What a nightmare! We booked one of the "castle" rooms, which on their website looks like minimalist-cool white rooms with lucky bamboo and a chic style. Upon arrival the "porter" eyed our luggage, chose the smallest suitcase, led us across the street to their 2nd building, past a filthy open kitchen, up some steep stairs and into a tiny room that stank of manure. No, not just the normal smell of travelling, I mean MANURE. SEWAGE.

We immediately asked for another room. Because the teen at the front desk spoke no English, she left us standing in the shabby lobby for 15 minutes while she stood in the office and giggled with a manager or something. Then the surly "porter" brought us to a dark ground floor room with a Budgatel-meets-prison decor and a filthy bathroom--there were dots of urine on the toilet seat and a sliver of the previous guest's soap in the shower. We went to sit at the pool only to find that the 3 deck chairs at the tiny pool where full of black mildew. This is $150 a night???

After a torturous night of sleep, we asked for another room. Some up above us looked kinda okay and since we paid in advance, we were stuck. The woman at the counter SHOUTED at us in front of other guests, we promptly checked out and went down the street to Media Luna, which was small, lovely (though on a rockier beach) and $5 per night cheaper!!! We're still dealing with getting our money back and they've been indignant the whole way through.
Oh, did I mention that you have to PAY for beach chairs?? None are provided by the hotel without extra $$.
What a racket. These people don't care and want to get every cent out of you without offering a thing. We feel like we have been had.
There's lots better in Isla, but keep in mind that Isla is now pretty much a day-trip for Cancun idiots, so if you think you're getting away from that, you're not.

I chuckle at some of the previous reviews. Please remember you are traveling to MEXICO, and a relatively small town at that. Do NOT book here if you are expecting to be pampered, or even for everything to happen as planned. Our 2nd trip to Isla, stayed here for the location, a group of 4 friends. Booking was detailed and very easy. Our rooms were simple, with hard beds, A/C, fridge, and TV. Our fridge and AC did not work the first night. The staff was apologetic and fixed them promptly. The A/C repair was more in depth than thought at first and took a whole new motor or something the following day for hours. We were very appreciative of the effort. Beach chairs cost $5 each with umbrella, the beds were $10. The beach has eroded immensely since Hurricane Wilma and is not as picturesque as it used to be. Most of the sand was deposited on the island's NW corner, but that is so vast the chairs are packed in like sardines. The gently sloping beach into the water is the same, you can wade out 100 yards and be waist deep still. We brought a cooler of beer to the beach and bought chairs. The pool area is tropical and lush. Isla is my favorite vacation spot. We also saw "the ugly tourist" many times, demanding things in English. A simple attempt at "Buenas Noches" or a smile go a long way. Enjoy!

I just returned from a week's stay on Isla, and stayed at Cabanas Maria for 4 nights, and Posada del Mar for 4. I much preferred Cabanas Maria. After reading reviews here before my trip I was expecting the worst from the staff and even considered changing hotels, but I am very glad I stuck with it. You get what you give. Upon my arrival there was a guest at the front desk who was convinced he was being ripped-off and so treated the staff very rudely and so both sides were left feeling put off; Mexicans are proud and you're not likely to get anywhere by being a jerk. Hotels in Mexico (where the national language is Spanish) have staff who's native tongue is Spanish. They do speak some English, but it's a 2 way street. I thought the staff were helpful and friendly and it is really best if you go with the flow. Yes there are goofy rules about making deposits for towels and paying for beach chairs, but it is like that most everywhere unless you stay at an all-inclusive homogenized resort.
Ok, on with the report. The best place to stay here in my opinion is the cabanas section by the sweet pool, surrounded by blooming hibiscus trees and chirping birds. Sometimes there are not enough lounge chairs at the pool (but it keeps it quiet), though there are brand new umbrellas and nice hammocks, and people just chilling out and reading or sunning surrounded by beauty and culture.
There are just enough rooms in the hotel to keep an interesting flow of people, young and old couples, young and old families.
The hotel is a bit farther removed from the town area - and is nice and quiet - so unless you eat at Buhos every meal there is some walking (a few blocks). There are tasty and economical breakfast/lunch spots close by in the market area, or you can walk a couple more blocks into town. Most breakfast spots open at 8am and lunch at 1pm, but there is coffee at the front desk in the mornings around 7am and a fridge in your room if you want to go buy yogurt or milk and cereal at the grocery (or keep your fresh squeezed oj from the market).
Compared to other hotels on Isla which cost a little less or a lot more, I thought it was worth it for beauty and location. It feels like you're in Mexico when you stay here - and I much prefer that to a glossy hotel in any no-name but hot locale where the staff smile for your tips.

I have never been to a hotel with such bad service or with staff who had such disdain for their guests.

My partner and I were forced to pay half our money in advance to secure the room and a small discount and so were unable to leave without losing our money. Otherwise we would have checked out after the first day of our stay.

The rooms were small and charmless. The breakfast was unappetising. When we arrived, the price list stated that the rate included a chair on the beach but following an argument with the staff after we tried to sit on the beach and they tried to demand payment, this had been changed. It was impossible to complain as there was no management to be seen.

All in all, a dreadful experience which left me feeling cheated.