Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Hotel Cielo is a cute little boutique-style hotel located steps from the beach, in the heart of the "Original Playa." Our rooms start as low as $79us per night, and balcony rooms with Caribbean views start at $119us. Come see why people rave about our incredible value, friendly service, comfortable rooms, and Highly Rated restaurant, Carboncitos. Receive a 15% discount off our entire Carboncitos Restaurant only with Direct Hotel Booking. Hotel Cielo and Carboncitos are both staples of Playa del Carmen and having hosting wonderful guests from all around the world for over 20 years.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Classic
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Calle 4 Nte 9 Centro, Playa del Carmen 77710 Mexico
Name/address in local language
Hotel Cielo
1,110 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We stayed in January 2025, total 12 nights. Overall impression is very good. We loved the place and felt to be like at home. This is a result of relation we built with front desk stuff. I would start with location which is fantastic. It is directly located on 5th avenue, just 2min from nice part of beach in Playa. This was for us important point due to gistic with kids. Just in front of hotel is 7-eleven opened 24h offering all basic things needed. Ferry marina is just 5min walking distance, which makes easier organisation to go to Cozumel island. Hotel is typical mexican stile building, let us felt to live in mexican house, what we liked. Since we had double bedroom, room itself was really comfortable. Sink is placed in sleeping part of the room, and we found it sympathic. Toilet and shower are as well comfortable. Tiles on the floor are as well made in local stile. They are not slipery at all, and it made a nice difference to us. Another important thing is safety. We have read different kind of reviews and we have had higher attention as we did not want to have any uncomfortable situation duriong our vacation. We felt in hotel very safe and comfortable, as the hotel stuff has shown us trustable attidude and we have built up good relationship. Safety box is available in the room upon request. We have got the towel cards and we have used hotel towels for time on beach. We have taken the towels every morning and have returned them in the evening. Stuff speaks good english and helped us with any logistic issue we had. We have choosen economical room without balcony, and this was the only thing we have not tought about. Room was placed in building corner where windows were looking to the are in front of the room, and natural air circulation is not optimal, but with fan and air-condition installed in the room, this was compensated. Swimming suites and other clothes were possible to let be dried on open roof top balcony. Hotel does not have it’s own loundry, but there is good loundry service available just 3min walking distance from hotel. This helps to save on luggage quantity and weight. We have used hotel’s offer for transportation from Cancun airport and back. It was 100$ for each direction for 7 persons transportation. Hotel made booking with local transportaion company and it worked all well as described. I hope this can help to anyone who does care about same or similar details, especially to travellers with kids.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Airport transportation - book through hotel. It’s best option.
Hotel is 2min walking distance...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Cielo, Director General at Hotel Cielo
Responded 1 week ago
Hi Igor , well thank you for such a detailed review, we truly appreciate you taking the time to do so . Your review will be very helpful for future travelers looking for the best option in Playa Del Carmen We are delighted you and you family have a wonderful time Thank you for choosing Hotel Cielo Come back soon, your friend Beto from Playa
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LOVED all the vibes at this hotel, from its location to guest services to its aesthetic.
Location: It’s close to everything: bars, food, ice cream and transportation, and literally a block away from the beach, you can’t beat that. On the same block just a few doors down you can grab tacos from Tio Noys which is open pretty late. A little further away is Dona Paula’s but we called it Abuelas. Literally everything on their menu is fire. ALSO nearby is the ADO bus station where you can get a bus ticket back to Cancun airport for relatively cheap. I rode the bus by myself at 4 in the morning and had no issues
Guest services: All the staff were incredibly nice and accessible through WhatsApp. Leticia helped me check in and she was amazing. My sis and her family arrived earlier than me and said that Beto, another staff member made recommendations for them to visit and we had the best time at the beach he suggested!
Aesthetic. Loved all the vibes here. All the detail in the decor to the bathroom, the murals, terracotta and ceramic floors. It just felt so homey and welcoming. I don’t have trouble sleeping with noise so I had no issues but my sis had her mother in law with her and she had trouble sleeping due to music and people from all the clubs nearby. Again, I had no issues and slept like a baby.
