Nomade Tulum

The Riviera Maya has long been a popular vacation spot, for obvious reasons — white sand Caribbean beaches, ancient ruins, easy access. But in the past few years, it’s Tulum in particular that’s lured a certain subset of travelers. They snap up the direct flights from New York to Cancún, then catch the bus down the coastal highway, yoga mats and sketchpads in tow, to get away from it all in this rustic-chic beach enclave, preferably to a hotel like Nomade Tulum.

Located right on the beach, Nomade brands itself as a human-centered hotel, as a temporary habitat for, well, nomads. It’s a mission that’s perfectly in keeping with Tulum’s slightly starry-eyed vibe, as are the Nomade’s “self evolution” philosophy, not to mention the shaman-led workshops and meditation workshops. But even a nonbeliever has to admit: this is a gorgeous and thoroughly peaceful beach hotel.

Forget about natural healers for a moment: the hotel’s designers could lead their own workshop on indoor-outdoor architecture. They’ve mastered the use of natural materials, too. Your temporary habitat is airy and exquisite, built almost entirely with stone and wood, the interiors leading seamlessly onto terraces and patios that look out over the jungle or the sea. The 68 rooms and suites are organized into a mind-boggling number of categories, but even the most standard room features a king-sized bed, a private balcony, and plenty of space to unpack your yoga gear. (Not to mention wi-fi, so you don’t have to endure the stress of actually disconnecting.) Upgrade to a suite or villa and you’ll get the extras you’d expect, and maybe one or two you didn’t: one villa has a surprisingly large private pool.

There’s plenty to explore in Tulum, most notably the spectacular Mayan ruins perched on a cliff over the Caribbean. But you won’t feel the need to go anywhere: Nomade has two excellent dining venues. At Macondo, you’ll sit at a huge communal table carved from a single tree trunk, feasting on fresh takes on Yucatán classics made with local and sustainably farmed ingredients. The fish market-inspired La Popular, meanwhile, is set up right on the sand.

There’s no pool here, but you won’t need one. Considering the fact that Tulum is located on a major tourist corridor, the end-of-earth vibe here is surprising: depending on the time of day, it’s possible to walk down the beach or go for a swim in the ocean and not see anyone else around. Circle back to the hotel for that meditation workshop, or for an icy frezcal, the Nomade’s signature cocktail. Either, or both.

Text courtesy of Tablet Hotels