Anyone stay at Illusion Boutique recently?

Groliv · 08-10-2012

Hello Peeps!
Has anyone stayed at the Illusion Boutique recently? How was it?
We are considering it for Feb 2013. Only $5 to add light breakfast, which is all I need in the morning! We looked at Jim & Donna's extensive review from 2009, and although the food photos were awesome, we were hoping for more comments / photos of the actual hotel.

Just wondering is anyone has stayed there. We want to be centrally located. A pool is a MUST. Does not have to be ON the beach, but a short walk. Close to restaurant options for lunch. Wicky's is a short distance from Illusion, and we really like Wicky's. We stayed at El Faro before, but that place is WAY too expensive now!!

Any comments would be appreciated!
Thanks!

ScooterMN · 08-10-2012

We are considering Illusion also Feb 13-20 hope to hear some good comments they seem to be liked on Tripadvisor!

NorthernMN · 08-11-2012

The pool is on the fourth floor and it isn't very big or deep. We never used it and I don't recall seeing anyone else using it. Is the additional charge for breakfast $5.00 per person per day or what? If it is $5.00 per person per day you might be better off spending that money elsewhere(?) The continental breakfast was included in our price and it was toast with jam, a pastry, fresh orange juice (saw them carry in the oranges and heard the juicer...yum!) and coffee. For us it was perfect (and we still had breakfast out a couple of times) but it was also free. We had a fridge in our room stocked with items we could purchase. We just removed them and kept our own stuff in there. I don't know what the prices were, they may have been reasonable. I would stay there again without hesitation. I enjoyed it and the location is great.

Groliv · 08-11-2012

Yes, we were quoted a price (air & hotel stay) either with or without breakfast and/or balcony. For both breakfast & balcony, it's an extra $22 per day for the two of us. Breakfast only is $11 for the 2 of us.
We really think we'll pay to have breakfast included so that we don't have to worry about going somewhere for breakie, unless we want to.
Are there many breakfast options near the hotel? What about lunch? If we're at the pool or beach, we're not going to want to go too far to get some lunch.
How was the noise factor?
We read reviews that the pool was very small, and only 2 feet deep?
As long as we have something to take a dip in, we're good.

NorthernMN · 08-11-2012

Breakfast and lunch options are everywhere. The Illusion is half a block off fifth and half a block off the beach. You will not have to go far for anything. I would be surprised if you choose to hang out at the pool. It is pretty up there, but the beach is so much nicer. If you have one of the rooms on that floor I think you would use the pool more as it kind of feels like an extension of their rooms. If I wasn't always on a budget I would love one of the rooms off the pool I think. They are more $$ though. The Illusion did not have an arrangement with any of the beach clubs for free or reduced lounge chairs when we were there but I have seen some reviews that mention having that. I would check ahead to see if they do. It's nice to have free chairs somewhere on the beach.

Peach · 08-11-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernMN

Breakfast and lunch options are everywhere. The Illusion is half a block off fifth and half a block off the beach. You will not have to go far for anything. I would be surprised if you choose to hang out at the pool. It is pretty up there, but the beach is so much nicer. If you have one of the rooms on that floor I think you would use the pool more as it kind of feels like an extension of their rooms. If I wasn't always on a budget I would love one of the rooms off the pool I think. They are more $$ though. The Illusion did not have an arrangement with any of the beach clubs for free or reduced lounge chairs when we were there but I have seen some reviews that mention having that. I would check ahead to see if they do. It's nice to have free chairs somewhere on the beach.

During the booking process, it gives you the option to purchase Indigo, Zenzi, & 1 other beach club for $4 pp per day.

Jimontheriver · 08-12-2012

We got a great deal then but if it is in you budget I would stay a Playa Maya. or may the new place next to Wa Was

diggerjeff · 08-12-2012

My wife and i stayed there last november. We liked it. The pool is small, but the view is very good best at sunrise. Dive shop next door, close to the beach and right in town. Nice rooms clean comfortable. Good value.

Jeff

jrudq · 08-14-2012

Sorry, but I am the descending vote here. I was not pleased with our three night stay. The location is great and the hotel at the end of the street has a great beach with chairs you can rent with food and drink service.
My problem was we were first told they were overbooked...they weren't. The roof top pool, as mentioned above is not a comfortable place to hang out and I felt as the above poster did, that it was really better space for those whose rooms looked out on it.
The biggest gripe I had was the noise. Our rooms faced the inner courtyard and you could hear the resturant on the first floor late into the evening and early in the morning. The fit and finish of the door was poor and it provided no sound insulation. I especially enjoyed hearing late night revelers eat and drink and then the sound of dishes being washed...the clanging of plates and silverware. I take ambien and it was a struggle to sleep.
I don't think my experience is the usual, obviously. But has to put my two cents in. Great location, tons of great places to eat and drink near by. Rooms simple but fine, but the noise killed it for me. I will never stay there again.

