Casa Chablé

If you’re worried that Tulum isn’t quite the undiscovered paradise it used to be, all is not lost. Less than 30 miles due south there’s a place that’s every bit as spectacular — quite probably more so — and which, thanks in part to the fact that it’s not the easiest 30-mile journey, is in no danger of becoming the next party capital of the Riviera Maya. The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site dedicated to preserving the flora and fauna of the Yucatán coast; it’s also home to Casa Chablé, a hotel that single-handedly demonstrates that the desert-island atmosphere of a true eco-resort is entirely compatible with the white-glove elegance of a modern luxury hotel.

Oh, and it’s tiny — just five rooms in the main villa plus four bungalows. The rooms are perhaps surprisingly contemporary, though still suited to the far-flung environment, while the bungalows are necessarily a touch more rustic. The resort’s footprint is small, and none of the accommodations are quite palatial, but they’re far more than comfortable enough. And the star of the show is the setting, with nothing but unspoiled nature for miles and miles around — and the hotel’s staff, which provides a standard of service typically seen in a much larger luxury hotel.