Hotel LunaSol

Hotel LunaSol was original built in 1999, though its current owners purchased the property in 2007. Afterwards, they spent nearly an entire year renovating the property, adding the hotel’s pool, parking area, and palapa roofs. They did an overhaul in the rooms, installing AC, new sinks and toilets, and tiled countertops. Since then, they’ve added Smart TVs and as of February 2018 were continuing to update the bathrooms. Typically, guests here are young families, folks on diving vacations, and retirees. This small property consists of a lobby with a manmade pond filled with big red-eared slider turtles, communal kitchen, and tropical landscaped grounds dotted by hammocks. This friendly, laid-back hotel is a good option for travelers who want a quiet but convenient place to stay. 

Hotel LunaSol is located off a busy street a few blocks north of 5th Avenue. This area has a more authentic feel than the touristy streets just a few blocks away, and the hotel is surrounded by local restaurants, some hotels, and convenience shops. Walmart is a 10-minute walk away, as is the beach. Various transportation options like the ferry port to Cozumel, Collectivo bus stop, and ADO bus stop are all within a five-minute walk. Cancun International Airport is about an hour’s drive north. There is also a hospital a few blocks away. 

The 16 rooms are fairly basic, outfitted with cream tile floors and a soft orange-and-white color scheme. Countertops are tiled, and the only differentiators between rooms are the bed configuration of either a king or two doubles and whether or not the bathroom has been updated. Updated bathrooms feel bigger and have a stylish look with granite countertops and glass step-in showers, while older bathrooms have swinging saloon-style doors to the toilets and tiled showers. These spaces feel more cramped due to the wall that separates the toilet and shower. Basic organic toiletries are provided. Standard amenities consist of AC, small digital safes, mini-fridges, and small Smart flat-screen TVs. Guests can also expect towel art on the beds and a balcony or terrace with a table and chairs.

The star features of Hotel LunaSol are located far in the back. The hotel’s pool area is larger than expected for a hotel of its size. A stone deck area has contemporary (if basic) tables and chairs and a collection of sun loungers. The pool itself is well-sized and clean, and contains two sections, one for adults and a shallower area for kids. There’s also a raised whirlpool with cool water that overflows into the deeper section of the pool, plus a relaxing rock waterfall. While there’s no food or drink service at the hotel, there is a small 24-hour corner kitchen stocked with a full-sized refrigerator, toaster, microwave, and an electric stove with oven. Cups, plates, pots, and pans are provided, and it’s common for guests to socialize and cook meals together. Beach club access is arranged with Zenzi and Wah Wah beach clubs, which gives Hotel LunaSol free use of loungers with a lower minimum spend. Other features include free morning coffee and lending library in the lobby, four parking spaces out front that are on a first-come, first-served basis, and a jug of purified water for guests. Breakfast is available for an extra fee and is served a la carte at a hotel down the street. Free Wi-Fi and free printing of boarding passes are available, but there is no guest computer.