Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club, Tulum’s first all-inclusive resort, has arrived – and we have all of your insider intel.
Last updated: November 2023
Tulum has long been known for its reign of design-forward boutique hotels boasting oceanfront status, but how about a design-forward all-inclusive tucked into the lush jungle? That’s what luxury hospitality group Secrets, part of the World of Hyatt portfolio, is aiming to achieve with their brand new property: Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club. Opening October 12th, 2023, from what I could see of the adults-only enclave during my visit five days later, they’re delivering.
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Secrets Tulum: Tulum’s First All-Inclusive.
Secrets Tulum arrives as the posh beach destination’s first proper all-inclusive resort. A significant move effectively ushering in a new era of travel patterns and styles in a destination prior commanded entirely by boutique stays. An era further heralded by the upcoming Tulum International Airport (TQO), a highly anticipated gateway welcoming daily direct flights from three U.S. carriers starting March 28th, 2024. American Airlines will operate daily directs out of Charlotte, Miami and Dallas/Forth Worth, Delta offering the route from Atlanta, and Spirit out of Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.
Those familiar with Tulum might be thinking – what about Kore? Yes, this semi-all inclusive resort was indeed here first, opening along Tulum’s beach road in the mid-2000s. Though between confusing rate tiers that aren’t always all-inclusive and lackluster reviews, it doesn’t count as a true Tulum AI as far as I’m concerned. What about the new Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya, which opened in 2022, and Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa (family-friendly sister property of Secrets)? While both are beautiful all-inclusive resorts absolutely worth a check-in, neither are in Tulum proper. Rather, they’re a 15-20 minute drive up the road.
Secrets Tulum: Seeing is Believing.
While I’ll be providing detailed written intel below, seeing is believing. Get your visual Secrets Tulum crash course by watching this Reel:
Secrets Tulum: Location
Where exactly is Secrets Tulum? The sprawling resort is tucked into the leafy jungle of Aldea Zama: an exclusive neighborhood of bohemian residences and boutique hotels situated in between the beach and downtown. Now I know what you’re thinking (because I thought it too). An all-inclusive resort in a famed beach destination not on the beach? How could this be? First, let me share that Tulum is just as famed for its jungle mysticism as it is its sun-bleached shoreline. At Secrets Tulum, guests have the seamless opportunity to immerse themselves in the best of both worlds.
In addition to several on-property swimming pools wrapped in powder-soft sand, Secrets Tulum boasts a beautiful beach club located a mere 15 minute shuttle ride away. For those absolutely requiring an ocean view with your morning wake-up? The resort’s exclusive, ultra-luxurious Beachfront Villa has your name on it.
Related: The Best Rolling Carry-On Luggage You Can Buy Right Now, According to Amazon Reviews
Secrets Tulum: Layout
Inspired by the region’s enchanting cenotes – naturally-formed swimming holes held sacred by the ancient Maya – the jungle-immersed property stretches throughout four circular towers. All, integrating Tulum’s luxuriant flora, earthy hues and signature zen vibes to seamless effect.
Each tower houses any combination of rooms, dining and drinking venues, wellness offerings and lounge enclaves, all encircling a central swimming pool. Additionally, a glistening swim-out pool wraps around each tower’s interior.
The property’s thoughtful design is compact enough to make it easily walkable end to end. No shuttles needed, save for those taking guests off-property to the beach club. Plus: no wristbands.
Related: These Stunning Overwater Resorts in the Caribbean Are Bringing the Maldives to You
Secrets Tulum: Rooms
300 all-suite rooms are mindfully outfitted with locally sourced materials (think: tropical hardwood, polished chukum and native stone), plus artisan-crafted decór and a color palette of soothing earthy hues. Room types start at the Junior Suite level, where decadent king beds (or two doubles) pair with plush bathrobes and slippers, a rain shower and seating area with marble table – from which to enjoy 24 hour in-room dining, naturally. Tropical views await on your private terrace, equipped with either a spa-like outdoor soaking tub or swim-out access (not both). Book the Junior Suite King Bed or Junior Suite Tropical View for the former; Junior Suite Swim-out for the latter.
Rooms: Preferred Club
Feelin’ yourself? Level up to the Preferred Club to enjoy such luxuries as preferred room location, enhanced minibar and bath amenities, personal concierge service and premium liquor. Plus, access to an exclusive, Preferred Club-only bar & lounge, rooftop pool and dining venues. Preferred Club room types are comprised of Junior Suites, spacious Master Suites, a Rooftop Master Suite with Private Plunge Pool and the sprawling Presidential Suite.
