An upscale vacation spot on the secluded island of Holbox, the 18-room CasaSandra is a boutique hotel where art and music are a primary focal point. The hotel’s location is ideal, on a nearly private beach just minutes away from the heart of the island, and the owner and hotel staff have earned a reputation over the years as reliable and friendly. It's an excellent pick for a romantic getaway, thanks to its rustic-luxe suites, gardens, pool, handcrafted art, and a restaurant that serves what some call the best seafood in the Riviera Maya. It's one of the nicest and priciest hotels on the island, but there is some minor wear and tear; some may prefer the slightly cheaper, but also charming, Holbox Hotel Casa las Tortugas.
An upscale vacation spot on the secluded island of Holbox, the 18-room CasaSandra is a boutique hotel where art and music are a primary focal point. The hotel’s location is ideal, on a nearly private beach just minutes away from the heart of the island, and the owner and hotel staff have earned a reputation over the years as reliable and friendly. It's an excellent pick for a romantic getaway, thanks to its rustic-luxe suites, gardens, pool, handcrafted art, and a restaurant that serves what some call the best seafood in the Riviera Maya. It's one of the nicest and priciest hotels on the island, but there is some minor wear and tear; some may prefer the slightly cheaper, but also charming, Holbox Hotel Casa las Tortugas.
The three-and-a-half pearl Villas Flamingos is a boutique hotel situated in a tropical paradise on the secluded island of Holbox. The location on a nearly private beach in the Yum-Balam Nature Reserve makes for an even more romantic hideaway. There are 14 bohemian-chic rooms; some include a private plunge pool or hot tub. Hammocks strung between poles in the ocean and romantic moonlight dinners on the beach up the ambience. The swimming pool is the only sea-facing pool on the island. Buffet breakfast is included in room rates and the beachfront restaurant and bar serves lunch, dinner, and drinks. Casa Takywara is another beachfront option that has lower rates and is closer to town.
The three-and-a-half pearl Villas Flamingos is a boutique hotel situated in a tropical paradise on the secluded island of Holbox. The location on a nearly private beach in the Yum-Balam Nature Reserve makes for an even more romantic hideaway. There are 14 bohemian-chic rooms; some include a private plunge pool or hot tub. Hammocks strung between poles in the ocean and romantic moonlight dinners on the beach up the ambience. The swimming pool is the only sea-facing pool on the island. Buffet breakfast is included in room rates and the beachfront restaurant and bar serves lunch, dinner, and drinks. Casa Takywara is another beachfront option that has lower rates and is closer to town.
The upper-middle-range Villas HM Palapas del Mar is a charming, peaceful boutique set on a gorgeous beach a 10-minute walk from restaurants and shops in Holbox. Its 52 rooms are simple but airy, with lovely rustic touches, free (if sometimes spotty) Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and balconies or patios with rope hammocks. Ground-floor units have private plunge pools surrounded by plants and flowers. Though the beach is the highlight here, the hotel also features two pools -- a big one by the main restaurant and a smaller one on the rooftop. Food here is excellent, both in the main buffet and the sushi eatery, and guests can choose from a variety of meal plans ranging from breakfast-only to All-Inclusive Premium. Those considering an unplugged vacation may want to compare rates at the slightly more upscale CasaSandra Boutique Hotel.
The upper-middle-range Villas HM Palapas del Mar is a charming, peaceful boutique set on a gorgeous beach a 10-minute walk from restaurants and shops in Holbox. Its 52 rooms are simple but airy, with lovely rustic touches, free (if sometimes spotty) Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and balconies or patios with rope hammocks. Ground-floor units have private plunge pools surrounded by plants and flowers. Though the beach is the highlight here, the hotel also features two pools -- a big one by the main restaurant and a smaller one on the rooftop. Food here is excellent, both in the main buffet and the sushi eatery, and guests can choose from a variety of meal plans ranging from breakfast-only to All-Inclusive Premium. Those considering an unplugged vacation may want to compare rates at the slightly more upscale CasaSandra Boutique Hotel.
