El Pueblito
From the hotel description on travel websites:
El Pueblito Beach Hotel is an all-inclusive resort located on the best beach in Cancun, is the perfect enclosure combining a traditional Mexican atmosphere with the vanguard and ecological development of a cosmopolitan environment. The colonial style architecture and traditional activities will make you live the experience of a Mexican atmosphere in the Caribbean.
The Hotel offers a selection of daytime activities as well as a variety of water sports availables at the premices. In the evening live music in "La Cantina" Lobby Bar an old mexican style bar that will make feel like drinking Tequila and singing "Mariachi".
El Pueblito Beach Hotel has 29 small buildings with 3 or 4 floors surrounded by gardens, each building has 3 or 7 rooms per floor, with superior and penthouse rooms.
350 rooms.
5 cascading pools.
All rooms have balcony or terrace, individually controlled air-conditioning, private bathroom, color T.V., telephone.
Our beautiful rooms are distribuited in 29 colonial villas decorated with typical Mexican style elements, exactly what you need to relax.
View the original website on the Internet Archive.
El Pueblito Marketing Video
Hurricane Wilma
Hurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Wilma was the twenty-second storm, thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, fourth Category 5 hurricane.
Total fatalities: 62
Lowest pressure: 882 mb
Highest winds: 183 mph (295 km/h)
Date: October 15, 2005 – October 26, 2005
Category: Category 5 Hurricane (SSHS)
Affected areas: Atlantic Canada, Yucatán, Cayman Islands, More
Like the rest of the hotels in Cancun, the El Pueblito was hit hard by Hurricane Wilma. According to http://www.afterwilma.info/cancun-hotel-zone/, the hotel hoped to be fully operational by May 2006, but this didn’t happen.
Opened: Not sure the exact opening date, but based on a post here, the hotel was open in 1987. It's at least that old. Another post, states it was as old as the 1970's.
September 6, 2007: "I worked there 20 years ago it was a dump when it was NEW there were always complaints from the guests about electricity plumbing AC. I doubt that anything has changed much."
Closed and Abandoned: Sometime in late 2006, after Hurricane Wilma.
Today: Still abandoned
Research on the closing of the resort:
Most of the information showing El Pueblito went through a period of opening and repairs after Wilma come from posts made by forum users. The best source found however, was from an article Beaches bring benefits: Cancun struggles to restore shorelines wrecked by Wilma published on March 9, 2006. This article had a photo of a crew working to repair El Pueblito (below).
LUIS J. JIMENEZ / Copley News Service (Early 2006)
At Cancun's El Pueblito hotel, workers rushed to finish repairs caused by October's Hurricane Wilma.
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From a discussion board at: http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/cancun-hotels/100-el-pueblito-ai-2.html
February 4, 2006: "Got a call from my travel agent today, and she stated that El Pueblito will be opening back up March 1, 2006, but with minor renovations taking play maybe until may, but at least in april... All entertainment will be relocated to the pool area also.."
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February 17, 2006: "Ok, not great news here guys. Call your travel agents and get them on the horn, word is that El Pueblito will NOT open until May 1, 2006"
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The following email from El Pueblito received on March 10, 2006:
"Let me inform you that the Hotel is open partialy, we just have open aprox 50 rooms. I hope in May all roms(349) are going to be ready.
-We have open 2 restaurants
-The lobby bar
-Five pools and slidewater
-The entertaiment team offers activities during day and night
If you have any further assistance do not hestiate to contact me
Best Regards
Adriana Castil
Encargada de reservaciones/Reservations Manger
Tel: 998 - 881 8800
Fax: 998 - 885 2066
www.pueblitohotels.com
msn: acastilu@hotmail.com
EL RINCON MÀS MEXICANO DEL CARIBE"
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May 4, 2006:
"Ok guys - just got home last night from Cancun and wanted to let eveyone who has reservations at the El Pueblito know that all is good! The beach, the hotel, the staff - ALL IS GOOD!! Even though only about 40% of the rooms are available for use, the resort is up and running and we weren't a bit disappointed in chosing the El Pueblito. We were there from April 26 through May 3, 2006 and we're already making plans to be there again in 2007. Hopefully I'll have pictures to post within the next few days. Again - ALL IS GOOD at the El Pueblito!"
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December 23, 2006: STATUS - CLOSED
"Does anyone know what is going on with El Pueblito? I know its closed (supposedly for completion of renovations), but I can't seem to find anyone who can tell me when its due to re-open...if its going to re-open at all. My aunt has a condo there and has had it for the past 30 years. She is from NY and so she winters here...doesn't look like that's happening this year. I appreciate any information. Thanks!"
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January 17, 2007 from this page.
"I have a family member who owns a condo at El Pueblito (small property next to Playa Delfines). She is an owner (not timeshare) since the 70's and needs some help with the current hotel situation. The "situation" is this: El Pueblito closed in the fall with no listed date of re-opening. The condo owners are being told that the owners of El Pueblito are waiting to see if a Spanish company will purchase the property and continue renovating (which they can't do without the signatures and approval of condo owners). In any case, its a HUGE mess.
I would like to ask if any of you guys know of a local lawyer (who has some influence) who would work with the condo owners on this."
Google Earth
2005
2009
2010
2011
2012
Photos
This photo was taken in February 2006, shortly after Hurricane Wilma.
Also 2006
This photo was taken in October 2013.
Comparison July 2005. Notice the blue on building in background. That is to the right in the photos above.
Same area, October 2013
Same area, October 2013
Kids Club/Area
Kids area, October 2013
Kids area (different place from above)
Pool Area
2005
2013
2013
2005
2013 (see yellow painting at bar in photo below, curved trunk on left matches.)
2006
2006
2013 (compare the "bench" on the left to the image below)
2005 (the hut roof is gone, blue walls are now white)
2005 (the hut roof is gone, blue walls are now white)
2006
2013
Detail, top center building, 2013
Details Right Side From Beach
2013
2006
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
The Wall
2013
How sad is it to see how much people enjoyed the resort?
Pre-2005
2005
Front Sign
2005
2013
Above From Crystal
Links
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
March 9, 2006
This article has a photo of repairs going on at El Pueblito.
A Story of Staying at El Pueblito during Hurricane Wilma
"We stayed in 2005 when Hurricane Wilma hit. We were evacuated into a school in Cancun. The staff were amazing they looked after us stayed with us and cared for us beyond belief. It was a very threatening and scary time. The staff were amazing the hurricane proceedure was well planned and went smoothly. Our rooms my teenagers, husband and I were near to the sea wall the buildings were steady although trashed but weathered the storm. I am so glad we stayed here other people were in their hotels throghout the hurricane and suffered terribly. Wilma was no walk in the park.. We have a great fondness for the staff and owners of this hotel ...good people Don't diss this hotel.From a Travel website review.
The Unknown Structure Next Door (Right from Beach)
Does anyone know anything about the structure next door?
2013
2013
Notice the guy digging! (2013)
2013
Some photos from 2010