---
title: "HOTELITO AZUL vs Papaya Playa Project: which hotel is better?"
description: "Pick HOTELITO AZUL. It comes out ahead on 7 of 15 compared facts. HOTELITO AZUL or Papaya Playa Project in Tulum? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities…"
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hotelito-azul-tulum-vs-papaya-playa-project-tulum/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-14
---

# HOTELITO AZUL vs Papaya Playa Project

Both are in Tulum, 2.1 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hotel · ★★★★★ · Tulum
## [HOTELITO AZUL](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/hotelito-azul-tulum/)

- **Guest rating:** 6.0 ·  Okay

- **Location score:** 6.3

- **Score by category:** 7 of 15

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1639025/agoda/?lang=en)

Hotel · ★★★★ · Tulum
## [Papaya Playa Project](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/papaya-playa-project-tulum/)

- **Guest rating:** 7.2 ·  Good

- **Location score:** 3.6

- **Score by category:** 3 of 15

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1940258/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick HOTELITO AZUL

It comes out ahead on 7 of 15 compared facts. 2.1 km apart.

### Choose HOTELITO AZUL if you want

-   the more consistently praised stay
-   to be closer to the beach
-   more restaurants on the doorstep
-   a smaller, quieter hotel

### Choose Papaya Playa Project if you want

-   to walk to the sights
-   a big hotel with more facilities

### Why is HOTELITO AZUL better than Papaya Playa Project?

1.  910 m closer to the beach (80 m vs 990 m) (−910 m)
2.  Higher star rating (5★ vs 4★) (+1★)
3.  13 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+13)
4.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 42 vs 27) (+15)
5.  A smaller, more intimate hotel (35 vs 87 rooms) (−52)

### Why is Papaya Playa Project better than HOTELITO AZUL?

1.  1.5 km closer to the area centre (−1.5 km)
2.  Has a swimming pool
3.  A larger hotel with more facilities (87 vs 35 rooms) (×2.5)

## All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

 

|  | HOTELITO AZUL | Papaya Playa Project |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | – | 7.2 |
| Location | 6.3  (+2.7) | 3.6 |
| Facilities | 5.0 | – |
| Families | 1.0 | – |
| Spa & wellness | 5.5 | – |
| Beach access | 10.0  (+3.1) | 6.9 |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 8.3  (+0.2) | 8.1 |
| Guest rating | 6.0 | 7.2  (+1.2) |
| Number of reviews | 2 | 11  (+9) |
| Google rating | 3.9/5 | – |
| Google reviews | 250 | – |
| Rank in Tulum | top 79%  (+12%) | top 91% |
| Location |
| Location score | 6.3  (+2.7) | 3.6 |
| Distance to Tulum centre | 5.2 km | 3.8 km  (−1.5 km) |
| To the beach | 80 m  (−910 m) | 990 m |
| To the airport | 22 km | 23 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 19  (+13) | 6 |
| Sights within 1 km | 0 | 0 |
| Rooms & building |
| Star rating | ★★★★★  (+1★) | ★★★★ |
| Rooms | 35 | 87 |
| Listed amenities | 15  (+11) | 4 |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 15:00 | 15:00 |
| Check-out until | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | – |
| Free parking | ✓ | – |
| Shuttle | ✓ | – |
| Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spa | ✓ | – |
| Massage | ✓ | – |
| Gym | ✓ | – |
| Terrace | ✓ | – |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | – |
| Balcony | ✓ | – |
| Minibar | ✓ | – |
| In-room safe | ✓ | – |
| Blackout curtains | ✓ | – |
| Laundry | – | ✓ |
| Swimming pool | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Families with children | ✓ | ✓ |
| Couples | – | ✓ |
| Beach holidays | ✓ | – |
| Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | – |
| Business trips | – | ✓ |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | – |

[Swap sides](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/papaya-playa-project-tulum-vs-hotelito-azul-tulum/)

## Location

2.1 km apart

## HOTELITO AZUL or Papaya Playa Project: common questions

### Which is better, HOTELITO AZUL or Papaya Playa Project?

HOTELITO AZUL leads in 7 of 15 categories, including StayVersus score, rank in Tulum, location score. Papaya Playa Project is stronger in guest rating, number of reviews, distance to Tulum centre.

### Which is cheaper, HOTELITO AZUL or Papaya Playa Project?

Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

Papaya Playa Project is closer: 3.8 km from the centre, against 5.2 km for HOTELITO AZUL.

### Which hotel is closer to the beach?

HOTELITO AZUL is 80 m from the nearest beach; Papaya Playa Project is 990 m.

### How far apart are HOTELITO AZUL and Papaya Playa Project?

The two hotels are 2.1 km apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [HOTELITO AZUL vs Hotel Ma'xanab Tulum](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hotel-ma-xanab-tulum-tulum-vs-hotelito-azul-tulum/)
-   [HOTELITO AZUL vs Our Habitas Tulum Adults Only](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hotelito-azul-tulum-vs-our-habitas-tulum-adults-only-tulum/)
-   [HOTELITO AZUL vs Hello, Ana y Jose Tulum Hotel And Spa](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hello-ana-y-jose-tulum-hotel-and-spa-tulum-vs-hotelito-azul-tulum/)
-   [HOTELITO AZUL vs The Beach Tulum Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hotelito-azul-tulum-vs-the-beach-tulum-hotel-tulum/)
-   [Papaya Playa Project vs Azulik - Adults Only](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/azulik-adults-only-tulum-vs-papaya-playa-project-tulum/)
-   [Papaya Playa Project vs Posada del Sol Tulum](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/papaya-playa-project-tulum-vs-posada-del-sol-tulum-tulum/)
-   [Papaya Playa Project vs Kore Tulum Retreat Wellness Resort - Adults Only](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/kore-tulum-retreat-wellness-resort-adults-only-tulum-vs-papaya-playa-project-tulum/)
-   [Papaya Playa Project vs Mi Amor by La Zebra, an SLH Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mi-amor-by-la-zebra-an-slh-hotel-tulum-vs-papaya-playa-project-tulum/)

## Compare now

Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/)

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hotelito-azul-tulum-vs-papaya-playa-project-tulum/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/