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ILLUSION XPRESS Downtown Playa

3.5 star property

Photo gallery for ILLUSION XPRESS Downtown Playa

Outdoor pool, open 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, pool loungers
Rooftop terrace
Point of interest
Standard Twin Room
Free daily continental breakfast

Reviews

7.8 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View map
Calle 6 entre Avenida 15 y Avenida 20, Playa del Carmen, QROO, 77710
  • Place, Central Square
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Quinta Avenida
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Playa del Carmen Main Beach
    ‪8 min walk‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(10 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Deluxe Quadruple Room

Deluxe Quadruple Room

Deluxe Quadruple Room

7.0 out of 10
Good
(4 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Double Room, Ocean View

Double Room, Ocean View

Double Room, Ocean View

  • Sea view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

Deluxe Double Room

Deluxe Double Room

7.6 out of 10
Good
(14 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

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About the area

Playa del Carmen

ILLUSION XPRESS Downtown Playa is centrally located in Playa del Carmen, a 3-minute walk from Quinta Avenida and 7 minutes by foot from Playa del Carmen Main Beach. .This hotel is 0.8 mi (1.4 km) from Mamitas Beach and 1 mi (1.6 km) from Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal.

What's nearby

  • Central Square - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Quinta Avenida - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Playa del Carmen Main Beach - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Playacar Beach - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Mamitas Beach - 19 min walk - 1.6 km

Getting around

  • Cancun Intl. Airport (CUN) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Yum Yum - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Cocina Doña Paula - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Café Andrade - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪cafe guajira - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪La Brocherie - ‬1 min walk

About this property

ILLUSION XPRESS Downtown Playa

ILLUSION XPRESS Downtown Playa offers 37 air-conditioned accommodations with minibars and safes. Satellite television is provided.

Bathrooms include showers with rainfall showerheads, and hair dryers. This Playa del Carmen hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices). Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool.
Make yourself at home in one of the 37 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature rainfall showerheads and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a terrace. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services.
Grab a bite from the snack bar/deli serving guests of ILLUSION XPRESS Downtown Playa. A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily from 8:30 AM to noon.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and a safe deposit box at the front desk.
A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning between 8:30 AM and noon.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Offsite parking available (MXN 120 per day)
  • Street parking available

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 8:30 AM to noon
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Outdoor pool
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Beach cabanas (surcharge)
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways (89 centimetre high)
  • Lift (90 centimetre wide door)
  • Low-height door lock
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk (95 centimetre high)
  • Wheelchair-width doorways (90 centimetre wide)

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
You will be asked to provide the property with a copy of your passport after booking
If you are planning to arrive after noon please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Guests booked in breakfast inclusive rate plans receive a boxed to-go breakfast.
This property's beach club is 600 yards (550 meters) away.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
1 child, up to the age of 8 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Destination fee: MXN 33.94 per person, per night. This fee does not apply to children under 12 years of age.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Nearby parking fee: MXN 120 per day
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Housekeeping is available for an additional fee

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, window guards, and outdoor lighting
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

Pool access available from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property
Alcohol is not served at this property

Property is also known as

Xcala Illusion Express Hotel Playa del Carmen
Xcala Illusion Express Hotel
Xcala Illusion Express Playa del Carmen

ILLUSION XPRESS Downtown Playa Reviews

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 160 out of 383 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 103 out of 383 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 48 out of 383 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 29 out of 383 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 43 out of 383 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

7.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

KAREN, INDIANAPOLIS

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

KAREN, INDIANAPOLIS

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great room, perfect location, and Samuel was SO welcoming and helpful! I would stay again for sure!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jayne

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Rene

Liked: Amenities
Not experienced staff
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

2/10 Terrible

Mark

Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

sharesa y.

