Amainah Bacalar

Bacalar’s natural beauty comes through beautifully at this refined, serene hotel, and the location is incredible. It looks high end at first glance, and the staff are warm and well intentioned. That makes the shortcomings more frustrating, because the place has a lot of potential. Noise and privacy were the main problems. You can hear hallway conversations and even neighboring guests opening the toilet door or showering. The toilet door has a gap of about ½-¾ inch from top to bottom, so there’s virtually no privacy. Sounds and even smells pass freely into the room, and the door bangs loudly when opened or closed. If someone uses the toilet at night, it’ll wake the other person unless they’re a very sound sleeper. The private pool was disappointing too. It was cold, just like the main pool, and for the first three days there was no circulation, so the water was stagnant and had bugs. Staff were pleasant and clearly trying their best, but very little to no English was spoken. At a high end hotel in an international tourist destination, that was surprising and often made communication difficult. Dining was confusing as well, especially around dietary restrictions. Staff struggled to understand that people at one table might have different needs or preferences. The hotel looks lovely and sits in a wonderful location, but comfort, privacy, and the operational details don’t meet what you’d expect at this price. Better soundproofing, a better bathroom design, and clearer communication could make it a standout stay.

The rooms are beautiful, but function seems to have taken second place to looks. There’s barely anywhere to put clothes, so you’re left piling them on your suitcase. Five hangers for two people isn’t enough, there are no drawers, and the only other furniture holds the mini-fridge and lock-box. The bathroom is bad: the toilet and shower are concrete cubes with no ventilation, no vent or fan. There’s a 2.5cm gap under the toilet door, so you can make eye contact with your spouse on the bed while using it. Even so, I’d 100% return for the setting and the staff. They make the hotel feel luxurious while staying personable, friendly without being intrusive, and attentive without constantly interrupting. The lagoon is beautiful, and the dock and amenities are well built. The website doesn’t make it obvious, but kayaks and paddleboards are available to take out on the lagoon for free. A little work on the bathrooms would make the stay genuinely flawless.

All the rooms face the lagoon, with hardly anything blocking the breathtaking views. The amenities are chic and simple, and you can take a paddleboard or kayak out whenever you like. There’s also a great restaurant and bar by the pool, with ceviche and guacamole to die for. This boutique hotel feels like being welcomed into a family. Alicia, Lauro, Jovani, Jonathan, and the other staff made us feel comfortable and looked after us so warmly. We only wish we’d had more time here. Thanks for such a great stay!

Amainah is a little outside town, on a quieter stretch of the lagoon that’s great for swimming and relaxing. The taxi ride into town averaged 80 pesos and took five minutes, well worth it for the peace and quiet. The property is well kept, comfortable, and relaxing, with lovely views of the lagoon and its colors. The staff were fantastic, from the restaurant to the front desk, always kind, warm, and helpful. They arranged a visit to los rápidos and a boat day that departed from their dock. We had a fantastic stay.