Av. 25 Norte entre 2 y 4 Norte Col. Centro, Playa del Carmen, Mexico | (618) 248-8274
In a quiet area within
walking distance to the action along La Quinta Avenida
Rooms and suite with simple
decor, patios with hammocks, and kitchenettes
Small pool with a few sun
chairs, outdoor palapa seating area, and barbecue area
Turtle pond, Coco the hotel
cat, and lobby fish tank
Tour booking, free coffee in
the lobby, and tip-based laundry service available
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Old box televisions
About a 15- to 20-minute walk
to the beach
In a mostly residential area
away from the action
No restaurant (common for self-catering hotels)
El Acuario is a colorful
13-room value boutique a handful of blocks from Playa del
Carmen’s bustling and busy La Quinta Avenida. Located in a quiet, residential
area about a 15- to 20-minute walk to Playa’s famous sands, El Acuario
sees mostly repeat, long-term guests who favor a simple, self-catering holiday
on a budget. Pluses include a small and central pool, barbecue area, covered
outside lounge area, and free Wi-Fi, though the apartment complex vibe
and slightly out-of-the-way location may not be for everyone.
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Scene
Simple spot with apartment complex vibe and friendly feel
El Acuario is a clean, colorful, and friendly
self-catering, off-strip budget boutique built in 1996 that is ideal for
friends, couples, and small families who are looking to experience a bit of
local flavor without being too far from the conveniences of the strip. With
many long-term and return guests, this small 12-room property tends to feel more like an
apartment complex than a hotel, resulting in an extremely open and friendly
environment where guests are social, sit out on their porches chatting, and
make use of the communal barbecue. While there’s no escaping the overall dated
look of the hotel, there are constant measures taken to keep repairs and
facilities up-to-date. Best for those looking for a no-frills but dependable
place to stay while in Playa, El Acuario is a simple spot with thoughtful
features aimed at making guests feel at home, and is a bit
reminiscent of small family-run hotels of times past. In keeping with its name (which means “The Aquarium" in Spanish), the hotel is painted in
bold colors often found underwater and there is an in-wall aquarium located in
the lobby. There’s also a hotel cat, Coco, who can be found lounging in the
sun, or hanging out with guests (especially returnees who come prepared with
cat food).
Location
Local neighborhood outside the boundaries of Playa's tourist area
Located just out of central
Playa del Carmen’s touristy boundaries, El Acuario feels a lot father away than
is actually is. In reality, the small budget boutique is between a 10- and
15-minute walk to the swarms of people, shops, restaurants, and bars on the of
La Quinta Avenida, and another five or 10 to the beach. The immediate area is
residential, local, and feels entirely removed from the throbbing tourism (and
immediate convenience) of the strip. The boutique is around a 10-minute drive
from the highway, which will take you north to Cancun in 45 minutes or south to
Akumal and Tulum in 30 and 50 minutes, respectively.
Rooms
Basic but functional rooms and a weekly rental suite
With just 12 rooms and one
suite, El Acuario is a small and simple operation. All barebones, no-frills rooms
are the same with only slight variation in the beds: There are either two double
beds, one king, or a king plus a single. All rooms have private balconies with
patio furniture and hammocks overlooking the pool, as well as functional
kitchenettes consisting of junior refrigerators, portable burners, sinks, and a
few dishes and utensils. Room service is every day unless you’ve rented by the
month, when it switches to twice weekly. Decor is colorful but basic; expect worn
tile floors, handmade wooden bed frames, and dated furniture. The hotel’s one
suite is rented out on a weekly basis only.
Features
Thoughtful features for such a small and simple boutique
For a tiny budget boutique, El Acuario has some surprises
up its sleeve. For starters, it’s one of the only places we’ve seen in Playa
with a bonafide check-in time before 3 p.m. Not only can guests at El Acuario
can grab the keys to their rooms starting at 1 p.m., they can also book a tour,
grab a free cup of coffee, and ogle some colorful fish swimming in the lobby’s
large aquarium. Outside the lobby, there’s a center garden area with turtle
pond, small swimming pool, palapa lounge, and guest barbecue area. Free Wi-Fi
is available throughout the hotel and the staff can even throw in a load of
laundry for you for a small tip. There are no beach club deals, but there is a
resident cat that loves handouts and lounging in the sun.
