Del Sol Beachfront Hotel

Definitely one of the brightest hotels on the block, Del Sol Beachfront’s boldly colored, Pueblo-style pink, purple, lime green, and electric blue exterior will not fail to grab your attention. The traditional design and decor run throughout the hotel -- although the three-bedroom condo property down the street is still a stark white canvas waiting for her color -- and can be seen in hand-painted tiles and sconces embedded in the walls, smoothed curves of stepped walls, and small window cut-outs. Even though Akumal has seen a huge boom in tourism over the last decade, this vibe here still feels local. People lounge around the raised plant beds and sit on steps and really own their outdoor beachfront space. It’s a small operation, and it feels like it.The three-bedroom condo property feels even quieter and more personal. However, back at La Buena Vida Restaurant and Bar the energy picks up, especially a night when there are live shows, events, or just a rowdy crowd.

Del Sol is located off the main road in Akumal, just about five minutes' drive north of the town’s small center. Hopping on one of the hotel’s bikes can get you to the beautiful fish-filled Yal-ku lagoon in under five-minutes, or to restaurant row in about seven. You can easily walk to a dive shop, restaurant, bar, and markets within two minutes. The beachside ruins of Tulum are about 30 minutes south by car, while Playa del Carmen (and the ferry to Cozumel) can be reached in a 40-minute drive north. Cancun International Airport is just over an hour north.

With just 20 units in two separate buildings, guests staying in the Del Sol condos can expect plenty of bright space, full kitchens with utensils and dishes, dining rooms, large living rooms, and a long balcony or terrace outfitted with table and chairs, hammocks. These two- and three-bedroom condos are ideal for families, longer stays, or friends traveling together. Hotel rooms are comparatively bare bones, with stark decor, old TVs, mini-fridges, and wooden storage space -- but still have private outdoor space with hammocks and chairs.  All spots are simply styled -- with blaring white walls, high ceilings, and plain bedding and furniture -- but the details make a big difference here. The stark walls are adorned with a few strategically arranged, colorful, and hand-painted Talavera tiles; handcrafted dolls linger within the smooth built-in shadowboxes; and there are even a few inset pale brick headboards. Although bathrooms are fairly snug across the board, the abundance of hand-painted tiles and multi-leveled walls feel exotic, and every room has a superb, uninterrupted oceanfront view.However, if you are looking for a steamy shower, you’ll have to wait few minutes as hot water takes its time to reach the rooms.

Although the beach may be more idyllic directly off Akumal Bay, the sand behind Del Sol Beachfront is soft, white, and much less crowded. Behind the condos, the beach is small, very shady (thanks to the palms), and could feel crowded at full occupancy. Behind the main building, palm trees bearing coconuts share the sand with mattress-sized, brightly colored pillows, loungers, and, down by the water, clumps of brown seaweed. Thanks to this tangly brown barricade, this area of the beach, while still beautiful, is not the same swimmer’s spot as just down the road. There's a few beached kayaks awaiting rental just down off the side of the hotel. 

While most people come for the beach views, the hotel also provides a few other things either on-site or just few doors down. On-site guests can rent pushbikes for free, pick up items in the mini-market (open until late evening), and access free high-speed Wi-Fi, the latter of which can be hard to come by in the area. There’s also free use of snorkeling equipment and kayaks.Next door, there’s a local dive shop that faces toward La Buena Vida Restaurant and Bar. Opened in 1996 as a small spot serving a limited menu and slinging a few drinks, this independently-operated joint (but with the same owner as the hotel) has grown tremendously. Handmade skeletons of repurposed plastic and copper hang from strings, hug wooden poles, and hide in the shadows. The bar is fully stocked and surrounded by rope swings, and the dining area sprawls over a raised area of beach, extends to a second level, and serves people lounging beachside. There’s also a small pool that overlooks the beach and the action, although with limited seating and loungers, it seems a bit forgotten.