Mosquito Blue Hotel & Spa

Affordable and colourful boutique hotel ideally located for Playa del Carmen's buzzing nightlife

Playa del Carmen is a lively beach resort, rivalling Cancún but attracting a younger and hipper crowd. The town delivers with vibrant cafés and restaurants, arts and crafts stalls, popular powder white-sand beaches and an azure Caribbean sea. Despite mass tourism and the arrival of big US brands, Playa still has an infectious holiday vibe.

Unlike the clean understated lines of nearby minimalist Hotel Deseo, Mosquito Blue stands out with its winning mix of contemporary European style and typical Mexican colours, created by its Italian owner and designed by the famous Mexican architect, Barraza. The atmosphere is upbeat; a warm-up to Playa’s party scene, encouraged by ambient house music and young, funky staff.

The 45-room hotel's most striking aspect, apart from abundant orange and blue, is the use of curves in the overall design. Two softly curvaceous swimming pools are surrounded by tropical plants; the second of which is more secluded, with a delightful circular, palapa-thatched ‘tent’ with a sofa and cushions. Between the pools is a high-roofed communal area with a billiards table and an open and airy library. Padded seats carved into the stone create a convivial meeting spot. The tranquil Zen Eco Spa's natural feel is achieved by wooden walkways, lush foliage and trees growing through its palapa roof. Distinctly hip, yet welcoming, the hotel is a favourite with 30-somethings and honeymooners not seeking total seclusion.

Highs

• The hotel is right on 5th Avenida, Playa’s most vibrant street of cafés, shops and nightclubs
• It combines the laid-back charm, verve and hues of Mexico with the sophistication and flavour of Europe
• Although not directly on the beach, Mosquito Blue has a fashionable beach club 3 blocks away, which guarantees a vast daybed
• The hotel's sophisticated restaurant, one of the best in Playa, offers an innovative and appetising finger food menu
• The beautifully landscaped grounds are abundant with plants and trees, giving a natural feel to the hotel’s pool areas
• No children under 16 make this a haven for kid-free couples and singles alike

Lows

• Noise from the street and the hotel reverberate around the open corridors until the early hours: it's not for those seeking peace
• Standard rooms are small and furnished sparsely; spacious elegance only kicks in a suite level
• The restaurant has some tables outside on the street (not the most private space) though there is also some inside seating
• For a full breakfast you need to head to the beach club; but you can get a light breakfast in the main hotel (or from nearby cafes)
• Don't expect the luxury and facilities (or the high prices) of a 5-star resort - it's more trendy than top-end
• The ‘abstract’ art by a local artist dominates the walls and spoils the elegant curves of the hotel