The Yellow Nest — Hotel in Quintana Roo

Beautiful jungle location, 40 minutes from Tulum Riviera. Quiet with reliable internet in rooms, restaurant, and pools. Daily yoga at 8am, sauna & meditation at 2pm. Cenotes nearby, staff offers rides to Tulum or main road. Relaxing music plays throughout. Road to property is a 3km dirt track, with signage and safety in the area. Parking is well-lit with space for 12 cars. Grounds and design are beautiful. Google location shows at the end of 2k but in fact you need to drive 1km further (picture attached). Well sign posted. Area felt safe although remote. Car park well lit and accommodates about 12 cars. Beautiful grounds and the design of the place is well thought through.

The check-in process was not as smooth as we had hoped. The breakdown of costs was unclear, and the conversion added an unexpected amount to the total. We were asked for 2000 pesos deposit , but in the end, they forgot to charge us for it. Additionally, the room key was missing, and we didn’t receive one until the second day, after chasing. Initially, we were told there was no key, and made to feel like we should leave the door unlocked. After several follow-ups, we were told the key had been taken to make a copy (which seemed reasonable), but then we were told room service had another one. When I suggested they give us that key in the meantime, since we didn’t need room service, they claimed they didn’t actually have it. A few minutes later, however, a key appeared, delivered with a hint of frustration. Would have been nice to be given a tour upon arrival, told about breakfast, yoga, sauna and where everything. One of the staff kindly did that when asked but as with everything, it felt like we had to ask first.

Another frustrating aspect was discovering that the breakfast we had paid for was not the full breakfast option. There was a second breakfast option, at an additional charge, m + a noticeable difference in presentation (pictures attached). The included breakfast was served without much attention to detail, while the paid one was beautifully plated. This stark contrast made us feel misled, as we had assumed everything was included. One day they charged for eggs (avocado, eggs on toast) but the other they only charged for avocado as eggs are complimentary with the standard breakfast. A few frustrated customers and honestly the management should look into changing this.

On the service front, only two staff members spoke English, which was ok, but other staff would often say “yes” to requests they didn’t fully understand. As a result, we didn’t always receive what we asked for, and it felt like the service was more reactive than proactive. Food was often served without cutlery. It wasn’t that the staff didn’t care, in fact they were nice and caring; they just seemed to lack customer service experience, and a little training would go a long way to improve the overall experience.

Tipping was expected, but it left us torn, as we felt the staff genuinely meant well, yet the quality of service didn’t reflect that. Small details also made a difference in the overall experience: beach towels were only provided on request although we had a room with a pool and two communal pools are also on the premises. No iron in the room (provided upon request). The pool was topped up with water in the morning. It would have been a much better experience if the pool had been prepared before we woke up and cleaned of dead bugs and leaves. Same with sweeping of leaves in front of the room. The outdoor furniture, including the sunbed and table and chairs were stained and dusty, making them uninviting to use. impacted our stay. For £200/ night I would have hoped for better overall experience. I do hope they make small adjustments in time as the place and the concept...

All the 5/5 reviews are surprising to me. I’d say this hotel is a solid 3.

So this will be the most descriptive review of all the ones I’ve read.

If you’re thinking of booking a stay, definitely read this so that your expectations are adjusted correctly.

First and foremost, as everyone else rightly said, the staff is wonderful. They truly want you to be happy and they do their jobs well.

If you’re looking for authentic Mexico, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a very Americanized, kinda California-esque hippie vibe, this is your place.

Expect to arrive via a 2.1 mile (3.4km) dirt road that has very deep potholes and speed bumps. We traveled slower than the posted speed limit (20km) and still hit the frame of our rental car. We came here hoping to explore Tulum and surrounding areas but this nearly impassible road removed that possibility.

There is no AC, and this was the first place in Mexico where we encountered the sad (dreaded) reality that flushing toilet paper is a no-no - gotta throw it in the trashcan. The cute and otherwise clean huts have grass thatch roofs - which is totally adorable - except that now the gloomy, moody, Sade-type, new-age massage music that plays from dawn to late night at a surprisingly loud volume is now utterly inescapable. It drowned out all the melody of birds and insects that I was so enchanted by in the forest as I opened my eyes in the early morning. Our hut was located fairly far from the source of the music and we could still hear it over the fans in our room. This was just such a pity.

