In front of the Caribbean in sweet style perfectly describes Casa Caramelo, which in English means "sweet" or "caramel" house. Currently we describe Caramelo as ocean front, but for part of the year it could be beach front if the wind and waves cooperate. The sand shifts on all of Playa del Carmen/Playacar's beaches because there is no outer reef to break the waves. Even without a large deposit of sand in front of this house, the ocean/beach setting is visually beautiful and the pool is the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy it. There is a nice beach just a couple minutes walk south.
Everything is on one level so there are no stairs to climb in Casa Caramelo. The front door is a work of art, made of weather worn boards and wrought iron spikes, like so much driftwood that washed up on shore, then was cleaned up and expertly fashioned into a door. Inside, the entry foyer is painted in thick waves of swirling light blue paint to mimic the sea. This mural painting style applied directly to the wall is used in the living room as well, in blue and in beige, which combines nicely with the white to create a pleasing sea front ambiance inside. It also gives the house a very artistic feel that blends perfectly with the light beige marble floors and counters, heavy handmade wooden furnishings from Thailand and India, beautiful hand woven rugs, and the mahogany deck furniture. It is natural to feel comfortable in the spacious main living area. A massively wide opening to the pool and sea front accentuates the spectacular Caribbean view.
The master bedroom suite without question is the prize winner with a large private bathroom, lounging area and more sea-like swirling blue art. Strategic halogen lighting illuminates the shades of beige and blue to create a very pleasing ambiance. This is the kind of bedroom where you could easily lounge around most of the day, wandering between the living room, kitchen and the glorious pool which is no more than 20 feet away.
The other two bedrooms are located off the entry hall (photo right) and are perfectly comfortable, one with a queen size bed and the other with two single beds. These two bedrooms share a bathroom.
There is an additional trundle bed that can sleep two people in the entertainment room, which is just off the living room. The trundle bed is under the couch that faces the built-in bookcase that holds the Satellite TV, DVD and CD stereo. A privacy door separates the entertainment room from the living room, and there is a window letting light in from the pool area.
The living area is tremendous with no partitions to interrupt the interior space and a glass wall on the sea side that folds away into the wall. As you can see by the photos below, the panoramic sea view is wonderful when the doors are folded back, and even when closed its great because they are glass. To one side of the living room is a built-in couch with table and chairs, perfect for get-togethers. A doorway opens to the entertainment room with the trundle bed mentioned earlier.
A fully equipped kitchen is on the other end of the main living space, with marble counter tops, counter seating, and a dining room table on its sea side. Just outside on the pool deck is another dining table making pool sessions with food very easy.
The pool has a large water jet area on one end and an infinity edge on its sea side giving the effect of continuous water from pool to sea. Just beyond the pool is a sandy private tanning area and Playacar beach.
