Illusion Boutique Hotel by Xperience Hotels

Built around 2005, the Illusion Boutique Hotel by Xperience Hotels seems trapped in a purgatory of past and present, with a telling variance of furniture and spaces -- from the lobby, to the rooms, to the roof -- ranging between a somewhat dated feel and lower-end upscale look. Although the hotel has been a part of the Xperience group for over half a decade, in places it feels as if it's still a hotel being slowly transferred, transformed, and updated. The rooftop sun deck, a small and awkward pool, and the fifth floor’s newer, more contemporary rooms are a move in the right direction, but some of the “chic” decor, such as golden yellow marble floors you'd find at a remodeled Super8, come off only as genuine as any mid-range spot with room names like Prestige Suite and Vision Cabana can.

Decor aside, the vibe in the hotel is chill, unpretentious, and spacious. It’s a nice escape from the dense madness happening just a half-block around the corner on La Quinta Avenida. The hotel is built around a small and bright garden courtyard area filled with tables and chairs and a rustic but decorative stone wall waterfall that makes riding up the glass elevator a treat. Though there are a few lounge spaces hidden here and there, there’s not much socializing outside of the courtyard area and rooftop bar, so this place is best suited for quiet groups of friends or couples. Be aware that this hotel group likes its fancy marketing names, so guests are known as "Ambassadors" and rooms are named things like "Vision Cabana" and "Mirage". 

Located on 8th Street, about an equidistant half-block off the heart of La Quinta Avenida and to the beach, the Illusion Boutique Hotel by Xperience an ideal spot for those who want to be on either the strip or the beach in under a minute without having the hornet’s nest of a pedestrian-only parade that is La Quinta Avenida right outside their front door. The hotel is within 15 to 20 minute’s walk from either side of the strip, the ADO bus stop, and ferry to Cozumel. Cancun is 45 minutes north by car, while Akumal and Tulum are 30 and 45-minute south, respectively.

Of the Illusion's 45 rooms, the digs built in 2014 on the fifth floor are newest and most contemporary. With slightly pretentious marketing-driven names like Vision Cabana, Mirage, and Prestige Suites, some rooms fail to live up to the hype their snazzy names present. Lower category Mirage rooms overlook the garden courtyard and have peach and sand colored marble floors with dated Caribbean-style wicker furnishings. Upgrades to the Vision and Prestige categories will buy you pool and/or sea views, coffeemakers, microwaves, iPod docks, and DVD players. The Prestige Suite is the largest room and lies poolside on the rooftop. Unlike all other rooms, it features a dedicated sofa sitting area, dining table, and kitchenette with four-burner stove, utensils, and dishes. Surprisingly, the suite is not the most stylish of the bunch -- it's decor lies someplace between the dated look of the Mirage rooms and the chicer upscale white marble floor, dark wood furniture, and smooth design of the Vision Cabanas. 

All rooms are large, feel spacious, and have mini-bars, makeup mirrors, organic Mayan toiletries, hairdryers, rain showers, and cable TVs. Irons, if not present, are available on request. Wi-Fi and Internet connections as well as VoIP telephone calls (for a fee) are available in all rooms. 

Illusion is located a half-block from one of Playa’s busier and quieter public beaches. Just turn right out of the front door and you can be toes in the soft white sand in under a minute. There’s a lifeguard station at the entrance of the beach, but don’t expect someone to be manning the post -- or for there to be much more than just a wide stretch of sand to throw a towel down on. The public beaches are bare bones -- which is why many opt for entrance into an equipped beach club -- however, there is a massage palapa and the Playa Maya hotel bar and restaurant just to the right of the beach entrance.

Illusion’s hottest commodity, aside from its location, can be found all the way up the glass elevator on the rooftop. Here, guests will find a tiny bar, sundeck area with loungers and a small, slightly awkwardly positioned dipping pool. A massage room is tucked away in the back by the elevator and guests can peep sweeping views over the city and out to sea. There’s also a small garden courtyard area on the ground floor with a scattering of tables and chairs from the adjacent restaurant and a small waterfall. 

In the morning the hotel serves a long continental breakfast buffet with yogurts, cereals, fruit, juices, and granola a well as a hot items menu, all for an extra fee. For those who like freebies, you can snag free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, 24-hour coffee and tea in the 24-hour lobby and reception area, and use the single computer business center. There’s also a concierge service to help book tours, arrange reservations, or just point guests in the direction of the best beach clubs (many of which the hotel has discounts and deals with) and a bike rental service (fee).