Isla Mujeres, NaBalam Hotel
 

Has anyone stayed at the NaBalam Hotel on Isla Mujeres? Was it as quaint and clean as the brochure depicts? I am planning a surprise trip for my dad and had that hotel in mind. Any information you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks!

I have stayed at the hotel right next to NaBalam and NaBalam looks to be clean and nice. Their outdoor bar has great happy hours and great bar food.

anyone else stayed here recently? Thanks- Jody <BR>

Jody, Just so you know, hotels on Isla are not like hotels on Cancun -- they are much more rustic (or, as some may put it, run down). I stayed at the Cabanas Maria del Mar last May, which is right next to Na-Balam, and frankly thought it was way overpriced at $66/night. The room was very run down, tired furnishings, big gaps between A/C unit and the wall (lots of bugs that way), no phone or TV, obviously, have to throw your toilet paper in the wastepaper basket, etc. I could've stayed in a comparable hotel on Cozumel for $35 or $40. For detailed reviews of Isla hotels, check out www.cancunmx.com, then go to Hotel Comments at the top of the page. Don't get me wrong, I really love Isla. I just think that the hotels are charging a phenomenal amount for the amenities (or lack thereof) that they provide. For my money, the next time I stay on Isla, I'll stay at the Posada del Mar, which faces Cancun. While not directly on Playa Norte, it's just a 2-minute walk, and I'll pay just $40/night.

more input?

That's funny because we stayed at Cabanas Marias also, and although our room was not deluxe, it was very clean and pleasant. From what I understand also, you have to throw your toilet into wastebaskets everywhere on Isla. We have been to Isla 4 times and each time we love it more. Hotel Nabalam was right next to our hotel, and though we never saw the rooms there the people we met who stayed there thought it was clean and nice, but like all hotels in Isla, not deluxe. This is certainly not Cancun.

There are deluxe accommodations on Isla! Try the Puerto Isla Mujeres. It's not in town or on the beach, but a taxi to town/beach is $2 one way. It is much more expensive than the $60/night, but it is exquisite and the staff is very friendly. It's the best vacation we ever took.