Hasta luego Playa!
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: If avoid if you’re a light sleeper. I slept fine but others I know had difficulty
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotel Cielo, Director General at Hotel Cielo
Responded Dec 27, 2024
Hey! Marissa! Thank you sooo much for your review and for mentioning us. You have ano idea how much it motivates us. I am happy your sister and brother in law remember me, you must know that at Hotel Cielo we only have "guests" until check in time, after that, you all become friends, and we are willing to do anything for our friends... of course. Thank you thank you, please visit us again soon. Seize the great location, cleaness and of course OUR HOSTING :) Alberto "Beto" Perez
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Excellent communication ahead of our brief stay at Hotel Cielo - an airport transfer was arranged and worked perfectly. Playa del Carmen was on the lively side for us old fogeys so we were a bit overwhelmed by the noise and lights and struggled to sleep as we had a room at the front of the hotel. On the second night the hotel provided earplugs which made all the difference. 24 hour staffed reception reassuring and extremely helpful in arranging transport and offering recommendations. Compared to the vast impersonal resort we moved onto for a corporate event Hotel Cielo offered great value and professional service. If you like Playa del Carmen and want to be near the action I’d highly recommend this hotel and the restaurant below it.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Bring earplugs!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steven krisztin, Propietario at Hotel Cielo
Responded Oct 24, 2022
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this kind review for us. It means the world to us that you trust us with your family vacation and memories. Thank you for mentioning the difference between a big resort and a boutique hotel experience. We strive to give the most personal attention. With that being said, it's hard for us to control the outside noise of the convenience of being so close to 5th Ave. Every review is very important to us and we truly appreciate yours. We are honored to be a part of your vacation in Playa del Carmen memories. Thank you for recommending us, sharing our details, and we hope to see you again soon! Please consider booking with us directly next time to enjoy special incentives like discounts in Carboncitos. We hope we will see you again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We made our reservations several months in advance. When we never got confirmation by email, we contacted the hotel who indicated we should receive the email in a couple of days. We never did get the email. We call the hotel several times over two weeks to ascertain whether or not we actually had a reservation and when would we get the email, not feeling comfortable without a written reservation we call to cancel the reservation. They couldn’t find the reservation always telling us that their computer systems were down or not available but they would cancel the reservation. We called back a few days later to confirm that they had canceled the reservation and we heard the same excuse over and over and over again. They assured us the reservation would be canceled. We are now one week before our departure for Playa Del Carmen and the charges appeared on our credit card. We called the hotel to find out what was going on and once again over and over and over again, they claimed they couldn’t get access to their systems or whatever! they also said that if they did cancel it, they will charge a 50% cancellation fee!! We are now trying to get the credit card company to reverse the charges. Good luck if you make reservations with this hotel, you may find when you get there they don’t have them!
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steven krisztin, Owner at Hotel Cielo
Responded Oct 26, 2023
Hello Christian, well not sure how to respond to this review. But first, we apologize for the inconvenience. With that said,the situation was beyond our control and nothing we could do . Our website and email host Media Temple was bought out by Go Daddy, and we had many problems with migration, which you were apart of . We are not sure why you lacked the confidence in a verbal communication from Hotel Cielo, I could understand if we had complaints about this kind of situation but as we all can see from 20 years of being a Top 15 Hotel In Playa Del Carmen and excellent reviews as well as experiences there are no past problems. It saddens us to receive a review like this , especially, when it was something that we clearly couldn’t control. We are always open to dialogue and hope that after reading above you feel differently. Sincerely, Steven Krisztin
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The location is good. Very little lighting in the hallway and stairs even during the day, we arrived at 4 in the afternoon. There is no elevator which makes it tiring to be on a third level, even so the receptionist helped us with our suitcases. At night when I wanted to use the shower there was no hot water and the owner of the place fixed it. The beds and pillows were very comfortable, in the room there was no curtain and you could see through the glass which is not pleasant at all. There was no noise at night. They offered us a ten percent discount at the restaurant, something that the lady who was there did not respect and tried to hide when collecting the bill when the owner and the receptionist informed her and confirmed that it had been granted to us. More than the benefit that is not really significant, it is the woman's attitude in refusing. Good breakfast, very good coffee although very little. The receptionist was very friendly although slow in checking in and out.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was our first time visiting Playa Del Carmen and let us say, Hotel Cielo exceeded our expectations. From their prompt communication to incredibly friendly and helpful staff, my wife and I would 100% stay here again.
