Fodor's Expert Review Be Tulum

At Be Tulum everything is top-notch. Nature, intimacy, design, gastronomy, wellness, you name it, they have it in an upscale degree. This is the perfect antidote to the massive tourism of the all-inclusive mega-resorts so typical of the Riviera Maya. This is luxury but with good taste.

room

The design and décor of these suites are world class. Each category of rooms have a unique and well-defined personality, but there is a style that permeates throughout the property, with strong accents of polished concrete in stark contrast with rustic-wood furniture and plenty of rattan and woven palm accessories. Most rooms include private terrace or balcony, with pool or whirlpool tub, lounge chairs and hammocks.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Design might be too sophisticated for the area, lacking a bit of local feeling.

bathroom

The bathrooms are elegant but tropical, with design single or double vanity sinks, indoors and outdoors rainfall showers, and Damana organic toiletries. Some sites also feature a whirlpool tub.

lobby

Park your car and walk through a pathway surrounded by lavish vegetation and arrive to a large wooden front-desk set under a modern concrete roof. That’s Be Tulum in a nutshell, a fascinating contrast between tropical nature and modern design.

pool

Just in front of the beach, there is a small infinity pool surrounded by a wooden deck and a few lounge chairs. Between the pool and the beach there is a line of palm trees that provides a much needed shade. However, most suites have their own pool, so this pool is just for making friends.

spa

Täan Wellness Spa is an experience in itself. Facilities are impressive, with outdoor and indoor pools, sauna, massages bed (lots of them), gorgeous all-copper bath tubs, rainfall showers, rooftop garden growing sacred herbs and medicinal plants, and temazcal. Prehispanic indigenous treatments and herbal healing rituals, are among the most popular services.

gym

No gym, but an outstanding tree-top yoga studio with breathtaking jungle views. Meditation lessons are also available for guests.

dining

With three truly gourmet restaurants and one beach bar, Be Tulum brings variety to its extraordinary gastronomic offer. Ocumare, a creation of a renowned and award-winning chef, may serve the most tantalizing dishes with a fusion of Spanish, Argentinian, Indian and Moroccan cuisines. Maresias offers the chance to enjoy great food with your feet playing in the sand.

drinking

Each restaurant has its own bar, but the star of the drinking scene is with no doubt the exquisite beach bar. Located just a few meters from the Caribbean, it’s also the place where the most exotic cocktails are served.

By night, don’t forget to ask for the list of artisanal mezcales, one of the best-kept secrets in Tulum.