Tulum, Mexico, is known for being a bohemian beach destination. The beachfront is dotted with independent, boutique eco-resorts, bars and shops peddling everything from pharmaceuticals to avant-garde beachwear.
The new Aloft Tulum — which opened in February — is a bit of a departure. Set away from the traffic of the single beachfront corridor, it’s not only built away from the frenzy of the shoreline, it’s also the first property in Tulum that’s managed by a global hospitality brand.
In addition to being an anomaly in Tulum, the hotel is also somewhat of an outlier from the standard Aloft property that’s commonly found stateside. In the U.S., the properties are solidly mid-tier, providing design-forward lodging and middling amenities that are not typically designed as destinations in their own right.
However, Aloft Tulum is a standout, and that’s apparent from the moment of arrival.
Clients step into a lobby with soaring ceilings and multi-story, glass-paneled windows looking directly upon untouched rainforest. The hotel sits across the street from the Tulum National Park (which largely accounts for the overall feeling of tranquility) and is also built around a large patch of that same forest instead of directly atop it. A treetop canopy sprouts up — quite literally — through the center of the complex, and most public areas and guestrooms have good views of it.
Nonetheless, typical Aloft standards are here, too. Re:fuel offers snacks and light meals for guests on the go, while the W XYZ bar nods to local cocktail culture with an impressive selection of mezcals. Local art adorns the walls, and the cozy hangout vibe of the public spaces, with designed-for-chatting seating and a pool table, will be familiar to Aloft brand fans.
Yes, there’s a workout room and a generously sized ground-level pool (designated for families) as one might expect, but that’s where the similarities to other Aloft properties end.
A three-meal restaurant, also called W XYZ, turns out local favorites in a bright indoor-outdoor lobby space from dawn until dusk (at the time of our visit and this writing, W XYZ Restaurant was open only for breakfast, but plans to expand its hours in the near future).
Atico Rooftop Bar & Lounge and Infinity Pool
The resort’s real gem is perhaps the adults-only Atico Rooftop Bar & Lounge, where guests can enjoy mezcal cocktails, tacos, salads and other local and international dishes, as well as hookahs with a selection of flavored tobaccos. The views of the national park surrounding the hotel make it seem like an island unto itself in a green sea of forest canopy. In the distance, the rooftops of the beach resorts are visible, as is the Castillo of the Tulum Ruins to the north.
This is also where guests can relax in a lounger or a first-come,-first-served cabana next to the infinity pool. There’s service from the pool bar, making this a popular lounge spot for many guests when they’re not out exploring the local area.
The hotel is conveniently located in proximity to both the beach and the ruins, but also to the central district of Tulum — which has been designated as a Pueblo Magico, or destination with noteworthy beauty, culture and cuisine. Guests might poke around the artisanal shops or sample cochinita pibil (pork roasted with citrus juices) tacos, a Yucatecan specialty.
Beach-loving clients can check in with the hotel staff to take advantage of one of three beach clubs that have agreements with the hotel. They each have separate terms for entry, but staff can help clients select the location that best meets their needs. During my stay, I spent the afternoon at Mia Restaurant & Beach Club, where I had the run of an oceanfront day bed underneath the rustling palms.
When it’s time to unwind at the end of the day, guestrooms at Aloft Tulum are decorated in a loft style with comfy brand-standard beds, glass-walled rainfall showers and plenty of outlets for charging devices. Clients can also check in via Marriott’s Bonvoy app to get a digital key sent directly to their smartphone if they wish to bypass the front desk.
Know Before You Go
The hotel is roughly two hours from Cancun International Airport. Hotel staff can help clients arrange transportation and make suggestions on when to depart with traffic in mind.
Parking at the hotel is $12 per day.
The hotel has its own electrical generator, as power sources can sometimes be subject to planned outages. When this happens, guests may notice a slight click as the system changes over, plus slightly reduced output from the air conditioning as the system conserves consumption.
The Details
Aloft Tulum
