I often forget this Hotel Zone all-inclusive even exists.  Atelier bought it around 2016 and completely renovated it to reopen in 2017–perhaps you remember this property by its various prior names of Hotetur, BelleVue Beach Paradise, or Hotel Yalmakan?

OLEO Cancun Playa is located on the south end of Cancun’s Hotel Zone; it’s about a 15 min. ride from the Cancun airport to the hotel.  If you want to see what’s in the Hotel Zone while staying here, it’s on the bus line so you could travel back and forth on Cancun’s public bus system for just $1 p/ride.  OLEO is a family-friendly boutique property with only 168 rooms; the renovated decor is modern minimalist with a mostly white and off-white color (non-color?) scheme.  Here are the amenities available at what I would call a hotel, not a resort:

• pool with a swim-up bar
• six restaurants and two bars, the swim-up bar being one of them
• a coffee shop
• small gym
• a small spa with treatment rooms and outdoor pool was added
• kid’s club (in reality, not that many children are brought to this resort, it’s primarily an adults-only crowd)
• broadband WiFi is included in all areas of the property
• if you want access to non-motorized water sports, you can check them out at the nearby Aquaworld Marina
• guests can participate in painting workshops
• dogs under 20 lbs. are welcomed

Since this is a small property, there is no theater; however, live music does occur in the evenings in the lobby area.  Here’s another fact about the resort which may turn off a certain percentage of would-be guests–most rooms do NOT have a balcony.  Instead, there are floor-to-ceiling windows which offer stellar views.  There are two advertised room categories which have small Juliet-style balconies, the Standard King 180 degree view, and the upgraded Inspira Superior Ocean View.  I’ve read a few property reviews which stated that they were given a complimentary upgrade to a suite which had actual balcony space with loungers, but that room category does not appear to be among the rooms offered on their website.  My guess would be those rooms are typically saved for members (re. timeshare) and not regularly given out to the general public.

If you really want to stay at this property but want more space, a large balcony, plus awesome ocean views, there are privately owned condos located on the top floors of this property.  If you stay at one of them you have the opportunity to pay extra to take advantage of the hotel’s all-inclusive plan.

Is the Inspira upgrade worth it at this hotel?  If we were talking about Atelier Playa Mujeres I would say heck yes!  But at this property, probably not unless you specifically want the Superior Ocean View room.  There just doesn’t seem to be enough added extras offered to justify the $ difference.

Here’s a video about the resort; would you stay here?