20°12'40"N, 87°27'26"W Tulum Hideaway, Mexico

Set on a 10,000sqm private estate in the jungle, a world apart from the bustling vibe of Tulum, but still close enough to pop out to get a turmeric latte by bike, this Mediterranean inspired holiday home is one of Tulum’s best hidden secrets. The villa showcases clean minimalist design spiced up with handcrafted furniture and artisan accessories. Built and managed by designers Amaury and Dorothee, this tropical retreat is the perfect location for either a romantic weekend getaway for two, a secluded sanctuary for yoga enthusiasts or a dream setting for a stylish wedding.

The L-shaped volume is carefully situated where the jungle was originally less dense to minimize disruption to the natural topography. All the building materials are locally sourced; polished plaster for walls and floors, indigenous, reclaimed woods for construction and furniture and stone quarried on site from the pool excavation for all the foundations. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and opens up to the inviting deck and jaw-dropping pool. Interiors are a blend Ibizan style and rich Mayan culture. The colour scheme, sun-bleached whites and dense dark leafy greens, are only paused by the occasional vibrant coloured tile or textile and the omnipresent backdrop of the turquoise tinted pool. Further down the path, at the end of the garden, you’ll discover a separate unit, which showcases alfresco jungle living. Besides the bricked ensuite shower and toilet, the coconut cabana has no walls, only netted screens and curtains. A private lounge area flanks the white washed hut, making this the perfect hideaway for honeymooners and peace-seekers.

The owners and staff live on site to maintain the house, pool and grounds, check on the photovoltaic installation, cook daily breakfast and set up a delish catering if requested. They are here to help you book and recommend places to go, activities and can arrange all on-site activities for you from massages, private yoga lessons to Mexican cooking classes.

How far to the nearest…

• Resident neighbour 100m
• Shop 2.5km
• Town 2.5km
• Café/Restaurant 2.5km
• Beach 8.5km
• Airport 122km Cancun International Airport

Location Set in a 10,000 sqm private estate in the jungle south of town, a world apart from the Tulum Gypset but yet so close.

Build Sensitive footprint with minimal disruption to natural topography. Locally sourced building materials.

Energy Completely off the grid. Rooftop solar panels and water heaters, photovoltaics, Cross ventilation maximises cooling for hot days and additional ceiling fans keep temperatures down in the summer months. Well water. On-site water treatment. Gas stove.

Digital detox No TVs, WiFi on request only. No high-tech gadgets.

Creature comforts Mosquito nets. French press coffee machine. 4G Phone reception. Washing machine. Fully equipped kitchen with Vitamix. Netted jungle yoga shala. BBQ pit. Hammocks. Bluetooth Bose indoor speaker. Dining areas in the pergola, jungle and by the pool.

They say the best time of year to visit is February – April and November, when days are warm and beaches less crowded. The most humid months are May – October, with May and August being the hottest with temperatures going up to 40°C but absolutely doable if you don’t mind heat, occasional rainstorms and deserted beaches. December and January have a pleasant climate but tend to be very busy.

GO SLOW

Set on the east coast of the Yucatàn Peninsula, on the sweeping white-sanded shores of the Caribbean Sea, Tulum has one of the best-preserved ancient Mayan sites in Mexico. The laid-back vibe of this little town and the pristine beaches attract sun-worshipping bohemians from all over the world. Photographers, Instagrammers, artists, eco-architects, fashionistas, digital nomads and spiritual seekers of all sorts, flock together in Tulum and make this the Gypset hot spot of the western hemisphere.

Tulum is a feast for the body and soul. Whether you’re sound healing or opening your heart with a traditional cocoa ceremony, or exploring ancient Mayan sites, plunging into the crystal clear Cenotes - underground rock pools - or wandering along the endless paradise beaches of the Unesco listed Sian Ka’an Biosphere…. the main activity here is nurture.