Cabañas Tulum - Aldea Mangle & Cenote

The staff made everything easy, and my room was beautiful. I arrived early and they gave me a towel for the beach club. When I checked in, someone walked me to my room, and on checkout day they kept my belongings so I could still go to the beach. The location is perfect. I’ll definitely be back.

The place is cool and the location’s good, and there’s a cenote you can swim in. But the mangroves around it smell like grey water, which makes me think the hotel’s grey water may be spilling there and eventually seeping into the cenote. Part of our room slanted so much, apparently from the foundation sinking, that we’d slide toward the front. It’s cheaper than other places around, though. Service would’ve rated higher if they hadn’t claimed we drank something from the minibar when we didn’t. They said they’d overlook it because I’d complained about the slanted floor, but we knew we hadn’t touched the drink. That felt shady. If you’re willing to pay the steep prices of the hotel zone, this may be the cheapest place to stay. Take a photo when they restock the minibar, and expect Dubai level prices at nearby spots.

The location is nice, and the room was huge with a good shower. But the noise made it feel like I was living right alongside the neighbours. Still, I’d recommend it.

We stayed in room 6, which was the quietest one, even though the hotel is right in the middle of the beach area. Cleaning was perfect, despite what we’d heard about rooms in Tulum. Breakfast isn’t included, but there are plenty of places within a 5-10 minute walk or bike ride. The hotel offers free access to three beach clubs, so you effectively get three beaches. Sometimes the clubs still try to impose a minimum spend, but you’re allowed to decline. Highly recommended.