La Valise Tulum

At the moment there may be no place in Mexico with quite as thrilling a reputation as that of Tulum, the Goldilocks of resort destinations — it’s wild but also a bit luxe, stylish but also authentic, spiritual but also grounded. No wonder the hotels sometimes struggle to live up to the myth. La Valise Tulum, however, makes it look easy. A beachfront villa and a handful of bungalows, with the jungle on one side and a spectacular white sand beach on the other, it’s a slice of heaven — and it’s packed with the modern comforts, traditional crafts, and eclectic, bohemian design that Tulum is supposed to be all about.

Here there’s no contradiction between palapa roofs and the decadent luxury of a king bed with a direct view of the Caribbean. The style is meant to evoke a Robinson Crusoe fantasy, but an eminently tasteful one, and in that it absolutely succeeds. La Valise Tulum is the sequel to a successful micro-boutique hotel in Mexico City, so they’ve got some experience at this sort of thing — you’re not just in a beautiful place, you’re in good hands as well.

Of particular note is the cuisine — one restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, with an emphasis on the Maya-influenced local cuisine, while NÜ Tulum, open for dinner, promises a “sustainable culinary journey.”