Hotel & Suites Nader

Hotel & Suites Nader is a small, simple hotel for travellers who would rather spend on experiences than on a room. It stands at Avenida Nader 5, in the oldest part of downtown Cancún, about a block from Avenida Tulum and the city hall, and Oyster's review puts it in its value category. With only twelve rooms, it feels more like a guesthouse than a hotel.

Most rooms are suites with two double beds, sleeping up to four, which makes them good value for families or friends travelling together. A few standard rooms suit individuals or couples. The suites have kitchenettes with a stove, sink, pots and pans, cutlery and crockery, though no microwave or toaster, and a separate washroom for hand-washing clothes. Every room has free WiFi, a flat-screen television with basic cable, a mini-fridge and purified drinking water, and staff can provide a coffee pot for longer stays on request.

The facilities are deliberately minimal. There is no pool, restaurant, lift or gym, and the front desk is not staffed around the clock, usually closing at about eight in the evening, so arrange late arrivals in advance. A second-floor patio with a large umbrella gives some outdoor space and doubles as the smoking area. The building is a little worn, though the entrance has greenery, and some rooms look out over graffiti on neighbouring buildings. The WiFi signal can be weak in places.

What you get in return is a central, walkable location and room to spread out. Café Nader, next door, serves traditional Mexican food until around ten at night, which is handy for meals but can be noisy for light sleepers. A laundry next door offers same-day service if you drop clothes off early. The ADO bus station on Avenida Tulum is a short walk away, and Avenida Yaxchilán and the Parque de las Palapas, with their street food, are about ten minutes on foot.

Hotel & Suites Nader suits budget travellers, families who want to self-cater and longer stays, as long as you do not need hotel services. For the beaches, the R-1 and R-2 buses stop within about five minutes' walk and run along Avenidas Tulum and Cobá to the Hotel Zone. El Socio Naiz, one of downtown's more creative taquerías, and Nomads' rooftop bar are also on Avenida Nader.