anyway.
The hotel is not luxurious, it is basically a condo that has also maid service and breakfast, but I think this made an extremely comfortable experience, especially if you have children. Also, the hotel is not particularly new and our particular room felt a bit worn out -some cracked and stained tiles, some grouting needed here and there - not a big deal, though. Also parking lot is not too big and was quite full, considering it was low season. Something to think about it next time.

Highlights for our stay ---

Excellent beach (besides downtown Playa Del Carmen) best one I've ever been to.
Excellent service. Everyone is extremely polite, speaks enough English to have no problem in communication. The staff is very hard working.
Excellent price for the stay. We had the American breakfast plan which includes a full breakfast which was good. It's basic but the fruit and omelette we had was very good.
The rooms were very large and accomidating. A few blocks away is a super market where you can but water and beer among other things. This is very convenient as they have a full kitchen in the rooms.
It is not a 5 star resort, so dont expect that. The rooms and property are very clean and well kept up. The service on the beach is great (drinks and food).
For the price of $100-130 to be on this kind of beach I think is a great deal. We would stay here again.

The only good thing about this place is the beach. If you read enough reviews you will notice lots of people telling the same review of having money stolen here. I am another victim of money missing from the safe in the room. $300 to be exact. The staff did one of their investigations which consisted of asking the maid if she took the money and that was the extent of it. The card reader held the proof that the maid was the only person to go into the room at the time the money was stolen and like everone else who has had this problem i was told to go to the police dept to make a report. This is the worst place to stay if you don't like to be robbed.

This was my first trip to Cancun. I booked a standard room at Ambiance and got an upgrade for a studio =) Room was clean, towels and all toiletries available. AC works wonderful...breakfast was included. The hotel is nice and clean. Staff are very helpful...the BEACH --WOW is the best in the Cancun area.. white sand beautiful blue water. Chairs are always available. Restaurant by the beach is ok...kind of pricey.... One recommendation for everyone Cancun is very expensive so I suggest if you plan your trip make sure to get All Inclusive.