The bed was plenty comfortable once musty covers were removed (that can’t be helped with no AC and it wasn’t horribly offensive). The generators weren’t too loud at all - the music was far more disruptive. The generators did go down once but the staff responded so quickly that it was barely a hiccup. I had plenty of warm water but I also didn’t shower for very long.

While the food was quite good it definitely also felt American - pancakes, a twist on eggs Benedict, salads - stuff we never saw in the much more charming and truly Mexican cities. Unfortunately, the taste of constantly burning incense which made us sneeze and coated our mouths rather overshadowed the flavor of the wonderful food. The cocktails were delightful.

Corny “wholistic” signs in English adorned many of the trees. Ironically one said that the earth has music for those who will listen …as long as other music isn’t drowning it out I guess.

The premises were charming but tight - it feels like you’re in a massage parlor hippie commune. You’ll hear every conversation. You’ll eat together, relax together, sleep together. I found this a tad uncomfortable. The hippie commune vibe was accentuated by a gong which beckoned everyone to the Indian clay hot stone essential oil sauna right outside the cenote water-filled pool in the evening.

This isn’t a hotel stay, exactly. It’s more of a camping experience - sorta - and most definitely (and I felt personally, most obnoxiously) American. I felt like I was back in Santa Cruz, CA. If you’re looking for that, it’s cool, but it’s just so key to have your expectations correctly aligned.

My one peace of advice to the owners; let the jungle speak for itself - turn off the dang music and let us hear the amazing birds and insects for ourselves (incidentally we had to sign a waiver to acknowledge these critters prior to staying. I could just imagine the ridiculous complaints that resulted in people having to sign waivers). Let us see the beauty and have our own thoughts instead of seeing whimsical words and phrases that take attention away from flowers and butterflies - frankly adding more unwanted noise to the mind.

…and the incense and mood music really belong relegated to a...

If you're looking for a serene, jungle-infused escape in Tulum, Yellow Nest Hotel is an absolute gem. From the moment I arrived, I knew this was going to be an experience like no other. Tucked away in the lush, vibrant jungle, the hotel blends the beauty of nature with comfort and luxury in the most seamless way.

Let me start with the service, which was truly exceptional. Every single staff member I encountered made me feel welcomed. They were incredibly warm, and always went out of their way to ensure I had everything I needed. Whether it was a recommendation for a local spot to visit or making sure I had everything for a perfect stay, the team at Yellow Nest Hotel made every effort to make me feel at home.

And speaking of amazing experiences, we were fortunate enough to receive a free upgrade from our original booking in a Nest room to one of their Villas, and wow—what a treat! Both the Nest room and the Villa are absolutely beautiful, but the Villa took everything to another level. The space is huge, with stunning natural wood elements, sleek design, and large windows that let in the perfect amount of sunlight. It felt like a private, luxurious hideaway right in the middle of the jungle. The Villa had its own cozy outdoor space too, which was ideal for enjoying a morning coffee or unwinding after a day of exploring.

The vibe of the hotel is something special. Imagine waking up to the sound of birds chirping and the gentle rustling of the trees. There’s a peaceful, zen-like atmosphere that permeates every corner of the property. The hotel is designed with a perfect mix of modern comforts and rustic charm, featuring natural wood finishes, open-air spaces, and plenty of greenery. You truly feel like you’re living within the jungle, without sacrificing the luxury amenities you want when you’re on vacation. Both the Nest room and Villa have everything you need for comfort—plush bedding, beautiful decor, and ample space to truly relax.

One of the highlights of staying here was how seamlessly Yellow Nest combines its natural surroundings with the amenities they offer. Whether you're lounging by the pool surrounded by lush greenery, enjoying a yoga session in the outdoor spaces, or sipping cocktails at their bar in the evening, the entire hotel makes you feel like you're in the heart of the jungle, yet completely at peace.

The overall atmosphere is incredibly relaxing, and I think this has a lot to do with the people who work here. They are genuinely friendly and make it a point to connect with guests, creating a community vibe where you feel like you’re among friends.

Yellow Nest’s location is also prime—just far enough from the hustle of central Tulum to feel private and secluded, yet close enough to explore the best the area has to offer.

Overall, Yellow Nest Hotel in Tulum is a perfect blend of exceptional service, a beautiful setting, and a laid-back, welcoming vibe. If you’re looking for a getaway that offers both relaxation and a connection with nature, this is the place to be. It’s not just a stay; it’s an experience that you’ll want to relive again and again....