After reading the good reviews of El Patio we were a bit disappointed. The location isn't so good, on a busy road with a construction site opposite. Our room was basic to put it politely - minimal furniture, no real window or ventilation unless you put the aircon on, which we didn't need in January.

It's got a nice little courtyard and the staff are friendly. A simple breakfast is included in the price but it only amounts to coffee, cereal and toast - and a banana if you get up early enough.

Overall it was more like a hostel than a hotel and seemed overpriced for what it was.

If you do go, ask for El Patio and not Cancun Inn - nobody knows it by that name and we couldn't understand why it figured on the booking websites.

El Patio seems like my kind of place. Mid-range, small hotel. I like unique buildings and owners on site. I'd rather go to an individual property vs a chain. I like to be a bit off the beaten path for some quiet, yet close enough to walk to stuff. Hotel kitties are a plus. El Patio has all that.

We stayed one night upon our arrival in Mexico and one night before our departure back home. The first night in El Patio was okay. Our room was a bit dark and dingy but, hey, it's fairly cheap. In the room there is a list of (mostly reasonable) rules (done up in youth-hostel style) but the owner was nice and gave us some advice. Nice set up of coffee and toast in the morning.

Our last night (second stay at El Patio) we arrived at 3pm and rang the bell several times. We were finally met and told we were really early for check in. Our room fee was paid up front (cash per their request) and we were shown to our room. This room had one of the worst mattress I have ever slept on. The springs were poking out all over the place and jabbing us in various body parts all night. I'm not kidding, it was bad.

Mr. Martin at the front desk helped us arrange a ride to the airport very early in the morning. Very nice and very appreciated.

I think if this place notched it up just a little bit it could be great but I felt some of the basics were neglected.

My wife & I have stayed at El Patio 5 times since 2002. The last stay was September 2008 with our 15-year old granddaughter.

We have stayed at Hiltons, Hyatts, Sheratons and other top-rated hotels in more than a dozen countries. Before 2002, we stayed at another hotel in Cancun. Now, we would not consider any place except El Patio. It is clean, comfortable, safe, has a beautiful patio, a delightful staff (no turnover since 2002), and is a 2-block walk to good restaurants, shopping, banks, a park, and the main bus depot.

We catch a bus or taxi in front of the hotel to go to the beaches, Isla Mujeres docks, etc.

Do they put mints on your pillow each night? No. Do they have room service? No. Do we want to pay an extra USD50+ per night for the mints and the opportunity to pay USD20 for a room service quesadilla? NO! Do we want to recommend El Patio? WITHOUT RESERVATION!

Family and friendly, good price, no noise, confortable. We love the terrace

We recommend it.