If you like boutique hotels then this is the place for you. This is my fourth visit to Secreto and I have yet to be disappointed. This hotel is small, chic and unique. There are original works of art all over the hotel. It is small, special and one of a kind. I go out of my way to stay at boutique hotels all over the world and this is my favorite. There is something magical about the place. Part of the charm of Isla Mujeres is that it is a genuine, one of a kind place. I have been going to the island since I got married 22 years ago. Once you leave the main street you will find an island of lovely kind people who really care about their home. If you are looking for Disney or mindless entertainment, stop reading this review and go to Cancun.

The hotel is clean, chic, modern and simple. It is the perfect place to elicit a sense of calm and quiet. The staff is incredibly accommodating. The ac is intense, but for those who complain, don’t know how to use it! It hits the beds only if you direct the unit to it. The ac is a wall unit, and it is not central ac, but does the trick cooling the room down and we were there in august.

As far as other reviewer’s complaints, I have brought my daughter and she is well behaved. We started taking her when she was 6 and now she is about to turn 12. I think the people who are attracted to this hotel are of a different mindset and have kids who understand that a pool does not mean to act like a crazy maniac. There was a couple with a young boy and he behaved perfectly. Every time I have been there and there are guests with kids whether they were 2 to 17 and, everyone has been well behaved.

I am a former concierge and understand many aspects of the hotel business. For those who complain there is not a restaurant there is a reason: to keep rowdy people and foot traffic away from the hotel. This place is located off a dirt road to so people don’t just wander in and crash the pool. The owner must have thought of this so guests could have a peaceful vacation. It takes less than two minutes to walk to good restaurants all over the island.

Speaking of which, if you are a healthy eater here is the short list:

Elements of the Island for the best breakfast and yoga are the best. They use organic ingredients, keep their own bees and started the island’s recycling program. Lisa is a great yoga teacher. One of the few places you can get good vegetables on the island.

Comono for healthy food for dinner. Great portions, amazing mint lemonade. The couple who owns it really know how to use spices and they have amazing guacamole. More good veggies. Chen and Lee did an amazing job accommodating our special dietary needs.

Olivia. Make sure to make reservations here. Dinner only. Great Mediterranean fish, chicken skewers and Lamb.

Qubano: Lunch only. Vivian makes great salads and her dressing is delish.

Cool: stop there for dessert. Rosemary is a doll and her sorbet and ice cream are clean. No sugar hangover! We stopped there every night.

Mango Café. We tried eating there but they were closed. We got to meet the owner and she gets organic meat, which to some is important.

We have never had a problem with noise and as far as the construction noise; there was none, except for the owner and his crew making improvements which they were quiet as mice. I have watched this hotel get better and better since it almost first opened. They made a nicer pool, the gym downstairs just opened and it is incredible for a 12 room property. When the spa opens, I have no doubt that it will be first as well and I will finally have a place on the island to get a pedicure. The gym has all life fitness equipment, free weights and plenty of cardio machines to accommodate guests.

Secreto is owned by an American who takes a tremendous amount of pride in his hotel. Every day we saw him working outside with his crew making improvements in the hotel. Every time we return there are extra touches that he has added. He has had the same crew working for him for years, so that says a lot about him as an employer and how he cares about his property.

If you are a person who can “think outside the box”, then this beautiful little gem is for you!

for anyone on the fence dont be. i traveled with my gf and had an amzing time. if your into being pampered all day this isnt the place for you. the people who wrote negative reviews of this place probably would be dissapointed anywhere so i wouldnt pay attention. i thought the staff was very helpfull and extremely accomodating. my spanish is good so i had no problem getting by. but if yours isnt, just try they will appreciate the effort and work even harder to bridge the gap. the food in town was incredible (i had lobster for every meal) and the beach was perfect.

some tips...if you want a happy gf instead of a sweaty one, take a cab from the ferry to the hotel (although victor saw us on the road and gave us a ride to the hotel..hes the man!). also to drink on the cheap buy beer in town and bring it to the beach you will save a ton of $. bargain for everything, rent a golf cart, and check out garrafon on the south end of the island. to close...if your easy going, want something off the beaten path, and enjoy making your own memories (instead of having a tour guide tell you what to see)..then come here. if not ,im sure you can find a place in mexico where even one speaks english and everything is pre-planned for you. enjoy the ride peeps!

