Magic Express Hotel

This hotel is very far from the beach. If you are on vacation and would like to enjoy the ocean shore than pick a different hotel. This is really a hotel for visitors who are just passing through and need a nice place to lay your head down.

Nice place, nice people. Toilet worked variably, depending on water pressure. Staff very helpful and prompt, including the repairman. 5 blocks from the beach. No local restaurants in walking distance, but there are two that deliver. It's about 45 minutes from the airport.

It's a long walk to the beach and you have to go through 2 blocks of ghetto neighborhood to get there. The hotel does not offer any water to drink and the breakfast consists of toast, fruit, and coffee. The pool is very tiny and none of the exercise equipment work in the fitness center. There is no concierge at the hotel and the closest restaurant is a 15 min walk. Now with that all being said, the staff is the friendliest staff I have ever known. Every employee there knew me by name and greeted me with a smile everyday!

Playa del Carmen was next on my list as it was close to Chichen Itza and Tulum. On previous hotels stays in Cancun and Vallalodid, I was able to walk into a hotel and get a room for the night. These hotels were in walking distance to shopping, restaurants, etc. Not the case with Magic Express. It's very new with nice rooms, bedding, showers, and complimentary breakfast but it is too far from anything. Literally on the outskirts of town. Was a 50-70 peso cab ride everytime we wanted to go to the main strip. I would recommend staying here if it is just for one night. Otherwise, try your luck at hotels that are closer to "el centro".

Super clean. Close to almost everything: beach, downtown; fair distance from main road which meant less noise. Everyone in the staff was friedly and took the time to orient clients for trips, better deals, attractions, etc. Very affordable prices. Continental BKT was good beginning for each day.

One positive thing I can say is that the staff were all very nice. They even brought bandaids and ointment to my room when I cut my finger (not on anything hotel-related). It was quite noisy inside the hotel. This wasn't so much the hotels fault as it was the noisy customers. However, the hotel didn't do anything to encourage them keep the noise down. As for the free breakfast, well all I can say is, "you get what you pay for." If you're from the US, don't expect cold milk for your cereal. The pics make the pool look rather nice, but it's super small and it could use a good power wash and some new chairs. When we got to the room, the AC had been completely off. It was over 80*F and it reeked of mildew (likely due to excessive moisture that is inherent in Mexico and no AC). The AC said it could go as low as 18*C, but never managed to make it below 23*C). Playa del Carmen has so much to off, as do the surrounding offers. I would just highly suggest staying somewhere else if you have allergies or asthma.

Good value hotel. Not the place to go for superior service or a resort-type feel. But clean and nice for the price! Would suggest only staying here if you had a rental car.

My stay at Magic Express was ok. I am use to sleeping on a soft pillow top mattress. I do understand if hotels do not come equipped with pillow top but, at least have soft to medium mattresses. I also was suprised that there wasn't a restaurant on the premises. The pool and exercise room where very smal as well. There was a bike, treadmill, and an eliptical machine that did not work in a very small room. However, there was a TV present and I was able to have a nice workout.

Magic Express is a simple hotel with few amenities. Quiet, with helpful front end clerk, but it s on the opposite side of the highway from the main area in Playa and not in a neighborhood that l would feel comfortable walking around in. But all in all not bad for a budget hotel.

Positive experience. Well worth what they charge. Want to enjoy Playa del Carmen without breaking the bank? Stay here and take a taxi to the beach. Beach is 5 mins away by car.