Hotel Mereva Tulum — Hotel in Quintana Roo

Overall we had a great stay here, but there are a few things guests should be aware of prior to booking/arrival. If you’ve got a minute, this is worth a read.

You can’t get a more romantic, peaceful setting. The grounds/architecture are stunning. The water is beautiful; sunrises are breathtaking. We were welcomed by Betty who was kind as she showed us our room that had a view of the ocean. BUT, let me back up…

In March we booked a Partial Ocean View Room. After talking w/ the hotel I learned there is no hot tub, but they said “plunge pools have hot water.” So I canceled the 1st reservation & booked a Master Suite Beach Front Plunge Pool so we could enjoy a warm plunge.

Very long story short: we spent many hours across 3 days dealing w/ maintenance in our room trying to fix a broken plunge. Front desk kept assuring us it would get warm; we needed to wait. It did not. They tried “upgrading” us to a room w/ a working plunge but it was unacceptable, smelled of mildew (my husband is allergic), & had a view of mostly palm trees (paid for ocean view) so we moved back to our 1st room.

Manager Luis apologized, was professional, gave us his direct phone, & offered to let us use the plunge in the other room, but we were only able to use it once as I was violently ill for the last half of our stay (from a beach club). Our plunge never worked, we had people in our room constantly, it was a hassle, & we only ended up being given $150 off our stay of 7 nights, which is ridiculous for the amount of $ we spent here. I never would have booked a more expensive room if I’d known we wouldn’t get to use one of the main perks figured into room cost.

MOVING ON…

The servers were wonderful. Restaurant was clean & uncrowded; great food! If we hadn’t left Mereva I wouldn’t have gotten sick. The 1st night I was sick the chef & Miguel stayed late to make me tea & soup. We were so impressed & grateful! Miguel even asked how I was later.

My husband went to get breakfast to bring to our room & was told by Aaron it’s not allowed? If YOU take food to your room it’s considered room service & you’ll be charged. I get being charged if they bring it to you, but don’t charge people to take food to their rooms.

Test you’re safe to make sure it will reopen. We had things locked inside for 3 days.

Don’t plan to re-heat leftovers. There is no microwave on site. The minibar fridge is a beverage cooler, no space for food. FYI: no hot shower water!

There are limits to the # of minibar items per day, which I get for soda/beer -BUT WATER? Tap water isn’t safe & there isn’t a store nearby; drinking water should be unlimited. LoQSea delivered us water but since we were out of area it was a $40 fee! We tried to go through Chedraui in Tulum but it’s impossible to set up a delivery address. Make a plan to stock up on water.

Other than the issues mentioned, we loved this place. I wished we’d felt better so we could have enjoyed it more. We felt safe & loved being away from the hotel zone. We loved sitting on our patio watching palms sway & waves crash, & also loved walking along the boardwalks. One evening we enjoyed lounging in a hammock under the jungle foliage. Kayaking around the coral reef was a highlight too. The ambiance is serene. It’s incredibly picturesque & you feel like you’re inside a post card.

I’d recommend this hotel —as long as you don’t have any hiccups. Hopefully this info helps others.

PROS: Romantic peaceful setting Oceanfront Beautiful property Helpful staff Free water activities On coral reef Secluded 2 pools Great food/drinks A+ kitchen staff Cute decor Clean rooms Online concierge Free minibar Felt safe Free breakfast

CONS: No sandy beach Must use water shoes in water Some staff have poor attitudes Need taxi to go anywhere No jacuzzi Plunge pool did not work No hot water Expensive food/drinks Only 3 h2o bottles per day w/ minibar No elevator Faulty in room safe No grocery delivery to area No microwave on site Minibar fridge is beverage cooler Can’t take...

My boyfriend and I stayed at Mereva for 4 nights, and it was one of the most relaxing and pleasant hotel experiences we’ve ever had. The staff were incredibly welcoming, warm, and polite — not in a forced or overly formal way, but in a genuine, laid-back manner that made us feel comfortable from the start.

