ahau tulum - tulum, quintana roo, mexico

For the last couple of years, we have soaked up the Mayan sun during our spring break visits and loved every minute of it.  We spent countless long walks along the beach, checking out all the different cabanas and there was one that continuously drew me in with its stunning design.  I was so curious to get inside and see how they brought the outside in and to be a part of the energy that was so gently calling me.  So we changed one main thing about this year's spring break jaunt and that was a new dwelling, Ahau (pronounced "a-how", the Mayan sun god).

Tulum holds the earth in high regard.  It's an ecological and sustainable community that is protected by the people who have purposely chosen to call this magical place home.  The food, the design, the approach to living is a natural, nurturing one and Ahau exudes that sensibility in every single detail, so much so that we didn't feel compelled to leave Ahau much at all. 

We chose to stay in an upper level master suite on the beach.  The room itself was clean, vibrant and spacious and included a large private deck with hammock and eating area (or dominoes table for us).  The 20 ft. vaulted palapa ceiling and the view out to the sea make it appear instantly stunning, while the breeze floated in and out almost spiritually.  Also available are Junior Suites and Bali Huts, all differing in size and amenities, but all designed just as beautifully.

The food and revitalizing juices are delicious and prepared with fresh, local ingredients.  It was particularly nice to eat an incredible breakfast on the beach every single morning, followed by the best yoga sessions I've ever participated in.  I practiced yoga in the lovely studio overlooking the beach every day with instructors who bring their inner beauty to their teaching and leave you feeling connected to them and to the blessings of life. 

yoga studio

The people that inhabit Ahau are beautiful.  Thierry excused their outward beauty as being granted with "good seeds", but that could not excuse their inner warmth.  I have referred to Tulum as a vortex many times in the past, so I had a giggle when reading through the Ahau website only to find that "the Yucatan Peninsula is also known as an energy vortex.  It has a strong electromagnetic field that was caused by a meteorite hitting the Yucatan Peninsula roughly 65 million years ago".  I believe that Ahau and its people embrace that magnetic field like no other stay along the beach... and I like to think I was kissed by the sun god because I left there feeling a deep inner peace.

---

food & libations:  Ahau breakfast is best in Tulum, delicious and freshly prepared raw food menu available in the courtyard of the Ahau cabanas (try the veggie pizza), El Tabano! for lunch and dinner as many times as you can (jungle side, 3 minute cab ride), Cetli for traditional Mexican dinner in town, Casa Jaguar for ambiance and cocktails

cool for kids:  ocean swimming with boogie boards available for guests, hammocks in room and on beach, smoothies to order

must visit:  a local Mayan astrologist for a reading (check the front desk), yoga classes at Ahau (don't miss the candlelight experience), kite and paddle surfing, snorkeling in local cenotes

ahau tulum website

villa las estrellas - tulum, mexico

My plan was to surprise the guys with a getaway... I had 3 criteria for deciding location:  somewhere unexpected, tropical and with great food.  I did my research and discovered Tulum, Mexico.  I was first turned on to it via an article in Travel & Leisure that opened like this "Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl in the red bikini and cork sandals steps through a craggy passage in the walls surrounding the 1,000-year-old ruins of Tulum. She might be the girl from Ipanema."  That vision and tune permeated my mind, and the more I researched, the more I became sure that this was the perfect surprise destination.

I presented it in card form on Valentine's Day, with pictures stuffed inside that fell out when opened.  Since we don't give lavish gifts for Valentine's Day, I knew it would be a huge surprise and it was also a short wait to take off in April during Luke's spring break.  And I knew it would be an unexpected destination as we'd never discussed it before.  What I didn't expect was the reaction which was feigned enthusiasm from Luke and downright disappointment from Thierry.  His exact words "Did you already book this?  Please tell me you can get your money back."

Needless to say I was shocked and saddened by the response I received.  The Frenchman has traveled all over the world... why was he hesitant?  My first thought was that he doubted that the food would be satisfactory (I am still convinced that was part of it).  But he assured me that recent press on Americans getting caught in the crossfire of drug-related violence was his worry. 

It was booked and non-refundable.  So we went.  I was a bundle of nerves the entire way, doubting my choice all the way around, hoping I hadn't put my family in danger.  Cut to this:

Thierry's exact words again: "This is one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever been to".  Not only was the beauty of the turquoise water and endless stretch of beach so breathtaking, but there was a feeling of comfort and complete safety at Villa Las Estrellas. 

We've been told that Tulum was once a hippie hideway, sleepy and undiscovered for years.  It still retains its bohemian vibe yet it has become om-central to some of the chicest set of travelers from around the world.  My brother Scott would be sure to caption the picture as "pretty people in pretty places".  Tulum is a vortex of beauty and spirituality.  With its string of rustic cabanas, the clear warm carribbean sea, ancient Mayan ruins, diving caves and fresh, organic Mexican fare, you fall in fast and hard. 

Villa Las Estrellas was the ideal base for or anyone for that matter.  We were warmly welcomed by the owner and the entire staff of this quaint little villa.  With 6 rooms and a restaurant in the center and 3 independent suites, it's private and eco-friendly.  Under the palapa roofs are rooms furnished minimalistically with four poster beds, tons of space and crisp clean white linens.  We stayed in a room and a suite and both were fantastic.  The benefit of the suite is that nobody is above you... and you have more private lounging space in front of you, but all rooms are amazing.  The complementary morning breakfast of a huge plate of fresh tropical fruit and croissants served on the deck looking out over the sea was heaven. 

What started out as a colossal debacle became the best vacation we've ever taken together as a family.  All the way around, Tulum took us in.  The Frenchmen even ranked the food amongst the best he's had in all his travels.  When spring break approached the following two years, I asked the boys where they'd like to get off to and you don't have to guess where they chose... 

---

food & libations:  in-house restaurant is very good, El Tabano! (Best authentic Mexican in Tulum in our opinion), Hartwood (swanky setting, beautiful outdoor kitchen, food prepared in wood fired ovens), El Camello Jr. (local scene, fresh street food in downtown Tulum, for lunch)

cool for kids:  little play area for young ones, waitstaff treat kids like little kings/queens, Iguanas at the ruins and snorkeling in cenotes (underwater caves)

must visit:   Mayan Clay Spa for a massage, Tulum ruins (go early in the am), snorkeling the Gran Cenote (Sak Aktun)

villa las estrellas website