El Duende del Mar - Reviews, Photos - Good and clean hotel in PLaya del Carmen

Misterbobz

Montreal

2 reviews

2 helpful votes

“Good and clean hotel in PLaya del Carmen”

Reviewed 19 February 2010

1

person found this review helpful

I stayed at El Duende del Mar for 3 nights. The hotel is a little hard to find since there is no sign announcing it. I had a very clean and spacious room and the garden is simply great. I was there only to sleep since I was diving all day! I had a hammock on my balcony and the environment is very relaxing. It's a simple no-fuss hotel but I liked it. I liked the fact that it is not in the crazyness of 5th avenue (10 min. walk). I think that Internet access is free, but ONLY if you have your own computer. (Many Internet cafés nearby). Also, if you plan on cooking your own meals, the kitchen seems to be well-equiped. The hotel is cheap and you get what you pay for.
The lady who showed me my room (and who seems to be the owner) only speaks Spanish. I really don't mind because I can also speak a little Spanish, and, let's face it, it's in Mexico, but I thought you should know.
I'm really not demanding when it comes to that kind of simple family hotel, and I don't want to be overly negative, but I need to mention some less pleasant features.
- There is absolutely no water pressure in the shower. I mean none!!
- The hotel does not accept credit cards. Cash only.
- Here's how it's configured: you enter through a locked door leading to the cool tropical garden. Then I had access to my room through a shared kitchen (shared by 2 rooms) (the bathroom is also shared by the 2 rooms). Also a locked door. It's ok so far... But the door of my room could not be locked. There was only a hook! I tend to trust people when I travel, but I am really not comfortable with the fact that someone in the other room could freely access mine. This is probably more disturbing for you ladies traveling alone (I need to add that Playa del Carmen is a VERY safe place!).
- I was under the impression that breakfasts were included in the price. But they are not, and they are very expensive (for Mexico, that is). I had a glass of orange juice, a plate of fruit and a couple of toasts every morning, and I was totally shocked to see that they charged me 8 US$ every time.

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lovetheyucatan

Ohio

Senior Reviewer

7 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

3 helpful votes

“Duende del Mar - Enchanting!”

Reviewed 26 April 2009

1

person found this review helpful

My parents and I stayed at Duende del Mar from 3/29 - 4/4/09 and found it a very enchanting hotel. The owner, Denis and his staff (Marbella & Hector and everyone) were extremely accommodating and we felt like we were at home. We had a 2 bedroom suite and it was very spacious and included a kitchen/living room area on the 2nd floor with 2 enclosed balconies (one that overlooked their tranquil garden area). We would stay at Duende del Mar again! Thank you to all at Duende del Mar for our wonderful vacation!

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gerryconcierge

Sorrento

1 review

5 helpful votes

“very nice place, great host”

Reviewed 9 December 2006

5

people found this review helpful

To all the Dear friends thinking to visit mexico, but avoiding the restricted and unpersonnal all inclusive hotels El duende del mar is the place for you.It is located on Avenue 30 at 5 minutes walking from the main street 5 Avenue and 7 minutes from the beautifull main beach and 8 minutes walking from the main bus station.
This is pratically a residence with lovely apparments at reasenable price from $35 to about 70/80 $ depending as well on the season.The place where is located ,can look a bit doggy at first glance, but is only appearence.There is very safe and after 2 evening you will fill confortuble like you would be home.The residence or condo hotel as they call it here , has a nice garden sourranding the building, making it very safe and with a tropical touch.Denny the gentle italian host is a very nice boy and will help in any circumstancy. In terms of location i would not change it for any, only at 5 minutes from the main road (Touristic ) you feel aleady in a mexican neighbourhood. That means also to find an excellent lunch fro 4 $ or, if you want to be on the budget all apparments have a lovely kitchenett, local shop are just on the side or at less then 5minutes walking there is a big supermarket with any thing you want at 50% cost , respect to europe.Not to be forgotten is the fact that ,the garden has a barbecue at disposal of the guest.If youloo for an accomodation for long or short stay , spend less and filling in mexico being practicly at few step from a fun city centre el duende will suite you. Denny the host has just open a small condominium with lovely appartment on 5avenida. it is on the exspansion area of the road so about 5 minutes walking from the main part and 5 minutes from the location and very suggestable for longer stay as danny can sort out a long stay plan with good discount .Last thing to say the photo on the web site are absolutely real and in elduende there is an excellent free wifi service

elduendedelmar.com

Gerardo Cuomo and Siobhan wright