I'm from London. I've been all over the world. This place is the worst place I've ever stayed. Think mouldy Bates Motel. The place is run down and nothing like the photos you may have seen. The rooms (we saw 3 after trying to find a better one) are tatty and dirty. We stayed because we were exhausted otherwise we would have run immediately. We attempted a drink in the bar, although the barman rude, we had a beer and sat on the beach in front which is about a meter deep and had refuse floating by. There is also a terrible constant loud hum throughout the Hotel some what like a plane passing directly over. PS Isla Mujures is a little 'SUBPRIME' itself. Holiday somewhere else! Please don't pay in advance I beg you.

We went with a group of 10 adults and 5 kids and it worked great staying at CristalMar. We already have rooms booked for 2008, 5 rooms so far and other friends are asking about adding on all the time. The hotel is clean and the staff friendly, it is NOT Cancun, if you are looking for hotels with 1000's of rooms and having to save a spot at the pool at 5 am, isla and CristalMar is not for you. We love that it is clean, we have 2 bedrooms, a small kitchenette, I agree the stuff is a little old but it worked great to make MacNCheese and PB&J's for lunch by the platter full. There is no price on making a few meals in! With kids and the pool being right outside your door and the beach all but 30 steps away, the monitor for one family would work anywhere we went. At night we could hang at the tables drink beer and play cards and the kids could sleep, watch tv or swim, really do whatever and we were within ear/eye shot of them. So all in all WE LOVE ISLA and CRISTALMAR.....

I'll admit, at first, we were unsure of the place. It was a little isolated (a 7-10 min taxi ride from the ferry dock - 50 pesos) and the rooms lacked the modern luxuries and decor expected in a tourist trap like the Mexican Carribean (no telephones). However, after 1 night at the place, we never wanted to leave. If you are looking for a quiet, clean, affordable getaway, look no further than Cristalmar. The semi-private white-sanded beach was to die for and the pool just metres away from the shoreline was truly paradise. The breakfasts were unmatched anywhere else on the island and very very cheap. The staff was friendly and welcoming and organized many excursions for us, everything from the renting of a golf cart to a day-trip to Chitzen-Itza. The sunsets were amazing and due to the western exposure of the island, much more visible than staying in Cancun. I would never think of staying anywhere else than Isla Mujeres and Cristalmar is the perfect getaway for anyone.... Don't ever judge a book by its cover!

We booked this week stay via Interval Int'l as a Mini Vacation as we are Time Share owners and wanted to return to Cancun (Isla Mujeres) after visiting the island in Feb. The price was quite low for a 2 bedroom apt.& I immediately was very sceptical of the accommodations even before the arrival. After little sleep, flight and finally getting here - my assumptions were accurate to say the least. Very old and poorly maintained establishment. The Front Desk attendant was doing a good job trying to please us as he knew I was not a Happy Camper and wouldn't be if I remained here for 7 day's. The kitchen was unfit to do anything in - electric burners looked like they were last used in 1960 and the same for the rest of the apt. However, I will say, it was clean just very old-fashioned.
The only good thing I could say is that the cat's loved me and I made a special trip to a great grocer on the island named Tony & purchased moist & dry food to nourish them as often as I could.
Water wasn't fit for drinking in apt. so upon arrival we were given a large plastic bottle of water and told we could refill as often as necessary in office/lobby. What a hastle when you needed to make coffee. My husband just took the carafe from pot to office for fill-up. We did end up checking out & moving to another place closer to downtown without too much complaining as it's just not worth it sometimes. We didn't loose too much other than the first 2 day's figuring out where to re-locate.

This hotel should not even be considered in the Interval Int'l exchange book as it is not up to the rating standard of even an Average hotel. Staff was helpful when renting a golf cart.

Beach not good. Nothing much here. Turtle Farm & Dolphin Discovery nearby within walking distance.