Brian_in_Charlotte

Looking for lodging late April. First 2 choices (Secreto & Media Luna) are booked. Would prefer to be within walking distance to activities of downtown, but are also considering Villa Rolandi as it sounds like a very special place to stay.

If we do choose there, how much of a hassle is it to hop into town via a taxi? Are they generally available downtown for the return trip after dinner or a little bar hopping?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

IndyMegan

My friend recently stayed at Cristalmar, which isn't within walking distance to town, and said it was easy to get back and forth, even after a night in town. Check out Avalon, though - avoid the studio rooms. The Tower section is nicer.

Little_Man

Villa Rolandi looks very nice. When we drove a golf cart around the island for a day visit from Cancun, it was easy to get to from downtown.

TioGringo

Na Balam might be a good option for you too, especially if you like being close to the town (as I do).

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

Brian_in_Charlotte

Thanks for the responses. Mark, if we decide to stay closer to town, is the Na Balam worth paying 3 times as much as the Posada del Mar? I understand that there's a huge difference between Posada and Rolandi, but am a bit concerned that we won't feel we're getting our money's worth at Balam (whereas it'd be tough not to get our money's worth at Posada for $50/night).

I got pretty unlucky with my trip planning as it looks like the forum at isle-mujeres.net just shut down . . .

Little_Man

have you checked tripadvisor.com? That's always a help, too, as is this site, and frommers.com, and AAA.

Good luck!

Diana

Brian,

I have stayed at Na Balam twice and decided for this trip that it just is not worth the extra money. They have the best beach on the island, but anyone can go there - the beach is public. The lowest rate I could find was $144.

Secreto and Media Luna were booked during our trip too, so this time - mid-April - we are staying at Cabanas Maria del Mar. Very close to/on beach and rates are reasonable. Gets good reviews, and when we were there last year, we checked it out and it looks pretty nice.

We are going to stay in the Cabana rooms as the Castle rooms are very noisy (I'm a light sleeper) and the Tower rooms on the beach are small and musty (from what I hear.) Rates for April are $66 - Tower, $77 - 1st floor Cabanas, $88 - 2nd floor Cabanas, $90 - Castle.

gdy

I would go with Nautibeach or Cabanas Maria del Mar, which are directly on North Beach. I have photos of Cabanas Maria del Mar, Nautibeach and Posada del Mar if you're interested. Nautibeach are 2 bedroom condos which are nice.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Thanks again guys. Looks like I'm between Posada del Mar and Cabanas del Mar. My only hesitation with Cabanas are the very negative reviews of the staff on tripadvisor (though I realize those reviews often need to be taken with a grain of salt). And the rooms at the Posada look much larger than the Cabana rooms at the Cabanas.

Are either of these options more relaxing than the other? I know the beach at Cabanas is very popular and the Posada has a lot of daytripper traffic passing by. Not looking for a perfectly peaceful place, but if one is less frentic, that might help me make my decision.

And if we do choose the Posada, do we want the main or new building?

Thanks again for your help.

LisainCalgary

We stayed at Cabanas Maria del Mar and I'd recommend them. They're rather basic (certainly by US standards) but very clean and in a GREAT location. If you're anything like us, you'll only use the room for sleeping at night and maybe a mid-afternoon siesta if the heat gets too much for you (we were there in June and it was HOT, HOT, HOT.)

There are plenty of lovely accommodations that aren't in Centro but you'll either be taking buses, taxis or renting a golf cart. In town, EVERYTHING is within walking distance.

TioGringo

I wasn't aware that Na Balam was charging so much these days. Agree with other posters then .... at the level of $144-150 per night I would probably skip it and either save $$$ at Posada del Mar or look for a better quality place, like Media Luna.

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com