Delek Tulum

A mid-week daydream among the hustle and bustle of city life led myself and Mr Smith to book a trip to Tulum over the holiday weekend – a daydream which just weeks later became a sunshine-dappled reality, complete with lapping azure waters, ultra-fresh seafood and sunsets like no other. The call for adventure and reconnecting with nature was high on the agenda – but for now it would have to wait. We had arrived, and the beach was calling. Arriving at palm-strewn boutique property Delek Tulum, we were embraced by mother nature herself, her omnipresence was immediately felt in every inch of the property. With bungalows perched directly on the sand, you felt intertwined with the surrounding beach and landscape. 

The stay highlights local architecture in its thatched roofs and untreated wood accents, and it’s all built by hand. Our Partial-Ocean-View Cabana sat high in the treetops, shadowed in privacy. It had all possible options for much-yearned-for downtime covered; a lavish timber deck wrapping around the room was adorned with a hammock for two and a day-bed for three, and was blissfully serene. Inside, a perfectly-dressed queen-size bed sat beneath a mosquito canopy, and here, too, there was a relaxed atmosphere. The space is littered with local treasures and fixtures, and Mr Smith patiently listens as I spend the next 45 minutes gushing about the bamboo lights, delicate decor and timber detailing. If a hotel hopes to win you over on the first day, we were putty in their hands within the hour.

The hotel’s named for the Tibetan greeting ‘tashi delek’, meaning ‘may infinite blessings be on your path’. It’s truth was felt from the moment we arrived until we glided down to the water’s edge. Set on the cusp of a tropical jungle between trees and the moving shadows, Delek was clearly built out of love, with the utmost respect for Tulum’s natural ecosystem. Every experience felt in perfect harmony with the leafy environment, and the hotel’s leave no footprint mantra was underpinned by its commitment to sustainability. Located in the garden is a traditional temazcal, a Mexican sweat lodge. This tradition is a purifying experience for the body, soul and mind, rooted in spirituality. During, you’re enclosed in a house of hot stones, and forget your next juice cleanse or detox: the temazcal will cleanse you inside and out with a combination of energy healing, heat and traditional music – the perfect antidote to a long day’s travel.

Over evening drinks and a Mexican delicacy of fresh pineapple with chili salt, we chat to the chef about his regular ingredient-sourcing trips through the Yucatán region. Listening to his stories of intergenerational cooking and the flavours he remembers from childhood in his mother’s kitchen on the outskirts of Mérida, we indulged in sumptuous cocktails which complemented the incredible sunset. Drinks evolved into a three-taco tasting before the chef presented poblano-chilli shrimp and coconut-marinated fish with our favorite lima soup as the evening temperature cools. Still damp in our swimsuits and wrapped up in towels we muster up the little energy we need to make the pilgrimage through the labyrinthine sandy walkways to our cabana. Each hut-like structure is unique in its meticulously handcrafted aesthetic, yet after sunset they all seem to look identical. Embarrassingly, we make a few false starts up the stairs to our neighbours’ rooms. 

Surrounding the hotel are some of the best restaurants Tulum has to offer. While going up and down the only road that accesses the beach (mere footsteps away), we did all the hard work sourcing recommendations for local eateries and nightlife while chatting to our fellow travellers. Arca came highly recommended, with its micro-seasonal menu of native flora and fauna, in tune with the Yucatán’s roots and traditions. Open-fire cooking dominates their menu, which is composed of small plates designed to be shared, a way of eating that is inherent in Mexican culture. And so, we sampled fresh fish ceviche, grilled octopus drowned in delicious homemade marinades and prawns the size of lobsters.

Hartwood has an impressive reputation too and everyone who speaks of the magic of Tulum has this high on their list, making it virtually impossible to get a table. The menu changes daily based on what’s harvested by land and sea. If you haven’t been savvy enough to book your reservation in advance (sadly, us) you can still nab your coveted spot by arriving early afternoon to be first in line for the 5.30pm open sitting. The sun was high in the sky, yet we were dressed for dinner, heading out from our room, while fellow Delek guests enjoyed the soft rays of the afternoon sun…but, the meal was so worth it. The rest of the weekend we spent not far from our homebase, exploring every inch of the hotel’s private patch of sand. Shaded by the canopy on our day-bed, with a few books to flick through, we disconnected from the world and became completely present in the moment. 

It’s clear Delek Tulum works incredibly hard to ensure guests leave re-invigorated and revitalised. The team makes the attention-to-detail of their service look effortless and they stay true to the hotel’s intentions, prioritising respect for nature and letting you fully connect with the essence of Tulum.