Boutique Hotels in Tulum

Tulum boutique hotels are some of the most aesthetically unique in the world. Most are constructed with a blend of natural materials found in Quintana Roo and Yucatán - wood, straw, palm, or limestone, and stucco or cement. The classic Tulum Beach hotel is called a palapa, borrowed from the traditional Maya structures. Another classic Tulum Beach feature is the use of candlelight and solar power. Today, while most still use only solar power during certain hours of the night and later are lit by mere candles, many of the modern boutique hotels, listed here, have 24-hour electricity.

Tulum is a place to get away from it all - to disconnect and enjoy the beach, the sea, and the varied flora and fauna in the area. The boutique hotels in our Top 10 list offer varying degrees of disconnection. For example, our top pick, Sueños, does have electric lighting in the rooms but no outlets, and internet is only accessible near the main reception building. Sueños, along with Posada Dos Ceibas, is also the one farthest from town and closest to Sian Ka'an Reserve. Posada Dos Ceibas is the choice that is most off the grid, and it's the place to go to completely disengage - it takes you back to old Tulum, is most removed from anything resembling hustle, and uses very little electricity. Though not an obvious choice, we've included it as representative of the Tulum hotel tradition.

Hoteliers in Tulum have never conformed to the typical way of designing and running this business. In part, this is due to ecological efforts and constraints, but it also has to do with the relaxed style of doing things in this beach culture, so renowned for its natural beauty. With this in mind, we have not included here any of the slightly bigger all-inclusive hotels (such as the very tasteful Blue Tulum Resort & Spa), and we have expanded our definition of boutique. Sueños took the first place easily because it combines everything needed to be comfortable (and to never have to leave the hotel, unless, of course, the urge strikes) with artistic vision. Azulik came in next for its sheer beauty (and unique indoor and outdoor bathtubs!) The others choices were made because of the mix of aesthetics, comfort, and tranquility - all that is Tulum.

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