10th Street, between 1st Avenue and the Beach, On The Beach, Playa del Carmen, Mexico | (618) 248-8274
Excellent downtown location, walkable to shops and restaurants
Big, sparkling beachfront pool with loungers and kids' area
Sandy beach set with loungers
Spacious and contemporary condos with full kitchens and one to three bedrooms
All units have a balcony or terrace and most have ocean views
Free Wi-Fi in reception
Free parking for some units
Coin-operated laundry with free detergent
No restaurant or bar
No Wi-Fi in a few rooms
High level of variance in the rooms due to individual ownership
Cleaning services provided every other day
Residences El Faro is an upscale condominium complex on the beach. The 66 self-catering units have one to three bedrooms in various layouts, sizes, and decor. While the details boil down to the specific unit owners, all guests can expect to have a full-sized kitchen, dining room, balcony, and air-conditioning. There’s no restaurant or shop on-property, but guests have access to the large tiled pool and hotel loungers on the beach. Wi-Fi is free in the reception area and most rooms, though parking depends on the unit. The hotel has an excellent location in the heart of downtown Playa del Carmen, close to many restaurants and shops. Travelers looking for more on-site features for around the same rates should check availability at El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condos Hotel.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Condo property that's popular with self-catering families
Residences El Faro is a fairly hands-off condo property. It’s a solid option for families or other travelers who want to be primarily left to their own devices, self-cater, and/or feel like they are in their second home on the beach. As such, this condo-hotel is popular with older families and snowbirds in the winter, and younger families in the spring. Apart from the contemporary lobby with white pillars and a sunburst design on the floor, there are few indoor areas where guests can congregate -- and they're mainly here to use the free Wi-Fi. A unique feature of the hotel includes an iconic piece of Playa del Carmen’s history. Out by the beach stands the spiraling town lighthouse that dates back to the town’s first life as a fishing village. El Faro actually translates into lighthouse. Unfortunately, this landmark is not open to the public.
Location
Beachfront location in the thick of downtown Playa del Carmen
Residences El Faro is located directly on the beach at the end of Calle 10 Norte. This is a convenient location in the heart of the Playa del Carmen’s downtown scene, close to numerous restaurants, tour companies, shops, and convenience marts. This is a highly Americanized spot, with both an H&M and a Starbucks within a two-minute walk. Expect an eight-minute walk to the ADO bus station. The Ultramar ferry port for Cozumel is an 11-minute walk. It’s a an hour’s drive north to Cancun International Airport. Driving an hour south will bring you to the beachfront ruins of Tulum.
Rooms
Spacious units with one to three bedrooms, full kitchens, and balconies; all individually decorated
Residences El Faro has 66 individually-owned condos. Specific layouts, decor, and amenities vary depending on the owner, but all of the one-, two-, and three-bedroom units come fully furnished with basic bathroom toiletries, full kitchens with regular-sized refrigerators and stove ovens, air-conditioning, dining rooms, and either a balcony or terrace. Some rooms may have sofa beds, whirlpool tubs on the balcony, outdoor grills, in-room washer and dryers, or even be split into two levels. Beach towels are usually provided, and it’s worth noting that a few rooms do not have internet included. Long stays will usually wind up paying for utilities. Thanks to the U-shape of the buildings, most rooms have at least a partial ocean view. Note that cleaning services are provided every other day.
Features
Large pool and beach area, and little else
The hotel’s main feature is its sunny pool area. Large and tiled, it’s one of Playa del Carmen’s bigger beachfront pools. Thanks to the ocean, there’s a nice breeze that sweeps over guests lounging by the pool. There’s a small corner section with shallow water for kids, and a few waterspouts that create the sound of falling water. The concrete deck area is landscaped with mangroves, palm trees, and a few tropical plants. Just below is the hotel’s slim, sometimes seaweed-filled beach area. It’s a public beach, but El Faro has the only license to supply loungers. A lack of restaurant and bar means there’s no service at either the pool or beach, but guests can walk across the street to Zenzi Beach Club and order food to bring back over to El Faro. Coin-operated laundry machines (detergent included) take care of dirty clothes. Free Wi-Fi is available to everyone in the reception area. Parking is dependent on the specific unit booked.
