Kerry, my fiancee, is the young pretty one and I'm more the tatty old fossil! But hey.. Disparity aside, what's of significance here is that we both rate this place highly and for all the same reasons.

After reading other scathing reviews of the Sotavento here on TripAdvisor, we came close to changing our minds in favour of a more expensive hotel. To be perfectly honest, we’re glad we didn't! Those comments have turned out to be nothing less than the churlish rants of a handful of implacable Americans who would likely as not take up issue with the owners if the toilet paper was the wrong shade of white. Unsurprisingly, on arrival, our gut instincts to stick with our original choice were vindicated in full.

Any misconceptions you may have of budget Mexico will evaporate immediately you step from the transit bus into the foyer. Warm sincere smiles, a friendly courteous approach and a distinct feeling that you've taken up residence in someone's family home are your likely first impressions. As an occasional travel columnist, I've roamed far and wide, staying in all manner of accommodation and few places have offered more bangs for my bucks than the Sotavento.

This is far and away the cleanest, tidiest and efficiently managed budget hotel I've checked into for as long back as I care to remember. Noticing the fresh paint, clean modern furniture and purposeful fittings everywhere, I rather suspect it's been the subject of an extensive refurb perhaps following a bad hurricane at some time in its recent past. Whatever the reason, money has been very well-spent here and, in all honesty, it probably puts many three or even four star hotels to shame, some of which aren't fit for use as dog kennels.

The reception staff speak fluent English. They're remarkably patient even under pressure and will advise you in all matters hotel or otherwise. The well-appointed cheerfully-lit rooms all with air-con that actually works are made up as and when you require. Attention to detail is evident wherever you look. Even the toilet paper and the hand towels are morphed into imaginative works of art as a finishing touch.

Professional and proud staff in the very well-priced open-air bar/restaurant await those who appreciate culinary enthusiasm in an informal setting overlooking a small yacht marina. Here, they'll talk 'to' you and not 'at' you. Politeness, alacrity and a willingness to adapt anything on the menu to meet special needs are the order of the day. Oh ..and right next to it there's the pool, of course. Surrounded by a luxurious jungle garden, what's there to say other than ‘inviting, warm, clean and remarkably uncrowded’. So, no floundering about in freezing people-infested shallows dodging a flotilla of dumped French fries and what you sincerely hope to be nothing more sinister than a half-eaten jumbo saveloy, then.

As I sit here writing my next free stay (as if!) under the milky skies of cold damp England, the list of positives just goes on..

And the down side, you ask? Leaving. Kerry and I will definitely be back. In the meantime, we can thoroughly recommend this place to all like-minded value-conscious travellers wanting an inexpensive, friendly and well-run base from which to explore this truly fantastic region.

Every tip we left you during our two-week stay was earned tenfold. Well done to all at the Sotavento!

Patrick V Staton, Guildford, UK

We booked this hotel thinking we would enjoy trying the local restaurants and shops more than just eating at an inclusive resort every day, but by the 3rd day there we were looking for a different hotel because all the local shops where too far out of the way and going out of business so they were pretty run down. If you like meeting other like minded vacationers to hang out with at your resort, this isn't the hotel for you because mostly only locals stay there who aren't that friendly. Club LaBoom was supposed to be right next door, except it was dilapidated and closed down. Also, half the hotel was closed for construction (which apparently has been going on for several months) and there was no fitness room. I could go on but I think you get the point. Do yourself a favor and save a little more money and stay somewhere better! As a small advantage for the hotel the pool area is nice and usually unoccupied.

I had read some dodgy reveiws of this place (unfortunatley hadnt had the good sense to read them before i booked) and so was kind of anxious about the sotavento. it was cheap as chips, but i loved it. We had 3 rooms between 6 of us for spring break, so we weren't looking for anything flashy. My room had its own little patio area, which was surrounded by trees. from there you went through to the pool, which wasnt huge, but was clean and warm, which sunny spots and shadey spots, and there were always free sunbeds. The cleaners were excellent, really thorough and did a great job everyday. The bathrooms were spacey and the showers were much nicer than any I'm used to at home! The whole atmosphere was really great - it was a true mexican place, friendly, and close to both beaches and nightlife. The staff are helpful and speak reasonable english. I do have to admit that one day a sizable cockroach marched out from behind the toilet, but I managed to catch the little beast so no harm was done. Honestly, all apart from that was better than I expected, and I would definately stay there again. There was one reveiw which mentioned the beds were a little hard, but while i was there they put new matresses in every room that were much nicer. The continental breakfast included wasn't bad, but was nothing to rave about, but you could upgrade for just 25 pesos, which is less than US$2. Then you could have eggs and all sorts which were good. If you're looking for something cheap and cheerful this is the place. I loved it.

just got back form a 4 night stay. If you are looking for a resort, this is not for you. This is a hotel where you sleep, store your clothes, and go out and enjoy Cancun. For those people that go there and are upset that the people don't speak english very well, here is a message for you. You are not in America! You are in Mexico and there they speak Spanish. The staff was very kind and helpful. When I first got there , I tested the shower and it didn't work very well. I went to the desk and they sent a workman with me immediatly. Tell me if that happens here in the states. Maybe people need to make more of an effort. The pool is small but well kept. The grounds have nice little paths through the trees. You are away from the main strip so you don't have all of the noise and mess. It is only a 6 peso bus ride into town and they run constantly. Yes you have to turn on the air with a key but so what, do you need the air when you are not in the room for the day? That is how the hotel saves energy. If you feel you need to be pampered, go stay at the Ritz Carlton and remember, what do you want for 32$ a night. All in all, not bad for the price.