Fodor's Expert Review Ahau Tulum

Ahau Tulum is an eco-friendly hotel with upscale beach cabanas and a long list of celebrities among its guests. Located in the Tulum’s trendy shoreline, it offers both privacy and a diversity of things to do. But what separates this hip resort from the rest, are their stunning beach cabanas.

room

There are beach cabanas, garden palapas, Bali huts and even a beach house. Each one has its own distinctive vibe, but they all share a bo-ho chic atmosphere with an upscale décor that mixes luxury elements with rustic furniture. All cabanas come with four-poster beds covered by white mosquito nets, while most also feature handcrafted wood or polished concrete floors and gorgeous decks with ocean views.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The Bali Huts are really basic accommodations, with very little space, shared bathrooms and no air conditioning.

bathroom

Forget for a moment there are Bali Huts and believe me that the bathrooms are pretty awesome. Showers can be outdoors with stone walls and thatched-palm doors, or be a rainfall variety set indoors with wooden floor. Countertops and sinks come in fancy versions, and toilets are fully enclosed (most).

lobby

Ahau’s lobby is a wide big palapa with hardwood floor, restaurant tables and a large living area with colorful sofas in the middle of everything. At one of the palapa’s corners, a narrow office with a long front-desk and an equally long bench welcomes guests to paradise.

spa

The only facility that could be counted as a Spa construction would be the Temazcal hut, used for sauna-like ceremonies Mayan style. Also, they offer a series of massages, manicure or pedicure services upon request.

gym

One of the most original assets of Ahaul, is the Jungle Gym, an outdoor eco-gym that makes working out during your vacations cool again. Set right on the beach, it offers free weights, monkey bars, parallel bars and rope climb among the available equipment. How about training barefoot in the beach at sunset?

For a different approach to fitness, you can also get yoga lessons or participate in sunrise meditation sessions.

dining

Ahau’s restaurant setting keeps the balance between rustic and chic, between natural and hip. Cuisine is a Mexican-Caribbean fusion, with a focus on healthy dishes and fresh ingredients. They have breakfast, all day and grill menus.

drinking

Apart from the restaurant tables in the palapa, there are quite a few lounge chairs scattered by the beach. Those chairs are the best spots to enjoy an exotic cocktail or a glass of fine wine from the bar.