Hotel Xbalamque Resort & Spa

From the giant murals on the exterior of the building, to the thatched-roof reception area, to the Mayan statues and motifs along the walls, the hotel is up-front about its theme: Mayan culture. The entire exterior of the building and much of the interior walls were hand-painted by local artist Otoniel Sala, and this Mayan theme has been in place since 2001, the year the hotel last renovated (it was opened in 1990). 

It's evident there have been no major renovations since: Many of the rooms, and the majority of the building, are dated, and while minor renovations are continually ongoing, only a fraction of the rooms have flat-screen TVs and mini-split air conditioners. Aged marble, tile, and cracking grout and walls are common.

The main hallway leads past El Pabilo bar (where there are regular performances) to the main restaurant, La Adelita, located by the pool area and spa. The hotel's eateries and performance venues draw locals as well as guests, and it's not unusual to see locals hanging by the pool during the day or crowding in to see a Spanish-language comedy show at El Pabilo bar at night. 

Leisure travelers looking for a budget option in downtown Cancun will find Hotel Xbalamque well located for exploring the mainland and experiencing the Mexican side of life outside of the resort-lined Hotel Zone. 

Just a two-minute walk away from El Parque Las Palapas, a meeting place considered the heart of the city, the Hotel Xbalamque is about as convenient as it gets for those who want to stay downtown. Every weekend evening the park is alive with street vendors, Mayan clothing merchants, and usually stage performances ranging from local bands to students putting on plays or dancing ballet.

There are dozens of eateries within walking distance, ranging from Pescaditos just across street, to La Parilla (under a five-minute walk). The entire stretch of both Yaxchilan and Tulum are lined with eateries, clubs, and bars, including several LGBT hot spots.

Downtown Cancun has a lot to offer in terms of restaurants and nightlife, but there aren’t any beaches within walking distance of the hotel. The ADO bus station is less than 10 minutes away from the hotel on foot, as is an R1 bus stop on Tulum Avenue, with direct access to the Hotel Zone beaches via a 20- to 30-minute ride. Taxis are also readily available, and there is a car rental agency just out front of the hotel. 

The 80 Standard Rooms and 11 Suites at the Hotel Xbalamque are basic and functional. They are decorated with rustic wood trim, tile floors, and hand-painted tiles in the bathrooms, with some of the bathroom floors featuring stone inlays. But the walls are dated, with popcorn texture, visible cracking, and discoloration from years of humidity.

Standard Rooms feature two double beds and can sleep up to four. Some have been renovated with flat-screen TVs, mini-split air conditioners, and fresh paint in canary yellow or orange, while the older rooms still feature box TVs, window-mounted air conditioners (that can be finicky), and visible coloring on the once-white walls. Some bathrooms have been repainted and have remodeled floors, but the older ones have the same discoloration and texturing as the rooms themselves, as well as rust stains on fixtures. They have walk-in showers and basic amenities such as towels, soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Renovations are ongoing. 

The Suites are all named after Mayan ruins, and are furnished with rustic furniture and a king-size bed. The walls are hand-painted in different murals, such as birds in a forest, or seashells on the beach.

Maintenance and occasional cleanliness issues aren't uncommon, and rooms can get noise from nearby nightlife. 

La Adelita is the primary restaurant for the hotel and serves all three meals; breakfast is included in most of the room rates. Standard Mexican fare is on the menu, plus beer is available, and the pool just outside is a favorite hangout spot for locals who want to come in from the sun and kick back with a cold brew and affordable food. Room service is included during those hours.

The pool is used by both children and adults, but the shallow end isn’t separated, so adults need to keep an eye on the little ones. There are umbrella tables and cushioned loungers adjacent. The hotel’s spa is on the back end of the pool, and La Adelita connects directly. The theater is located upstairs.

El Pabilo is open until the wee hours and it has a small stage where local artists regularly perform everything from comedy shows, to musical performances, to small plays. There's a small bar with a simple wine selection. The music can sometimes be a bit loud for light sleepers, especially when combined with the nearby clubs and bars on Yaxchilan. There is also an attached Italian restaurant around the corner serving dinner and wine; it's also open late. 

There are a variety of office spaces within the hotel building but not all are rented. There are a local tour operator for booking adventure tours within the Riviera Maya, and a salon where nightly salsa classes take place every evening. There are 12 parking spaces for guests who arrive with their own transportation, or rent from the company just out front of the hotel. The parking lot is located on the back side of the property.

The hotel’s spa offers a sauna and a variety of treatments, including massages and even a traditional Mayan Temazcal ritual. There is an independently operated Pilates room within the hotel with daily classes from a local instructor.