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Only Real Presidents Can Get This Deal in the Yucatan

Where: Lote Hotelero 6 Fracc Playacar, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, 77710

While the Democratic nominee is not clear yet--Hilary ain't giving up--there is some respite for real presidents.

We're talking about presidents of big corporations or presidents of the PTA or anything in between: the Royal Hideaway Playacar doesn't care what kind of president you are, as long as your business card or letterhead proves it, you'll get presidential treatment at their Yucatan all-inclusive resort.

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What $65 Gets You in Valladolid, Mexico

Where: Calle 39 x 40 y 42 #239 , Valladolid, Mexico

Some 120,000 tourists poured into the Cancun region of Mexico last week and hotel occupancy rates hovered around 95 percent. This was the result of an unholy trinity of public school spring breaks, college spring breaks, and the Semana Santa week before Easter all hitting at the same time.

We hightailed it out of there upon landing at the airport and spent the first night in Valladolid, an attractive Spanish Colonial town near the ruins of Ek Balam and Chichen Itza. The change in demand--and prices--couldn't be more dramatic. For $65 (including taxes) we got a room at the best hotel in town: Mesón del Marqués. Situated right on the main plaza, the 300-year-old main building houses the restaurant and one batch of rooms. A newer annex next to the large swimming pool has simple but comfortable rooms with air conditioning, satellite TV, and cranking hot showers.

Picture columns and arches built around a central courtyard, waiters in bow-ties serving up margaritas and tasty meals, and most of the city's attractions within a few blocks walking distance. Parking was free for the rental car though, complete with an attendant to stop traffic when we pulled out.

And oh yeah, a killer view. The occupants of room 403 get the one pictured here every time they step out their door, but this is a public terrace open to all guests for lounging around with a book and a Negra Modela. Including 17% taxes, standards at Mesón del Marqués are $65 and the most expensive multi-room Master Suite tops out at $200.

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What $50 Gets You in Mérida, Mexico

Where: Calle 55 #499 x 60 y 58, Mérida, Mexico

While the hordes flooded into Cancun over spring break/Easter week, other tourists fled to calmer places away from the coast, such as the city of Mérida less than four hours away. Home to a 16th-century church, nightly park concerts, and nearby Maya ruins including Uxmal, this attractive city is also blessed with dozens of evocative hotels with great rates.

We spent some time at our usual haunt, Luz en Yucatan. Voted the "best small hotel under $100" by YucatanLiving.com, this quirky, artsy inn was purchased by two new owners at the end of '06. They have spruced up the place and added four new rooms with decks and hammocks right off the pool.

Still, regular rooms run $40 to $65 and suites cost only $65 to $85. Tom and Donard have kept one unusual rate gimmick that long-time guest love: on the website you plug in your income as "exceedingly," "moderately," or "not at all" successful and you are charged accordingly. Shoestring travelers pay $5 to $15 less than "exceedingly successful" ones. See the screenshot here, then follow the link to their wonderfully weird website to see pics of the rooms.