When Tulum Became Our Playground: A Week at La Valise

"My wife, our two daughters (22 & 18), and I spent a week at La Valise in Tulum, and it was, without a doubt, the most luxurious and memorable vacation we have ever enjoyed. From the moment we arrived on the jungle side of the property until the very last sunrise on the beach, every detail was thoughtfully curated, every staff member went above and beyond, and the resort's design made us feel both pampered and completely at ease. Below is a full account of our stay, with special shout‑outs to the wonderful team members who made it all possible. --- ### Arrival & First Impressions We were greeted at the entrance by **Jorge**, who gave us a warm welcome and an informative tour of the property. Jorge's enthusiasm was infectious; he pointed out the private plunge pools, the rolling‑bed suites, and the best spots for sunrise on the beach. His knowledge of the resort's layout and his genuine smile set the tone for the entire week - we felt instantly safe and cared for. The check‑in process was swift, and we were escorted to our two jungle‑side suites. Each suite is a masterpiece of modern tropical design: a king‑size "rolling" bed that slides effortlessly onto the private patio, an outdoor shower framed by lush foliage, and a personal pool that feels like a secret oasis. The rooms also feature a rooftop terrace with a hammock, perfect for sipping a cold drink while listening to the jungle's gentle chorus. --- ### The Rooms - Private Luxury in the Heart of the Jungle **Suite 1 - Mother's Retreat** - King‑size rolling bed - the most comfortable we've ever slept on. - Outdoor shower with rain‑like flow, surrounded by tropical plants. - Private plunge pool - crystal‑clear water that stayed warm all day. **Suite 2 - Daughters' Hideaway** - Identical layout, giving us the freedom to enjoy separate spaces while staying together. - Rooftop hammock - a favorite spot for sunrise yoga and late‑night stargazing. Both suites were immaculately cleaned each day, with plush towels, high‑quality bath amenities, and thoughtful touches such as fresh fruit and a handwritten welcome note. The seamless indoor‑outdoor flow truly embodies La Valise's "jungle meets sea" philosophy. --- ### Dining - Beachside Breakfast & Culinary Delights Each morning we dined at the **beachside restaurant**, where the sunrise painted the Caribbean Sea in shades of gold and pink. The breakfast buffet featured fresh tropical fruits, made‑to‑order omelets, artisanal breads, and a selection of Mexican pastries. The service was attentive yet unobtrusive; **Selzin** always remembered our coffee preferences and ensured our table was set just the way we liked it. For lunch and dinner we explored the resort's two main venues: **La Valise** (beachfront) and **NÜ** (jungle side). Both restaurants emphasize locally sourced ingredients, sustainable seafood, and inventive Mexican cuisine. Highlights included: - **Ceviche** with freshly caught snapper, lime, and a hint of habanero. - **Grilled octopus** served on a bed of jungle greens, drizzled with a smoky chipotle glaze. - **Mole poblano** that perfectly balanced sweet, bitter, and spicy notes. The staff at both venues-**Letty**, **Elias**, and **Manuel**-were knowledgeable about the menu, offered excellent wine pairings, and made us feel like honored guests at every meal. --- ### Pool Area & Beach - A Tropical Playground The main pool area is a work of art: turquoise water surrounded by natural stone, vibrant tropical plants, and stylish lounge chairs. The **tanning beds** were a welcome addition for those who love a sun‑kissed glow, and the nearby bar served refreshing cocktails (the passion‑fruit mojito quickly became a family favorite). We spent many afternoons lounging by the pool, watching the kids splash in the water while we relaxed under the shade of a thatched pergola. The **pool staff**, led by **Iker**, kept the area spotless, refreshed towels promptly, and even offered complimentary sunscreen. The beach itself is a pristine stretch of white sand and calm Caribbean waters. The resort's private beach access meant we never had to fight crowds, and the gentle waves were perfect for a quick dip after a day of exploring Tulum's ruins. --- ### Activities & Safety La Valise offers a curated list of excursions-snorkeling in the cenotes, guided tours of the Mayan ruins, and private yoga sessions on the rooftop. We booked a **cenote tour** through the concierge, and the guide was punctual, knowledgeable, and respectful of the environment. Safety was never a concern. The resort's staff are trained in first‑aid, the property is well‑lit at night, and the security team (including **Anahi**) performed discreet patrols that made us feel protected without intruding on our privacy. Our daughters, both young adults, appreciated the sense of security that allowed them to explore the surroundings independently. --- ### Final Thoughts - Why La Valise Is the Ultimate Tulum Experience La Valise is more than a resort; it is a sanctuary where luxury meets nature. The combination of **exquisite jungle‑side suites**, **exceptional dining**, **stunning pool and beach spaces**, and **personalized service** creates an unforgettable experience. A special thank you to the entire team: - **Jorge** - for the warm welcome and flawless orientation. - **Selzin** - for the attentive breakfast service and thoughtful touches. - **Letty**, **Elias**, & **Manuel** - for making every meal a culinary adventure. - **Iker** - for keeping the pool area immaculate and inviting. - **Anahi** - for ensuring we always felt safe and secure. If you are looking for a luxurious, family‑friendly getaway that blends the serenity of the jungle with the beauty of the Caribbean, look no further than La Valise. We left Tulum with hearts full of gratitude, sun‑kissed skin, and a promise to return next year. Five stars-without hesitation!"

