Hotel Sutuk

Coming from the UK, I loved the hotel gardens, full of local plants that felt like a lush tropical jungle. The boutique hotel itself is gorgeous, and the room was amazing: water, minibar, coffee maker, double shower, large smart TV, and a terrace with a table and chairs. The food, cocktails, and service were excellent too.

The overnight receptionist was very nice and helpful, but the check-in overall felt cold and underwhelming. We got no information about the city, neighborhood, or hotel. Breakfast was a farce: the menu was huge, but without extra charge you could only get black coffee, no cappuccino, and eggs. For the rates they ask, they need to do better. The place is fairly new and modern, on the outskirts of Valladolid, with tastefully designed, well-equipped rooms. There’s a nice pool and steam bath, though I’m unsure whether exposed wires from pool lights so close to the water meet safety standards. I wouldn’t want to find out if someone in the pool made little waves. The rooms also can’t be fully closed off because the bathroom is always open, screened only by loose shades that don’t lock properly. Mosquitoes, or even people with bad intentions, could get in. The hotel is away from the center, around a 5-10 minute taxi ride or a 20-30 minute walk through a neighborhood that isn’t especially nice. I’d recommend staying only if you get a very cheap rate; otherwise, you’ll likely be disappointed and should book elsewhere.

The room never really shuts out mosquitoes because its window has wooden blinds instead of glass. That also raised a safety concern for us: someone could climb the roughly 2-meter wall behind the room and get inside. Around the pool, the lights weren't waterproof and an uncovered cable hung close to the water. When we left, the receptionist handed us somebody else's car keys, even though we hadn't left our own at reception. We paid 220 USD a night, and breakfast was confusing. Nobody explained which items were included, and nearly everything we ordered cost extra, including a cappuccino. They asked about allergies, but my husband's nut allergy didn't seem to be taken seriously: he was given almond milk he hadn't ordered and charged 30 Pesos for it. We arrived an hour before check-in, while the hotel was completely empty, but the receptionist stuck to “check in is at 3 pm.” She didn't tell us anything about Valladolid or the hotel. The building is beautiful, and one receptionist was really accommodating, but the hotel isn't in a particularly nice or central part of town. We were advised to use our car to get into town.

We loved the sauna, followed by a cenote visit, and our room felt luxurious. Luis and the staff made every interaction special, and by the end of dinner at the little onsite restaurant, Calabazo, Chef Nunez and the team felt like family. The black rice was phenomenal, and the food had a fine-dining feel with a warm, authentic Yucantan welcome. At Hotel Sutuk, the friendly greeting, beautiful courtyard, pool, and mixology all reminded us of what we enjoy about our many trips to Mexico. Our stay was magical. I could keep going, but just make Hotel Sutuk a stop in vibrant Valladolid.