I’ve done Playa del Carmen once and enjoyed it but had a bit of a moody encounter one night when somebody took me to get some goodies. Those alleyways and streets are not for the faint hearted after dark! Haha!TBH, I've never stayed in Cancun. It's just not my bag. Playa Car is great. And you're right about hotel choices. Foam parties will always attract belly bumping, beer can crushing on the head fucksticks ; )
P.S, my cousin is in Palma Mallorca. Might have to head there one day.
Cancun is what it is, I went for the first time in my 20s so was obviously looking for a different holiday back then compared to now when I’m in my mid 40s. :-)