Hotelito Azul Tulum

Not every hotel in Tulum is right on the beach, but Hotelito Azul is just about as close as you can get to the Caribbean and still wake up warm and dry. This is a destination whose fame has compounded year upon year, and the local hoteliers are struggling to keep up — here they’ve renovated a formerly undistinguished property, adding front-facing full-length glass doors to every room, in order to maximize the impact of the views. And while only the front row has that unobstructed vista, the effect in all of them is to bring the environment inside.

The style is simple, spare, with a touch of design but plenty of handmade charm, and while the rooms are comfortable, they stop short of anything that could reasonably be described as high luxury. All the same, it’s hard to imagine needing much else — which is a good thing, because that’s about the extent of Hotelito Azul. 31 rooms, two sun terraces, a beautiful little stretch of beach, and the occasional hammock, day bed, or lounger for taking it all in.