Papaya Playa

Class: Budget

Style: Hip

Rooms: 99

Cocooned by the jungle on a pristine stretch of the Caribbean coast, lies a raw-luxe camp with an urban spirit – a communal playground for a creative community seeking reconnection with nature and themselves. Together with Emilio Heredia, owner of the existing Papaya Playa Beach Bungalow Resort, Design Hotels™ has created a destination in paradise.

The 85 cabañas possess a rustic charm and celebrate the luxury of simplicity, with something to suit every need and budget – from Casitas with large private terraces, to modest shared Jungle Cabañas with bunk beds and a communal bathhouse. Right from the outdoor hammocks, guests will be immersed in the flora and fauna, swinging gently into the laid-back rhythm of life in Tulum.

The resort's restaurant overlooks the azure waters, where diners can enjoy freshly baked goods straight from the clay oven and locally-sourced specialties prepared on the open-air grill. Directly on the beach, drinks and snacks are served from late morning until late evening at the resort's Beach Club.

Completing the holistic circle, So Happy Neo Spa uses Mayan shaman secrets, going beyond the usual wellness offerings, with the aim to nurture the mind just as much as the body. So Happy is a vibrant indoor and outdoor space on the beach, where in addition to massages and beauty treatments, guests can also enjoy yoga, tai chi, meditation, as well as fresh juices, snacks, tea and smoothies.

Being linked to the best DJs in the world, music is a key component of the experience with impromptu jam sessions in the sand, ambient beats at the spa, and celebrations to welcome the arrival of every full moon. All communal areas encourage creative collaboration, there is even a natural amphitheater on the beach, where guests can come together to perform, present or communicate in their chosen fashion with music, readings, inspiring lectures and more.