Let's first start off with the staff! They were so helpful and wonderful. Before we even arrived, they showed their high level of customer service. Whenever we emailed our questions, the staff usually got back to us within a day at most. There was a time when they responded within 15 min.
Our first room ended up not having a safe box. When we notified the front desk they immediately made accommodations to place us in another room that did have one. We also needed a couple of things printed which they happily assisted with. This level of customer service eased travel stresses and allowed us to enjoy our vacation.
We paid for a standard room and it was perfect for what we needed since we were out and about most days. The traditional Mexican architecture made the place feel very warm and cozy. The King sized bed we had was very comfortable as well. In our specific room our shower was slightly smaller, and we only had a small open closet but we didn't mind.
The location was perfect. Hotel Cielo is located right next to 5th Ave, the main tourist street of Playa. 5th Ave has a reputation for being loud at night. However for us this was not too much of an issue. From our experience the noise was not as loud as we thought it would be from our room. Usually, things quieted down around 10-11 pm.
Due to the hotel being next to 5th Ave., many of the tour and airport transports were unable to come straight to the hotel front door (5th Ave is a pedestrian only street). However, the pick-up locations for the transports we booked (Xcaret Tours and Cancun Transfers) were a short 7 min walk at most, which we found very convenient.
This hotel was close to everything! There were endless options for meals, gift shops, beaches, and entertainment. We would recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to Playa!
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â Book the Superior Room for more space. Rooms towards the back of the hotel tend to be quieter.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steven krisztin, Propietario at Hotel Cielo
Responded Oct 1, 2022
Welcome to the family! What a wonderful review! Every review is very important for us and we truly appreciate the time you took to share our delightful details with other TA members! You graciously took the time to speak about your experience and many of our advantages. We are honored to be a part of your vacation and your Playa del Carmen memories and hope to be for many years to come! Thank you for recommending us and we will see you again soon! Please consider booking with us directly next time to enjoy special incentives like discounts in Carboncitos. We know we will see you soon!
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There are very few places we travel that actually feel like your "Home", Steve & Alajandras Hotel Cielo is one of these Locations. Starting with staff who welcome you by name to the sheer beauty in every corner of the lush gardens and fauna, pure Mexican handcrafted moldings and tiles, then to the Rooftop Palapa (What a View) on to the furnishings in the rooms which make you really feel pure Mexico. We had a party of 4, so we booked room 18, above the Wickedly Awesome restaurant Carboncitos. 2 twins and a Queen were perfect for out party along with the best place in town to people watch from the Large Balcony. Cross breezes with the windows open if you don't want to use the Air Conditioner "which cools very well if you like that kind of thing." Hot water a plenty, natural shampoos and soaps are a perfect touch after a day at the beach just 100 feet to the east. (Also, best beach location in Town) Reception has you covered for ANY Excursions you have in mind, also, just 2 blocks to the Ferry to the Island of Cozumel if you feel like a different day trip. ADO (Busses) just one block south and cabs are abundant 1/2 block west. Not only is this Hotel in the perfect spot in town, it also completes the right amount of rest and relaxation while Traveling, (Or Returning Home as We Like to Say). Tell em' Chicago Joe & Valerie sent you!!!!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â All rooms are great, but the 3 Balcony rooms are PERFECT for people watching!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelCielo, Owner at Hotel Cielo
Responded Jan 28, 2020
We always appreciate when we have repeat customers but you have passed to family! We so appreciate your loyalty always. We know it takes time for you to write such a detailed review and we thank you for that!!! Thank you again and we know we will see you soon on your next visit to Playa!
