LanaB

I'm searching information for places on Isla Mujeres and need some advice please. We'd like to stay near downtown and close to the Norte beach. Clean, friendly, safe maybe with kitchens and a good location are the most important.
Questions:
1) Anyone stayed at rooms above SeaHawkDivers
2) Francis Arlene Hotel
3) Hotel D'Gomar
4) Hotel Belmar
5) Playa la Media Luna -- worth the extra $$?
6) Hotel Posada Del Mar

Thanks to all who are so helpful to us newbies that need help in a new area.

SusanMargaret

We have stayed at Suites Los Arcos several times. We like it because it is fairly new, located on Avenue Hidalgo - the main street - and has AC, TV, and a small kitchen area, so we make our own breakfast and lunch and eat out in the evening. We prefer the rooms that face the street as you can sit out on your tiny balcony and have a drink and people watch. I know that some people prefer the quiet side of the hotel. We stayed at Francis Arlene once and were not impressed.

mimipam

Hi Lana,
I have recently returned from Isla, but I may not be much help as I am not familiar with most of the places you asked about. I do know that Belmar is supposed to be above Pizza Rolandi and might be noisy.
If it is in your budget and you want to be on Playa Norte check out Cabanas Maria del Mar. We went into one of the castle rooms and it looked to be newly redone. Very clean but no kitchen. I do not know about kitchens in other units, but think they have some units with refrigerators. You might contact them and ask them about their prices etc.
They have a fabulous location right on the beach and it is family run. We met one of the daughters and she was most helpful and delightful.
We stayed at Villa Rolandi which was very nice, great food, and quite pricey. However, the beach to be on is the North beach. I really liked Isla!!
Happy travels.

norbrad393

We go to IM every year, actually four times in the past two years. Have been going there since mid 70's. Na Balaam used to be a good deal, but they realized they could double the price and still get takers. That was when we startd staying at Cabañas Maria del Mar, right on beach, nice little pool surrounded by tropical trees, birds, etc. Rooms are simple--a bit dated, but OK. Actually they have three different buildings, so you can look them over and take our pick. They vary a bit in price, but we pay roughly $100 per night, except in shoulder season when it is less. Location,location,location--CMdM has it. 5 min. walk to main street, restaurants, etc. They have a restaurant there, partly inside, partly on the beach and the food is pretty good and moderately priced.
We have never stayed at Media Luna. Have looked at it; it is not on North Beach (actually that is what Americans call it. The actual name is Playa Cocos). Looked OK, but we thought just a bit over priced. The beaches are better at Akumal and Tulum, that is, better for swimming and snorkeling. The beach itself at CMdM is fine, just white sand and clear water, but very shallow. We just like IM, it's funky, the opposite of the big crowded Cancun. Used to be a Mayan fishing village. Actually, we have no interest in Cancun itself. We divide our trip between IM, Akumal, and Playa del Carmen. We don't bother with reservations at Im, eve during spring break. CMdM always has rooms. Never fail to get one. And if we did, there are plenty of hotels.

Norm

JeanH

We stayed at Hotel Playa la Media Luna a couple years ago. That view is worth twice the price. Absolutely stunning. The room was fine, king bed, nice balcony, color TV, fridge. Playa Norte is a five minute walk. The beach right in front of the hotel is beautiful, nice lounge chairs, just not swimmable. We're going back to Isla in December, Media Luna is full due to a wedding, so we're staying at Color de Verano, an appt. over a pastry shop that is across the street from the beach. About the same price as Media Luna, but certainly not the views. However, it will be nice to have the space that a one bedroom apartment offers. If I was looking to save some bucks, I'd look at Posada del Mar, certainly not fancy, but has a restaurant and pool. You might also look at Roca Mar.

LanaB

Thanks everyone for your help.
Norm, I never thought that you could just get a room at the busy season.
That's amazing -- we'll be there Feb 26 to March 5. We orginally planned to stay this week in Playa del Carmen but after reading all the postings on IM we think it is suited best for us.
We will be in the Mayan Riveria for a week, at a the Iberostar Beach hotel, for our daughters wedding, and then plan to have an extra week.
One question for you is how is the service at Cabanas Maria Del Mar? - I've read various reports about poor service.
That was one reason that Francis Arlene Hotel attracted me (great reviews on service)
Does anyone know if we could easily get to Chichen Itza for a night or two from Playa on the way to Cancun?
Is this a good plan or is it best to take a day tour from PDC? It seems like a long day and when your already paying big bucks to be at the allinclusive ---

norbrad393

I was a teacher. Before I retired, we had to go to the MR during spring break. Went for years without reservations except one time when we had to layover in CC for the night. Made a reservation beforehand. When we got there, they had never heard of us. To hell with it, we went back to just walking in. IM was never a probelm (still isn't), and after four days or so at IM, we would go back to the manland and go down to PdC. We would go to the Pelicano Inn on the north part of the beach. Almost always got in. If not, just went across the street to the Albatros Royale. Bingo! There are tons of mid-priced hotels in PdC. We now make resevation either for several days at an AI or for a condo for a week on Playa.

