Ikal Hotel Tulum

We were amazed by this calm, beautiful oasis in the jungle. Kar, the hostess at Maya Restaurant, was warm, highly professional, and attentive to every detail. She went out of her way to accommodate us and made the stay unforgettable. The food was delicious, full of flavor, and beautifully presented, and the activities were just as outstanding. I’d highly recommend this destination to couples or families looking for relaxation, nature, and great service.

The staff and food were great, and there were lots of activities included with our stay. My husband and I had a beautiful, calm, healing long weekend at Ikal, and it felt magical. I’d come back in a heartbeat, even with the issues we ran into. The biggest problem for me was privacy. Our wall panel was too low, leaving an area that should have been private exposed to the public path. There wasn’t much foot traffic, but you could clearly see our room from there. Also, the room photos I saw while booking didn’t match the type we were assigned. There are several types of each room, so look closely if you’re choosing based on the pictures. It was still wonderful, but not what I’d expected, and I should have checked more carefully. Since it’s in the jungle, we expected wildlife and weren’t bothered by it, but nights were noisy with raccoons on the roof. We also found a very large cockroach in bed and a scorpion in our clothes. If nature isn’t your thing, this may not be the place for you. Finally, we couldn’t use the shower because the water stayed cold even after we let it run for a while.

The bed was VERY comfortable, but I was disappointed by the rest of my stay. My tree house looked nice inside, though there was no real view or outdoor space, and building work went on right next to it all day. It felt more rustic than I expected. The bathroom was outdoors, and from the shower I could see the neighboring pool. I’m not sure whether anyone could see me. There were no sun loungers available, as they all seemed to be reserved for outside guests. I didn’t find the male restaurant staff very good, though the women were nice. I got ill after eating at the restaurant, and because I was too unwell to leave, they charged me £100 to keep the room for two extra hours. Prices in general were crazy, including £13 for a sad portion of fries and a Coke. The yoga shala looked nice, but I couldn’t take part while sick. There are better places to stay further along.

I wasn’t staying at IKAL, just went there for a yoga class, and the beach view was stunning. The yoga stage faced the water, and hearing the waves made the class feel special and profound. The teacher was experienced and attentive, speaking both Spanish and English, and the class itself was amazing. It was a relaxing atmosphere, and after class I had a tasty lunch at the hotel’s beach bar and restaurant. The staff were polite and friendly. I loved being able to go straight into the sea afterward, since the hotel is right on the beach. Guests can use the toilets, which have mirrors and a sink. The surrounding nature, iguanas, and the lovely art-filled park on the walk to the hotel all added to the beautiful setting.