El Nido Holbox

El Nido - meaning 'the nest' in Spanish - couldn't be a more fitting name for this hotel and our entire stay! Upon entering the lobby and check-in area, we were stunned at the thoughtful design, artful décor and lush landscaping - it felt like we had stepped into another, more peaceful place. Our second floor room came with a balcony (and seating) perfect for morning coffee or catching glimpses of the ocean and beach, which is just a short 5 minute walk away. Our room was plenty spacious for two people, always clean and provided with bottled water - our own little nest after a day in the sunshine. During our week-long stay, Isla Holbox experienced an intense windstorm and some flooding, especially in the main part of town also resulting in many area hotels losing power. That was not the case at El Nido, due to their solar power and other alternative (eco) power options. Even though we couldn't get into town as easily with islands' roads partially flooded, we were perfectly happy to relax at the pool and continue enjoying fresh, delicious food from the hotel restaurant & bar! Note - the hotel restaurant is a separate business entity and is cash only. The hotel itself does accept cards, i.e. for check-in. We did plenty of research before visiting Isla Holbox and were hopeful that Hotel El Nido was going to be a most relaxing, peaceful and special getaway - we were not disappointed! Every one of the hotel staff were warm, welcoming, friendly, and we enjoyed interacting with them immensely! They truly helped make our stay memorable!

We booked a balcony room, but upon initially seeing it we felt it lacked some basic hotel amenities I would expect for the price, including a full length mirror, fridge and desk w/chair. The staff were great at relocating us to a patio room that had the above amenities (except the fridge). We unfortunately arrived to rain storms, and Holbox isn’t well equipped for this type of weather. Nearly every road in the town flooded making travel around the island very difficult and expensive. El Nido is around a 25min walk into the centre of town but with the flooding, the walk was much more difficult and taxis were reluctant/refused to take us to and from the hotel. Another qualm was the food. Whilst breakfast was good, we had lunch there. We felt it was below average and very expensive for what it was. We previously ate at Nomad (a 15min walk) where the food was far superior and more affordable. My final issue is with their payment facilities, they only accepted cash, whilst Holbox has a reputation for cash only, we actually found that every other restaurant or beach club we visited accepted cards. The cash only policy is out-dated. The review might sound harsh, but let me assure you that every other element of our stay was great. The staff were helpful and kind, the rooms cleanliness was spotless and pool facilities were great. We also appreciated the quietness and privacy of our room. A couple improvements could make El Nido an exceptional stay.

A peaceful, immaculately designed and decorated retreat with a highly attentive and welcoming staff, good food, and excellent lounging and pool spaces. Staff constantly checked in on us to make sure we were cared for, and the breakfasts were wonderful — coffee, fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, and a selection of made-to-order plates. We also had a quick lunch before checking out that was tasty. Rooms are minimalist but had all of the necessities, including great fans and AC units. The pool and lounge areas were a real highlights for sure — great vibes for relaxing, reading, and hanging out, just bring or buy some bug spray. Some important to note things about hotel location and the island in general: the hotel is located in a more remote area of the island, so it’s super peaceful and serene with easy access to the bioluminescence bay, but it takes some work to get into town — either a 10-15 min walk or slightly shorter by side-by-side taxi (~250MXN one way). This also means there are more bugs, mosquitos especially, but the staff offers bug spray for purchase. It had rained the day before we arrived, so many of the roads had 4-12” deep puddles spanning the entire width which made walking to town challenging. Good hikers or heavy duty water shoes like Chacos would be great to have.

