A stylish restroom, enormous stalls, proper plumbing, bag hooks and actual air conditioning. I went downstairs prepared to perform my unnecessarily serious bathroom inspection and came back thinking I may have found my favorite loo in Playa.

Why I Ended Up in This Bathroom

Nicoletta is on Fifth Avenue, so this is not a bathroom enjoying a quiet little office schedule. When I visited, the restaurant was very busy. People were dining, drinking, lingering and doing all the things people do before eventually realizing that those beverages have consequences.

The first bit of good news was that I did not have to wait. There was no bathroom line, and I have not encountered one during my other visits either. That is valuable information when you have moved past “I should probably go sometime soon” and entered what I consider the operational phase of the evening.

I did have to ask where the bathroom was. Once somebody pointed me in the correct direction it was easy enough to find, but this is not one of those restrooms you necessarily spot from across the room.

Then came the important detail: I had to go downstairs.

If stairs are not an issue for you, this is simply a short trip down to the facilities. If we are discussing a genuine bathroom emergency, my advice is to arrive equipped with sensible stair-running shoes. Fashion has its place. So does urgency.

First Impression: Somebody Actually Cared

My first impression was that somebody had actually put thought into this restroom. The black-and-white design is stylish, there are splashes of color, and the whole space has considerably more personality than the average restaurant loo.

But pretty bathrooms do not automatically impress me. I am a trained professional in the completely imaginary profession of Playa bathroom inspection. I still have standards.

So I looked at the important things.

It was very clean. I did not notice any bad smells. The floor was clean. Would I eat off it? No. I would also question the decision-making of anyone who proposed that meal. But yes, the floor passed inspection.

The toilet was clean. The sink and counter were clean. The trash was under control. The mirror had a few minimal water splashes, but nothing remotely concerning.

My Serious Inspection

The Toilet Department

I tested the important infrastructure. The toilet flushed properly and had good pressure. The seat was secure. The door closed correctly, the lock worked and I had full privacy.

Yes, I specifically noted that the toilet had a toilet seat. You might think that is too basic to deserve praise. Spend enough time reviewing public bathrooms and you learn never to take attached hardware for granted.

I also found the stalls to be huge. Not “I can technically squeeze my purse in here if I hold it vertically” huge. Actually spacious.

Sink Report

I used the sink and found both hot and cold water. The faucet worked, the sink drained properly, and the sink and counter were clean.

There was liquid hand soap, so the essential requirement was covered. Then I noticed hand lotion and mouthwash as well.

That is when a bathroom begins getting ambitious.

I did not make a note about the hand-drying setup, so I am leaving that item as unknown. I am not going to magically remember a paper towel dispenser months later simply because it would make the scorecard tidier.

The Little Things: AIR CONDITIONING!!

I wrote “AIR CONDITIONING!!” in my notes, complete with capital letters and two exclamation points, and I stand by that level of enthusiasm.

When you live in or visit Playa del Carmen, you understand. After walking Fifth Avenue in the heat and humidity, entering a cool restroom can feel less like climate control and more like a reward for good behavior.

The lighting was super bright, which I liked, and the mirror had excellent lighting. The décor was pretty and stylish, mostly black and white with splashes of color. The decorative mirror area and floral details give the room a definite personality.

I also found bag hooks on the doors.

The toilet paper was stocked, although it was single-ply. I appreciate that there was enough of it. I am simply noting that nobody is going to mistake it for luxury stationery.

The trash situation was kept up with, which is especially impressive considering how busy the restaurant was during my visit.

I did not notice a baby-changing station. The counter was large, but I did not confirm an actual changing facility, so I am not claiming there was one.

The Official Tracie’s Loo Scorecard

Bathroom conditions can obviously change by day, shift and crowd level. This score reflects what I encountered during my visits.

Who Will Care About This?

If you are settling in for a long dinner, I think this is exactly the kind of restroom you want available. It was clean, functional and comfortable even while the restaurant was very busy.

I especially appreciated the huge stalls, working lock, bright lighting, bag hooks and counter space. Those are small things until you are carrying a purse, shopping bags or half your daily possessions into a bathroom with you.

The stairs are the one major practical issue I noticed. If stairs are difficult for you, I would ask the restaurant about restroom access before relying on the route I used. I would also ask about baby-changing facilities if you need them, because I did not confirm a dedicated changing station.

Final Verdict: I Have a New Favorite