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Hotel Cielo is a quiet oasis of luxury and relaxation in the heart of Playa del Carmen. It is the perfect destination for any discerning traveler, offering unparalleled amenities and services in a boutique package. The rooms are colorful and different with beautiful terra cotta tiled floors and old world charm. Staying here feels as comfortable as staying with friends.
And if you're looking for the very best in authentic Mayan cuisine, look no further than their on-site restaurant, Carboncitos. You’ll enjoy traditional Mayan flavors prepared with an innovative twist. From tacos to spicy salsa wheels, Carboncitos has something for everyone. Plus, you can pair your meal with one of their signature cocktails or hand-selected wines. Delivered acrobatically by their fun waitstaff.
Go and you will want to go back!
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â Convert your money in the US and bring twice as much . ATMs can be sporadic. Download GPS maps to...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Steven krisztin, Propietario at Hotel Cielo
Responded Feb 18, 2023
Response from Steven Krisztin, owner of Hotel Cielo, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico Thank you so much for taking the time to write this kind and detailed review for us about your recent stay at Hotel Cielo, Playa del Carmen. It means the world to us that you trust us with your family vacation and memories. Thank you for mentioning our famously known Carboncitos Restaurant downstairs. Every review is very important to us and we truly appreciate yours. We are honored to be a part of your vacation in Playa del Carmen memories. Thank you for recommending us, and sharing our details, and we hope to see you again soon! Please consider booking with us directly next time to enjoy special incentives like discounts in Carboncitos. We hope we will see you again soon! Sincerely, Steven Krisztin owner of Hotel Cielo, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico
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We just returned from this little hidden gem. The staff, Alexandria, Jose & Miguel were just amazing. They went above and beyond for us as my grandson had an injury before we came down and when they saw that he was on crutches they immediately changed his room to the ground floor without us asking. Anytime we needed anything they responded right away. The rooms were all different is shapes and sizes and so authentic to Mexico. The rooms were kept spotless and our beds were very comfortable. The hotel has a special with the awesome restaurant beside it and we had a Continental breakfast included. If you wanted more there was a 50% discount and they also gave a 10% discount off dinner. The food was amazing and the staff and service were good here too. We have always done the all inclusive package prior to this but I have to say that I enjoyed this more. We could walk to the beach in 2 minutes and down 5th Ave in Playa in seconds...a shoppers dream. At the beach you would pay $5.00 for a chaise lounge for the day and the bathroom was right there. They also had servers for drinks and food. This was one of the best experiences I have had in a long time. I want to thank Alexandria, Jose, and Miguel for making this an awesome vacation.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HotelCielo, Owner at Hotel Cielo
Responded Jan 28, 2020
We are so appreciative of your review. It is every detail we highlight for staying in a boutique hotel. We are so happy that we could accommodate your son. We are honored to be part of your recent memories of your visit to the Riviera Maya. Thank you for sharing so many details from your stay with other TA members! We hope to see you again soon and again thank you for the time you took to write this very important review for us!
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If you are one of the people, like me, who enjoys knowing the typical things where you travel, discovering the magic of each place. You will love this hotel to get to know Mexico, sleep surrounded by Mexican charm, its colors, and try the typical food in its Carboncito restaurant, which prepares the best fajitas I have ever tried in my life. Being in the comfort of your rooms, you sleep very well and when you open your eyes, Juan you know you are in Mexico. It is wonderful.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Siempre, antes de salir del hotel ponerse repelente y protector solar.
Evitando que se compliquen...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Piermont, New York23 contributions37 helpful votes
Thank you so much. The back rooms are the quite rooms. You would not want a room with a balcony. Overall, Playa del Carmen has been rather quiet lately. Hope this was of help.
Sorry for the delayed response, well there are beach clubs on the beach , and there is a beautiful sun deck on the roof top overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
But please email us when you might stay with us , there are some minor on going repairs right now
Saludos
There are more places to choose from in the Playa del Carmen area.
PRICE RANGE
C$113 - C$167 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Hotel Santa Barbara
LOCATION
MexicoYucatan PeninsulaQuintana RooRiviera MayaPlaya del Carmen
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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