The four-pearl Gold by Marina is an adult-only hotel located a 10-minute walk from Playa Ingles in one direction, and the Yumbo shopping mall in the other. The hotel’s decor is hip and gorgeous -- think bright, modern, and effortlessly cool, with splashes of color everywhere you look. The 133 rooms are serene in contrast to downstairs, outfitted in white and turquoise furnishings, well-equipped kitchenettes, and furnished terraces. Guests rave about the buffet breakfast (fee), and other meals can be ordered at the restaurant or pool bar. Two outdoor pools, a massage and wellness treatment area, and tiny gym round out the amenities. Travelers may want to compare rates with the more luxurious adult-only Bohemia Suites & Spa, though bold purple rooms may be a bit loud for some.

The Bohemia Suites and Spa is a 67-room, adults-only, luxury boutique hotel in Playa del Ingles, roughly 200 yards from the beach. The lush El Siam Spa offers a full array of Thai-influenced bodywork and beauty treatments. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with royal palms and exotic flower gardens, as well as high privacy hedges that make the pool feel perfectly remote. Rooms and common areas are designed in luxe high style, with bright modern furniture and atmospheric lighting (that some find a bit overwhelming). Considering its many on-site facilities (fitness center, spa, restaurants, and pools), freebies (Wi-Fi and breakfast), and often affordable rates, the Bohemia Suites offers a surprisingly solid value for a luxury property.

The 92-room Axel Beach is a mellow adult-only hotel catering to gay couples and groups of friends. The focus at this upper-middle-range property is on relaxation, with a spacious pool, a spa and a sauna, and morning stretch classes in the gardens. Minimalist, modern one-bedroom apartments have kitchenettes, furnished balconies, and nice bathrooms. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but there is a fee for use of in-room safes, and rooms facing the street may get noise. The pool bar offers a long list of cocktails and a few snacks, and there's a buffet restaurant as well. The hotel is a little above other mid-range hotels in town, and location within walking distance of nightlife and dining is a major plus. Couples looking to stay closer to the beach may want to consider Hotel Bronze Playa.