Located across from the Holbox Beach, Villas HM Paraiso del Mar is a beautiful upscale property that offers a variety of board packages, from breakfast-only to all-inclusive. The 84 suites here are gorgeous, featuring lots of wood paired with colorful Mexican fabrics and art pieces, and many have balconies with views out over the sea. Facilities include a lovely pool with lounge chairs, more sunbeds by the beach, and a couple of bars (one poolside), plus a buffet-style restaurant open for all three meals (though admittedly, food gets mixed reviews). Overall, this property does a good job of merging boutique intimacy with the all-you-can-eat-and-drink perks of an all-inclusive, but it's small and there's no fitness center. For a more traditional boutique stay, consider Villas Flamingos, which only has 14 units.
Located across from the Holbox Beach, Villas HM Paraiso del Mar is a beautiful upscale property that offers a variety of board packages, from breakfast-only to all-inclusive. The 84 suites here are gorgeous, featuring lots of wood paired with colorful Mexican fabrics and art pieces, and many have balconies with views out over the sea. Facilities include a lovely pool with lounge chairs, more sunbeds by the beach, and a couple of bars (one poolside), plus a buffet-style restaurant open for all three meals (though admittedly, food gets mixed reviews). Overall, this property does a good job of merging boutique intimacy with the all-you-can-eat-and-drink perks of an all-inclusive, but it's small and there's no fitness center. For a more traditional boutique stay, consider Villas Flamingos, which only has 14 units.
The mid-range Holbox Hotel Mawimbi offers a quiet beachfront stay on Holbox Island, a 30-minute ferry ride off the coast of Mexico. The long stretch of beach is set with large cabana beds and loungers, but there's no pool. With only 11 rooms, the property is small and intimate. The rooms have a natural eco-style, air-conditioning, and some balconies or ocean views. However, they lack TVs, mini-frigdes, and kettles. The restaurant offers seafood and Mexican cuisine and a simple free breakfast. Expect a five-minute walk to dining and shopping choices. One cool perk is seasonal whale shark tours on a private boat. Hotel Villa Delfines is a good option for those who want a pool.
The mid-range Holbox Hotel Mawimbi offers a quiet beachfront stay on Holbox Island, a 30-minute ferry ride off the coast of Mexico. The long stretch of beach is set with large cabana beds and loungers, but there's no pool. With only 11 rooms, the property is small and intimate. The rooms have a natural eco-style, air-conditioning, and some balconies or ocean views. However, they lack TVs, mini-frigdes, and kettles. The restaurant offers seafood and Mexican cuisine and a simple free breakfast. Expect a five-minute walk to dining and shopping choices. One cool perk is seasonal whale shark tours on a private boat. Hotel Villa Delfines is a good option for those who want a pool.
The three-pearl Casa Takywara is a remote hotel on Holbox Island and is geared toward couples on romantic getaways who prefer to unplug from the world. Surrounded by Yum Balam jungle reserve on one side and a semi-private beach on the other, it’s the ideal Mexican vacation for those who want to get away from the crowds of the all-inclusive resorts of Cancun and Puerta Vallarta. The six simple rooms lack Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, but they have kitchenettes and balconies or terraces with hammocks. This hotel offers a free breakfast delivered to guest rooms daily, massages upon request, and ample public spaces to lounge and relax. Another option is the nearby Hotel Villas Delfines which has a pool, spa, and a restaurant.
The three-pearl Casa Takywara is a remote hotel on Holbox Island and is geared toward couples on romantic getaways who prefer to unplug from the world. Surrounded by Yum Balam jungle reserve on one side and a semi-private beach on the other, it’s the ideal Mexican vacation for those who want to get away from the crowds of the all-inclusive resorts of Cancun and Puerta Vallarta. The six simple rooms lack Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, but they have kitchenettes and balconies or terraces with hammocks. This hotel offers a free breakfast delivered to guest rooms daily, massages upon request, and ample public spaces to lounge and relax. Another option is the nearby Hotel Villas Delfines which has a pool, spa, and a restaurant.
