Jashita

Secluded and serene, this ocean-front hotel blends laid-back beach sophistication with dreamy Zen style

Extravagantly eclipsing Tulum’s typical palapa-thatched eco cabanas, Jashita serves up an infinitely more relaxing mélange of desert-island chic and decadent style. Wash up on Soliman Bay’s deserted pale sands as glassy turquoise waters turn midnight blue, and you'll see the hotel’s crisp-white chefs hurrying to the shore to collect the evening’s catch (spear-caught daily by the owner). It’s immediately clear why guests choose to stay here - the location is stunning and the vibe is all-round spoiling.

Yet for paradise, it’s astonishingly reasonably priced. Built by a Venetian family, their passion pervades every detail - tropical shell curtain-ties, meticulously mixed margaritas, superlative personal service. From afternoon tea to family-run boat trips chalked up on a Robinson Crusoe-style mast in the sand, Jashita is awash with homespun charm. So how did this family of first-time hoteliers whip up an aesthetic that sends travel editors swooning? “We’re in love with the sea,” says Enrico, with a wistfulness only a Mediterranean with sea-worship stitched into their soul could muster. “I hope you can tell.”

Highs

• Soliman Bay, a breathtaking aquamarine cove, waist-deep for miles and protected from tides by a reef teeming with fish; you'll find snorkelling equipment in your room
• A small selection of beautiful suites with four-poster beds draped in chiffon curtains, and plunge pools on their terraces. There's a private villa for 10, too
• An exquisite menu in the Sahara Cafe restaurant mixes top-notch Mexican with Italian home-cooking and freshly grilled fish
• It’s family-friendly - usually a low for me, but all the communal areas make it surprisingly co-habitable for honeymooners, families and singles
• Daily boat trips including Mayan temple tours, fishing and diving. There are also road trips to Chichen Itza

Lows

• Full pre-payment required on reservation
• There’s no room service, but once you tuck into a morning feast oceanside, you’ll soon forget breakfast in bed
• This place is about forgetting the rest of the world. For any action beyond music on summer evenings, it’s a 10-minute taxi ride to Tulum
• Some of the sea views from the 2nd floor are obstructed by trees
• If you're staying in Villa Jasmine, you have to check out by 9am on the day of departure