Nerea Tulum

A great option if you're looking for a relaxing and quiet area in Tulum. The service was outstanding and the vibe is beautiful. The food was great, and the included breakfast was plentiful. I just wish the pictures on the menu were more appetizing, I am a very visual person and I was reluctant with every dish I ordered, but to my surprise everything was very decent. The private rooftop pool is amazing especially for watching sunrise and sunset. The beach situation in regards to sargassum is what it is, the hotel had personnel cleaning it regularly. The pier needs a redo desperately, add some shade and hammocks like the hotel close by. Overall I had a very pleasant stay, I was looking for relaxation and peace and they delivered.

Mixed Experience at Nerea Tulum Nerea is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s nestled in a more remote part of Tulum, about 10–15 minutes from downtown and 30–40 minutes from the TQO airport. If you plan to stay here, I highly recommend renting a car—even if you don’t use it often. Taxis can be expensive and inconsistent, and although scooters and ATVs are options, the heat during the day is intense. Most roads leading to Nerea are unpaved, so walking isn’t ideal. Honestly, this place feels more like an Airbnb than a full-service hotel. I expected more. I wouldn’t return or recommend it, especially if you’re seeking luxury or convenience. That said, it has its strengths and charm. Here’s a breakdown from my 5-night stay: Pros • Room 201 (Beachfront Rooftop): Stunning, unobstructed view of the Caribbean with a private pool—exactly as shown online. Beautiful boho-minimalist decor. • Food: Healthy, clean options with proteins, veggies, fruits, and natural carbs. Not your typical American-style buffet, but I found it filling and satisfying. • Staff: Very kind, helpful, and hospitable. Limited English on their side and limited Spanish on ours, but communication was effective and respectful on both sides. • Free parking (though not what you’d expect from a hotel lot). • Decor and layout of the property are aesthetically pleasing. • Comfortable bedding, pillows, and mattress. • The welcome drink (hibiscus juice) was delicious. • Spacious room for 1–2 guests with a 55” TV and great seating on the balcony and rooftop. Cons • Limited outlets (only six open ones). • Understaffed and poorly managed in several areas. • The TV and mini-fridge didn’t work for the first two days. • Broken desk chair and stained rooftop cushions. • No iron, ironing board, or ice machine. • Poor front desk communication—you often have to go in person to get help. • AC weakens at night. • The birthday package was expensive and underwhelming. • The restaurant closed early (without notice) 3 nights in a row. • Staff often unaware of policies/details and had to “go find out.” • Our booking was incorrect—we reserved 6 nights and got 5. • No elevators. • Construction site next door is an eyesore (luckily, no noise during our stay due to a worker strike). • No bottled water included in rooms. • You can’t charge things to your room. • The pier is beautiful in theory, but it’s covered in bird droppings and birds. No shade or hut for sun protection. • The gym is off-site (about 2–3 min walk) and very small. • No regular towel or washcloth replenishment. Neutral Observations • No housekeeping during our stay. • Cats roam the property—likely for pest control. • Not many guests on site, which may appeal to those seeking quiet but makes the vibe feel semi-abandoned. ⸻ Final Thoughts If you’re used to Western standards in hotels, this may fall short of expectations. The views and staff were highlights, but the management and amenities were disappointing given the price. It has potential, but a lot would need to change for me to return or recommend it.

So we had booked this hotel for 6 nights and ended up not staying a single night. Pre check in communication was great - very quick responses on what’s app and email. I’ll also say the property is beautiful. When we arrived, the host wasn’t overwhelming welcoming, did ask to help with our bags, took the smallest one and complained about how heavy it was all the way up to the room when was like finally! Also, I should mention we discussed multiple times prior to arrival we were on our honeymoon and they even wrote in an email they’d do something special. I mean it’s fine if you don’t do anything special but don’t SAY you will and then not do it. Anyway, we arrived, checked in, and then he let us know the restaurant is actually closed and we have to walk 10 minutes down a dirt road to their sister hotel with a mediocre restaurant with ants on the table. We did that because we had had a long travel day and were starving. But as we ate we were like wait a second? The website still says there’s a restaurant. Literally the sign in front of the hotel still says there’s a restaurant. No communication about lack of restaurant. We are honeymooning. We were trying not to leave the hotel at all. So we went back and asked to be moved to the sister hotel with a restaurant for this purpose. He tried to tell us it would be more money. I said if I book online right now I can get an upgraded room for half the price. So they moved us without making us pay more (or giving us back the rest of the money). There was no apology for the inconvenience or anything. Also there is construction right next door. When we checked in before we moved he said don’t worry they’re on strike, but when we walked by a few days later they were working. Unfortunately though the property is lovely, I wouldn’t recommend if you want to feel special or taken care of at all. Saga continues in my review of the sister property.