Magic Blue Spa Boutique Hotel

From the outside, Magic Blue Hotel looks just like any other of the dozens of small boutique hotels found throughout central Playa del Carmen. But inside it's a different story, and it's clear why some guests refer to the hotel as an oasis. The thatched-roof entry and rustic-chic lobby, with an accent wall of branches, help set a calming tone, but it's the pool courtyard that's the hub, and highlight, of the hotel. It's lush with greenery and feels a world away from the noisy town outside. Unfortunately, even though the hotel may look and feel like an oasis, some noise does penetrate from the street outside and nearby nightclub.   The hotel does provide some thoughtful extras that enhance the intimate, boutique aspect, such as free coffee, snacks, and sparking wine in the lobby, depending on the time of day. Unfortunately, the extra fees in the rooms for use of the safe and even of coffee and tea may leave guests feeling nickel-and-dimed.The attracts a primarily European clientele who have an average stay of four nights, along with some Mexican and international visitors. 

Even though 5th Avenue might be the most famous section of Playa del Carmen, staying right on it can mean constant noise and foot traffic during high season. The hotel is set on the 10th Avenue, which is the next street over (about three minutes on foot) and not quite as crowded (though it still gets its fair share of noise and traffic). The beach is about a five-minute walk away. 

Of the 46 rooms here, 34 are Superior King Rooms (with a king-size bed) and 10 are Superior Double Rooms (with, you guessed it, two double beds). The final two are the Master Suites, which have king-size beds; these are the newest units, and were added in late 2015. These units stand out for their standalone bathtubs set on a bed of dark rocks, separate rainfall showers, and marble accents. The rooms have simple but soothing style in neutral colors: cream floors, white walls, dark wood furniture, and white bedspreads with tan bed runners. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs; fees apply for the in-room safes, Nescafe coffee, and minibars. Free bottled water is provided daily. Wash areas are in the bedroom area, separated from the rest of the bathroom, and have cream-color marble countertops with square basin sinks. The toilet and walk-in shower are behind the bathroom door. Ceramic tile showers have large showerheads that provide a far wider spray. The highlight of the rooms are the private outdoor space, which have attractive rustic wood, cushioned seating, and in most cases, hammocks. Note that rooms may not be cleaned until the late afternoon, depending on the workload of housekeeping. Cribs are available upon request. 

The chic, rectangular pool is the the highlight of the hotel. It has in-water loungers and is surrounded by loungers and a few umbrellas. The lush courtyard setting makes it a peaceful, atmospheric spot to relax. There's an adjacent pool bar with a daily happy hour, and snacks served here are provided by Ipanemas Grill next door. The palapa-style spa is a tiny little building off to the side, and only operates during daylight hours. Guests can book a variety of treatments from massages to facials.While the hotel doesn’t operate its own restaurant, it has an agreement with the neighboring property, Ipanemas Grill. Breakfast is included with some rates, and the breakfast area is a small, thatched-roof area looking out over the gardens and pool. There are also spaces inside of the restaurant if there's not enough room outside. If breakfast is not included in the rate, guests will need to pay for a breakfast voucher at the front desk. All pool bar snacks and minibar items are charged to the room.Every morning there is free coffee in the lobby, and guests arriving in the afternoon and evening are usually treated to free sparking wine and a cold towel.