More about Villa La Bella
total bliss
by A TripAdvisor Member
I spent five nights here earlier this year with my boyfriend. It was the start of a fantastic three week tour of the Yucatan - and what a way to start! Curtis and Ashley are the most fantastic hosts and deserve great success for what they have achieved with Villa Las Brisas. It's enchanting and so relaxing. We spent our days lazing in hammocks overlooking the sea - with no one to disturb us. Infact the only sound was of the sea, the music of Bob Marley and Ashley offering us another pina colada!
The rooms were really well kept and well designed - and all with sea views. Even when the whole island had a power cut for two nights (which does happen quite a lot), it didn't affect us. The sea breeze is strong enough to keep cool without a/c, and we were given plenty of candles. Infact because the whole place was lit up with lanterns - it made it even more romantic and special.
VLB isn't in the main area for shops and restaurants and yes you do actually have to make the effort to get a taxi each day. But it's really no hassle and costs only 10 pesos each way. There are taxis regularly travelling into town so it's simple to flag them, even if you do have to share your ride with others.
Isla Mujeres - is undoubtably lovely and hospitable - may it never turn into another brash, overpriced, and totally unMexican Cancun!
All warm fuzzies
by A TripAdvisor Member
What a super B&B on the sea. Ashley & Curtis were just perfect. The Breakfast was the best we could find on the Island as was the service and surrondings. The rooms and decor are just fantastic. All warm fuzzies here. This was by far the best spot we could have stayed. You really get the feeling of home at Villa Las Brisas. See yall next year.
objective review
by A TripAdvisor Member
I relied heavily on this website, so I felt compelled to write a review. This is an excellent choice for a bed and breakfast. Very reasonable price and about as laid back an atmoshphere as you could imagine. The breakfasts in the morning are excellent as is the service. You have a tremendous view of the ocean and easy access to unbelievable shell hunting (sounds stupid, but we brought back an additional bag of them).
Now for the objective part: the ocean is rough on this side of the island, but you can take a cab for 1 US dollar to the North Beach, which is the best beach on the island. We found it nice to actually be a little away from that area as it is a little busy. You are adjacent to true Mexican villages at Villa Las Brisas. This is what we wanted (i.e. authentic food for cheap prices) and a true experience of the culture. I would recommend that you pick the suites facing directly east (I think there are two, excluding the honeymoon suite) because they have the most superb views although they are all very good. This is a very good choice.
Great option to staying in downtown Isla Mujeres
by A TripAdvisor Member
We had been initially reluctant to stay at Villa las Brisas because it is located several kilometers south of the Centro, or the downtown center of Isla Mujeres. Therefore, we had made inquiries at both Hotel Secreto and Villa las Brisas, but the staff at Hotel Secreto was slow to respond to questions we had presented via email. In contrast, Ashley at Villa las Brisas was very responsive and we ended up staying there.
We were very pleased with our decision. As mentioned in other TripAdvisor reviews of Villa las Brisas, both Ashley and Curtis, as well as the other staff who work there, understand how to treat their customers. Our bungalow room was clean and comfortable. We enjoyed the modern Mexican architecture. The breakfasts were great. The pool, hammocks and lounging area has a good private view of the ocean and beach. The snorkeling was enjoyable even though we had a strong on-shore breeze for most of the week we stayed as las Brisas and the visibility was not as good as it could be.
We liked staying in the less touristed portion of the island that offered several local restaurants and walks through local neighborhoods. However, this experience would not be for travelers who enjoy the more sterile and glitzy Cancun scene.
The only relatively negative aspect of Villa las Brisas is the location fronting the beach road. However, the traffic while we were staying at las Brisas was relatively light and we didn't find the road noise to be a problem while in the room or lounging in the eating area or around the pool. The only recommendation we would have is for Ashley and Curtis to consider making snacks available after breakfast (drinks were available all day).
We definitely plan to go back to Villa las Brisas in the future.
Wonderful
by TripAdvisor Member bluffton
Stayed for a short visit in December. Lovely. Cant say enough good things about Villa las Brisas. The entire place was immaculate, the breakfasts were excellent and service from everyone was great. Stayed at 2 other places on the island before las Brisas and this by far had the most comfortable beds with real pillows. I would go back in a minute and have recommended the place to all my friends.
Only One Thing Wrong
by TripAdvisor Member Woodwin
There is only one thing wrong with Villa Las Brisas - eventually you have to go home. The owners, Curtis and Ashley, are a great young couple from the states. This is a nice advantage given their knowledge of the places to go and eat and see; how to get there and back; and pretty much whatever you need - without being intrusive. Did I mention they are just nice people?