* we met the nicest couple who have come to hotel secreto for 8+ years twice a year! so obv there are some very satisfied customers.

We read the reviews before staying here and probably should have paid more attention to the less positive views than we did.
There is nothing terribly wrong with the hotel but it is not that great either. The location isn't too bad in one sense as it is off the main area which would be noisy but the beach by the hotel isn't good (too rocky to swim). The main beach of the island is a short walk down the beach and over rocky ground (wear something on your feet) but that beach is not great. Its one of those beaches where you can walk 25 yards out to sea and the water is still by your knees!
The hotel is sandwiched in between other buildings, another hotel and a partly finished building where construction has stopped. The pool basically takes up all the grounds with a passage leading to the beach.
Our room was big but freezing cold and the major problem we had was that the AC blew down on the beds which was really annoying. If you turned it off at night the room started to heat up and get humid so I kept waking up in the night.
The room was big and had some Bose Ipod speakers and a big flat screen TV (de rigueur in a boutique hotel!). The bathroom wasn't that good, I had to reach under the basin to get the plug to work and it all seemed a little tired.
The pool was over chlorinated so not good for putting your head under water but the temperature was fine. There are some loungers by the pool but it is a tight fit.
Breakfast is fine and basic. The hotel does not have a restaurant so it is fruit and cereal and they have a toaster. They can arrange for dinner to be brought in by why you would want that service when the main street is 5 minutes away I have no idea.
The staff are very friendly and can arrange for a golf cart to be delivered to the hotel for your use, it costs $50 from 9-5 and $60 for 24 hours.
I just felt the hotel was expensive for what it was. In the lobby they have a wall with their reviews on it but all are very dated by now. You can get some really good deals for the same price in the main strip on Cancun where the beach is much much nicer and the hotels offer more.
I also thought the Isla Mujeres was overrated as well. It is very crowded and the beaches are not that good. It might be more "authentic" than the main hotel area at Cancun but neither is the "real" Mexico.

We stayed at Hotel Secreto July 9-13. Our room was just as pictured. The bed (two pillow-tops) was unbelieveable after a long flight, a day in the sun and a few margaritas. Even the bed outside on the balcony was confortable and we enjoyed lounging out there listening to the ocean at night. I would recommend this hotel to anyone who is looking for a place to relax- that is quiet and isn't looking for the all-inclusive experience.

Pros:
1. The rooms are decorated wonderfully. Modern. The bathrooms are nice- but could use some updating- but not bad by any means.
2. Infinity pool and lounge chairs are perfect- not much else needed.
3. Off the beaten path- but only a few short blocks to Hildago Street with all of the restaurants and shops.
4. Drinks made at the pool bar were great and priced just fine. Beer $2.50, Margaritas $5.50 US.
5. Hotel Secreto is on the beach, but the beach is not really swim-able, its rocky and more for looks. There are lounge chairs there for catching some rays, but I would recommend going to the Playa Norte Beach (a few short blocks away/walking distance) to swim in the ocean. You won't want to swim at Hotel Secreto's beach, it's purely for looks!
6. WiFi at the hotel with fast connection, iPod docking station with speakers (bring your own iPod, there is only one rental) and mimosas at check-in, very refreshing!

To consider/tips:
1. The hotel will order food for you from nearby restaurants and have delivered (no restaurant on site). The food was great, but you have to pay cash- just something to remember. Only took 20 minutes to deliver and they brought it to us just like room service.
2. Many of the restaurants only accept cash- remember to bring enough. Dinner and drinks isn't very expensive at any restaurant- likely $40-$50 per couple. There are a few ATM machines on the island if you need them.
3. Rent a golf cart for the day and go around the island- it's a great time. We struck a deal for $40 US, the price was posted at $60/day. ***Keep your eye out for the seashell house made famous on HGTV***
4. Visit Garaffon for snorkeling and ziplining. A great time. You get there by golf cart or a $7 US taxi ride.
5. Visit Playa Norte Beach! Just a bit of trivia, Corona Beer commercials are filmed and shot there- that water and beach are amazing- no retouching needed (just short walk from Hotel Secreto).
6. Recommended Restaurants: Bamboo, Buccanaros and Amigos. You can't go wrong with Amigos!
7. Many of the restaurants offer two for one drinks (two margaritas or beers for the price of one). If the restaurant is not offering that special, ask them if they will- chances are they will do it just for you!

We loved this place and had a great time. Hope you do too!