The grounds of Marina Paraiso Hotel incorporate many of the plants and trees that naturally grow on the site, and the result is a picturesque property defined by wide green lawns and swaying palm trees. The hotel’s construction failed to deter a large population of iguanas that continues to live here, providing a side show for guests who will spot them lounging by the pool or scurrying across the restaurant deck.

The reception desk is set in a small, independent building, which offers a single multi-striped sofa for seating as well as a station with free self-serve coffee. The rest of the property expands out behind this building, with quaint garden paths leading around to the guest rooms and down to the marina.

Although the guest room decor is too plain to quite live up to boutique hotel standards, the property exudes the intimate atmosphere you'd expect from a smaller hotel. The laid-back restaurant and bar area seems to invite long, lazy dinners and conversations, making this hotel ideal for guests who want to get to know one another. 

Marina Paraiso Hotel is set on one of the main roads leading toward the south end of the island, with a handful of other restaurants and hotels within walking distance. More dining and shopping options are found downtown, which can be reached in a scenic 20-minute walk along the Bay of Mujeres. It’s also easy to get downtown by taxi or rented golf cart.

The Ultramar Ferry Terminal is located a five-minute drive north along the same road. Playa Norte can be reached in a seven-minute drive, and, in the opposite direction, Dolphin Discovery and Punta Sur are both less than a 15-minute drive away.

Rooms at Marina Paraiso are simple and old-fashioned. They're decorated with blended dark-and-light wood furniture as well as dated brown or blue striped bedspreads. Plain white walls feature artwork of colorful Mexican sugar skulls or bright beach scenes. Large closet units hold personal safes and hangers, and all rooms include mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and little wooden dressing tables with chairs. Woven baskets for tipping housekeeping are placed atop stacks of well-thumbed Spanish magazines. 

Large bathrooms are decorated in a bold orange-and-blue color scheme. Tiled showers are partially open and stocked with shampoo and soap dispensers. Free bottled water is provided on the vanities. Most rooms include furnished patios facing the gardens and pool. Some feature a private enclosed garden area.

The hotel’s four suites offer kitchens with full-size refrigerators, stoves, cookware, and cute kitchen bars. Suites also feature large futons that can sleep up to two children or teenagers.

As the hotel’s name suggests, the property encompasses a marina for sailboats, sport-fishing boats, and motor yachts. The marina includes a 24-hour bathroom and shower facilities, satellite TVs, fresh water, and electrical hook-ups. The hotel’s on-site dive shop, Paradise Divers, offers dives and PADI certification courses. Packages combining dive courses and guest rooms are available.

The hotel’s restaurant and bar, Barlito, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This appealing open-air restaurant is furnished with modest wooden tables and chairs. Trees gracefully protrude from the floorboards of the main deck dining area, creating a natural shady canopy. A small path leads down to the palapa-roofed bar, which often features live music.

Barlito’s also provides poolside service at the neighboring outdoor pool. The pool is bordered by a concrete deck furnished with soft lounge chairs and a few beach umbrellas. Surrounded by the hotel’s lush grounds and with the waters of the bay partially visible between the trees, the pool’s setting is quite lovely.

The hotel’s second pool, which is also open to non-guests, is found on the opposite side of the property. Backed by a wall decorated in a colorful block pattern, the pool offers some whimsical fountain features as well as a small snack bar.

Parking and Wi-Fi are free throughout the hotel.