I’m not generally motivated to write reviews without some sense of reason. My stay a few nights ago at Hotel Acuario, Tulum Mexico was so disappointing, I feel quite motivated to alert others. I’ve been driving across Mexico for days (Guadalajara to Cozumel), and was in need of a decent shower and some sleep. Read about the hotel just across the street in a travel quide and stopped in to check their rooms. What I was shown was clean and simple and quite resonably priced at 400 pecos (about $30). But I was hoping for something a little nicer and asked the desk for advice. They suggested the Acuario as having nicer rooms.
Their price was 700 pecos (about $56) and I should have looked closer then my routine 30-40 second glance into the room, and I’ll nitpik to explain… On the surface it looked only fair, but that I thought it would be acceptable and looked much better than across the street. Turns out the price was crazy. It’s a strange blend of new, old, and crap. New? The bathroom tile, toilet (new, low volume flush) and counter-top (looks like granite) each give a nice clean, modern look. However, there’s no ‘ceiling’ in the bath, only opened up to the coarse, old construction; there’s no toilet paper holder, or paper for that matter. The shower is large enough for 3 friends, but it’s so old and bad looking, I make a note to wear my sandals in there. Until I notice that there’s NO water at all, not in the sink, not in the shower. I waited a while, thinking perhaps someone was making a temporary intturuption, but about 10 PM, when still no water, I went down to inform the front desk (how you gonna flush?). Ten minutes later I’ve got BOTH hot and cold and I’m thinking things are improving – but paradise is short lived…The shower head and perhaps the water system pressure combined, are giving such a small sprinkle of water, under which, you would have to stand for several minutes just to get wet enough to saop up...I make a mental note that a towel (as wash cloth) and the sink are really going to work better, and certainly less frustrating. Whereupon I notice that even at this hour (10:30pm) , and it’s winter here, the room is quite warm and humid. Thing is, the air conditioner has been on for at least the hour I’ve been in the room (it was on when I arrived) and the room isn’t cool enough to be comfortable. My (Krestral) pocket meter indicates it’s still 80’ degrees (F) and 68% humidity in the room. Out on the balcony, it’s already down to 74’ and 50+% - noticably cooler and more comfortable. Off the with A/C and the door stays open all night (though I worry about about security), and, since located right on the highway meant ear plugs are required for sleeping. My feet got too dirty walking on the floor to just slip them into the King sized bed, a standard-for-Mexico extra firm mattress, 4 large decent pillows and plenty of coving. Good placement of light switches, allowing full-room control from bedside. The lamp is screwed down onto the bed stand. All in all, my fault for not looking closer, a habit that doesn’t ususally cost me, this time it did. And, if you’re reading this far, you’re probably wondering about the toilet paper problem? Turns out there was a role, only it was hiding over by the balcony (glass) doors. Not sure about it’s use there, but I stuck to the more cordial proceedures back in the bathroom…
If you happen to end up there, look close, check the A/C and water, and perhaps, nogociate the price.
- Acuario Hotel Tulum
