A Boutique Beachfront Escape in Mexico: Mystique Holbox by Royalton Review

Nestled on the stunning Gulf of Mexico, Mystique Holbox by Royalton, a contemporary beachfront resort, opened in May 2019. Located on Holbox Island, it’s the first hotel that allows Marriott Bonvoy redemptions on this hidden gem of an island.

Isla Holbox, a peaceful island at the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, is teeming with wildlife and surrounded by protected nature reserves. Having long had my eye on this destination, I was thrilled to discover a points hotel during my recent search for accommodations.

Although still relatively unknown to American tourists, the island is a favorite among European travelers seeking tranquility and authenticity. While lounging on the beach is a popular activity, there are also vibrant local markets, outdoor adventures, and nature tours. Additionally, with its roots in the fishing industry, the island’s eateries offer fresh, delicious seafood straight from the ocean.

Here’s a glimpse into what it was like to stay at the Marriott-branded Mystique Holbox by Royalton.

What is Mystique Holbox by Royalton?

This hotel offers affordable rates with access to pristine white sand beaches, beachfront dining, and a relaxing beachside spa cabana.

With just 38 suites, this boutique property blends seamlessly into the island, surrounded by other cozy local hotels, beach clubs, and restaurants. The hotel features a small pool with eight deck chairs, but just beyond the pool, you’ll find the beach, complete with two dozen lounge chairs, white cabana tents, and Fresco, the beachfront restaurant serving all-day meals from breakfast to dinner.

The streets on the west side of Holbox Island are peaceful, and it’s only a 10-minute walk to Centro, where most of the island’s bars, restaurants, and shops are located.

While many Royalton properties in popular resort areas are all-inclusive, such as Royalton Antigua, An Autograph Collection Hotel, and Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, this particular hotel operates on an a la carte pricing model.

How to book a stay at Mystique Holbox by Royalton

I booked my stay directly through the Marriott website, paying $208 per night, including taxes and fees, by selecting a Marriott Member Exclusive rate. If you prefer to use Marriott Bonvoy points, you can redeem them starting from 28,000 points per night.

The resort is also available for booking through American Express Travel, where you'll earn 5 points per dollar spent if you use The Platinum Card® from American Express. Note that it’s not part of the Hotel Collection or Fine Hotels + Resorts program, so perks like complimentary breakfast are not included. Booking through Amex Travel starts at $243 or 34,761 Membership Rewards points per night.

Chase cardholders can earn 5 points per dollar when booking travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Rates through this portal begin at $218 per night, including taxes and fees. However, Holbox Island isn’t always easy to find on the portal, so make sure to search for the hotel by name.

How to get to this beachfront haven

Getting to Holbox Island is a bit of a journey. First, you’ll fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN). From there, it’s a 2.5-hour, somewhat bumpy shuttle ride to the ferry station in Chiquila. Shared rides start at $42 per person, and I recommend booking in advance. The 20-minute ferry ride to the island costs $12. Once on Holbox, you’ll need to catch an all-terrain golf cart taxi for around $12 to reach the hotel.

The golf cart taxi driver will ask if you want to be dropped off “a la playa” (at the beach) or “recepcion” (at the hotel’s reception or front entrance). Most pickups and drop-offs occur at the beach entrance because an access road runs between the beachfront restaurant and the hotel’s main building. (When I visited, the main road at the front entrance was inaccessible by golf cart due to a recent storm surge, so walking was the only option, though parts were still muddy.)

Once you arrive, the location is unbeatable, offering direct beach access and stunning ocean views.

Be sure to carve out some time to unwind on the beach, where you can have food and drinks delivered right to your lounge chair. The atmosphere of both the resort and the island is relaxed and welcoming.

Contemporary rooms with a coastal charm

At check-in, guests receive a bracelet that functions as their room key (a first for me!). Simply hold it up to the door sensor to enter your suite. You can also use the bracelet at the restaurant to charge meals directly to your room.

The guest rooms feature a soft, neutral color scheme with white plaster walls and concrete floors. The whitewashed wooden furniture brings a touch of coastal charm, complemented by a coffee table crafted from a tree trunk. Additionally, a vinyl sleeper sofa makes it easy to clean up after a day on the beach.

As a Marriott Gold Elite member, I often receive upgrades when available. On this occasion, I was given an upgrade from a deluxe junior suite to a premium junior suite (466 square feet), offering stunning sea views and a spacious patio with a table and chairs. Inside my suite, stairs led to a rooftop terrace with two lounge chairs. I noticed that all third-floor suites along the building had their own private rooftop decks.

Most suites feature balconies with either garden or ocean views, complemented by cozy wicker egg chairs perfect for relaxation. There's also a 'swim-out' suite available on the ground floor, complete with a small private pool on the patio. However, these suites face the beach access road, and the occasional golf cart traffic might make the area a bit noisy.

My room featured a long desk with a 55-inch flat-screen TV mounted above it. On one side of the desk was a Nespresso coffee machine, a pleasant surprise since the website mentioned there wouldn't be any coffee makers in the rooms. The king-sized bed had convenient storage drawers underneath for luggage, although I didn’t need to use them. The bathroom, which also served as a closet and dressing room, was so spacious that I could leave my luggage on the rack without it ever getting in the way.

The bathroom featured floor-to-ceiling sliding closet doors, which cleverly hid the room's safe, clothing storage, and a minibar with a mini-fridge. Behind frosted glass, a separate rainfall shower and a water closet (toilet) were located. The double vanity had plenty of counter space for both travel and cosmetic bags.

The fan and air conditioning system near the bedside took me a moment to understand. I kept trying to use the wall panel to turn off the fan, but all that did was lower the speed. Eventually, I realized there was a button beside the bed by the light switch that actually controlled the fan’s power.

Opening the patio doors would activate an energy-saving feature that automatically turned off the air conditioning.

Fresco Bar and Grill

Mystique offers a single dining option, Fresco Bar and Grill, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located beachside, it offers stunning sea views. I enjoyed two breakfasts and one dinner at this spot.

On my first morning, I opted for avocado toast topped with a poached egg ($12). The bread was quite thick and didn't get toasted, which made it soggy quickly. I would have liked it crispier and without the lettuce and tomato on top, but I did enjoy the generous portion of sliced avocado.

My colleague, Emily Thompson, joined me for breakfast and went with the chilaquiles ($11) — her go-to breakfast dish at every spot we visited during the trip.

On the second morning, I chose a classic breakfast of two fried eggs, sausage, and hash browns ($11). The sausage tasted more like a hot dog, and the hash browns were a bit too crispy for my taste, but the service was swift and attentive. The cappuccino ($5), however, was perfectly brewed and a nice touch.

Emily and I stopped by the restaurant for a quick bite before our evening kayaking adventure. We decided to share a Mystique burger with fries ($21) since we weren't starving and it was still early. The burger was cooked just as we requested, medium, and the fries had a nice seasoning to them.

The service at Fresco, from the host to the servers and managers, was always welcoming and attentive during every meal we had. And no matter when we dined, the views were consistently stunning.

Beach club and private cabanas

The main restaurant also features the bar that serves the beach club's lounge chairs and cabanas. Guests can reserve these cabanas through the restaurant or the hotel’s front desk. On the day Emily and I rented one, we enjoyed refreshing mango and strawberry margaritas.

Towels were neatly placed on each lounge chair, and the servers made regular rounds to check in with guests. At around 4 p.m., the staff added some fun to the atmosphere by singing, clapping, and dancing in sombreros, offering refreshing non-alcoholic fruit smoothies and snacks, creating a lively and upbeat vibe. It was a true pleasure to interact with the entire team.

Fitness center

Situated on the second floor, the fitness center offers a good selection of equipment including free weights, stationary bikes, a treadmill, and a bench press. Despite the hotel’s small size with just 38 rooms, the gym provides ample facilities for guests looking to maintain their fitness routine during their stay.

Unwind to the soothing sounds of the ocean

Massages are offered in a private hut by the beach, allowing you to relax while listening to the gentle waves. Although the hotel website lacks detailed information on spa services (other than the existence of a spa), you can call ahead to make a reservation. During my stay, the spa cabana was relatively quiet, so I was able to secure an appointment on short notice.

The spa menu offers a variety of treatments, including reflexology, deep tissue, and aromatherapy massages, along with an after-sun care option. Prices range from $69 for a 25-minute reflexology session to $165 for an 80-minute Mystique massage tailored to your needs.

Additional amenities

The hotel features a small boutique in the lobby offering beach essentials like swimsuits, flip-flops, sunscreen, and other beachwear. It operates for a few hours each day and is typically managed by the front desk staff nearby.

Nexus Tours operates a kiosk in the hotel lobby, offering services like airport shuttle arrangements, ferry transfers, and golf cart taxis. Their communication through WhatsApp was timely and efficient. For transport bookings, it's best to contact the hotel directly for Nexus Tours' on-site contact. In addition to transfers, the company offers island tours, though we had pre-booked a three-island boat tour and nighttime kayaking on Viator.

Reasons Mystique Holbox by Royalton might not be for you

Although I had a wonderful time at Isla Holbox, it's important to note that it may not suit everyone. Here are a few things to consider if you're thinking about visiting:

• Getting to Holbox Island and the hotel requires a bit of effort — if you're seeking a destination that's within 30 minutes of the airport, this is not the place for you. It takes over three hours from Cancun airport.
• The island's streets, including those around the hotel, are unpaved. After a recent storm, there was significant mud and damage, which forced golf cart taxis to detour to the beach entrance for pick-ups and drop-offs. If you prefer a more polished, resort-style experience, this may not be the right choice.
• If you're looking for a large hotel with a variety of restaurants and bars, you might want to explore destinations like Cancun or Tulum. However, if you're open to a short walk, there are plenty of great local restaurants to enjoy nearby.
• This hotel does not allow pets, only service animals.

Accessibility

The hotel offers accessibility features such as an elevator, wide interior hallways, and spacious doorways. There's a concrete ramp leading from the street to the main lobby entrance, and a flat, paved sidewalk at the beachside entrance. Guests can request golf cart taxis to drop them off either at the beachside or the hotel lobby.

Guests who require a wheelchair should note that to reach the hotel's only restaurant, Fresco, they must cross beach sand to access some of the dining tables. Additionally, the restrooms in the restaurant require navigating three steps to enter the palapa and main dining area. Accessible restrooms are available at the main lobby (which requires one step to enter) or within your suite.

Accessible features in the suites include closed-captioned TVs, kits for guests with hearing impairments, lower bathroom vanities, and self-closing doors.

Checking out

The service at the hotel was exceptional, with attentive and friendly staff throughout my stay. Everyone I interacted with was eager to assist and made me feel truly welcome. The majority of the team, particularly those at the front desk and restaurant, spoke fluent English.

Housekeeping was consistently efficient, with the staff always greeting me warmly and promptly refreshing my room while I was away. The hotel’s general manager, Ari, was frequently visible around the property, checking in with the team and engaging with guests.

Holbox Island offers a rustic charm, but it truly feels like a piece of paradise. I'm already looking forward to returning — hopefully during the summer, when I'll have the chance to swim with the whale sharks.