Aflora Tulum

The food at Panza made a big impression on me. The menu has a nice mix of local and international dishes, and I especially liked the sea bass special, guacamole, and shrimp and jicama tacos. Genaro, Francisco, and the other waiters were attentive, professional, and among the friendliest people I've met in Tulum. They made me feel right at home. As a solo traveler, I felt supported and found a real sense of community at Aflora. Luis, the manager, checked in and answered my questions, and Sofia found me an in-home masseuse within an hour. That's top-tier service. The amenities were clean and felt thoughtfully put together. Aflora is well placed between the beach and town, and every detail seems to have been considered. My memorable solo trip to Tulum was built around this stay, and I can't wait to return.

Liz, the manager, has been outstanding and very helpful. The property has potential, and you can tell they're working hard to recover their investment, but guests are being brought in far too early. I'm in a nice ground-floor room trying to enjoy my morning tea, with heavy construction just feet away all day, every day. The photos and maps online are misleading because they leave out major construction areas. The spa is still just a frame. I haven't spent much time in my room during the day because of it, though that's not the worst thing. I researched carefully and booked a specific apartment at the opposite corner. At check-in I was told it wasn't available and was put in the worst spot, right by the construction and main supply road. Workers pass my patio on one side all day, while cars and trucks go by on the other. The property is at the edge of town, so you'll need to take a very long walk or bike, and most things are more than 1 mile away. I'd also be careful about expectations around the kid-friendly advertising. Apart from the pool, it seems designed more for young professionals, but this week there are children aged 0-9 all over the pool every day. At the gym I just left, a 2-3 year old was running around while his mother worked out, which seemed very unsafe. It's changing the atmosphere. Other professionals I've spoken to are leaving the site to work elsewhere.

After traveling to over 40 countries in 25 years, this is the first time I've had money stolen. I had carefully laid out USD and pesos in the room safe, and later they were gone. I don't drink, and nobody else was in my room. I'd asked staff to open the safe with a master key because I was locked out, and they saw the money before it disappeared. I'm disappointed and won't return to this Tulum property. I made the best of it by spending as little time there as possible. Construction was completely unacceptable. Noise ran 8a-6p x 7 days/week, and I couldn't work anywhere on the premises during the day. I had babies and toddlers on my patio yelling every morning, and the pool was impossible to use without a child running into me. There were so many kids this week, and families weren't kept in separate buildings from singles and adults like at other hotels I've stayed in. The gym was too basic and crowded, with too little equipment, and I had to fight to use it every morning. There are so many places to stay in Tulum now, and I can't see how the owners think this is sustainable.

The apartments feel earthy and upscale, with comfortable furnishings and tasteful stone and wood details. I wanted to take the interiors home. The buildings fit into the rainforest, and there are little corners everywhere to explore or find a quiet moment among the greenery. It feels like a dreamy jungle getaway, with art and nature throughout. The pool is beautiful and peaceful, and you can eat outside under the trees or work from the co-working space. Panza serves delicious food, and the local staff are friendly and top tier, they made us feel at home. The location is central to everything Tulum offers. Best stay in Tulum by far, we'll be back!