The atmosphere of the hotel reflects the essence of Tulum: calm, nature-forward, and peaceful. The room was exceptionally clean, housekeeping came daily, and the little touches — like towel animals that changed every day — were adorable and appreciated.

The hotel is a non-smoking area due to the surrounding wildlife, which includes a variety of birds and pelicans. As someone from the city, I really enjoyed being surrounded by nature. I didn’t mind walking just a few steps outside to smoke, especially knowing it helps protect the environment.

The pool and pier area were perfect for relaxing. My boyfriend and I spent our nights lying in the hammocks by the water, stargazing and listening to the waves — it was beautiful.

A note to future guests: yes, there is seaweed, but that’s part of nature and not the hotel’s fault. It’s seasonal and affects the entire coastline, even the popular beaches. It didn’t take away from our enjoyment at all.

The AC worked very well, which was a relief after spending time in the heat, and the water pressure and hot water in the showers were excellent. I’m very picky with showers, and this hotel exceeded expectations. We also had a king-sized bed that was perfectly comfortable.

The breakfast included each morning was a pleasant surprise — the eggs were delicious, the juice was fresh, and the fruit made us feel refreshed and healthy to start the day.

One thing that really stood out was how responsive the staff were. Our TV stopped working on the second day, and even though it was late at night, they offered to replace it immediately. They brought a brand new one within minutes. That kind of service is rare and speaks volumes.

They also offer kayaking and snorkeling right from the property. We didn’t use those services because we had excursions booked elsewhere, but honestly, next time we might just stay and do everything here.

The hotel is located just off the main road, with easy access to a nearby cenote (less than a 5-minute walk). We used a scooter to get around, and it was about a 15–20 minute ride into town. They have parking available for scooters and cars.

Other small but great features: working hair dryers, double sinks, consistent electricity (they have a generator), and everything in the room functioned as expected.

My only small regret was not meeting the hotel cat I saw in other reviews — hopefully next time.

Overall, Mereva was the perfect first home for our Tulum trip. It was calm, beautiful, and thoughtfully run. I would absolutely stay here again and recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful escape from...

I stayed here with my wife and teenage daughter for one week in July. We got a junior suite which had a sliding glass door through which you could see and hear the sea. The setting was fantastic.

The hotel is located on the beach in a fairly quiet area away from the clubs and noise of the hotel zone. The view from the bedroom window was one of the hotel’s best features.

There is a dock stretching out into the sea with hammocks, which is a great place to relax between excursions. We used it several times to get past the sargassum on the shore and get into the sea. The water is warm in the bay and fairly shallow. The ground is uneven but walking out about 100 meters got me in over my shoulders and I am 6’2. I did some swimming out there and even just stood in the water chatting to my daughter. It was a nice setting to unwind after a day of walking around the ruins.

The hotel is well situated for excursions. We rented a car and it was a short drive to the town for restaurants, the ruins, grocery stores, etc. There was also a cenote about a one minute walk away where we snorkeled and met a cool crocodile! We drove to Playa del Carmen one day and to Valladolid another day. We saw the ruins at Tulum and in Coba. There was lots to do.

The hotel staff were very accommodating. We had very few problems, one day we needed an extra towel and more toilet paper and another day we couldn’t get the TV to work. They fixed these situations very quickly and in a friendly and professional manner. They all spoke very good English but also allowed me to practice my Spanish, which I appreciated.

The restaurant had good food. I enjoyed the grilled octopus and the pizza as well as the brisket. The place was fairly quiet while I was there and so we always had a table and prompt service. The prices are inline with the restaurants in town. Tulum is not a cheap vacation! The servers were very professional and offer a high level of service.

Before we went we were worried by some other reviews regarding the smell of sargassum. I have to say it was possible to smell it but it did not prove to be a big factor in our trip. I grew up on the coast and am used to the smell of the sea and any sulphur smell from the seaweed was fairly subtle and usually hidden under normal seaside smells, which are pleasant and I have always associated with good health.

Anyway, I miss our comfortable room by the beach now that I am back home in Arizona. I...