Nomade Tulum

Nomade Tulum isn't like most places in the hotel zone. While the area is known for being bohemian and chic, full of fresh-pressed juice shops and beachfront yoga classes, Nomade commits to the hype and has created a wellness retreat for guests looking to learn and grow, get a little healthier, and relax -- but that isn't without a slight tinge of vanity. The hotel's concept and name were inspired by the nomadic life, and it was one of the first hotels in the area to incorporate glamping (upscale tents) into their room offerings. Nomade is on its own, like much of Tulum, a transformation story of growing potential. Reborn and reimagined, the hotel opened as Nomade in 2015 with just 10 tented rooms and kept adding, tripling the number just a few years later. The entrance to the hotel was once used as a parking lot, but was later renovated into a wood and concrete welcome area. It has an Eco-Boho-chic style full of raw wood, concrete, manicured jungle landscaping, and sandy grounds. Additionally, Nomade has created a very spiritual and New Age vibe with things like meditative music, a gratitude tent, and free holistic healing sessions and ceremonies to back it up -- and it's one of the better bang-for-your-bucks on the beach. Some say it attracts the Burning Man type, for better or worse.

Nomade's central location in the hotel zone puts several shops, restaurants, and bars within walking distance, and the Sian Ka'an nature preserve can be reached in either an 18-minute walk or in five minutes via bike. Central Tulum is just a 15-minute drive away, while the Tulum ruins are just under 30 minutes by either car or bike. Akumal is about a 40-minute drive north, Playa del Carmen is around an hour-and-15-minute drive away, and Cancun International Airport is just under a two-hour drive. 

Nomade's 70 rooms and tents are the epitome of Boho-chic style. Concrete floors and walls keep things minimalistic and thatched palapa roofs and contemporary wood furniture add natural touches, while the overriding neutral color scheme and stylish, locally made handicrafts elevate the space. All rooms come with safes, telephones, and fans, but it's the air-conditioning, 24-hour electricity (rare for this part of Tulum), iPod clock docks, and room service that give them an edge over competitors. Thoughtful touches include water pools to get sand off feet and full-length mirrors. The hotel's Deluxe Tents are located in a jungle area of the property. The private outdoor showers, wooden decks, and more rustic decor elements are designed to help guests reconnect with nature, though these large tents -- outfitted with comfy king-sized beds and all the features of a standard room sans the iPod docks -- are more like glamping than roughing it. Standard Rooms are also located in the jungle area, featuring basic layouts and comparative lack of decor. Jungle Suites pump it up a notch with more space and natural light, which ends up making a noticeable difference. The Arena Suites are located in the gardens, while upgrades to Sea Views mean glimpses of the ocean. Oceanfront Rooms are large with curved walls, wooden decks with sitting areas and/or hammocks, and direct access to the beach. Villas are large, located on the second floor, and feature separate living areas, two rooms that can sleep a total of six, two bathrooms, and shaded balconies with rustic leather-and-wood tables, chairs, and couches. Ground floor-level villas have their own private plunge pool. Master Suites are huge; one with a large balcony overlooking the ocean, a king-sized bed and sofa bed that can sleep one (though only one bathroom), and another with one king bed and a private rooftop solarium with wicker chairs and a thick-cushioned couch. 

Most features here are rooted in health and spirituality, helping Nomade stand out among the other beachfront properties in the hotel zone. Free daily sessions focusing on meditation, healing, card reading, sound healing, or various ceremonies are serious perks, though the hotel’s free weekly temazcal (Mayan sweat lodge) ceremonies take the cake, as nearly every hotel charges extra for this experience. There are also free yoga (sometimes on the beach), a quiet zone, and a low-frills gratitude tent used for personal meditations.  Guests also get a free hot and cold breakfast buffet with optional a la carte items for an extra fee. Typical buffet dishes range from cereal and yogurt to "chilaquiles" or "huevos rancheros". There are two restaurants on-site, the beachside La Popular and the open-air Macondo. While both restaurants are rustic with open kitchens, La Popular has a more bohemian vibe thanks to its beachfront setting, stringed lights, and weathered picnic tables with cushion seats plopped right on the sand. This somewhat pricey spot is open for lunch and dinner only, and receives daily deliveries from local fishermen. Guests can order from the seafood-heavy menu or pick fresh fish from a display and have their fish prepared to-order. Located in the main building, Macondo is more stylish, sporting a long communal table fashioned from a single tree trunk, and focuses on a holistic approach using sustainable and local ingredients. Its seasonal menu provides raw, vegan, and gluten-free options. Two full bars -- a main bar by reception and a tiny beach bar -- open early and serve everything from coffee and juices to cocktails and wine until late. Wi-Fi is free but unreliable (like at all beach zone hotels). Other freebies include valet parking, bike rentals, grab-and-go beach towels, and the first-come, first-served sunbeds and chairs on the beach. Unlike many hotels on the beach, Nomade does not have a pool.