Olas Tulum

"Why book? It’s delightfully secluded away from the noise and crowds. Set the scene: This tucked-away beach bungalow borders the Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve at the very end of the beach road. There’s no pool or flashy beach club—you won’t find that crowd here. With only eight suites, arriving here feels more like you’re visiting the home of a dear friend. The backstory: The property was built in the 1970s by Austrian engineer Carlos Schober at a time when the area was only host to unassuming beachside cabañas tucked within the jungle. For over a decade, it’s been privately owned and run as a boutique hotel. The rooms: This is an all-suite property with only eight rooms, each with ocean views and decked in modern furnishings. The Oceanfront Master Suite is the largest, with two king-size beds, a dining room table that seats six people, and an extensive outdoor terrace with a lounge bed and hammock. Food and drink: All meals are served at a communal-style table in the center of the property, set atop white sands and facing the crystal clear waters of the Yucatán. The recipes are Yucatecan and made from scratch from organic ingredients. Each booking includes a complimentary breakfast of French press organic coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh seasonal fruit with handmade granola and yogurt, and a breakfast entree of the day. The neighborhood/area: Set away from the crowds and the noise of the beach road’s clubs and day parties, this is a no-fuss, old-school Tulum set. The service: Relaxed and laid-back. The property’s true allure is in its access. They can set up ornithologist-led boat tours through the wetlands of the Sian Ka’an biosphere, kayaking tours to the Muyil lagoon, and more. For families: Accepts children five and up. Eco effort: The property was specifically designed with sustainability in mind: Mature coconut groves provide shade, curved walls circulate the air and provide a natural cooling effect, and pure underwater streams are gravity fed into the hotel’s sinks and showers." - Michaela Trimble