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Ahau Tulum – reviews, photos

Carretera a Boca Paila Km 7, Tulum beach zone., Mexico (Formerly Esmeralda-K)
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Ahau Tulum
Ranked #5 of 71 hotels in Tulum
4.5 of 5 stars 43 Reviews
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43 reviews from our community

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Sydney
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
“Ahau Tulum is a hostel”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 May 2012 NEW
2
people found this review helpful

If you like....
• Being flanked by long-term travellers who are paying about 10% of what you’ve paid for, for accommodation;
• Lying on the beach on a towel everyday because those thrifty long-term travellers really know how to get up nice and early to throw a towel on the beach furniture;
• Asking for things ten times only to be ignored;
• Having hot food served warm;
• Inattentive and lazy restaurant staff;
• Sweating during the night because the ceiling fans installed are too small and cheap to work properly.

well Ahau Tulum is for you.

Scratch beneath the beautiful surface of Ahau Tulum and you have a hostel with some 3 star accommodation.

This place is let down by its bizarre accommodation model. Customers looking for a boutique hotel will be left disappointed as the snag between expectation and experience is so great.

I can see what Ahau Tulum is trying to do- they’re trying to make the ambience relaxed and laid-back, I get that, nevertheless a lot of hard work goes into creating environments that are understated , seamless and thoughtful ; and this is where it all falls down for Ahau Tulum.

Stay here if you are a long-term traveller looking for a hostel (it is by far the best one in the area), however if you spend six months looking forward to a two week holiday (like I do) at a boutique hotel, do not stay here.

Room Tip: Top floor suites are cooler than suites on the ground level.
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  • Stayed May 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask ShellOb about Ahau Tulum
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
San Francisco, California
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Blissful heaven with a staff of angels”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 May 2012 NEW
2
people found this review helpful

I've stayed at Ahau twice now, and will be back for more. The Bali huts are minimal but comfortable and built with love. The upstairs have views and a little terrace, and the downstairs have a door to the fenced in shared bathroom with outside shower (love!) and compost toilet! This truly is the most eco friendly place.
I've also stayed in room 6. WOW. One of the upstairs Suites. Talk about an incredible treat. Soft sheets in a king bed under a canopy of mosquito netting that fluttered in the breeze. Sunrises from the hammocks on my private terrace, reading on my day bed, nightcaps under the most amazing lantern (a work of art) and sleeping to the sound of waves crashing a few meters from my bed.
Ahau has incredible staff, very friendly, relaxed, fun. The food is really great, the drinks great(er) and the service is lovely. A lot of heart has gone into this place. It's like everyone that works there is family, or at least good friends.
Tulum is a RELAXED place. Please don't bother going here if you want your food in 5 minutes of expect everything in a hurry. You have to get on Mexico time and leave your cell phone in your suitcase. I recommend Ahau to anyone visiting the area who wants to feel the love and give some back. Enjoy!!!

Room Tip: Bali huts are very small (it's all you need!!!!) and the outdoor bathrooms are amazing. I recomm...
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  • Stayed May 2012, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask zoebrock about Ahau Tulum
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Calgary, Canada
1 review
“A Great Place”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 May 2012 NEW
1
person found this review helpful

We decided to stay at Ahau based on reviews posted on tripadvisor, and after subsequently reviewing the resort website and Facebook page. The resort lived up to the billing; total marks. Little huts on a white sand beach, on-site restaurant and bar, hammocks and futons on the beach; just what the doctor ordered.

We visited as a family of 4 (two boys 8 and 12), which I would say is an unusual clientele for this resort. Most of the guests when we were there were young to middle aged adults. Although, another family of 5 showed up the day before we left. There were no kids activities etc that you would find at some of the busier resorts to the north at Playa del Carmen or Cancun, but that is a very good thing. The boys relaxed and read, played in the sand and the surf, and even climbed trees for coconuts (which the restaurant staff helped to prepare for snacks). I participated in the daily yoga, which they tailored to the ability levels of the participants.

The staff were very friendly and athletic, and spent quality time to help the boys learn to paddle board in the surf and to balance on the slack-line. Emer, the office manager helped us to find an excellent naturalist trip (with Miguel from Yucatan Outdoors) which involved guided swimming in a cenote and a kayak trip through a biosphere to the south of the resort. So there were plenty of options for days when we felt like exploring and for days when we felt like relaxing.

