Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico: Bohemian Gourmet Bed & Breakfast In The Middle Of An Island
During our last breakfast on the island, tears started to well up in my eyes. I did not want to leave. After finally figuring out how to enjoy each day without getting taken down by heat exhaustion or a sunburn, I had discovered a magic that I was not ready to let go of.
We had already discussed calling the airline to see how much it would cost to extend our trip, so when we got back to our hotel room, Carlos made the call while I re-packed everything. We were so settled into our comfy room with the sound of the Caribbean waves crashing outside the window, that it was tough to leave. But we knew, even if we could extend our stay, the hotel was booked solid for the next few nights and we’d have to checkout.
Nearly an hour later and just past checkout time, we had secured one more day for no service charge. If we stayed two nights (which was what we were trying to do) it would have cost us $1,500. So we took the extra night as a gift and headed South to stay in the center of the island at Lolo Lorena’s. We had been dinner guests a week prior and really enjoyed the experience. Luckily, she had one of her guest rooms open and our hotel arranged it for us.
Lolo’s tile work on the back patio.
Lolo’s tile work in the guest bathroom.
More of Lolo’s tile work in the private outdoor shower.
The bed is built into the room with romantic lights in small nooks along the wall and original artwork.
A big bonus to staying with Lolo is breakfast. Since we enjoyed our dinner experience the week before, we were thrilled to have breakfast on our departure day in the same garden where we spent the evening of our first full day on the island. It felt full circle.
Savory cazuela with vegetables and egg.
Fresh croissants.
Chocolate created for our croissants and melted to perfection in the sun.
I wasn’t necessarily ready to leave after this delightful breakfast, but I felt I’d had a day to unwind from the energy of El Centro and been lovingly taken care of by Lolo. I retreated to the bathtub for a soak before packing one last time.
Related links: Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico: Traveling By Golf Cart & Safety In Mexico
This is going on my Travel Shortlist. Fresh croissants and sun-melted chocolate – and all those gorgeous colors? I’m sold.
It’s a gem and unlike any place I’ve ever stayed. Be sure to bring mosquito repellant since the room is air conditioned via screened windows and the open air bath. There is also an upstairs room that we got to see the night we had dinner. It has a great loft bed and a hammock in the lounge area of the room. Her personal touches are everywhere with the tile work and food. One of a kind!
Thank you for the lovely pictures and details of Lolo Lorena’s! I’m planning a short trip to Isla Mujeras (Friday-Monday) and thinking about staying there the 2nd weekend of September and can’t seem to decide on where to stay and could use your expert travel advice!
I’ve narrowed it down to 3 places:
1) Lolo Lorena- ranked #7 on TripAdvisor (in the center of Isla Mujeras- no ocean view, but amzing free breakfast and I think close to other restaurants/local merchants will be staying either in the blue room or tree house room for only $85/night… also which room do you recommend?)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150810-d2030936-Reviews-Lolo_Lorena-Isla_Mujeres_Yucatan_Peninsula.html#REVIEWS
2) Hotel La Joya- ranked #6 (all the way in the southern tip- a bit isolated but amazing ocean views and only $66/night)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150810-d1636146-Reviews-Hotel_La_Joya-Isla_Mujeres_Yucatan_Peninsula.html
3) Playa La Media Luna Hotel- ranked #15) near the Playa del Norte and quick access to Hildago (again-amazing ocean front view with balcony, but $83/night and no breakfast)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150810-d2049404-Reviews-Playa_La_Media_Luna_Hotel-Isla_Mujeres_Yucatan_Peninsula.html
Do you have any recommendations? Would be much appreciated!
Thank you for sharing your travel experiences and tips as well! They’ve been most helpful in preparation for my trip!
Cheers,
Bella
hi bella!
thanks for your comments and questions! since i haven’t visited hotel la joya or playa la media, i can’t really comment on those, but i will say i missed seeing the sea when i was at lolo’s. she does have a pool and her place is close to the grocery. it’s a $3 to $4 cab ride into el centro or to playa norte, where most of the restaurants are, but lolo gives great suggestions for places to eat in la gloria, and does dinners at her house as well. if you want to dine at lolo’s for dinner, book in advance. her dinners are just as great as her breakfasts, but are served community style (unless you arrange a private dinner). if you stay with lolo, i would choose the tree house room. i loved the blue room, but the tree house room is more private in the evenings when she’s having her dinners (which doesn’t happen every night). both rooms are unique and beautiful! the tree house has a hammock in the middle of the room!
she’s close to: mango cafe (i didn’t eat there, but heard good things about it) http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150810-d1237536-Reviews-Mango_Cafe-Isla_Mujeres_Yucatan_Peninsula.html
other tips ===>
i really enjoyed mogagua: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150810-d1312355-Reviews-Cafe_Mogagua-Isla_Mujeres_Yucatan_Peninsula.html
mininos: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150810-d2099324-Reviews-Minino_s_Cocteleria-Isla_Mujeres_Yucatan_Peninsula.html
rooster cafe: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150810-d1757113-Reviews-Rooster_Cafe-Isla_Mujeres_Yucatan_Peninsula.html
and of course, i stayed at casa el pio the week leading up to lolo’s and loved it:
http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/blogs/traveltracks/2012/05/23/isla-mujeres-quintana-roo-mexico-casa-el-pio-boutique-hotel/
hope this helps! enjoy your trip!
cheers, rachel
p.s. this blog is on the way out…i’ve moved over to wandering artist, join me there!