We were spoiled rotten from the moment we stepped onto the property, with cold towels and frosty drinks in coconut shells. You can tell that Curtis and Ashley really love their home and what they do by the amount of effort and attention to detail that is put into every element of your stay at this six-room bed and breakfast. We felt like we had the place to ourselves most of the time, even if we didn't, which was awesome. When we woke up in the morning (my husband is not a morning or breakfast person, but became one on our honeymoon because of Curtis's breakfasts) we helped ourselves to delicious hot coffee (not Nescafe...or, "no-es-cafe") and one of the morning staff would bring us out some unique local baked goods while we waited on one of Curtis's homemade breakfasts. If you're a foodie, you definitely want to stay at this place for at least a couple of nights, by the way. There is no better way to get ready for the day than sipping coffee I didn't make, eating food I didn't cook, and watching the surf a hundred yards away, listening to Bob Marley.
No kids are allowed at this lodging/bar, and also no groups having more than six people, and no "yahoos"--meaning all that Cancun girls-gone-wild mess will not be seen here. What you will see out on the patio are great scenery and a few relaxed adults sipping some of the best pina coladas on earth out of coconut shells, swinging lazily in swings at the bar or in hammocks, sunbathing or floating in the pool, and also a happy dog and a couple of birds and maybe a cat or two. (We only saw one cat, briefly.) The bar is open to the public, but the pool and hammocks are for guests only. (So you kind of feel like a VIP when you take your drink and climb in a hammock.) There are plenty of other tables, lounge chairs, and swings for everyone, however. The bartenders are some of the coolest guys, and they will come and check on you in the pool or hot tub to see if you'd like another drink, so you don't have to get out.
When you go out for the day your room will be cleaned from top to bottom, every day. We expected that the room would be swept and out bed would be made, but were surprised on our second day, when our clothes that we had left strewn about were folded neatly and organized for us and our towels made into little swans. We felt guilty about leaving the room such a mess that we started pre-bussing our room before the girls came in to clean.
We stayed in the honeymoon suite the first few nights of our stay. It was spacious and beautifully painted and decorated, with two balconies, both overlooking the ocean. You can climb into your comfy bed and fall asleep and then wake up to the sound of the ocean...I have never slept better in my life. If you really want to get spoiled, Ashley will call her friend Tanya, a licensed massage therapist, who will come over and give you a great massage right in your room. For the last two nights of our stay, we slept in one of the bungalow rooms. It was just as cute as the honeymoon suite...still had the conch-shell shower head, safe, fridge, a/c, and comfortable beds, but painted differently and had a huge stone sunset headboard built directly into the wall, and a hand-painted ceramic sink-bowl in the bathroom. It's these little touches that make the experience so memorable.
At Villa la Bella, you're far enough from town to feel isolated, but a cab ride into Centro is only about five minutes. You can catch a cab two blocks away, or walk into la colonia if you don't feel like barhopping and just want to get some good food and drinks.
When it was time to go, we were welcome to keep our luggage in the bodega and hang out in the sitting area and bar, as our flight wasn't leaving till the afternoon. Ashley offered us books and magazines and we were never made to feel rushed. We left Isla Mujeres feeling like we had been houseguests of our friends on the island instead of tourists, with Curtis's travel advice and Ashley's home remedies. We started planning on going back for our anniversary before we had even gotten off the ferry, only this time we're going to stay in the palapa suite (with the bed suspended from the ceiling!).

Villa La Bella is a one-of-a-kind gem, set on a pristine locale with a gorgeous view of the ocean. Proprieters, Ashley and Curtis, along with their staff go above and beyond to make sure your welcome is friendly and your stay is comfortable and relaxed, from the moment you are met upon arrival to their final waves as you depart in your taxi.

We stayed in a Contemporary Bungalow in mid-May for $120 and vacationed worry-free with ammeneties such as A/C, ceiling fan, mini fridge, hot shower (with seashell showerhead fixture!), daily maid service, in-room safe, and a gorgeous, round window with wooden shutters to let in the beautiful sunlight and view of the sandy relaxation area -- complete with sunbeds and hammocks-- right outside. The pool was about two steps from our front door and the open-air bar and breakfast area maybe another ten. Not a bad life!

One thing that may appeal to the B & B connoisseurs: all of the decor at Villa La Bella is handmade. From the seashell-inlaid tables in the bar area to the inventive windchimes and array of unique sculptures and statues winking at you from odd corners, you are surrounded by a creative world of truly original design that evokes a cozy and inviting feel amid the already utopian setting.

Another nice factor about Villa La Bella is that there are quiet hours from around 11:00 PM until about 8:00 AM. This ensures that your late evening and sleep hours are serene and uninterrupted. Arriving home after dinner, it's a luxury to relax in one of the swings at the bar and indulge in the sound of waves as you enjoy a nightcap before retiring to your room. It's definitely a place to get some beautiful rest.

Our stay was all-in-all too short, but next time will certainly be longer. Kudos to Ashley & Curtis and their staff!

P.S. The Pina Coladas are outstanding!

We stayed at this tranquil B&B for a few night in early March 2008. It was great. Ashley made our trip easy, as her work behind the scenes with good communication before our arrival. Upon our arrival, we were greated by Curtis who set us at ease with drinks and a tour.

Our room was quite picturesque. Very colourful, beautiful clean bathroom, big round window from our pool side room overlooking the ocean.

The only downside is that there is no beach - the B&B is on the ocean but too rocky to go in. That said, after spending the previous 5 nights on a beach front hotel with all the crowds, this quiet, tranquil, private place was pleasure.

Thanks very much,
Joda and Meaghan

The moment we walked in, I knew we had picked the right place to spend our vacation. We were promptly greeted by Ashley & Curtis and offered a cold drink as we listened to Jimmy Buffet music at the bar. They truly do have the best pina coladas ever! The hospitality all week was phenomenal. We thoroughly enjoyed the tranquil setting. Curtis & Ashley were eager to answer our questions about the island and make fabulous suggestions for dinner. The breakfasts each morning were fantastic. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing, stress free vacation, this is the place to go!