Rooms: Secrets Beachfront Villa
For those requiring an endless ocean view alongside your morning wake-up? The singular Secrets Beachfront Villa awaits. No luxury spared, the 6,000+ square foot haven accommodates up to 10 guests and includes a private chef and butler. Between 5 bedrooms, a private terrace with plunge pool and private rooftop with plunge pool, it’s safe to say there’s plenty of room for everyone to spread out. Located at the beach club, this means that every morning and night – before and after the beach club opens to Secrets guests – you have the entire oceanfront stretch to yourself.
Related: These 8 New Luxury Resorts are Rebranding Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Secrets Tulum: Restaurants & Bars
Dining & drinking options are aplenty, and in a landscape where all-inclusive cuisine is notoriously hit or miss, Secrets consistently lands a cut above.
Restaurants & Bars: Breakfast
Ten dining options count three breakfast spaces: an international buffet served at Market Café, elevated breakfast bites at Preferred Club-only Bluewater Grill or Coco Café – your 24/7 go-to for everything from morning pick-me-ups to late night nibbles. Or, you can indulge in everyone’s favorite in-suite ritual: breakfast in bed via complimentary, 24/7 room service.
Restaurants & Bars: Lunch
When hunger strikes midday, head to Barefoot Grill, Veranda or Preferred Club-only The Grotto for light lunch specialties, or cure cravings buffet-style at Market Café – all reside on-property. Or, head over to the beach club to enjoy a gourmet salad buffet alongside a la carte international cuisine at Seaside Grill. Steps away, Willy’s Place has you covered for freshly grilled favorites, toes-in-the-sand style.
Restaurants & Bars: Dinner
Three fine-dining venues open their doors starting at 6pm for dinner: eclectic Asian-Peruvian fusion at Jasmine, inspired Mediterranean cuisine at Olio and steak and seafood-focused Bluewater Grill – Preferred Club-only in the morning; open to all guests at night. No dinner reservations required.
Restaurants & Bars: Drinks
Whether you’re saying cheers with or sans-alcohol, you’ve got several on-property options: Rendezvous Lobby Bar from 7am – 11pm, Edgewater Pool Bar from 11am – midnight and the swim-up, rooftop Sky Bar from 11am – 7pm. Keep the party going at Half Time Sports Bar, open the latest through 1am. At the beach club, Barracuda churns out everything from healthy tropical smoothies to creative cocktails to my favorite daytime drink: the carajillo, a double espresso shaken over ice with a shot of Licor 43.
Related: These Are the Best & Most Unique Dining Experiences in Mexico’s Riviera Maya
Secrets Tulum: Pools, Spa & Wellness
Whether your idea of wellness is catching up on R&R poolside, achieving deeper relaxation at the spa, sweating it out at the gym or participating in a transformative Maya purification ritual, Secrets Tulum has you covered.
Wellness: Swimming Pools
Several gorgeous pools can be found throughout the property’s four circular towers, including some that interconnect and one designed to mimic an ethereal cenote. All, wrapped in swaths of silky-soft sand. Prefer your dip with a view? Two rooftop pools – one exclusive to Preferred Club guests – await with expansive jungle vistas.
Don’t forget that if you’ve booked a Swim-Out Room, you also have access to your tower’s wraparound swim-out pool for morning, late night or anytime dips. A privilege shared only with guests of the other swim-out rooms in your tower. Headed to the beach? When not going for a swim in the glowing turquoise waters of the Mexican-Caribbean sea, you can also cool off in the beach club’s idyllic, Bali bed-lined swimming pool.
Wellness: Spa
When you’re ready to reach an even deeper state of bliss, head to the property’s inner sanctum: Secrets Spa by Pevonia. Alongside a sublime hydrotherapy circuit counting bubbling jacuzzis, cold plunge pools, a sauna, steam room and more, the tranquil haven offers an irresistible menu of signature treatments administered in either individual or couples spa cabins. Think: a whipped créme Mango-Passion Body Wrap, exfoliating Choco-Sumptuous Body Polish or restorative Seaside Detox & Balance Wrap. Plus, his & her facials, tension-melting hot stone massages, and foot-pampering spa pedicures.
Tip: You can take your massage beachfront by reserving one of the beach club’s open-air massage rooms, complete with stone soaking tubs and the soothing soundtrack of gently rustling palms.
Wellness: Temazcal
I haven’t even mentioned the spa’s on-site temazcal – ancient Maya sweat lodge – site of deeply transformative intention-setting ceremonies and purifying rituals. All, lead by Secrets Tulum’s authentic, in-house Maya shaman.