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Sam was great. The hotel was clean but bare minimum… close to everything
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

maryann uchenna

Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sofia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The staff was very helpful and friendly. The breakfast was really good. Pancakes, bread, coffee and fruit. No noises from the street etc even though it was new years.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Tanis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
First I want to commend the staff. I.had.multiple reasons to speak with them, and every person here works so hard to help you and do everything they can for you. The staff were 10 stars. This hotel is perfectly situated 2 blocks from Avenida Quinta. You can still hear the obnoxious noise from Coco Bongo for 2 hours every night, but at least it's tolerable from this distance. There is a restaurant/bar pretty much every 50 feet and multiple laundry spots less than a minute from the hotel. There is a nice park 1 block to the east. The rooms and hotel are very clean. Unexpected: 1. No blankets provided - you get a top sheet and nothing else. I was cold with the a/c off every night. 2. No phones or coffee makers in the rooms Need to do better: 1. My room had zero maid service my first 3 days there. I realize those days were over Christmas, but if you're open for business (at regular rates) and taking my money for a room, you should be expected to provide adequate service regardless of what day it is. They ask you not to flush toilet paper. It's not pleasant or sanitary to have the garbage sit for 3 days under those circumstancs. Also no clean towels for 3 days. 2. The pool and outdoor area looked grimy and uninviting. I never saw anyone in the pool during my 7 day stay. 3. No bar soap is.provided. Instead, they have body wash. But they do not provide a face cloth to apply the wash to your body.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Jacqueline

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was on the roof. Pool was very dirty wifi and internet almost never worked .no hot water for days some of the staff were rude didn't care bed was so hard I developed a back ache horrible place
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Maria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great customer service and the room was very clean
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Ashton

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Amazing location, its a decent room in the heart of the city. Small things were a bit off. My shower leaked a bit and somethings were a bit broken but staff was amazing, kind, and helpful. Happy to assist anyway they could
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Sam

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Helpful staff and good location with access to the main tourist strip.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Rory

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I stayed in room 303, the hotel was clean when I first went to check in. The lady behind the counter although having limited English was very polite (my fault for not learning Spanish) in a Spanish speaking country. The hotel room was clean and my bed was made every day for me. The only thing I have to mention which made it not a comfortable stay was the bed after a couple nights started to hurt my back as it was a very hard mattress and the pillows were okay. The other thing which confused me was when I took a shower for the first couple times it was cold because hot left cold right so, I had a couple cold showers.. not to bad being as Mexico is a hot and humid country but then after turning the dial to the right it went hot so bare that in mind. Also the breakfast is located in the illusion boutique hotel which is a 5 min walk at best however for a guy that likes to eat I'd say not the best portion size. But overall its a nice hotel if you are on a budget. Top tip: TAKE EAR PLUGS! Very noisy at night.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Levi

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly staff
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

WENDELL

Liked: Staff & service
I would like to make a new reservation from September 24 through October 4. I would like to have room 408 if possible. Thank you. Wendell Day
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Patricia

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Bad service bad breakfast bad swimming pool
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bouchra

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly staff Patricia was wonderful she did make sure that my stay in wonderful Thank you Patricia
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Orlando

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Nancy

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice and spacious. Tasty breakfast sandwiches . Only thing, the safe is not so safe. Technically anyone would be able to open it.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Amanda Rose

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
My condo was under renovations for the pool this week so I was looking for somewhere nice to stay for the night that had a pool. Upon checking in I went to the rooftop pool to realize there’s no water in the pool and that it was in fact also under maintenance this is very disappointing and I checked out immediately I Feel like I wasted my money. You should be letting people know before they book that the pool is not in use.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Justnehgo

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Cláudia

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Hotel itself is nice! Close to the fifth avenue and the beach, so location is amazing! The only bad part is that next door there is a club so the music is very loud until late and it’s hard to sleep. Otherwise, everything was great!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Yelitza

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
El hotel es pequeño, está en una área cómoda para caminar. Las atenciones buena.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

nelson

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
To dark my room
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025