08-10-2012	#1 (permalink)
Groliv way into it Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 159	Anyone stay at Illusion Boutique recently? Hello Peeps! Has anyone stayed at the Illusion Boutique recently? How was it? We are considering it for Feb 2013. Only $5 to add light breakfast, which is all I need in the morning! We looked at Jim & Donna's extensive review from 2009, and although the food photos were awesome, we were hoping for more comments / photos of the actual hotel. Just wondering is anyone has stayed there. We want to be centrally located. A pool is a MUST. Does not have to be ON the beach, but a short walk. Close to restaurant options for lunch. Wicky's is a short distance from Illusion, and we really like Wicky's. We stayed at El Faro before, but that place is WAY too expensive now!! Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks!

08-11-2012	#3 (permalink)
NorthernMN way into it Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 162	Illusion The pool is on the fourth floor and it isn't very big or deep. We never used it and I don't recall seeing anyone else using it. Is the additional charge for breakfast $5.00 per person per day or what? If it is $5.00 per person per day you might be better off spending that money elsewhere(?) The continental breakfast was included in our price and it was toast with jam, a pastry, fresh orange juice (saw them carry in the oranges and heard the juicer...yum!) and coffee. For us it was perfect (and we still had breakfast out a couple of times) but it was also free. We had a fridge in our room stocked with items we could purchase. We just removed them and kept our own stuff in there. I don't know what the prices were, they may have been reasonable. I would stay there again without hesitation. I enjoyed it and the location is great.

08-11-2012	#5 (permalink)
NorthernMN way into it Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 162	Food Breakfast and lunch options are everywhere. The Illusion is half a block off fifth and half a block off the beach. You will not have to go far for anything. I would be surprised if you choose to hang out at the pool. It is pretty up there, but the beach is so much nicer. If you have one of the rooms on that floor I think you would use the pool more as it kind of feels like an extension of their rooms. If I wasn't always on a budget I would love one of the rooms off the pool I think. They are more $$ though. The Illusion did not have an arrangement with any of the beach clubs for free or reduced lounge chairs when we were there but I have seen some reviews that mention having that. I would check ahead to see if they do. It's nice to have free chairs somewhere on the beach.

08-10-2012	#2 (permalink)
ScooterMN into ruins Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Andover, Minnesota Posts: 65	We are considering Illusion also Feb 13-20 hope to hear some good comments they seem to be liked on Tripadvisor!

08-11-2012	#4 (permalink)
Groliv way into it Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 159	Yes, we were quoted a price (air & hotel stay) either with or without breakfast and/or balcony. For both breakfast & balcony, it's an extra $22 per day for the two of us. Breakfast only is $11 for the 2 of us. We really think we'll pay to have breakfast included so that we don't have to worry about going somewhere for breakie, unless we want to. Are there many breakfast options near the hotel? What about lunch? If we're at the pool or beach, we're not going to want to go too far to get some lunch. How was the noise factor? We read reviews that the pool was very small, and only 2 feet deep? As long as we have something to take a dip in, we're good.

08-12-2012	#7 (permalink)
Jimontheriver añejo Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois on the Mississippi Posts: 2,121	We got a great deal then but if it is in you budget I would stay a Playa Maya. or may the new place next to Wa Was

08-12-2012	#8 (permalink)
diggerjeff lost on fifth Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: illinois Posts: 13	My wife and i stayed there last november. We liked it. The pool is small, but the view is very good best at sunrise. Dive shop next door, close to the beach and right in town. Nice rooms clean comfortable. Good value. Jeff

08-14-2012	#9 (permalink)
jrudq way into it Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 228	Sorry, but I am the descending vote here. I was not pleased with our three night stay. The location is great and the hotel at the end of the street has a great beach with chairs you can rent with food and drink service. My problem was we were first told they were overbooked...they weren't. The roof top pool, as mentioned above is not a comfortable place to hang out and I felt as the above poster did, that it was really better space for those whose rooms looked out on it. The biggest gripe I had was the noise. Our rooms faced the inner courtyard and you could hear the resturant on the first floor late into the evening and early in the morning. The fit and finish of the door was poor and it provided no sound insulation. I especially enjoyed hearing late night revelers eat and drink and then the sound of dishes being washed...the clanging of plates and silverware. I take ambien and it was a struggle to sleep. I don't think my experience is the usual, obviously. But has to put my two cents in. Great location, tons of great places to eat and drink near by. Rooms simple but fine, but the noise killed it for me. I will never stay there again.

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