Review of Villas HM Paraiso del Mar 4*

Second time around to holbox and our first time at this hotel. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. The grounds were well kept, the lounge chairs on beach and around pool are showing some wear and tear, especially the chair cushions. The room was clean upon check-in and was kept well throughout the stay. The breakfast is buffet style and mediocre IMO. We ate breakfast in town several days out of our stay. There was a lack of variety in beer selection, cocktails were too sweet and not boozy. There is a mini fridge in the rooms which is a plus. The location of the hotel is about a 10 min walk from centro, which makes for quiet nights. My biggest gripe with this hotel, and I gather it isn’t their fault but more of a general problem on the island was the lack of pressure for the toilets. I didn’t experience this my first time around at a different hotel, and I realize the island has had more issues with sewage and infrastructure recently with the increased influx of tourist but it made for an unpleasant experience. The smell in the bathroom and around our room was awful during the entire stay. That smell carries through along the beach as well, especially on windy days. Sanitation workers were also looking around at the water in pool area one day while we were at the pool and we got a notice the hotel only had enough water for the next 24hrs, right before check out. I don’t think we will be back to holbox for a bit until the infrastructure is fixed. I feel for the people of the island, it is a shame. It’s a beautiful place, but what a difference only 2 years has made. The garbage everywhere, the smell, the increased numbers of golf carts, ATVs and other motorcycle stinking up the place. The mounds of dried seaweeds along the beach was terrible, especially in centro right before la casa tortugas. Prices are going up while the conditions are worsening.