Tulum Treehouse Hotel

Mexico

Jungle dreams turn to reality at Tulum Treehouse, a striking brutalist structure centred on an open kitchen that branches to reveal five bedrooms. It’s organic, sustainable and completely under the radar. Verdant mangrove foliage frames every viewpoint and you’ll be sharing camp with spider monkeys and countless bird species that call this region home. But wildlife spotting is just the beginning of what there is to unpack on the Yucatán Peninsula. From the white sand beaches, idyllic Caribbean Sea, underwater caves and Mayan ruins to Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Tulum has it all, making for a standout trip.

On arrival, the first challenge is finding the entrance – you’ll stumble across it when you walk through the botanical-themed perfume shop, Xinú Tulum, a collaboration between the Mexican perfumery and the guesthouse. It feels a bit like being in on a shared secret, which is exactly what the creators had in mind. In fact, everything here is done with intent: the white cement facade allows the lush jungle to speak volumes, so the building simply becomes an extension of the existing landscape, albeit striking in its own right. With spacious terraces, hammocks, al fresco showers and an inviting pool, outdoor-indoor living is a given – the result of COLAB Design Office teaming up with interior design expert Annabell Kutucu, who called on local craftsmanship. The result is a contemporary Mexican house filled with warming, locally sourced tzalam wood and one-off antique pieces.

Off the grid it may be, but lacking in culture it is not. The venue acts as a hub for live performances, talks and workshops that shine a spotlight on the region’s rich, creative offerings and make for nightly suppertime entertainment. As you take your place at the communal 20-seater table, you’ll discover being in the moment is encouraged – so don’t be surprised if you are asked to surrender your smart phone during dinner. Instead, head chef Antonio Romero draws your attention to the origin of the Yucatán people, using traditional fermentation techniques, local ingredients and flavours spanning Latin America. The whole experience is not to be missed – just don’t say you heard it from us.

Doubles from £232. 00 52 984 249 9586, slowness.com

Words by Megan Dickson.

This review was taken from the June 2023 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.