Set between dense jungle vegetation and the Caribbean coastline, NABOA Tulum presents a carefully calibrated retreat where architecture, design, and atmosphere operate in quiet alignment. The ten-suite boutique hotel approaches hospitality as an exercise in restraint, favoring spatial clarity, material honesty, and a pace that invites guests to disengage from excess and reconnect with the essential.
HOTELS
Arrival feels deliberately understated. Although the property sits within easy reach of Cancún International Airport and the new Tulum airport, its setting immediately shifts the rhythm. NABOA positions luxury as something tactile and measured, rooted in atmosphere rather than display. The surrounding vegetation remains present at every turn, framing movement through the site and softening the transition between interior and exterior.
The architectural language relies on pure-lined volumes finished in chukum, a traditional Maya technique that gives the structures a warm, earthen tone. Wood, stone, and tropical planting temper the geometry, allowing the buildings to settle into the mangrove landscape with a sense of ease. Designed by Jaque Studio under the direction of Jesús Acosta, with Studio Wenden overseeing interiors and artistic direction, the project reflects a shared commitment to cohesion and precision rather than visual assertion.
At the center of the hotel, a double-height pergola shelters the main lounge, furnished with generous seating and a curated library. This space functions as both threshold and anchor, guiding guests toward the garden, pool, solarium, and suites through a sequence of shaded passages and open clearings. Circulation feels intentional yet unforced, encouraging pause and observation rather than constant movement.
Accommodation is limited to three suite typologies, each maintaining a consistent spatial language while offering varied degrees of privacy and scale. The Nest, measuring 61 square meters, includes a private terrace and a compact layout designed for immersion rather than retreat. The Tropical suite expands to 85 square meters, introducing a living area, indoor and outdoor showers, and a sculptural bathtub that reinforces the dialogue between architecture and landscape. The Pavilion, at 112 square meters, unfolds across a mezzanine with two bedrooms, a living space, and a terrace, offering a more residential rhythm suited to extended stays.
Interiors balance craftsmanship and restraint. Oaxaca-made rugs, ceramics by Escarabajo, lighting by Nuumbra, and textile works by Caralarga appear alongside bespoke wooden furniture designed specifically for the property. The palette remains muted, allowing texture and material to define each space without distraction. Every element feels selected for longevity and presence.
Wellness at NABOA unfolds as a daily practice. Yoga sessions, sound bowl relaxation, and barré classes form a quiet framework for restoration, complemented by treatments such as the Mayan massage inspired by pre-Columbian traditions. These experiences integrate naturally into the rhythm of the stay, without separating wellness from daily life.
Dining takes place at LU_LO, where chef Carlos Bordonave approaches Mexican culinary heritage through a contemporary lens. Morning menus move from fruit bowls to chilaquiles, omelettes, and buttermilk pancakes, while lunch introduces lighter plates alongside more layered dishes such as pumpkin flower tacos on blue corn tortillas or a Korean chicken burger. Evenings shift into a three-course format shaped by seasonal ingredients and precise execution, closing with desserts that favor balance over indulgence.
The beverage program, developed by mixologist Koki Yokoyama, adds another dimension. Cocktails such as the NABOA, Maíz Colada, and Mango Spice Manhattan draw on local ingredients and nuanced profiles, reinforcing the hotel’s measured approach to pleasure.
Beyond the property, the concierge curates personalized itineraries ranging from cenote explorations to archaeological visits and aquatic experiences with local specialists. These excursions extend the hotel’s ethos outward, offering access to the region without disrupting the sense of calm cultivated on site.
NABOA Tulum articulates a vision of hospitality grounded in attention, proportion, and atmosphere. Rather than seeking impact through scale or spectacle, it proposes a quieter form of luxury, one defined by time, material presence, and a sustained closeness to the landscape that surrounds it.
NABOA Tulum
info@naboahotels.com
+52 984 256 9972
www.naboahotels.com
