After checking in at Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club, the first thing I noticed — even from the lobby — was that the main pool was surrounded by sand.
Sure, it’s Tulum, and the word “beach” is even part of the resort’s name, but I knew that the actual Beach Club portion of the resort is a 15-minute shuttle ride away. So I was pleasantly surprised to see the grounds covered in soft, powdery sand.
No hot pavement here — just barefoot luxury.
Later, while walking the property with a mezcalita in hand, I confirmed that it wasn’t a mirage — in fact, many of the resort’s swimming pools are next to sandy beaches (albeit man-made ones). And while not everyone will prefer strolling through sand all day, I felt that this detail helped connect the property to its natural environment, despite it not being a beachfront resort.
Secrets Tulum embraces its jungle roots, too, with what the website calls “cenote-style architecture.” Plenty of mangrove trees were preserved even through the site’s construction and are part of the new property’s atmosphere. It was another thoughtful touch, one that allows guests to relax and to dine under the stars in a mangrove forest instead of under fluorescent lights. Take the outdoor restaurant Bluewater Grill (exclusive to guests in Preferred Club rooms) as an example. Tucked into a jungle setting, the restaurant offered a nice escape, a space where guests might commune with nature at sunrise over chilaquiles or a breakfast burrito, or dine at night on short rib empanadas or herb-crusted salmon.
Accommodations at Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club
Secrets Tulum, part of World of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection [world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/inclusive.html], opened in October as the twelfth Secrets- branded property in Mexico. Even in its infancy, the resort was featured on the Season 28 finale of “The Bachelor,” which aired on March 11. The all-inclusive, adults-only resort has 300 suites and an opulent private villa that boasts five bedrooms and can host up to 10 guests.
Most suites have deep soaking tubs on the terrace, but my swim-out suite featured a shared waist-deep pool instead. Inside, I found my accommodations spacious and outfitted with all the modern tech and amenities you could ask for. Coffee pods for the Nespresso machine and the contents of the mini-bar — soft drinks and beers — were complimentary and replaced daily or upon request. And if a client somehow doesn’t get their fill at dinner, Secrets offers no-contact room service with dishes dropped in a locked privacy cabinet.
For a show-stopping accommodation, advisors should look into the resort’s villa. The lavish beachside retreat is decked out in marble and has its own plunge pool, elevator, private chef and 24-hour concierge services, along with a rooftop balcony to soak in the incredible sunsets.
There are four secluded courtyard pools on the property, including one for Preferred Club guests, two rooftop pools, winding waterways and swim-out suites.
Credit: 2024 Hyatt All Inclusive CollectionRestaurants at Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club Collection
Unsurprisingly, seafood rules the menus here. Lobster lovers will be pleased to find lobster and shrimp croquettes at Mediterranean dining room Olio (try the seafood risotto or grilled octopus there, too); lobster bisque at Bluewater Grill; and a lobster burger or a pizza topped with lobster and caviar at The Grotto.
In all, Secrets Tulum has eight dining options, and reservations are not required. Guests will find global fare across the resort, as well as restaurants that specialize in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines and more. Gluten-free and vegetarian menu options are also available, and the resort offers cooking classes, wine and tequila tastings and themed dining nights, too.
I found the seafood dishes — whether ceviche, fish or grilled octopus — to be stellar, while beef dishes were hit or miss. Most restaurants at the resort have steak on the menu, but I recommend pointing clients to Jasmine, the property’s Asian restaurant, where the beef tenderloin was perfectly prepared.
What to Expect at the Beach Club and Spa
Despite not being seaside, Secrets Tulum does a wonderful job making it seem like you are. There are four secluded courtyard pools (including one only for Preferred Club guests), two rooftop pools, winding waterways and swim-out suites. Spending a relaxing day resort-side can also include a trip to the spa — an intimate escape with three treatment rooms, saunas, a cold plunge, steam rooms and a relaxation lounge.
Those looking for a more lively day will find it at the Beach Club. There are several areas to take in the atmosphere, and entertainment options include a DJ, beach volleyball games and an area to play horseshoes. I secured a complimentary lounge chair and umbrella on the beach while other guests settled in the shade under a canopy of trees by the oceanfront pool.
The Beach Club has a sit-down restaurant called Seaside Grill, but clients can order food from their lounge chair, as well. I tried the restaurant both ways: I had Baja-style fish tacos, a juicy cheeseburger and shrimp cocktail for lunch one day (they also serve steak, salmon, chili-seared mahi mahi and penne vodka), and ordered snacks like chicken wings and pizza while on the beach with friends another time. Making the short trip to the Beach Club and cooling off in the ocean was a highlight of my stay.
Activities On- and Off-Site
And while Secrets Tulum has plenty of activities to keep guests busy on the resort — think Spanish and dance lessons, yoga classes, ping pong, nightly movies under the stars and billards, bingo and foosball in the Half Time Sports Bar — there is always the option to leave the property to explore the streets of Tulum, or to take a day trip to nearby cenotes or elsewhere. The Tulum Ruins are just minutes away, too, while the historic site of Chichen Itza is a two-hour drive from the resort.