Breakfast is a great value. It is more than enough, and one of the best meals on Isla. The people that stay there seem to be very friendly and willing to share with you how things are done. The Beach Clubs, for example, are nice, inexpensive, and have great sand. Be sure to check with other guests, Curtis, or Ashley about how they work.
The fact that VLB is located on the eastern side, away from the sand beaches on the north and west was a concern when we arrived. Not a problem. We just headed off after our breakfast for the day. When we were finished a quick ride back (taxis are very inexpensive) took us away from the crowds and congestion of downtown.
VLB does have a beach and a great place to just sit and watch the waves roll in. Great views from rooms or the chairs around the pool.
Of course, the key measure for any place is whether you would go back. The answer is yes - again and again.
David and Kim
wonderful vacation
by TripAdvisor Member jayana
We truly enjoyed every minute of our vacation in Isla Mujeres. Our stay at Villa las Brisas was better than we had hoped. We stayed in Palapa Suite #1 which looks out at the ocean - pelicans diving, dolphins swimming... The room was very comfortable. We loved the laid-back atmosphere. The pina coladas were the best I've ever had. And the staff and hosts were so welcoming and hospitable. The fresh homemade breakfasts every morning were a nice surprise as well - we were expecting coffee and danishes and instead received amazing, mexican breakfasts.
This is definitely a place we will return to and recommend to our family and friends.
owner needs a diffrent attitude
by A TripAdvisor Member
The property was very nice and the staff was great.
The half a donut for breakfast was diffrent.
The cinnamon coffee was also diffrent.
The fruit was great.
The pool was freezing and needs to be retiled.
Rooms are very nice.
Property landscape was beautiful.
The problem was the owners!!!!!!!!!! The owners leave
alot to be desired. For this reason I would never stay
at this property again nor would I ever recommend this
property to anyone.
what a glorious little place
by TripAdvisor Member melle76a
we were not sure what to expect when we arrived at vlb, but we were SO pleasantly surprised. the location is a bit remote from town, but cabs are about $2 each way, so it's super easy to get into town when you want. and, the location just makes it all the more secluded and lovely. it's set on this sort of rocky cliff, with a great view, and a cool little cave to explore on the beach. the patio area with a bar and pool is also lovely. the pool was, unfortunately, on the cold side, however, but if you're swimming in the early part of the day, the sun should warm it up enough.
we stayed in palapa #2 for two nights only, unfortunately, (we had planned to see quite a bit of the area, so hopped back to the mainland after that), and it was so romantic. the sounds of the ocean, the wind coming in through the open window, the gorgeous view. palapa #1 has a better view, i think, though, so try to book it if it's free. there was a nice hammock in the room, and a cool hanging bed. there was also a small fridge in the room, if you wanted to keep some lunch or snacks around.
the breakfast was delicious, and the pina coladas were out of this world. i'm not much of a pina colada fan, but this was divine. beers are cheap, too, if you don't mind corona. other beers are slightly more expensive, but still cheap by US standards! as for other meals, you'll have to head into town or to the other end of the island. baseball tacos are close, though, and TASTY. and SO cheap. 4 people ate for the equivalent of about $7 total. for a nicer meal, make sure to go to casa o's. incredibly romantic.
ashley and curtis are incredibly sweet and knowledgable, and the rest of the staff is great, too.
you will not be sorry if you choose to stay here!
If it has to bee Isla Mujeres then stay here
by A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed for 3 nights in two different rooms. The downstairs rooms are slightly smaller but much nicer than the upstairs palapa suites. If you want to stay in something close to a real Mayan palapa with drafty wooden walls, high ceiling, concrete floor and a weird, almost sickeningly swinging, hanging bed, go for it. Otherwise stay downstairs in the beautiful and airconditioned rooms.
Breakfast was exeptional, exept for Monday when Curtis has his morning off (that was the disappointing half doughnut mentioned in a earlier review).
One morning when the sea was calm I went snorkeling off the small beach near the house and even though there are no corals on this side of the island, there were still some fish and two small stingrays to see.
Mixing with the other guests was easy, most of them were US Americans and definitly of a nice kind, as are the owners. Their hospitality is picture book american style, allways smiling and helpful.
The location is neither the best nor the worst, we did like it. There are definitely uglier places on Isla Mujeres (quite a lot of them actually) and I doubt you will find any nicer spot on this side of the island.
The island itself has a laid back feel and some beautiful beaches on the west and north coast with fisherboats lying on the shore. Prices are low-ish. But if you go and explore the island you might be a bit disappointed by the lack of beauty (of buildings and nature, especially on the central and east side) and of things to do.
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