We ate all our meals at the resorts open-aired restaurant even though we had heard that there were many excellent restaurants in Tulum. For us it was easier that way. The menu was short but excellent.

There are a variety of room types at the resort to accomodate all price points, and although the resort was full, it never seemed crowded. We stayed in the Master Suite (the ground level was best for the family, although we would have been well off in the Upper Level Master or either of the the Junior Suites (the Junior Suite would have been cosy but you spend most of your time outside). That said, our suite was outstanding, with a wrap-around deck supplied with two hammocks and a large table where we ate breakfast a few times (the waiter and staff brought our dishes to the suite). It seems that the resort attracts a certain type of clientele, so I think it would be hard not to have a great time and acquaint yourself with great people. Keep in mind that the resort is off the grid; they have done a great job accomodating.

If you are planning on making a trip to Cancun or the Yucatan, do yourself a favour and experience Ahau Tulum. You will find it to be a much better option than the big resorts. A magical place. We are already checking the calender to see when we can return.

Tom
Calgary, Alberta

  • Stayed May 2012, travelled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask 123Tommy about Ahau Tulum
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Dublin, Ireland
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“As close to Paradise as I've come”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 May 2012

We came to Tulum after a hectic music festival to get ourselves back together. We had booked into another Tulum hotel that had come highly recommended however it didn't feel quite right. We were happy enough as we had the most beautiful beach with the whitest sand; what can only be described as the most see through sea ever and restaurants of the Gods. We couldn't get enough of Tulum but something wasn't quite right.

This is when we moved to Ahau and everything seemed right with the world. We'd come across the hotel on walks on the beach and it looked beautiful from the outside. Once we checked in, it only got better. The welcome we got was the antithesis to what we'd just experienced so was even more welcome. We stayed in a Junior Suite and we woke in wonder every morning to see the sun rise from our big, comfy bed.

The bathrooms were adequate and you do need to bear in mind that it is an eco resort for things like water pressure. It wasn't a problem at all but good to remember you are essentially 'off the grid' in Tulum.

The beds on the beach were made for two so you were never short of company whilst sunbathing. The restaurant was delicious. Menu is short and sweet but fresh and tasty. There are so many amazing restaurants in Tulum it would be a sin not to try them out.

There was a nice buzz in general around the place and it never felt like there was many other people there but all the rooms were full. Also, the set up of the Ahau must be commended - having tiered accommodation and prices means it feels like an inclusive resort rather than exclusive which I personally think is what makes it so special.

Each time our check out day arrived we had to add more days on to our stay it was such a glorious stay. Highly recommended.

  • Stayed April 2012, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask LadyAndrea about Ahau Tulum
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Porto, Portugal
1 review
“Ahau plays magic”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2012

Missing the Ahau family already! We spent 10 amazing days in this peacefully energized beach strip, happily shoeless and soulful. The staff is truly friendly and attentive, and we felt really cared for. The food delighted my tastebuds day after day! We stayed in a charming Bali Hut, small (basically a good bed, a few hangers and direct access to outside bathroom) but good enough for sleeping on budget, you really wanna be outside most of the time! We spent a few days in the guest house, likewise comfortable. Larger and fully equipped suites on the beachfront looked amazing and i hope to stay there one day! Also, all infrastructure is eco-conscious and energy-efficient, plus all equipment is built in-house, with very good taste —elegantly laid-back, in context! I found it really nice that they offer different pricepoint options yet you sense a common-thread flow of great energy among all guests. Plus Ahau was full yet you never really feel it, it’s as if people float silently within the space. Yoga classes in the morning overlooking the sea are a must, and I highly recommend the massages, a step closer to heaven. So are the sunset views from the water tower! Do take the opportunity to cleanse your body and spirit and bond with the elements at a Temazcal (sweatlodge), it’s a very special experience, Omateo! A live concert was also a major bonus! So, overall a highly recommended stay we will surely be repeating! Ahau is now a new adjective and expression! big hug and tks to you all! xx

  • Stayed April 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask anasalsi about Ahau Tulum
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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Additional Information about Ahau Tulum

  • Esmeralda k Hotel Tulum
  • Esmeralda k Tulum
Address: Carretera a Boca Paila Km 7, Tulum beach zone., Mexico (Formerly Esmeralda-K)
Price range (per night):* INR1,059 - 25,023

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