"For more than a decade, each winter we happily vacationed in St. Bart. But as residents of Santa Fe, NM, the four flights it took, sometimes requiring an overnight stay in Miami or Atlanta, became a bit too much. So last year, with just two flights and same day arrival at the wonderful new Tulum airport (one hour drive from Tulum), we decided to vacation at La Valise. We loved it so much, we decided to come back again this year. And, and if it's even possible, we came away loving La Valise even more! If you are beach/water person like we are, someone who dreams of an intimate, vibey, quiet "walk on" beach and cyrstal clear water experience, La Valise is for you. As interior design aficionado's, we really appreciated the attention to detail and care given to the stylish modern room decor, lush landscaping and public spaces that subtly referenced Mayan history and traditions. And yes, the mattress, bed clothes and air-conditioning were superb. With just nine rooms, you feel as if you're a guest in someone's private compound. In fact, La Valise reminded us of the time several years ago when we were guests (no exageration), in a billionaire friend's ashram-like residence in Kauai, Hi. ! But all the lovely "appearance value", physical attributes aside, the heart and living soul of La Valise is the amazing staff. From the reception desk, to the living room/lounge/dining area to the beach front, the employees are highly focused on making sure your every need is met. In fact, as we spent every day lounging on the beach, they are so "tuned in" and so available, they often subtly and smoothly anticipate when you may need more ice, more water, a beachside lunch or even a snack. When was the last time you arrived home after vacation fondly remembering the names and shining faces of the people who waited on you? With twinkling eyes and bright smiles Eddie, Tomas, Anahi, Benjamin and everyone on the La Valise staff seemed like Mayan genie's who really cared about doing everything they could to make their guest's stay enjoyable. Every day, they greeted us by name and exuded the kind of authentic joy, pride and caring that made it appear as if their mission at La Valise was a spiritual calling! On our last day at La Valise, we happily booked our return for next year. P.S. One of La Valise's best kept secrets is their restaurant! No matter that there happens to be a number of Michelin starred restaurants nearby, Over our eight day stay, we ate "in" two of those nights and it was if we had our own private chef and dining room."

"A Truly Special Stay We absolutely loved the atmosphere at La Valise's hotel in Tulum. The staff is an exceptional group of people who go above and beyond to ensure your stay is comfortable and welcoming. Having breakfast in front of the ocean was a real treat, especially with Anna, Carlos, Alberto among many other wonderful team members. Also our late afternoon drinks , meals, dessert and some morning coffee with Thomas with who we shared good laughter. The restaurant "NU" across the street, where we had dinner, was an incredible experience and highly recommended. The service was exceptional; from the Hostess, to Noe at the Bar who is a true master of his craft and of course the food was absolutely delicious. Our room was beautiful and felt very special-perfect for a romantic and intimate getaway. Everything smell so good and was so well taking care of, everyday. The entire environment exudes warmth and charm. The food was delicious, and the location was fantastic. The beach beds were lovely, offering a perfect spot to relax. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to add some kind of sitting chairs with backs or bean bags on the beach to make sitting and reading more comfortable and relaxing. Everyone at the concierge team was so kind, professional, and eager to assist, making our stay even more enjoyable. We can't thank each one of them enough for making us feel so welcome; Alan, Angela, Elias, Jorge & Selzin, thank you, YOU ARE all so special. There is so many other people that we cannot name as we did not have the chance to introduce ourselves, but thank you to everyone who work so hard to keep the rooms, the grounds so immaculate everyday, to all of those who prepares all the delicious meals that we enjoyed everyday. And a Special thank you to Iker, the House Manager who leads this amazing group of people with so much grace and professionalism and ensure that all is to your liking. We highly recommend this hotel for anyone looking for a memorable and special experience in Tulum! La Valise is beautiful, relaxing and care by a group and genuine human! We will definitely be back."

"le lieu est incroyable, le design est bien pensé, la piscine chauffée ! le personnel est à l'écoute et très serviable, d'une gentillesse incroyable! la chambre est nettoyée deux fois par jour et le lit qui sort sur la terrasse est un vrai plus ! rien."

"Hands down, La Valise is just one of my favorite places in the world, and my partner and I travelled to many. We came here already 2 years ago and just love it everytime. The setting right on the beach is just phenomenal. Even though Tululm has become pretty crowded, you don't sense it here. It rather feels like you're in your little private oasis. The hotel itself is super special: the part on the beach feels like someones private house with an open living room to the ocean and the new part in the jungle is very well thought out and has a special vibe. They improved the breakfast a lot compared to two years ago, now they offer a wide range of healthy options and super nice smoothies. And the best part: The people!! The staff are so incredibly attentive, supportive, personal and care a lot for you. And we always meet incredible people there. So yah, after two times I know it's not been the last time we've been to La Valise. It has a truly special place in our heart."

"Absolutely loved La Valise Tulum! The vibe is relaxed and bohemian. Perfect if you're looking to unwind and disconnect. The wellness activities (yoga, meditation) were amazing. Food options were great with lots of fresh, local ingredients."

"Small, boutique hotel with very attentive staff. Very quiet and relaxing. Beautiful pool. However, many bugs/scorpions in jungle-side rooms with outdoor bathrooms-next time I would book beachside. The staff is so friendly, knows all of the guests names and make everyone feel so comfortable. Very quiet as the restaurant and beach areas are for guests only. And while very hot/humid in mid-May, the jungle pool is so beautiful and relaxing. Beware of the bugs on jungle side though. ... there are lots of grasshopper type bugs, moths, mosquitos and worst of all scorpions ... Some of the rooms on the jungle side have outdoor bathrooms which isn't appealing to me, especially in the middle of the night. Beachside in the future, that's for sure. This property is a small, boutique hotel but the level of service is above and beyond. The staff is so friendly, knows all of the guests names and make everyone feel so comfortable. Very quiet as the restaurant and beach areas are for guests only. And while very hot/humid in mid-May, the jungle pool is so beautiful and relaxing. Beware of the bugs on jungle side though. I recognize this couldn't be avoided but there are lots of grasshopper type bugs, moths, mosquitos and worst of all scorpions (which are apparently harmless). Peaceful to be amongst the trees, but my (irrational) fear of bugs made it so I couldn't really relax while sleeping. Some of the rooms on the jungle side have outdoor bathrooms which isn't appealing to me, especially in the middle of the night. Beachside in the future, that's for sure."

"Family-friendly with great activities for kids. Safe beach area, fun pool, and staff who genuinely care about families."

"Service, cleanliness, and amenities were great. But Room #9 was next to the kitchen - loud from 6am to 11pm. Everything else matched expectations. The service, the cleanliness and the amenities were great. Eddy and Jesus which were our two butlers went above and beyond with everything we could have asked for. I can't explain how comfortable me and my fiancée felt with their service. Now, I have to point that we had an inconvenience with Room #9 (jungle view). This particular room I assume is next to the kitchen. It was a nightmare with the noise from 6am up to 11pm. It was already one of the most expensive hotels from my options and the least I wanted to expect is a noisy room right next to the kitchen. Everything else satisfied my expectations from what I read on the reviews. The service, the cleanliness and the amenities were great. Eddy and Jesus which were our two butlers went above and beyond with everything we could have asked for. I can't explain how comfortable me and my fiancée felt with their service. Now, I have to point that we had an inconvenience with Room #9 (jungle view). This particular room I assume is next to the kitchen. It was a nightmare with the noise from 6am up to 11pm. It was already one of the most expensive hotels from my options and the least I wanted to expect is a noisy room right next to the kitchen. Everything else satisfied my expectations from what I read on the reviews."

"Truly eco-conscious resort. They use renewable energy, support local communities, and have eliminated plastic. Impressive!"

"Best beach hotel experience I've had. La Valise Tulum nails the balance between luxury and laid-back vibes. Staff genuinely care, food is incredible, and the beach is paradise. Worth every cent."