If you have ever dreamt of staying in a tree house, this one is for you!
Azulik Hotel and Maya Spa in Tulum, Mexico, has become somewhat ‘Instagram famous’ after several high profile bloggers stayed there and photographed the hell out of the incredible driftwood structure, which makes all your wildest childhood fantasies of a jungle hideaway come true.
So, as a bit of a treat, my partner in crime Bonnie and I decided to check out the mind-blowing abode ourselves and booked in for three nights following our stay at Papaya Playa Project. Let me tell you, even the most eye-catching social media posts can’t prepare you for the sheer scale and attention to detail that left us speechless from the moment we arrived!
Entering the tropical forest that surrounds the hotel through a wooden tunnel, we were led to our Sky Villa via an elevated walkway with a myriad of mazelike paths, which spread out across the property in an intricate network. Exotic birds, huge, colourful butterflies and cute lizards surprise you (if you are a city dweller like me) at almost every turn because yes, you have truly arrived in paradise.
However, nothing could beat the moment when we finally arrived at our little shack perched above the treetops. Facing the lush expanse of the jungle on one side and the wild ocean on the other, the circular hut screams romance from every corner, and, taking in the huge bed veiled with mosquito nets, mirrored walls and tree trunk bathtub, Bonnie and I – much as we enjoy each other’s company – joked that we should have brought along a lover instead.
I could write a whole separate post about the gorgeous balcony in itself, which not only featured a breathtaking view across the sea and Mayan Riviera, but also every imaginable ridiculous and exciting feature you could wish for; namely a swing, an outdoor bathtub and a hanging daybed. With room service available, there aren’t an awful lot of reasons to ever leave your villa, to be honest. But with a cute beach bar perched on the powdery white sands, two restaurants offering healthy cuisine and the Mayan spa with a treatment menu full of indulgent rituals, you might want to explore.
Azulik is an – I assume adults only, because you’d have a nightmare trying to stop your kids from falling off the balcony – eco-friendly resort for couples, so there is no wifi or electricity in the rooms (bar one little plug to charge your phone or camera) and everything is lit by candles. As per the hotel’s philosophy, this is meant to help guests reconnect with nature, themselves and possibly each other, nudge nudge. It is indeed perfect for honeymooners and baby makers, but don’t feel put off by this if you are travelling with friends or by yourself.
With its stunning surroundings, tasty wellness food and relaxation opportunities like yoga, massages and ancient Mayan rituals, the quirky resort is also the perfect place to come to de-stress and unwind. Should you get cabin fever, there are several bars and restaurants just a short stroll from the hotel. We dropped back into our previous ‘home from home’, Papaya Playa Project, for their weekly party on Saturdays, enjoyed a lunch with a view at new Italian eatery Momo Hoja and celebrated the end of one epic holiday with fajitas and mezcal at Mateo’s Mexican Grill.
Even after three nights at Azulik – and ten days on the Riviera Maya – I still don’t feel I have done this magical part of Mexico justice, so there’s only one thing for it… See you again next year, Tulum!
Credit: All images by Olivia Ebeling for Tribe Magazine unless stated otherwise.
