Despite its central location in the heart of the Hotel Zone,
Selina Cancun Laguna, Hotel Zone is quiet and relaxing thanks to being set back a bit from the main road. Especially by the lagoon, it's easy to forget the hotel is in the middle of all the bustle. It's also very safe -- the entrance is gated and there's 24-hour security manning the premises. And the hotel gives out wristbands so security can identify guests.

Some guest complain of poor or indifferent service
from the front desk staff. On our visit, we found that the staff was helpful but mostly hands-off. But in general, Selina Cancun Laguna, Hotel Zone is best for guests that don’t mind paired-down lodging without lots of personal attention.

Cancun’s Hotel Zone is shaped like a “7” and the Selina Cancun Laguna, Hotel Zone sits in the elbow of the “7” -- right where all the action is. The entrance to the hotel is located on a small road between Mextreme and Marinero’s restaurants. It's in
walking distance to restaurants, bars (including the famous Coco Bongo), the Cancun Center, and a supermarket. Downtown Cancun is a 17-minute drive away, and the airport is a 27-minute drive.

Selina Cancun Laguna, Hotel Zone is not located on the beach; it faces Nichupte Lagoon. Unfortunately, the lagoon is not suitable for swimming because there are crocodiles. But the area is known to be safe, and the crocodile population is well-fed and controlled. Entrance to a public beach is across the busy street, about a five-minute walk. But the beaches along this stretch are lovely, with turquoise blue water and powdery white sand.

Given the bare-bones common spaces and rooms, it's easy to see why guests flock to the pool, the most popular area of the hotel. (Another reason: There's Wi-Fi here.) The free-form, attractive circular design is broken up into two areas with a walkway bridge. A shallow children’s pool sits on one end. There's little greenery around the pool, and the poolside is paved. Loungers, plastic tables, and
chairs sit around the perimeter, shaded with straw umbrellas or small palapas.

Although the hotel is not located on the beach, it does front a lagoon. (Not suitable for swimming thanks to a well-controlled crocodile population.) A pleasant garden area outfitted with lounge chairs and straw umbrellas faces the water. The path through the quiet garden is winding and attractive. There's a children’s play area with
swings and a slide off to one side.

Ray’s Palapa Restaurant is situated on one end of the pool. It's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves as the pool bar. The
restaurant has a variety of cuisine at reasonable prices, although it closes at 8 p.m., which is quite early for dinner. But there is room service available, an odd fact given the hotel's lack of other features.