Hotel y Suites Los Encantos

Hotel y Suites Los Encantos suits divers who want the beach and the town close at hand, with enough room to come back, cool down and settle in. It is a practical base rather than a self-contained resort: air-conditioned rooms, a garden, a terrace and an outdoor pool cover the useful parts of the day when you are not out exploring.

The website is available in English and Spanish, which makes planning and pre-arrival reading straightforward. Family rooms are available, while couples can choose a more compact studio-style room and keep the arrangement simple.

There is also free WiFi throughout the property, so you can deal with the essentials, check the next day’s plans or send the usual “still alive, excellent dive” message without hunting for a signal.

The address is in Sayulita, Mexico, on Calle Miramar in the Ciudad Deportiva area. Sayulita Beach is about a two-minute walk away, putting the sea within easy reach when you want a swim, a stroll or a change of scenery between outings.

The immediate surroundings make eating out uncomplicated. North Side Café is just around the corner, while Chiles y Margaritas and Medusa are also within a short walk. Several bars are nearby as well, including Junto al Rio Beachfront Bungalows and Suites, Lush Hostel and Lucid.

For other beaches, North Sayulita Beach is about 1.3 miles away on foot, while Carricitos Beach and Escondida Beach are roughly 1.3 and 1.5 miles away by road. San Pancho Beach is further out, at around 4.6 miles by road. The airport is reached by road from the property, with the journey taking you out towards Puerto Vallarta rather than leaving you in the catalogue version of the destination.

The room choice is fairly easy to read. For two people, the Standard Studio or King Studio keeps things compact, with a super-king bed and the basics needed for a night between dives. For a family or a group sharing, the pool-view double room gives you more breathing space and two king-size beds. The pool view is the obvious reason to choose it, rather than pretending every room needs the same amount of real estate.

In-room equipment is useful in the way divers tend to appreciate: a refrigerator for cold drinks, a microwave, toaster and coffee machine for simple food and early starts. Tea and coffee-making facilities are included too. There is room service when leaving the room feels like unnecessary exertion, and daily housekeeping keeps the practical side of the stay moving.

Air conditioning, a fan and a mosquito net cover different parts of the Mexican evening. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower, towels and toiletries, plus a wardrobe or closet. Rooms are non-smoking, and the property also has family rooms for groups who need more than one large bed and a hopeful packing strategy.

The hotel has no restaurant or in-house meal plan. Room service lets you stay in your room when you would rather avoid heading out again after a busy day.

For eating out, you have several options right nearby. North Side Café is just a few metres away, while Chiles y Margaritas and Medusa are around 0.03 miles away. Choose according to what you fancy at the time; room service will not be your restaurant guide for cuisine and opening hours.

Local bars are also within easy reach. Junto al Rio Beachfront Bungalows and Suites is around 0.19 miles away, Lush Hostel around 0.25 miles and Lucid around 0.37 miles. You can eat near the hotel, have a drink, then walk back without turning it into an expedition.

The outdoor pool is the obvious place to put the afternoon on pause. Sun umbrellas, outdoor furniture, a garden and a terrace give you several ways to sit down without making a formal commitment to relaxation. After a morning in the water, that is often enough of an activity.

When staying still loses its appeal, the hotel’s wider programme points towards snorkelling, boat excursions, hiking and cultural outings. The named excursions include the Marietas Islands, Punta de Mita, Monkey Mountain and San Francisco, also known as San Pancho. These give you options for a non-diving day without turning the hotel into an entertainment schedule.

There is a spa and wellness centre listed among the hotel facilities, with access subject to an additional charge. A barber and beauty shop is also available. Pets are welcome, so this can work for travellers who do not want to leave a four-legged companion behind.

Free private parking is available on site, and no reservation is needed. WiFi is free throughout the property. There is a 24-hour front desk, private check-in and check-out, luggage storage, currency exchange and room service, which is useful when arrival, departure and dive days refuse to follow a tidy timetable.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 22:00, and check-out is between 11:30 and 12:00. Photo identification and a credit card are required at check-in. The minimum age for checking in is 18; guests under 18 can stay when accompanied by a parent or official guardian. Children of any age are welcome, but cots and extra beds are not available.

Laundry is available, and the property accepts cash. Upper floors are reached by stairs only, worth keeping in mind if heavy bags and tired legs are likely to arrive together. Pets are allowed, with charges potentially applying. The hotel is non-smoking throughout.