Wellness: Gym
When not sweating it out in the sauna, steam room or temazcal, you can keep the perspiration glowing at the property’s impressive gym. Several treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes complement free weights and strength training equipment, all facing soaring floor-to-ceiling windows with lush jungle views. Steps away, mats await in the outdoor yoga and meditation garden.
Editor’s note: spa services are not included in the room rate and come at an additional cost. Unless you’re booking at the Preferred Club level, in which case you’re privy to one round of complimentary hydrotherapy.
Related: These Are the Best Spa Resorts for Hydrotherapy & More Water-Based Wellness in the United States
Secrets Tulum: Activities
You’ll never be bored at Secrets Tulum – unless you want to be. Rotating daily activities run the gamut from sunup to sundown, counting everything from yoga, dance and cocktail-making classes to outdoor musical performances under the stars; aqua spinning, pool volleyball and ping-pong to scuba diving and deep-sea fishing – the latter two come at an additional charge. Looking to get out on the greens? Guests of Secrets Tulum also receive discounted greens fees at Riviera Maya Golf Club, El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Course, and Bahia Principe, all located nearby.
Activities: Off-Resort Excursions
Looking to further explore the Riviera Maya? I’m admittedly biased because I live here, but I highly encourage you to get off-property at least once to see more of this enchanting region. (No, going the Beach Club or a golf course doesn’t count.) The Riviera Maya is a veritable treasure trove of incredible and unforgettable things to do, from swimming in otherworldly cenotes to exploring ancient Maya archaeological sites to setting sail on a fabulous yacht. The concierge at Secrets Tulum can get you set up on any number of half or full day excursions, or plan ahead with my personal picks here.
Editor’s note: off-resort excursions (aside from the Beach Club) are not included in the nightly room rate and come at an additional charge.
Related: 9 Best Things to Do in the Riviera Maya: Cenotes to Ancient Ruins to an Uninhabited Island
Secrets Tulum: Beach Club
So what’s the deal with the beach club, you may ask? Well, I’ve got your first-hand intel. Secrets Tulum’s off-site beach club is, in a word, gorgeous. It’s located along Tulum’s famed beach road (also known as the Hotel Zone), enjoying a privileged location in between two private houses. Meaning it’s quiet. No thumping music from the infamous day parties of Bagatelle, Taboo or RosaNegra types. (Though if that’s your thing, simply stroll up the beach and you’ll reach them all in under 15 minutes.) For those familiar with the oceanfront strip, Secrets Tulum’s beach club is located steps away from one of my favorite beachfront boutique hotels in Tulum, La Zebra.
Sunbathers will no doubt want to snag one of the oceanfront loungers, while shade-seekers can relax on a palm-shaded Bali bed. Umbrellas are available on request. An oasis-like swimming pool awaits for refreshing dips, as do decidedly zen outdoor massage rooms – complete with stone soaking tubs – for ultimate relaxation. Plus: two restaurants (Seaside Grill and Willy’s Place), one beach bar (Barracuda), individual shower rooms and lockers. The beach club is also the site of the resort’s singular Beachfront Villa, an elevated enclave tucked amidst swaying palm fronds above Seaside Grill.
Complimentary daily shuttles run to/from the beach club every 30 minutes. The first departs Secrets at 9:30am; the last departs the beach club at 6:30pm. The shuttle ride lasts approximately 15 minutes, though this can take longer with traffic and undoubtedly during high season (December – March). It does help that Secrets Tulum boasts its own private access road from the resort to the beach road. Once on the strip however, you will indeed be subject to traffic. Lucky for you, Secrets has a few tricks up its sleeve to make the shuttle ride go faster, like on-board tequila tastings. Bottoms up.
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Secrets Tulum: Destination Weddings, Retreats & Meetings
Looking to say I do, host a wellness retreat, company offsite or summit? Secrets Tulum has several wedding and wellness venues (jungle-side to beachfront) in addition to on-property meeting spaces, conference rooms and facilities, ready to accommodate all types of events.
Book Your Stay at Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club.
Ready to check-in? Book your Tulum escape through your favorite luxury travel advisor (that would be me), so I can hook up your stay under the palm. Read: land you VIP status at Secrets Tulum so you’re first in line for a room upgrade, linger longer with early check-in/late check-out, score an exclusive spa credit and more fabulous perks – for free. Need a rec for a seamless airport transfer or unforgettable excursion, or perhaps you want to head off-property one night and try one of Tulum’s hottest restaurants? I can help you there too.
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