Delek Tulum

The secret may be well and truly out about Tulum, but it hasn’t stopped people from coming to this piece of paradise on the Caribbean coast. Why? Because life is good here, thanks in no small part to its independent-minded hoteliers, the best of whom have a knack for knowing just how little embellishment to add to this stunningly beautiful location. Delek Tulum, as you may have guessed, is a perfect illustration.

Delek’s Tibetan-derived name is meant as a reminder of the hotel’s intentions: ecologically sound, culturally sensitive, sustainably sourced, ethical tourism from bottom to top. It’s always a fine line in Tulum between minimalism, affording maximum contact with nature, and luxury, which can sometimes feel sterile — Delek walks this line expertly, with cabañas that feel hand-crafted and open to the elements, even as they afford all the comforts contemporary travelers crave.

The beachfront terrace restaurant serves an upscale interpretation of the local cuisine. The ingredients, like the timbers from which the cabañas are made, are painstakingly sourced from local and sustainable purveyors.