Be Tulum Beach & Spa Resort

Mexico’s prodigious natural gifts are, in some ways, a mixed blessing. So stunning are its miles and miles of raw, idyllic coastline that its hotels have historically found themselves quite able to get by on little more than location alone. That’s changing now, of course; a new generation of impeccably conceived and designed boutique hotels is changing the face of the Mexican hospitality scene — hotels like Be Tulum, to take a not entirely random example. The location, you may have guessed, is Tulum, a small town at the southern end of the Mayan Riviera, on the shores of the Caribbean near Cancún. It’s as heavenly as you’d expect it to be, and Be Tulum knows better than to try to outshine the setting.

Suites are spread throughout the property’s gardens and palms, their pleasures a bit on the subtle side — they're set back slightly from the beach, and the vibe is more eco/spiritual than purely hedonistic — but there’s really not a poor seat in the house, as there are worse fates than being forced to bask in a plunge pool, watching the palms gently sway.

There’s a beach club and a poolside lounge, both of which offer ample opportunity for socializing. And of course the rest of the Riviera Maya is not exactly short on nightlife. But Be Tulum can be as quiet as you want it to be. It all borders on the national park of Sian Ka’an, a coastal reserve that’s a world heritage site and an ecological conservation project at once — a long way indeed from the bustle of the big all-inclusive resorts.

HOW TO GET THERE:
Be Tulum is located approximately 70 miles south of Cancun International Airport (CUN).