The Beach Tulum

The name of this hotel -- The Beach Tulum -- is apt, as the property really is right on the sand. The property was designed to meld with the surrounding jungle, and there's a feeling of upscale rusticity throughout, from the tree-stump bar stools to the thatched-roofed palapa to the wooden accents in the rooms to the many surrounding palm trees. The only downside of the tropical environment is that mosquitos are a constant bother in the public areas, mostly in the early morning and early evening hours, and are worse during the summer months.

The intimate size allows for a true, personalized boutique experience. Many guests rave that the staff members treat them like family, and the hotel provides lots of thoughtful extras, including free hand-made cocktails upon arrival in the main lobby (along with coffee, espresso, or tea), and free breakfasts at the attached restaurant (also available for delivery to the rooms, main lobby, or beach beds).

Looming over everything is the main palapa, which operates as the lobby, lounge, and bar. It hosts a small book exchange on the main level, and there's a palapa space upstairs (the staircase is by the entrance to Ziggy's) where there is a private apartment available for long-term rentals and the yoga room where daily classes are held. (The hotel plans to build a bridge to connect the rooms with this space.) There are tequila and mezcal tastings in the bar every Tuesday evening, and Thursday evenings are dedicated to Mexican wine tasting (both for a fee).

To the right of the lobby is right to the Ziggy’s Restaurant, which doubles as an eatery and performance venue, and draws locals and guests alike. To the left are meandering pathways, the pool, and whirlpool. Lush, tropical vegetation is everywhere, and once you round the corner from the main building the beach awaits, along with the rooms.

Though the resort is usually peaceful and quiet, there can sometimes be a bit of a party atmosphere during high season, and Ziggy's can get loud. The main whirlpool was filled with tipsy North Americans during our visit.

The Beach Hotel lives up to its name, with a beautiful stretch of beach. The Mexican Caribbean is just out the front door of every room, and the waters are warm year-round. However, there’s not much surrounding the property apart from other hotels. The city of Tulum itself is around 20 to 30 minutes away via automobile, although there’s plenty of scenery to enjoy down the length of Tulum’s Hotel Zone for those who want to walk or explore via bicycle.

There are three types of rooms at the property: Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites, and Jacuzzi Rooftop rooms. The eight Junior Suite and six Deluxe Rooms at The Beach Hotel offer guests direct beachfront access and sunrise views over the ocean every day of the year. Decor comprises painted concrete floors (except for the dark-wood flooring under the beds), wooden furniture, and romantic four-poster king-size beds with gauzy mosquito netting. Every room has a sitting area with large built-in sofa. There are coffeemakers, and fresh water is provided daily. There are no TVs or phones, but Wi-Fi is free.

Ground-floor Junior Suites and Deluxe Rooms have terraces with direct access to the sand, while the beachfront Jacuzzi Rooftop rooms have both balconies and private rooftop decks with large bathtubs. Smart room layouts allow guests to enjoy the ocean views from the beds -- and in the Junior Suites and Deluxe Rooms, the bathtubs as well, thanks to a peekaboo window behind the bed.

Bathrooms in the Deluxe rooms feature big shower/tub combos, while Junior Suites have large jetted tubs and separate showers. Pebble-stone accents line the floor, and vessel sinks top giant, floating blocks of wood. Bathrooms have Damana organic bath products, along with candles, incense, and towels.

The stretch of beach in front of the hotel is one of the best in the Hotel zone -- wide, clean, and uncrowded. Guests in Deluxe Rooms have a reserved queen-size sunbed, while guests in Superior Deluxe Rooms get two. One section of the beach is reserved for adjacent Ziggy's restaurant, which has a relationship with but is separate from the hotel.

Ziggy’s, which is also a performance venue, serves all three meals, and there are locals hanging out in the evening hours. Breakfast is free with room rates and guests can choose to eat at Ziggy's or Fresco's, the hotel's seafood restaurant (added after our visit), which serves raw, health-conscious cuisine for all three meals. Breakfast can be eaten at the restaurants, in the main lobby, or delivered to the rooms, the pool, or the beach. At Ziggy's, it includes fresh juices, Mexican breakfast items, and egg dishes. Fresco's serves oatmeal, quinoa, and chia seed bowls, as well as smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices.

The river pool meanders through the side of the property behind the Superior rooms, and there's a hot tub on a small raised wooden deck (though water is more warm than hot). Cushioned loungers are set up under the vegetation around the length of the lazy river. Naj Naay Spa, which opened in 2016, provides traditional Mayan treatments.

The hotel offers free parking out front for guests. Bike rentals are also available through a third party.