i recently spent a week in tulum, mexico to celebrate my 40th birthday. it’s one of my favorite places on earth, and the trip was magical. we stayed in three different spots during the seven day trip to really get a feel for the city. keep reading for my reviews of each.
Hotel Muaré
hotel muaré is located in the city about a 15 minute drive from the beach. it literally feels like an oasis with the plush greens and winding pool hidden behind the entrance. my jaw dropped when we arrived.
PROS –
price: the rate was around $250 per night which is remarkable for a luxury hotel. it would’ve easily been triple the price in the united states.
rooms: each guest has their own bungalow with a private dipping pool. the king size bed was super comfy and there’s a couch tucked into the corner. however, the best part was the outdoor shower!
food and drinks: tens across the board. each cocktail and meal was beyond delicious. it’s definitely not your typical “hotel food.”
CONS –
location: if it’s your first time in tulum, then this location may be a bit difficult to navigate. there’s not much within walking distance, and taxis to the main tourist strip run $30 to $40. plus, you’re not beachside which may be a turnoff to some folks.
no guests: to our surprise, they have a strict “no guest” policy. not a big deal if your entire group is staying there, but something to keep in mind. thankfully, they were flexible because my photographer was almost turned away.
White Elephant Casa Boutique
i found white elephant casa boutique on airbnb last october when i first decided to host a birthday trip. the pictures were breathtaking, and i knew my guests would love it. i was right! it’s tucked away on a quiet street not too far from hotel muaré with several other large homes used as airbnbs.
PROS –
staff: a house manager and additional staff are super accessible. they navigate on and off the property and helped with lots of arrangements like hiring a chef, finding a last minute birthday cake and calling taxis. they were so lovely and extremely helpful!
design: the house is a vibe – period. the first floor has four split level rooms with beds in the loft. the second and third levels have smaller rooms facing the courtyard with slightly larger rooms on the end with balconies. this is literally the perfect house for a group trip with over ten guests.
plus, there are two pools, a hammock, outdoor dining table and plenty of communal spaces.
CONS –
hot water: tulum is still undergoing lots of development. it feels like a hidden gem that’s catching up to its well-deserved hype. so it’s not surprising that there are third-world glitches like a lack of consistent hot water.
my room didn’t have hot water the entire stay, but my guests on the second and third floors didn’t have the same experience.
location: like hotel muaré, it’s not along the beach which is the main tourist strip. it truly wasn’t a big deal though because we organized individual and group transportation. in fact, the sprinter ride to the club was one of the most lit experiences of the entire trip!
Amansala Resort
i decided to indulge in some rest and relaxation after my guests left. plus, i wanted to be beachside for a few days. amansala had one of the best rates and is walking distance to beach clubs and restaurants. i’ll be honest, this spot was far from a favorite; however, i also recognize that the first two spots set the bar super high.
PROS –
location: this hotel really only has one pro compared to the others. it’s on the beach and also one of the more affordable options in the hotel zone.
CONS –
rooms: small compared to our first two hotels, and we were given one that’s street facing. thankfully, there was a balcony with some greenery to make it feel less “urban.”
food: i was shocked by how bad the food was. SHOCKED. i often rave about tulum’s food so it was surprising to find a hotel with a mix match menu (hamburgers, pad thai and cesar salad) that felt like a local applebees. the best meal was the rice pudding and fresh fruit served during breakfast.
staff: little attention was given to guests, unlike hotel muaré where folks were constantly checking in to ensure we enjoyed our stay. it didn’t feel like a welcoming environment.
hot water: there was no hot water and honestly, i was over it by this point (and cost) in the trip. the key difference from white elephant was that i inquired about hot water and got the run around. staff swore the water was hot when it in fact was not.
overall, i highly recommend our first two spots and can’t wait to go back to hotel muaré. in fact, i’m planning a solo trip for at least five days before the end of the year.