Bacalari Hotel Boutique

I'm so glad I changed my booking from another hotel south of the lagoon. Bacalari Boutique Hotel was a wonderful place to enjoy Bacalar. Its decor and finishing touches really set it apart from other boutique hotels and reminded me of places in Morocco. Everything was to a high standard, from the clean rooms and comfortable beds to the TVs, towels, and toiletries. Daily cleaning was available, and each room had a minibar fridge for keeping fresh water. With only 12 rooms, it felt quiet and exclusive. There's also a lovely little pool overlooking the lagoon. The location was perfect for me, just off the main strip, so peaceful but close to everything. Ecoparque is less than a two-minute walk, as is Bo Laundry, and there are lots of highly rated places to eat nearby. The main center is about a 15-minute walk, a nice stroll after dinner. There's a small supermarket opposite, and a limited but decent breakfast is included. The hotel locks the doors at night and has security. It never felt unsafe, but the extra security was reassuring. The guard was lovely and always available if I needed to get in during lock-up, like when I was catching sunrise. The bar team were kind and enthusiastic, and did their jobs with care. Reception checked in daily to see if I needed anything, helped arrange taxis, and shared great local tips for sights away from the busier tourist spots. Special thanks to Vanessa, who made sure I had everything I needed, helped with a couple of trips, and always took time to chat about my day and things she liked in the area. She made me feel at home. What really stayed with me was the team's spirit. Housekeeping, kitchen, front desk, bar, and security all seemed to get along so well, with smiles and laughter. They really seemed to love working together at this special hotel. I didn't take photos because the existing ones already show the rooms, bar, and pool so well. My only small complaint was the music from the bar on some evenings. It could be loud dance music at odd times during the day. I can sleep through most things, but because my room was close to the bar, it sometimes woke me up or disturbed me.

The restaurant here is wonderful, and every dish we've tried has been delicious. Everyone on staff is so warm and friendly too!

The rooms are huge, and ours came with a private rooftop deck on the second floor and a plunge pool. The design is beautiful, and it's only a one-minute walk down to the lake. This is easily the best boutique hotel stay I've had in Mexico. It beats Tulum by 100x for me, since it's much more relaxing. I'll be back.

The only small issue was a slight damp smell in the bathroom. Otherwise, our stay at Bacalari hotel was perfect, and I'd definitely recommend this beautiful, clean boutique hotel. Staff were attentive, very friendly, and spoke excellent English. They arranged a great boat trip for us on the lagoon, and we felt safe in the area at night. There's parking right outside. It's a 10-15 minute walk to the center, with lots of nice restaurants and shops. A beautiful boardwalk is just two minutes away, leading to the lagoon for swimming, sunbathing, or simply enjoying the view.