Rancho was for my wife and I the best hotel we stayed at during our ten day visit to the Mayan Riviera. It was also the cheapest. We loved the fact that, even fully booked, the place was peaceful and quiet, and we could lie out on the beach, or on the hammocks in front of our room, without hardly seeing anyone. Rooms were very clean, though a bit musty until aired. Valentino, the owner, speaks English and is a great source for information. Puerto Morelos town center is about a ten minute walk away. A little tricky to find if you're driving, but well worth the effort.

A lot of thought and attention has been put into Rancho Sak-ol. The hand-painted rooms are really beautiful and each one is unique. 2 hammocks outside each room. Breakfast is included and guests can also use the kitchen facilities to prepare their own food. The hotel is situated right on the beach. Puerto Morelos is a great place to spend a couple of days at the beginning or end of your trip as it's so close to Cancun airport, but yet retains a quiet fishing village feel.

We absolutely loved Rancho Sak Ol. It was quiet, and really off the beaten track. It felt like home after a few days. The owners are pleasant and laid back. Breakfast was very generous. Our room faced the ocean and we got a nice breeze going with all the windows open. I spent plenty of time hanging out in the hammocks reading - there are hammocks directly outside your room, and in a little covered area closer to the water.. The rope suspended beds were a little strange. I actually liked it - it rocked me to sleep- my husband didn't, or at least not after a few too many tequilas in town. You can walk to town, though it felt a little long and was hot - we probably should have taken the bikes available at the office. Puerto Morelos is a real Mexican town, not a resort town. You will walk past run down shacks. A small port. If you don't want the real Mexico I wouldn't stay here. There are some touristy shops in town, and you will be asked to buy things. But it isn't too bad. We ate at the small taco stand - a bargain, and at The Pirate a few times, which had decent food for decent prices. The snorkeling was outstanding, and such a bargain. You can rent a guide with a boat at the docks in town. The only downside to Rancho Sak Ol is there is no swimming beach. I tried to wade and ended up cutting my leg on some concrete block. The hurricane really chewed this place up and the beach is pretty messy still. There is a swimming beach in town that all the locals go to. My sister and her husband stayed at a mega-resort north of here (she was getting married). They visited Rancho and declared it "pretty sketchy". They took a taxi to Puerto Morelos to meet us for drinks one night and thought they were going to get murdered because it was along a bumpy dirt road with no lights and the local homes were so run down and small. Um, no, that's just what rural Mexico looks like. Luckily there are places like this for those of us who actually like to experience the places we travel to. We'll be back soon.

If you're in need of a relaxing get away to the tranquil Riviera Maya then book your reservation now to Rancho-Sakol. Upon arrival, most guests are welcomed by Luna, who is both a freindly watchdog and is the ambassador of relaxation for your stay at this laidback, off the beaten path, no frills, authentic, warm and inviting B&B.

The owners Valente and Hilda greet every arriving guest and immediately set the tone by welcoming you as if you were family. With only 13 rooms, their attention to each guest is quite impressive. What makes this B&B truely unique is the use of the Grand Palapa. The daily breakfast (as mentioned on other reviews) is fantastic, but it is the layout of the palapa that welcomes guests to share their first meal of the day together. This laidback environment allows you to mingle with other guests, share travel ideas, suggest local attractions, and all the while, effortlessly make new friends.

While there may be better places to snorkel and swim, the beachfront at Rancho Sakol is perfect for amazing sunrises, or simply reading a book while swinging from the hammocks.

The town of Puerto Morelos is close enough to walk to, but far enough away to give Rancho Sakol a true sense of seclusion. Although the restaurants in town are very good, Rancho Sakol also allows you to use their kitchen for a light lunch or dinner for a "night-in" if you choose. Personally, the best evening was spent with new friends over a bottle of wine, under the stars just outside the grand palapa.

If your interested in local attractions, such as visiting lesser known cenotes, there is no better resource than Valente. With a background in Archeology studies, his knowledge of the surrounding area will offer you sites not known to most tourists.

If your still not convinced to book your reservation immediately, please know that while my wife and I have traveled extensively, we have never booked the same hotel twice - except for Rancho Sakol. We stayed here in 2004, came back in 2007, and are already planning our return for 2009.

Jeff H.