AZULIK - TULUM
Azulik Hotel is a boutique hotel nestled between the jungle and the beach. From the outside the hotel is totally concealed as you have the option to walk through the narrow path into the treehouse. The hotel itself has been inspired by ancient Mayan building techniques which aim to respect its surroundings , by using organic materials the hotel blends and intertwines with the existing nature and wildlife perfectly allowing it to have minimal impact on the surrounding eco system.
As the hotel is eco-friendly, in the rooms only and where possible throughout the hotel only candlelight is used which creates a fairy-tale like ambiance. WIFI Is only available in communal areas and there are no TV’s in the rooms or air conditioning, there is a fan above the bed though, so don’t panic! The hotel itself aims to use minimal electricity throughout to promote true relaxation and reconnection to nature. Azulik also believe showers contribute to stress of modern-day life as they are for people in a rush, as a result in the room you have a gorgeous mosaic bath which has water direct from a cenote, adding to the magic!
There are 48 wooden crafted villas in total in Azulik, and there are seven different types of villas: Moon Villa, Jungle Villa, Mayan Villa, Aztec Villa, Sea Villa, Sky Villa, and Aqua Villa. Each villa is designed to promote reconnection with nature. They are each built around their respective concept of the five elements of nature which are fire, water, sea, sky, and the earth.
Photo credit booking.com
We stayed in the cheapest room, the Jungle Villa which was approximately £500 a night. Despite this being the entry level room, I was actually very grateful for the jungle view as opposed to the sea view. I personally felt that I could get a sea view anywhere and the view of the jungle was not only unique but also very calming and beautiful. Our room came with a small balcony area and two sun loungers and our own private hot tub.
Upon arrival, we were early for check in, so we dropped our bags and went to the beach front bar to have a drink. The private beach attached to the hotel is beautiful and filled with rustic daybeds. The bar itself has swings which you sit at where the bartenders make the most incredible cocktails (I still dream of my rum punch that I had there).
The “angels” (what the staff are called who help you and show you around) then offered to give us a tour of the hotel. The spa is in the heart of the hotel and uses Mayan techniques and traditions to pamper their guests with massages and facials. All of the treatments revolve around holistic wellness, the 5 elements; water, fire, sky, air, and earth. As we entered the spa, one of the ladies performed a welcome ceremony, helping you to ease into the Mayan way of life. We stood on a small wooden circle whilst she cleansed our spirits with sage like smoke. Their ancient Mayan wellness rituals are what makes this spa truly unique, the treatments ranges from energy cleansing, harmonizing the chakra, group meditations, and ancient Mayan ceremonies. The spa also boasts a men’s barber, a hair and nail salon and a yoga studio (yoga is complimentary for guests)
The hotel is not accessible to non-guests, in an attempt to promote guest privacy and to combat the influx of tourists who want to come to the hotel just for photos the hotel has implemented a 80 USD minimum spend for non-guests which allows you access to the beach club from 9:00 am to 9:30 pm although walking around for pictures is not allowed. As a non-guest you are also able to book dinners in the restaurants from 5pm onwards (more on the restaurants later).
If you do not want to pay at all but still want to access a part of the hotel, they have a stunning art gallery which is free to access called the Ik Lab. The entrance is through a huge circular glass door that swings open (check my Instagram for reference), before entering you have to take shoes off and leave your bags at the side but once you are in you are free to take all of the photos your heart desires. The gallery is very open allowing you an uninterrupted view of the surroundings. It is spaced out over two floors allowing you to experience the treehouse vibe.
Azulik Resort has 3 unique restaurants on-site. Kin Toh’s Mayan avant- garde cuisine; Tseen Ja’s sushi; and Cenote’s traditional Mexican cuisine. Each restaurant mixes Mayan traditions into contemporary dishes.
As the sun sets each guest is invited up to Kin Toh to watch the sunset with a complimentary glass of champagne, the views are honestly UNREAL. The restaurant has hammock nets which you can lay on to watch the sun set over the jungle, as you look down through the rope bed you can see the reception which is pretty amazing but trippy! The restaurant also has day elevated beds scattered around if the idea of the hammock nets is too much for you.
Above Kin Toh, 12 metres above the ground, birds’ nests have been built that can be reached from a wooden bridge, from the nests you have the most incredible panoramic view of above the jungle canopy and the Caribbean coastline. These bird’s nests can be reserved for private dining, I am unsure what the price for this is, but I think it Is approximately $500-1000 USD.
If you want the cheapest option (who doesn’t love saving money!) Book dinner/ cocktails for 5pm when it opens but arrive at 4.30pm to the hotel to beat the crowds and go up to Kin Toh as a non-guest to take all the instagrammable shots and to truly enjoy the ambience and views.
During my stay I only ate at Kin Toh and WOW it was amazing, the presentation, surroundings and general taste of the food made for one of the most magical dining experiences. The cocktails were equally as special as the food, it actually was the cause of my love affair with mezcal. For 2 courses, a cocktail each and a shared dessert the bill came to approximately £120 which was very reasonable considering the standard of food and service.
Photo credit: Booking.com
After dinner we went back to the room and got lost and so I messaged one of the angels who kindly came to collect me and guide me back to the room. I am genuinely the worst person with directions, I could get lost anywhere and I got lost a fair few times whilst at the hotel and no matter how many times the angels had to rescue me, they were always so friendly.
Back in the room, I was hungry again (no shocks) and so I ordered room service. Ordering room service Is a spectacle in itself, you write on a little note what you would like, roll it up into a small scroll and tuck it into a wooden ball, you then take it out of the room to the shoot and et voila your room service order has been placed. Small details like this is what makes Azulik so magical.
photo credit: booking.com
Some things to note:
-The Azulik beach is ‘clothing optional’ so don’t be surprised!
- There is no air conditioning in the rooms, whilst there is a fan it can get hot in high summer (I read somewhere that one room type has air conditioning)
- They prefer it if you put toilet paper in the bin as opposed to flushing and the toilet is in a ‘closet’ in the room whereas the sink and bath are in the main room.
- There is no swimming pool
- The hotel is adults only
Photo credit: booking.com
Azulik was genuinely one of the most incredible experiences I have had in my life, it is not just a hotel it is genuinely a magical experience. It exudes romance and spirituality and has such a special vibe and I left feeling very invigorated. There Is so much attention to detail throughout the hotel which is of course reflected in the price. I love the importance Azulik places on realigning your focuses of what is important and truly giving you the time and place to take a step back from the madness of day to day life. I will without doubt be returning to Azulik with my boyfriend as I want him to experience the magic with me! If you cannot afford the room cost, I would definitely suggest going for dinner or even a free trip to the Ik Lab.
