The websites look amazing, but I can find very little information about either place. Maybe they are newer properties?

Pepper or other Tulum gurus -- has anyone stayed here or been by? I can't tell from the website exactly where they are located -- maybe between La Conchita and Ana y Jose.

Wondering about location of the property, situation of the individual bungalows within the property, quality of beach (okay, they're ALL beautiful ) and nearby amenities.

Would appreciate any and all thoughts. Thanks!

They do nice, don't they?
I know that Posada del Sol is right in the cluster where La Conchita, Punta Piedra dive shop, Zahra is located. So they have the cove-like beach in that area.

Posada Lamar appeals to me more. I think it's near Posada Margherita where the beach is much more expansive; especially to the south - you could walk for miles.

Have you seen this review?

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...Peninsula.html

Thanks pepper -- I was hoping you would see this post. I'm really curious to see if anyone has stayed there or seen either property. It just seems amazing to me that the beautiful rooms pictured on the website are as reasonable as they are. There are rooms at Posada del Sol that appear stunning in the photos for only $55-$65 in early December.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can comment.

I'm booking a stay at Posada Lamar over Christmas so I'll be sure to give a report when I get back. The rooms over Christmas run around $150-200 per night so I think it really depends on what time of year you go. Posada Lamar is located 4,5 Km. Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila and I believe Posada del Sol is further north.

Thanks -- we're actually going the first week in December, so I'll be there before you. Right now I'm in the process of deciding between several spots: Posada Lamar, Titas Tulum, and Tierras del Sol. Titas and Tierras both have restaurants (Titas seems to have a more elaborate menu), but the rooms at Lamar look so nice -- I'm really having a hard time deciding.

I had an e-mail from Roseta at Posada Lamar who confirmed that there is no restaurant on-site but there are several nearby, right on the beach, that would offer meals including breakfast. She said one is 20 meters away -- so close it would almost appear to be part of their property. (Pepper also mentions on Trip Advisor that the restuarants at Kin-Ha and Posada Margherita are near Posada Lamar.) Guests are also welcome to have a cooler on the beach. She said that all cabanas have a sea view and that Zafiro and Rubi are ocean front. Marfil is right behind Rubi (with an ocean view) and Ambar is on the first floor (up from ground) and has jungle and ocean views.

If I have to make decisions, at least they are fun ones!

I agree...I'm actually torn right now between Posada Lamar and Shambala Petit Hotel...both have availability and are around the same price. Any ideas on which one might have a better beach?

It's really a toss-up between Shambala and Lamar...beach-wise. Lamar is definately closer to better food options; a particular concern if you won't have a car.

Shambala is between the two larger properties in this aerial:
http://www.locogringo.com/maps/tour/092-t.html

Lamar is around in this area:
http://www.locogringo.com/maps/tour/039-t.html

Thanks Pepper - I had thought Posada Lamar was between Km 4 -5 and Posada Margherita is between km 5-6? I had also heard that the beach is better between km 7-9. Do you know if that's true? Do you have a preference for one of the other?

Thanks!

Y'know...I've never paid any attention to what hotel is at what kilometer - there are no signs stating that. If that's the info you have, then it must be true. I go more by the maps listing the hotels in order down the beach - like the one on the bill in tulsa site of todotulum.com.

Oh, that's a great map on todotulum Pepper -- thanks. Shambala was actually on my short list too, but there's so little info on their website. I received some information via e-mail but I've yet to see a photo of the interior of the rooms. The candid photos of the beach set up on tripadvisor look wonderful, but I have a hard time booking without seeing the inside. Maybe I'll try to e-mail again -- I've heard (read? here) Roberto is typically very responsive.

Pepper (or anyone else who has visited) would you put Lamar and Shambala in a separate category from Tita and Tierras based on amenities, or even the "pretty" factor?

I guess for me I'm thinking comfortable and pretty (or even kind of funky -- I find the pictures of Tierras rooms cuter than Tita rooms), long stretch of beach (so Lamar trumps P. del Sol), comfortable and available beach chairs, and an ability to have a drink while lounging on said chair or the hammock on my palapa porch, and a reasonably priced meal within a short distance (keeping Lamar in the mix, since they don't offer food.) Which takes me back to . . . . decisions, decisions. At least my flight is booked.

Yeah...ask Roberto to send you some more pix; he'll do so. I have some, but I'd have to email them to you. He has some chic looking beach lounging options.

Again...if this matters to you. A big determining factor is the assurance of hot water in the shower...especially in Dec. We stayed at a place (not in Tulum) in July w/o hot water; and even then...I missed it for a good shave.

I also really like window screens on all windows to prevent skeeters from coming in. Seems that Tierras del Sol doesn't have screens on all windows. Sometimes it translates as mosquito netting on windows...when you're searching.

Is going without A/C in Dec a problem? Obviously it is in the summer but I would think things would off at night in the winter. Any problems with pests or animals at night at Shambala?

No..we go w/o a/c in Aug...so it's really never that bad. But...In Dec, it's gets chilly at night - like a heavy sweatshirt is in order.

Oh, that's good to know. I hadn't focused on the evenings being that cool. That makes hot water a bigger deal. Thanks for the tip.

Pepper, I will resend my e-mail to Roberto. Also, if you would be willing to email me photos I would be very grateful: akmolloy
yahoo dot com

Thanks again for your continued helpfulness on this board. I promise I won't send you a joke a day of you e-mail me .

I've read that beach at Shambala isn't as wide as further south. Is that true?

What they are probably referring to is that Shambala's piece of land is narrow, but the beach is not shortened in their location.

Greetings fellow tulum Lovers
Thanks for all this information. Posada Lamar and del sol offered us a room at either place for December - and I was at a loss until I found this forum!
We are chosing Lamar based on the info here.
Can't wait for Christmas in Tulum!

You'll be happy with Lamar - better beach.

Please, please, please...tell us about your trip when you return. Can't wait to hear about Posada Lamar.

Yes, please post info about your experience. The woman I was communicating with (ultimately in Spanish, which made it easier for her)at Posada Lamar was very prompt in responding and the tone was very attentive. The rooms look wonderful. There are only a few reviews on TripAdvisor, but both very positive.

We ended up booking an oceanfront at Tierras del Sol. It was only available for two nights, so I took that as a sign and booked into a little hotel in Playa for our third (and, sadly, final) night in Mexico. We leave next Thursday -- can't wait!