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
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC