Hotel Casa de las Flores Playa del Carmen

Hotel Casa de las Flores translates into the House of Flowers Hotel and, while there aren’t many blooms on-site, the hotel’s lush garden is one of its best features. The combination of rough stone steps, hanging vines, tropical plants, and palm trees gives the hotel a slight jungle vibe. Add to that the frequent sounds of birds and trickle of the pool fountain, and Casa de las Flores manages to create a space that feels far removed from city life. The hotel itself is colorful, constructed in a colonial-era hacienda style with brightly painted concrete walls, archways, and cutouts. This is a solid affordable option for folks who don’t mind low-frills in favor of a natural, relaxing vibe.    

Hotel Casa de las Flores is located off Avenida 20, between Calle 4 and Calle 6 Norte. This area has a more authentic feel than the touristy streets just a few blocks away, though it's still just a 10-minute walk to the beach. The hotel is surrounded by several local restaurants, shops, and hostels, and there are a laundry service and tour company across the street. Both the buzz of 5th Avenue and the conveniences of Walmart are within a five-minute walk, and the town's several transportation options are nearby.  The Collectivo bus service to Cancun and Tulum is two minutes away by foot, the ferry port to Cozumel is a 10-minute walk, and the ADO bus stop is seven minutes away. Cancun International Airport can be reached in 50 minutes by car. 

The 29 rooms at Casa de las Flores are low on frills and follow the hotel’s colorful colonial hacienda style. Expect wood doors and window shutters with latched peek-a-boo portals, basic tile floors, and dated furniture with scuff marks. Beds sit on built-in raised platforms and only have a top sheet. Bathrooms are snug and tiled, and have step-in showers with old rainfall showerheads and unreliable hot water. All rooms come with individually controlled central AC, ancient metal safes (locks are available at reception), and small hairdryers. Standard Rooms are the smallest and have a bar-sized mini-fridge and either a queen bed or two doubles side-by-side in a matrimonial configuration. Upgrades to Plus Rooms score larger (though still small) flat-screen TVs, junior-sizes mini-fridges, and wet bar areas. Premium Rooms are more spacious, and come with contemporary bowl sinks, magnifying mirrors, large flat-screen TVs, and bidets. Some units have more natural light than others. 

Features are slim at this small property, but the basics are covered. Off the lobby, there’s a small plunge pool with a consistent depth of about four feet. The water is clear, though a few stray leaves from the surrounding garden may be floating on top. Together, the sound of the pool’s small rock water fountain and the rustling of the tropical plants and palm trees create a tranquil vibe that masks most noise from the street. Unfortunately, there's no full restaurant, but the hotel serves a free continental breakfast in a tiny room off the lobby. A few free parking spaces out front are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beach towels can be rented for a dollar, and soft drinks and water are for sale at reception. Wi-Fi is free and fast, though it slows down a little during peak evening usage. Reception staff can help book tours, rental cars, or bikes. No pets are allowed.