We had a wonderful stay in El Nido. Beautiful accommodation with very friendly staff. The hotel is not near the center but if the streets are good you can walk over. Otherwise you can just take the funny taxis. Thank you guys for three wonderful days

The Perfect hotel! The rooms are amazing, the ambience, the Vibe, the staff 🤩🤩 Carlo the dog is my new friend. 2 minute walk to the beach that has the best sunset on the Island. Perfect for travelers wanting Peace and quiet! Higly recommend This hotel :-)

We chose el Nido for our vacation in Holbox and we could not have picked a better place. The hotel in itself is absolutely gorgeous : the shared areas are beautifully decorated, with a minimalist yet bohemian feel to it. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and peaceful and feature a great king size bed, spacious bathroom and several ingenious features. I especially appreciated the small patios in front of all the rooms should you want to drink your coffee or read by yourself. Lastly, the rooms are superbly decorated and we always felt at peace when coming back for the night. as for food and beverages, you are in for a treat. The breakfast is fresh and copious, with lots of options which means you will never get bored of it. There are different fresh juices (melon, pineapple, passion…) every morning, and several types of eggs or avocado toast. During the day, you can order a selection of well-priced and well-made cocktails, wine or non alcoholic drinks by the pool, or their delicious guacamole. The restaurant also offers fresh and healthy dishes for lunch or dinner and the menu changes every day. Finally, we adored the service : every one was super helpful and lovely, always ready to help with any problem or questions we might have. The place is a little distance away from the main village but this was not a problem at all. You can rent bikes at the hotel and get to the furthest part of the island in less than 15 minutes, or to holbox village in 7 minutes, or ask for a taxi which is even quicker. There are lovely spots and restaurants around El Nido though, and the most beautiful sunsets are found in this area. You will find several beaches and beach clubs around, which is great if you are looking for a quiet day. Finally, if you want to go to the village for a drink at night, it’s safe and easy to come back after dark. Overall, we absolutely loved our stay at El Nido. We got to experience all the perks of Holbox : its nature, great food, kitesurfing, and lively ambiance - while staying in a tasteful, spacious, and quiet haven. Do not hesitate!

This was my second time staying here within a year that’s how much I loved it! I love the intimate boutique hotel experience of this place. The owners have done a fabulous job making the hotel so comfortable and homey that you don’t want to leave. All of the staff are incredibly friendly too. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of the center which we didn’t mind, we actually really enjoyed it. But the main beach and restaurants are a short bike ride away. Would definitely recommend staying here!

The hotel and staff were both excellent, surpassing expectations. The natural design beautifully reflects the environment, enriching the serene atmosphere. It’s just far away from town not to be inconvenient. Loved it.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS HOTEL! JUST BOOK IT... WITHOUT HESITATION! My fiance and I recently stayed here for an engagement-moon trip. It was our first time to Holbox and we weren't sure which part of the island to stay at, and after alot of research we landed on booking this hotel. We LOVED this boutique hotel, and beyond happy with our stay, and the location. Highlights: - extremely clean rooms, every day cleaned to perfection. - the hotel staff is friendly and helpful and provide a complimentary walk to see the bioluminescence at night (which is only 10 minutes from the hotel, do not book a formal tour for this) - the hotel is small with only 14 rooms, and very secure with a locked main door to enter the hotel facility (although Holbox as a whole felt incredible safe and comfortable) - the location of the hotel is ideal if you want a peaceful trip. You can easily walk into town for 20 minutes, rent a bike for a day (300 pesos) or hire a golf car taxi (200 pesos each way) to bring you downtown Holbox. We walked most evenings into town and although part of the road is very dark, we used our phone flashlights to light the way and felt very safe and comfortable. - the hotel is 5 minute walk from the best beach with the beautiful sunsets. - the hotel has a clean and relaxed pool which gets some shade in the later afternoon (much needed in the Holbox sun!) - daily breakfast is complimentary is simple but good (yogurt and fruit, and a selection of one of 5 menu items you can choose from which are the same 5 items each day) Note; on Holbox you cannot put toilet paper down the toilet due to the septic. I recommend bringing baby wipes to use for #2. I wasn't excited about this but it actually was not an issue at all, and I am picky. They use a garbage-can with lid specifically for toilet paper that is emptied daily. I really recommend this hotel! Also the aesthetic of the hotel is beautiful. Carlos, Andres, Rayna, Maria and others were really very kind to us! Thank you!! :)