Pros

  • On 10th Avenue in the heart of Playa del Carmen, a three-minute walk from 5th Avenue
  • Five-minute walk from the beach
  • Modern, spacious rooms with calming netural decor
  • All rooms have furnished balconies with hammocks
  • Large courtyard pool and adjacent bar
  • Small spa for daytime massages and treatments
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
  • Free coffee in the lobby; free sparkling wine for arriving guests
  • Breakfast included in some rates
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Cons

  • Not on the beach
  • Some rooms get street or nightclub noise
  • No phones or alarm clocks in rooms
  • No elevator
  • Fees to use in-room safe and coffee/tea
  • No meeting rooms or gym
  • No hotel parking
  • Wi-Fi can be slow
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Bottom Line

Some guests describe the upper-middle-range, 46-room Magic Blue Hotel as an oasis in the middle of Playa del Carmen, and it’s not an incorrect assessment, thanks to the lush central pool courtyard surrounded by bungalow-style rooms with balconies and hammocks. Inside, rooms are modern and spacious, with calming neutral decor -- though some may get noise from the street or nearby nightclub, depending on placement. There is a small spa offering massages and facials that can accommodate one guest at at time. The location is not beachfront, though the beach is about a five-minute walk away. Those who want to be closer to the sand may want to consider Playa Palms Beach.

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Magic Blue Spa Boutique Hotel

Scene

An upper-middle-range boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown

From the outside, Magic Blue Hotel looks just like any other of the dozens of small boutique hotels found throughout central Playa del Carmen. But inside it's a different story, and it's clear why some guests refer to the hotel as an oasis. The thatched-roof entry and rustic-chic lobby, with an accent wall of branches, help set a calming tone, but it's the pool courtyard that's the hub, and highlight, of the hotel. It's lush with greenery and feels a world away from the noisy town outside. Unfortunately, even though the hotel may look and feel like an oasis, some noise does penetrate from the street outside and nearby nightclub.   

The hotel does provide some thoughtful extras that enhance the intimate, boutique aspect, such as free coffee, snacks, and sparking wine in the lobby, depending on the time of day. Unfortunately, the extra fees in the rooms for use of the safe and even of coffee and tea may leave guests feeling nickel-and-dimed.

The attracts a primarily European clientele who have an average stay of four nights, along with some Mexican and international visitors. 

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Location

On lesser-known 10th Avenue in downtown Playa del Carmen

Even though 5th Avenue might be the most famous section of Playa del Carmen, staying right on it can mean constant noise and foot traffic during high season. The hotel is set on the 10th Avenue, which is the next street over (about three minutes on foot) and not quite as crowded (though it still gets its fair share of noise and traffic). The beach is about a five-minute walk away. 

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Rooms

Simple modern rooms with outdoor space and hammocks 

Of the 46 rooms here, 34 are Superior King Rooms (with a king-size bed) and 10 are Superior Double Rooms (with, you guessed it, two double beds). The final two are the Master Suites, which have king-size beds; these are the newest units, and were added in late 2015. These units stand out for their standalone bathtubs set on a bed of dark rocks, separate rainfall showers, and marble accents. 

The rooms have simple but soothing style in neutral colors: cream floors, white walls, dark wood furniture, and white bedspreads with tan bed runners. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs; fees apply for the in-room safes, Nescafe coffee, and minibars. Free bottled water is provided daily. Wash areas are in the bedroom area, separated from the rest of the bathroom, and have cream-color marble countertops with square basin sinks. The toilet and walk-in shower are behind the bathroom door. Ceramic tile showers have large showerheads that provide a far wider spray. The highlight of the rooms are the private outdoor space, which have attractive rustic wood, cushioned seating, and in most cases, hammocks. 

Note that rooms may not be cleaned until the late afternoon, depending on the workload of housekeeping. Cribs are available upon request. 

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Features

A large pool and pool bar, a small spa, and breakfast at the restaurant next door

The chic, rectangular pool is the the highlight of the hotel. It has in-water loungers and is surrounded by loungers and a few umbrellas. The lush courtyard setting makes it a peaceful, atmospheric spot to relax. There's an adjacent pool bar with a daily happy hour, and snacks served here are provided by Ipanemas Grill next door. The palapa-style spa is a tiny little building off to the side, and only operates during daylight hours. Guests can book a variety of treatments from massages to facials.

