Playa La Media Luna Hotel

With its long entrance driveway and large lobby, Playa La Media Luna doesn’t exude the intimacy you might expect from a small, 18-room hotel. Although the lobby is inviting with a pretty seashell curtain, wicker furniture, green ottomans, and tropical potted plants. Color schemes ostensibly designed to be tranquil end up leaning toward the lifeless end of the spectrum. The outdoor pool with ocean views is the standout feature, which adds significantly to the hotel’s overall appeal.

The hotel’s small beach was deserted during our visit, with many guests seemingly drawn to the better swimming conditions and livelier atmosphere of nearby Playa Norte; however, a number of couples were seen taking advantage of the hotel’s scenic outdoor pool. Kids are welcome here, but not catered to, and the vast majority of guests are couples looking for a private and romantic getaway. 

Playa La Media Luna Hotel is approached via a long tree-lined lane, reminiscent of a grand entrance driveway. Small Hotel Secreto, is its only neighbor, so Playa La Media Luna’s location is private and serene.

The hotel’s namesake beach is modest, better for views than swimming, but gorgeous Playa Norte can be reached in less than five minutes on foot. The shops, restaurants, and bars concentrated along Avenida Hidalgo are about 900 feet away, and it’s a 10-minute walk to the Ultramar Ferry Terminal. Slightly farther away are Dolphin Discovery and Garrafon Natural Reef Park, which can be reached in a 20-minute drive.

Soft beige headboards and coral- or olive-patterned bedspreads give guest rooms a down-to-earth, beachy ambience. Some beds include charming overhanging canopies formed with crisp white linens. The dark-wood furniture looks a bit dated, with one hefty unit holding a flat-screen TV and mini-fridge and another that houses the personal safe and clothes hangers. All rooms include private terraces with ocean or garden views, although towering palm trees obscure the scenery in many cases. Terraces are furnished with a hammock and a pair of chairs.

Light-colored tiling and wood-framed mirrors in the bathrooms are bland, and coffeemakers are set beside the bathroom sink in many rooms. Shower stalls and off-brand bars of soap and shampoo come standard. 

Larger suites offer separate sitting areas as well as a whirlpool out on the terrace. Bungalows feature a full kitchen stocked with cutlery and cooking utensils, in addition to a narrow stretch of private beach shared with the neighboring unit.

The hotel features a large outdoor pool complete with lounge chairs and tables, with shade provided by umbrellas and overhanging canopies. The pool overlooks a small, crescent-shaped stretch of beach, which is shared with nearby Hotel Secreto. This rocky beach isn’t ideal for swimming, but it’s an excellent spot to watch the sunset, plus it serves as a picturesque backdrop for the pool. There’s a poolside bar, but it was closed and empty during our visit.

The hotel offers a simple continental breakfast of toast, coffee, fruit, and cereal in a cheerful room located off the lobby. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and free parking is offered on-site. The hotel can also arrange in-room massage services, yoga, and local excursions for an added fee.