There are a gazillion places to stay on Isla.

The following are reviews of places that we have stayed.  Everyone’s preferences are different.  Take time to look around before making your choice.  No matter where you stay, you will enjoy your trip.

Downtown/Playa Norte Area

 

Playa Media Luna

This is our favorite.  Small boutique hotel off the beaten path but walking distance to everything.  Continental breakfast included.  Fridge in room.  Good for kids because of sand just inches from your patio.  You can also use a video monitor and hang at the pool during nap times (first floor rooms are really good for this) since you are only a few steps from the room.  They have one of those cars with the push handles in the lobby/restaurant.  You are welcome to use it for your kiddo and take it for a walk.  They have pack-n-plays if needed.

Stay here if: You like quiet, breezy, small, quaint places to stay.

Don’t stay here if: You like to swim in the ocean in front of your hotel, like to be in the middle of the action, don’t want to walk 1/4 mile to town/beach.

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Ixchel Beach Hotel

Great place to take the family.  Very clean.  Restaurant.  Free beach chairs and umbrellas (huge bonus).  Hotel runs right into Hidalgo Street.  2 pools with large shallow ends/sundecks.  No breakfast but you do get a coffee pot and filtered water in your room. One of the only hotels that has an elevator.  This is the spot that I usually recommend for first-timers.

Stay here if: You want to spend a lot of time lounging on the beach, have kids, need a short walk to beach and restaurants, need an elevator.

Don’t stay here if: You need a private balcony (unless you are upgrading to a suite), don’t like high-rise hotels, need a fridge in your room.

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Posada del Mar

Clean, cheap, close to town and the beach.  This hotel faces the bay side of Playa Norte.  Huge pool.  Recently renovated.  You can use a tricycle driver to take your bags from the ferry and walk to the hotel.  They work for tips.

Stay here if: You are on a budget, are okay with ocean view across the street.

Don’t stay here if: You like luxury accommodations, need your hotel to be touching the sand, are worried about vehicle noise from the road.

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Rocamar

Clean, cheap, very breezy.  We loved this hotel.  There is no beach as it basically hangs over the Caribbean waves. It is across the street from the square and grocery store, just a few steps from Hidalgo Street. All rooms have great wifi.  Walking distance to Playa Norte but it could be tiring if it is noon in August. Note:  some of the rooms have glass-walled bathrooms.  Check the website for room types, be sure to book an upper level room.  Pool deck is beautiful, pool itself is meh.  You can use a tricycle driver to take your bags from the ferry and walk to the hotel.  They work for tips.  One of the things that I like about this location is that you have to pass the Zocalo to get where you are going.  This means that you won’t miss any shows, performances or action going on in the square.  It’s quite entertaining!

Stay here if: You love to sleep with wave noise (white noise), you need an affordable hotel.

Don’t stay here if: You need a beach at your hotel, you expect luxury accommodations, you need an elevator, you want a resort-style pool.

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Airport Strip Area-Caribbean Side

     

There are many villas, houses and apartments to rent in this area.  We stayed in Villa Linda (left) and Casa Luna Turquesa (right).  They were absolutely beautiful. Plan to have a golf cart for the whole week. One had a small pool and one had a giant pool so check out the pics before you book. There isn’t exactly a beach and we could not swim in this location.  It was nice and private. On a adult only trip, the house wasn’t really worth it.  On a family trip, the house was spectacular and worth every penny!

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Punta Sur

     

Hotel La Joya

This place is amazing! Quiet, small, cheap, quaint.  There are only 10 rooms.  It is by FAR the most comfortable bed I have slept in on the island.  They have a small community kitchen, cute pool and kayaks/snorkels to use.  The view is amazing.  Not sure about wifi.  Continental breakfast was delivered to our patio every morning without a request.

Stay here if: You like quiet, small hotels.  You are adventurous and are okay off the beaten path.  You have no problem using steep stairs.

Don’t stay here if: Your friends are staying downtown, you need a beach within walking distance, require an elevator, do not want to commute to downtown/beach.

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Casa de los Sueños

Disclaimer: we have not actually stayed here BUT we spend at least two afternoons by the pool on every trip.  This place is gorgeous.  Only 10 rooms plus a presidential suite fit for Madonna.  A bit pricier but not outrageous.  They boast tempurpedic beds in every room. You will need a golf cart or a cab when you leave the hotel.  No beach but kayaks are available off the dock.  There is a small “waterpark” downstairs called Parque de los Sueños.

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