While the hotel doesn’t operate its own restaurant, it has an agreement with the neighboring property, Ipanemas Grill. Breakfast is included with some rates, and the breakfast area is a small, thatched-roof area looking out over the gardens and pool. There are also spaces inside of the restaurant if there's not enough room outside. If breakfast is not included in the rate, guests will need to pay for a breakfast voucher at the front desk. All pool bar snacks and minibar items are charged to the room.

Every morning there is free coffee in the lobby, and guests arriving in the afternoon and evening are usually treated to free sparking wine and a cold towel. 

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Our Favorite Vacation Wear for Playa del Carmen

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Oyster Hotel Review

Magic Blue Spa Boutique Hotel

Scene

An upper-middle-range boutique hotel right in the heart of downtown

From the outside, Magic Blue Hotel looks just like any other of the dozens of small boutique hotels found throughout central Playa del Carmen. But inside it's a different story, and it's clear why some guests refer to the hotel as an oasis. The thatched-roof entry and rustic-chic lobby, with an accent wall of branches, help set a calming tone, but it's the pool courtyard that's the hub, and highlight, of the hotel. It's lush with greenery and feels a world away from the noisy town outside. Unfortunately, even though the hotel may look and feel like an oasis, some noise does penetrate from the street outside and nearby nightclub.   

The hotel does provide some thoughtful extras that enhance the intimate, boutique aspect, such as free coffee, snacks, and sparking wine in the lobby, depending on the time of day. Unfortunately, the extra fees in the rooms for use of the safe and even of coffee and tea may leave guests feeling nickel-and-dimed.

The attracts a primarily European clientele who have an average stay of four nights, along with some Mexican and international visitors. 

See More Scene

Location

On lesser-known 10th Avenue in downtown Playa del Carmen

Even though 5th Avenue might be the most famous section of Playa del Carmen, staying right on it can mean constant noise and foot traffic during high season. The hotel is set on the 10th Avenue, which is the next street over (about three minutes on foot) and not quite as crowded (though it still gets its fair share of noise and traffic). The beach is about a five-minute walk away. 

See More Location

Rooms

Simple modern rooms with outdoor space and hammocks 

Of the 46 rooms here, 34 are Superior King Rooms (with a king-size bed) and 10 are Superior Double Rooms (with, you guessed it, two double beds). The final two are the Master Suites, which have king-size beds; these are the newest units, and were added in late 2015. These units stand out for their standalone bathtubs set on a bed of dark rocks, separate rainfall showers, and marble accents. 

The rooms have simple but soothing style in neutral colors: cream floors, white walls, dark wood furniture, and white bedspreads with tan bed runners. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs; fees apply for the in-room safes, Nescafe coffee, and minibars. Free bottled water is provided daily. Wash areas are in the bedroom area, separated from the rest of the bathroom, and have cream-color marble countertops with square basin sinks. The toilet and walk-in shower are behind the bathroom door. Ceramic tile showers have large showerheads that provide a far wider spray. The highlight of the rooms are the private outdoor space, which have attractive rustic wood, cushioned seating, and in most cases, hammocks. 

Note that rooms may not be cleaned until the late afternoon, depending on the workload of housekeeping. Cribs are available upon request. 

See More Rooms

Features

A large pool and pool bar, a small spa, and breakfast at the restaurant next door

The chic, rectangular pool is the the highlight of the hotel. It has in-water loungers and is surrounded by loungers and a few umbrellas. The lush courtyard setting makes it a peaceful, atmospheric spot to relax. There's an adjacent pool bar with a daily happy hour, and snacks served here are provided by Ipanemas Grill next door. The palapa-style spa is a tiny little building off to the side, and only operates during daylight hours. Guests can book a variety of treatments from massages to facials.

While the hotel doesn’t operate its own restaurant, it has an agreement with the neighboring property, Ipanemas Grill. Breakfast is included with some rates, and the breakfast area is a small, thatched-roof area looking out over the gardens and pool. There are also spaces inside of the restaurant if there's not enough room outside. If breakfast is not included in the rate, guests will need to pay for a breakfast voucher at the front desk. All pool bar snacks and minibar items are charged to the room.

Every morning there is free coffee in the lobby, and guests arriving in the afternoon and evening are usually treated to free sparking wine and a cold towel. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Free Breakfast

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

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.