I had friends visiting me last week here in Cancún, and they brought along a few other friends. Naturally, there wasn’t enough space in my house to host everyone. Since their budget was a bit tight, they ended up staying at Hotel Imperial Las Perlas, which we later discovered is the most economical hotel in all of Cancún! As someone who runs this Cancún blog, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to visit the hotel myself: an experience that turned out to be a mix of positives and areas needing improvement.
The hotel’s location at the start of Boulevard Kukulkán is convenient, offering easy access to both the hotel zone and downtown Cancún. The staff were generally attentive and courteous, creating a welcoming atmosphere that left a good impression.
The room my friends stayed in was spacious and clean, featuring essential amenities like air conditioning and a flat-screen television. However, the furnishings were noticeably dated, and there was a musty odor, likely due to the property’s age. One major inconvenience is that the hotel lacks elevators, which could pose a challenge for guests with mobility issues or heavy luggage. We found ourselves climbing up and down three flights of stairs, which wasn’t ideal.
Dining at the hotel’s restaurant was another mixed experience. While the food was acceptable, the buffet options were limited and repetitive. The presence of birds in the dining area was particularly bothersome, as they occasionally approached the food, requiring us to shoo them away constantly. On the bright side, the pool area was well-maintained and offered a pleasant place to relax, although it closed relatively early in the evening.
The beach area, however, was a significant disappointment. Being adjacent to a marina, the beachfront was small and often crowded with foot traffic from tour groups. Additionally, the sand wasn’t the typical powdery white sand that Cancún is known for but rather a mushy texture that felt unpleasant underfoot. We ended up walking a couple of kilometers to find a more enjoyable public beach with the signature white sand that defines Cancún’s coastline.
Overall, Hotel Imperial Las Perlas isn’t a great hotel, but it’s not terrible either. It’s a budget-friendly option with basic accommodations that allow cost-conscious travelers to stay in Cancún’s hotel zone. While there are several areas in need of updates and more attentive management, the exceptionally low price makes it a reasonable choice for those on a tight budget. For its outdated rooms, unremarkable buffet, poor beach conditions, and affordability (you truly get what you pay for!), I’d rate Hotel Imperial Las Perlas in Cancún 3 stars.
