Encantada Tulum

Now that Tulum is well established as an international destination, its biggest worry is preventing the kind of over-polished overdevelopment that’s befallen so many other formerly well-kept secrets. A hotel like Encantada Tulum ought to put some of these fears to rest — this place is anything but over-polished.

With its thatched roofs and its handmade craftsmanship it’s as rustic as can be, but rustic doesn’t mean spartan — look a little closer and you’ll find luxuries, just not ostentatious ones. Eight rooms means it’s quiet and intimate as well, and they’ve all got plush king-size beds, hardwood floors, wraparound decks, and air conditioning, for when the delightful breeze isn’t quite getting it done.

For such a small hotel you might not expect even a single restaurant, but this one’s got two — Encantada Restaurant is open from 8 to 5 for breakfast, snacks, juice, or cocktails, while Nü Tulum takes over for dinner, with a menu prepared by a team of chefs from Mexico City. And from here you’ve got not just Encantada itself but all of Tulum at your feet, from the town’s shops and restaurants to the coastline’s beaches and the region’s cenotes, lagoons, and Mayan ruins.