Quintas Papagayo is a laid-back, garden-style property on the Playitas coast, built around a mix of studios, suites, cabins, chalets and even a three-bedroom house rather than a single block of identical rooms. That variety is its calling card. Eleven room types range from compact garden-view studios to oceanfront cabins and chalets with two bedrooms, and several have kitchens, so groups, longer stays and families can spread out and cook if they wish. There is an on-site restaurant, Raw Oyster, serving Mexican cuisine through breakfast, lunch and dinner, together with a bar, a coffee shop, a terrace and a garden. The tone is informal and homely, with a 24-hour front desk, a concierge and room service on hand. The hotel stands a minute on foot from the Playitas swimming area, and the town centre is a short drive away, which makes it a handy base for people who want a quieter corner of Ensenada without being cut off from it.
Location and getting around
The address is on the Tijuana-Ensenada highway at kilometre 108 in the Playitas zone. From here the Riviera cultural centre and its history museum are a short drive, Avenida Lopez Mateos and the first streets of downtown are about five minutes by car, and the Malecon, Mercado Negro and the port all lie within roughly three miles.
Playa Hermosa is about ten minutes away, and a couple of restaurants are within walking distance. The drive from Tijuana airport is a little under two hours, depending on traffic. Free self parking is available, which makes it easy to reach La Bufadora or the Valle de Guadalupe on your own schedule.
The rooms
The standard studios have a king bed and a garden view, the junior suites and suites with kitchens add space and the cabins and chalets can sleep four to six. Oceanfront cabins and chalets are the stand-outs for views, and the three-bedroom house suits a larger group. Rooms include free Wi-Fi, bottled water, toiletries, hair dryers and cable television. Some units are reported to have fireplaces, and a jacuzzi is mentioned by guests, but features vary by room, so ask for the details of the exact unit you are booking.
Good to know
The hotel is smoke-free and does not accept pets. Check-in runs from mid-afternoon into the early evening, so tell the hotel if you will arrive later. Free cancellation applies to selected rates only. Pool and spa facilities are modest or absent, so choose a larger resort if those matter most.
The hotel suits families, groups of friends, longer stays and travellers who like a self-contained space with a garden feel, and it is less suited to anyone who wants nightlife on the doorstep or an extensive spa. A taxi or your own car makes the rest of the region easy.
Why stay here
- ✓Studios, suites, cabins and chalets
- ✓Three-bedroom house for groups
- ✓Suites with kitchens
- ✓Raw Oyster restaurant
- ✓Bar, coffee shop, terrace and garden
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Free Wi-Fi in rooms
- ✓24-hour front desk, concierge and room service
Good questions
Does Quintas Papagayo have rooms for groups?+
Yes, it offers duplexes, two-bedroom chalets and a three-bedroom house, several sleeping five or six guests.
Are there kitchens?+
Some suites have kitchens, which suits longer stays. Confirm the exact room type when you book.
Is the hotel close to the beach and downtown?+
The Playitas swimming area is a minute on foot, and the centre of town is a short drive away.