Some really like Media Luna. OK. To each his own. I would still go to almost any part o the MR without reservations even today (and we do)although tourism has grown tremedously in the past few years. It helps to have a lot of experience with Mexico and speak Spanish (went there the first time in 1955--lived there 4.5 yrs.). I don't necessarily recommend it, especially for first timers. I just know that there is no way I am going to be sleeping on the beach.
Got to run. Hope I answered a Q or two.
Good luck,
Norm

DeborahB

I stayed at Media Luna in Aug. of this year. It was nice but I don't think worth the money.

I've not seen the inside of the other hotels you've listed.

I definitely plan on going back to IM but I don't think I'll bother with reservations next time. There are many choices.

Brian_in_Charlotte

We went to IM for the first time this past Feb - our first trip back to Mexico since our trip to Playa del Carmen 10 years ago. IM reminded us of PdC of 10 years ago - I hear PdC has lost it's charm. IM still has it.

We stayed at Cabanas del Mar in a second-story cabanas room. Decent sized room, big bathroom, iffy water pressure, great patio, noisy A/C, very nice grounds, right on the beach, easy walk to the commercial area of Playa Norte.

Don't know about service, never really needed any after we got our key. Room was always made up and there were generally smiles all around.

Very happy for what we paid. Would definitely stay there again (unless they double their prices like Na Balam). Tower rooms are smaller and less private, and while I didn't see the inside of the castle rooms, I like the big patios for the cabana rooms better. Just splurge for 2nd floor.

I'd recommend making reservations. Why risk it and spend time walking around looking for a place?

I wouldn't stay in one of those downtown hotels unless I was really on a budget - just too busy/noisy. And I wouldn't worry about a kitchen - too many great places to eat cheaply. We hit as many as we could and still missed alot.

It's a wonderful place - just don't tell too many people . . .

Brian_in_Charlotte

Just to be clear, we stayed at Cabanas Maria del Mar.

norbrad393

LanaB,

The service has always been OK. When we had a problem, they fixed it. We have been there so many times, they know us by name and treat us vey well.

Norm

norbrad393

...vey well.? Make that very well. I am a lousy typist.

Just to clarify, I was referring to Cabañas Maria del Mar.

Norm

suze

Can you all tell me approximately what price range(s) we are talking for thesse hotel rooms? I can't tell from any of the posts. I see one mention of $100.

I don't need specifics but am wondering a general price range.

For instance in Old Town Puerto Vallarta I could say a 3-star with pool and restaurant but no kitchen would run you $50-75.

I'm just wondering how IM stacks up price wise to PV.

norbrad393

Suze,

There are budget hotels in the small town on Isla, a few more steps and a few more minutes from Playa Norte. Haven't really checked into them that much, but I'm sure you can find something in the $50 to 75 range, maybe less. Some are over restaurants, as are the rooms over the Buccanero Restaurant, etc. A lot of people like the Frances Arlene (Francis?). There is also the Rocamar, rooms over Rolandi Pizzaria, etc. The price I gave for the Cabanas Maria del Mar ($100) was high season in the cabanas. The Tower and Castle are lower. Also, all are lower in the shoulder seasons--(cabanas section around $75) and right on the beach.

Norm

suze

thanks so much Norm. that helps!

LanaB

From the research I've obtained here are the prices for high season (don't know about Christmas season however)
These are based on double and include taxes and in US $$
Playa La Media Luna $150.00
Hotel Posada Del Mar $85.00
Francis Arlene Hotel $58.00
Hotel Belmar $85.00
Hotel D'Gomar $37.00
Villa Las Brisas $120.00
Los Arcos $75.00 kitchette
Sea Hawk $75.00 kitchenette
Punta Pedra $49.00 (booked till March)
Casitas del Mar $76.00
Cabanas Maria Del Mar $99-110.00
Some came with breakfast and very few had special rates for a weeks stay.
All these places were either listed here or Fodors or Frommers guide books.
I thought that they sounded like they were clean, safe and friendly. The hard part is choosing the one that suits you best. Oh well that's part of the fun!
Happy travels.

Brian_in_Charlotte

We paid $88/night for an upstairs cabana room in low season (April). Not a great bargain, but not bad for the location right on the beach (the resort, not the room).

norbrad393

One little trick we have used when we arrive is to have my wife, D, sit at a cafe and have a coffee and watch the luggage while I hot-foot it around 6 or 7 hotels, check prices, availability, quality of rooms, etc. (I should say that when we go to Isla Mujeres or Playa del Carmen, we don't make resevations--never found the need to.) When I think I have found the one we want, I go back and get D and the luggage and check in for two days. If we like it, we extend, if not it gives us time to look around for something better.

Norm

LanaB

We've almost always had rooms booked but I'm really considering "winging it" after the comments listed. We're not that fussy and it may be exciting. So thanks for the ideas.
How about the thought of getting to Chichen Itza from Playa Del Carmen either by renting a car or perhaps a bus then staying a night or two before heading to Isla Mujeres??

norbrad393

Playa to Chichen. Have been to Chichen many times (first in 1963), but haven't done it from Playa. Many people rent cars. We don't. Many take the package tour, a day or two days, stay over night, see it in the morning also. There are travel agancies all over 6th Av in Playa and, of course, your hotel could arrange it. The bus station just next to the main square in Playa has a big board above the ticket windows with all the destinations listed for 1st and 2nd class buses. I am fairly confident they have a 1st class (which you would want) to CI. Would take several hours. Bus tickets can be one way or round trip.

Norm