Cancun Hotel Zone, United States
Affordable rates in the northern part of the Hotel Zone
Multi-level beach area with cabanas and loungers
An inviting circular pool and a kiddy pool
Two restaurants -- one buffet-style, one a Thai eatery
Daily activities including yoga, salsa, and theme dinners
Massage cabanas on the beach
Tennis courts and a small gym
Unfashionable, basic rooms
Main pool is often crowded
Beach is small, shallow, and often covered in seaweed
A drive away from the Hotel Zone's main commercial area
Thai restaurant has limited hours and requires reservations
Premium drinks aren't included
Fee for Wi-Fi
Guests that can overlook the bland, outdated rooms here will find a budget hotel with several features for the low rates, including a beachfront area, two pools, and a solid location at the northern end of the Hotel Zone. The pools, while appealing, are often packed to capacity given the size of this 132-room property. Two restaurants, tennis courts, and a gym are also on the grounds. Unfortunately, the beach is narrow with an odd layout that only allows for a small patch of sand. Other loungers and cabanas are set above the beach in paved areas or on grass, but they do have beautiful views.
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
A plain hotel housing budget travelers, families, and retired folks
Housed in a nondescript white building at the end of the parking
lot, the reception area has little ambience. Spanish clay roof tiles and dark wooden ceiling beams provide a few decorative touches to the otherwise bland space. The cramped seating area and travel desks where guests can book
excursions get crowded, particularly in the afternoons. Hotel grounds are attractively landscaped but unexceptional. Palm trees, stone paths, flowers, and a large lawn area surround the property. But two unusual details stand out -- a peacock habitat and a Mayan artifact statue (by the restaurant). Three-story motel-like white buildings with green awnings house the guest rooms.To
the right of the lobby is a path leading up to the pool and restaurant area, easily the most popular part of the resort. Given the pool's size (on the smaller side) and its popularity, loungers get snapped up quickly. Up the hill behind the pool
is the other main attraction: the beach. Guest can also make use of the facilities at the next door sister property, Maya Caribe Hotel, which includes a small snack bar, another pool, and a more traditional sandy beach. Dos Playas draws retired folks, families, and budget
travelers who are just looking for a place to sleep while exploring Cancun during the day. The hotel also sees a number of regional travelers from other areas of Central America, making the clientele a
multinational group.
Location
At the top of the Hotel Zone, a short drive from restaurants and attractions
Cancun’s Hotel Zone is shaped like a “7,” and Dos Playas is located at the top
(or northern part) of the zone. Most resorts are located on the narrow stretch
of land between the Nichupte Lagoon and Caribbean Sea (the base of the “7”), making
Dos Playas a five to 10-minute drive from central restaurants, shops, and
attractions. But taxis are readily available, and plenty of buses run up and down
the neighborhoods main strip. - 15-minute drive to downtown Cancun
Rooms
Basic in decor and amenities, but includes outdoor spaces
Plain and no-frills, the hotel's 132 guest rooms are decorated in a combination of white-washed walls, beige tile
floors, reddish-brown wood furnishings, and funky Caribbean art. The bathrooms are outdated and not particularly
inviting with rose marble vanities, off-white tiles, and plastic shower curtains. Toiletries are limited to shampoo and soap. Arguably the best feature is the private balcony or terrace in every guest room. And sea
views from some rooms are especially nice, as the hotel grounds are slightly elevated from the
ocean. The rooms at Dos Playas come in two categories: Standard Rooms and Standard Double Rooms. Double Rooms are more spacious with two beds and a writing desk. Standard Rooms have just one bed, a
small dresser, and dated decor, like loud electric-blue bedspreads.The hotel is older and guests report
some maintenance issues such as leaky ceilings, noisy AC units, and peeling grout
around the toilet. Hotel Casa Maya, also located in the northern part of
the Hotel Zone, has better quality rooms without these issues.
Features
A good amount of features, including two pools, two restaurants, a gym, and a few other extras
For a budget hotel, Dos Playas has its share of activities and features. Deep blue and inviting, the circular Main Pool
is ringed on one side by blue-and-white striped loungers under
a cabana with white curtains. While this pool is decently sized, it can't quite accommodate a 132-room property, and loungers can be hard to come by in the afternoons. Next door, the kidney-shaped kiddy pool gives a small space for children to splash around, and a couple tables and chairs for families. On our visit, this pool was also populated with adults and
families who couldn't find a spot by the main pool. (In addition to the two pools on the property, guests are able to use the pool at the sister property, Maya Caribe, next door.)The restaurant serves as the pool bar and has a window where guests can get refreshments. And when it's not taking drink orders, Dos Playas’s Iguana Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner serving buffet-style fare. As of our visit in winter 2015, the
restaurant was undergoing renovations to expand. Currently, some guests have to
wait in line in order to eat in the restaurant due to space limitations.Open two days a week, the hotel's second restaurant serves Thai cuisine in an open-air setting with Asian-inspired decor. Note: Reservations are essential as it
can only fit 12 people. Guests looking to break a sweat can make use of the hotel's small gym with stationary bikes,
ellipticals, and a few free weights, or they can visit the two large tennis courts. And anyone brushing up their backhand will bump into the hotel's most surprising feature, a small peacock habitat next door to the courts.
Beach
An untraditional -- but not unpleasant -- beach
Forget the broad sandy beaches you picture at most resorts. The beach at Dos Playas is made up of multiple levels that go down to the water like a series of wide steps. Loungers and cabanas are placed throughout the area for sunbathing, some by the water, some on a paved level above, some even on grass. But there are some bonuses to this setup -- a few cabanas on the highest level overlooking the water have lovely views. For guests that want to feel the sand between their toes, there is one longer stretch of sand that can hold a few loungers. But keep in mind that the beach isn’t the nicest here -- the shoreline can get covered in seaweed and entry into the water can be a bit rough. Ocean Spa Hotel, a low-cost all-inclusive located nearby, has a more traditional stretch of sand.
All-Inclusive / Food
Premium drinks are not included
Dos Playas offers an all-inclusive option that comprises
three meals and drinks. Keep in mind that premium liquor is not included. Since the
hotel has only one on-site restaurant that's open regularly (a second restaurant
is open two nights a week and requires reservations), this option may be too
limiting for some.
