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Those on the lookout for an affordable tropical getaway this winter might want to consider the brand-new Villa Del Palmar Cancun, opening this Christmas Eve. At the beachfront property in Playa Mujeres (25 minutes north of Cancun), all 150 rooms and suites feature superb ocean views, not to mention private balconies, kitchenettes, and spa tubs.

Also on offer are two swimming pools (one for adults only) with a pool butler, four hot tubs, and two poolside spa huts. Two restaurants serve Mexican and international cuisine, with sushi available at an outdoor lounge in the evenings; a beach bar will open in February 2011. A shuttle service provides transfers to Cancun’s downtown and the hotel zone.

Best of all, special all-inclusive opening rates start at $186 per person, per night (based on double occupancy) – a 60 percent discount – for stays December 24-January 2 and incorporate all meals and drinks, non-motorized water sports, and taxes and tips. After the holidays, rates drop even more to $142 per person, per night through April 15, 2011. To book, call the reservations number at 888-844-8169.

The up and coming Playa Mujeres resort community is definitely one to watch. La Amada (one of our Top 10 Luxury Beach Hotels for Less) was just the second hotel to open there in early 2009, and the area boasts a Greg Norman-designed golf course.

Note that Villa Del Palmar is not yet complete, so expect some construction to still be going on. A second wave of rooms is slated to open August 2011. The finished resort, due in December 2011, will encompass 415 rooms, three pools, a full-service spa, and a water activities center. www.villapalmarcancun.com

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights to Cancun. For general trip-planning information, see our Cancun Travel Guide.