Hotel Colibri Beach

When Hotel Colibri Beach was built in the early ‘90s, it was one of Playa del Carmen’s first boutiques on the beach. The hotel is simple, containing a few connected stucco buildings with yellow paint and white trim. The open-air lobby features a brick reception desk, beach scene murals cover walls in the hallways, and tropical landscape fills the garden pathway to the beach. This low-frills spot is popular among families with older and younger kids, friend groups, and couples (particularly honeymooners) who are attracted by the affordable price and direct beach and beach club access. There's practically no public space within the hotel itself, but the beach is always full of fun and relaxed vibes. It’s exactly what a low-key beachfront boutique should be: comfortable, social, and convenient. In 2017, the hotel repainted rooms, furbished room furniture, and replaced all the mattresses, pillows, and bedding.  

This hotel is located directly on the sands of one of Playa del Carmen's best beach areas. Unlike several other beachfronts in the immediate area, Hotel Colibri Beach has a wider stretch of sand. It's also across the street from a mini-mart, 24-hour convenience store, and just a block from the action on 5th Avenue. This hotel is slightly south of center, so some restaurants and bars on the northern edge may require a taxi. The ADO bus stop is an eight-minute walk, the ferry port to Cozumel is an 11-minute walk, and Cancun International Airport is a 45-minute drive up the highway. 

The hotel has 34 clean and simple rooms. Expect whitewashed wooden furniture, rustic tile floors, and floating, built-in shelves, as well as special Mexican touches that include colorful ceramic lamps and handmade artisan macrame pieces on the walls. Bathrooms have tiled showers with contemporary showerheads, hard-plastic water glasses, and a standard selection of Almond and Olive brand toiletries. All rooms have AC and ceiling fans to keep cool, plus mini-fridges, ancient metal safes, and hammocks stretched across the balconies. On the downside, some guests have complained of noise reaching the rooms.Category C rooms are referred to as cabanas, and are a more rustic option closer to the beach. These are small, garden-view spaces with more privacy thanks to entrances being partially hidden by the landscaping. Category A and Category B rooms make up the hotel’s standard room, with Category A rooms having garden views and Category B rooms with street views. The hotel’s Suite has a more contemporary look and perks such as a whirlpool on the balcony and small kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave, and two-burner stove. There’s no TV here, instead guests have a projector that plays onto the window shade. 

The most celebrated feature at Hotel Colibri Beach is the Lido Beach Club. As one of the first beach clubs in Playa del Carmen, it has a good handle on what works. Expect soft sand and in-your-face ocean views, plus rows of loungers and umbrellas, and a collection of tables and chairs either in the sand or on the restaurant patio deck. Guests get free towels with a deposit, though a small minimum spend is required per sunbed or chair. The restaurant's menu features Mexican specialties from "aguachiles" to banana-wrapped fish, while the beach bar offers up cool drinks and swing seating. Massages are available for a reasonable rate, and Wi-Fi is accessible from the sand. Freebies include a free breakfast from the beach club (with menu item restrictions), boarding pass printing, Wi-Fi, beach towels with a deposit, and limited, first-come, first-served car and bike parking at reception. There are no pets allowed. Reception can also book tours and rental cars or recommend a book from the reading library.