My fiance and I are planning a September honeymoon to Tulum and would like opinions on where to stay - or where to definately NOT stay. We're looking for a smaller, quieter environment, a superior beach, and quality food and service. A few places we've started checking into include the Sunscape Tulum, Club Maeva Tulum, Bahia Principe Tulum, and Feeedom Paradise. Any opinions you can provide would be most helpful. -- Thanks!

I don't know its status now, but we were in the Tulum area 2 years ago and we went to check out Freedom Paradise which was newly built at the time, because it was near our rental villa. We were surprised to learn that the marketing plan of the hotel was to gear themselves specifically towards overweight people- to create a place where the larger person would feel comfortable.

I don't know if they carried through with this plan or not. I didn't really think the rooms were geared for the larger person per se. Anyway, you might want to check out whether this is still the slant of the resort if it would make any difference to you.

Was at the Sunscape Tulum in October when Sunscape had just bought it from Allure. They've made many upgrades and rennovations since. The rooms were great & the food was well above the normal AI quality. Don't need any reservations at any of the a la carte restaurants. The resort also has 24-hour room service which is included in the All-Inclusive package. The beach bar at the resort is also great. If you're looking for a smaller resort, you can rule the Bahia Principe out, it's a very large resort. Good luck

Thanks to those who previously replied.

Any advice on where to stay in Tulum with regard to the beaches? (Who's got the nicest in terms of seclusion and beauty?)

Sunscape Tulum's beach is pretty secluded. I thought the beach was gorgeous. If you do go, I'd recommend bringing a pair of water shoes. Good luck

All of those AI resorts, even though they have the word "Tulum" in their name, are not in Tulum. They lie between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
There are no such resorts in Tulum or on the beaches of Tulum. In the real Tulum you will find only simple cabanas, most of which don't have electricity except maybe until around 10:00 PM. Air conditioning is even more rare. None of this, however, should rule out the 'real' Tulum as a honeymoon destination. I have met many honeymooners at Cabanas Copal during my annual stays there. And the new 'Azulik', which is next door to Copal, is a very upscale, romantic place that retains the charm of the Tulum beach experience. It should really be a honeymoon magnet.

I have stayed at both Sunscape and Club Maeva (when it was Robinson Club) - my personal favorite is Club Maeva, we are going there again in July. Sunscape has beautiful rooms and good restaurants, but the coral in the water was so bad that I rarely used the beach and opted for the pool instead. Club Maeva's rooms are not as nice and the resort is more casual. I enjoy the dining tables for 8 as you meet a lot of people, as opposed to separate seating at Sunscape. Also, if you are into SCUBA the dive shop at Maeva is much better. Check out www.tripadvisor.com - there are a lot of reviews on that site that might be more helpful for you.

Hamsaker:

Can you compare/contrast Sunscape and Club Maeva a bit more, please? We stayed at the Sunscape last year and enjoyed it. We especially like the quietness and remoteness (no vendors on the beach, no jet skis, etc.) How does Club Maeva compare in that respect? We also enjoyed the quality and choices for food. Club Maeva lists 2 restaurants. What did you think? Are all restaurants seated 8 to a table? We are not hard to please... and enjoy relative peace (not overrun with kids) and decent drinks and food (doesn't have to be fancy). We would not hestitate to return to the Sunscape but Club Maeva is priced better. Thanks for your opinions.

If you want to stay at Bahia Principe, stay on the Akumal side. It's much smaller and all the rooms are jr. suites. We just returned from there. The food was absolutely fabulous, there were many places on the beach and around the pools that were very secluded. Even though it's a good size resort, you never have the feeling that it's crowded, or that there are lots of people. The service was absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend.

To responder bk2ca....
could you please elaborate on the
rooms and the snorkeling at
the Bahia principe?
It sounds like the food is good..
is it open air dining like the Barcelo
Maya or are some of the buffets or
restaurants indoors with air conditioning?

We want the good food, the nice rooms,
the nice beach AND good snorkeling.

Thanks!

Mark H.

I agree with Rover...If you are still looking. The hotels you've listed are large AI resorts. There is great beach research on locogringo.com - if it says wear watershoes, that means rocks in the water. If you are truly looking for small, quiet, and good beach...and going without kids, I'd look at: alcielohotel.com in Xpu-ha, amansala.com in Tulum. Keep in mind these places have no a/c. I'd also look at Maromahotel.com and Ikaldelmar.com (although the actual beach is disappointing).