Cabanas La Luna

[beachreader]

OK, I know this is a pretty dangerous move considering I haven't yet booked my own stay here and you guys might all make it impossible for me to get a room, but since I took a lot of pictures at La Luna, and everyone's so curious about the place, I thought I'd just post a separate thread so I could put more pictures and such all in one place.

Since I didn't actually stay there, I'm posting it here in the General forum; I hope that's OK.

Clearly, you guys know I really like La Luna; I'm fascinated by it. It is, however, not perfect. It's not cheap, and three of the five main rooms are definitely on the, um, cozy side. Not impossibly so, just not real spacious so you and your spouse need to be comfortable in close quarters. Of course, they all have great outdoor spaces, so... And the biggest unit doesn't really sleep 6 at this point (in my humble opinion), at least not six full-sized adult types. But that's OK as long as you recognize it.

Overall, I love the vibe of the place, and while Rene will be leaving soon, it has been clearly professionally run and they take being green very seriously, both of which score big points. To me, the best hotel management is efficient and intelligent yet manages to make everyone feel comfortably at home. I'm sure that Rene will train his successors in like fashion.

OK, there are five main units, from very small to very large, and then another large house (Zanzibar) at the back/roadside of the property that has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It's great to have this extra space, but I'll focus on the main units, since they're all beachfront.

One of the great things is that all five units have amazing beach views, even the very small but inexpensive Robinson Crusoe unit:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a206bb4700000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2193a6800000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
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As you'll see, the fabrics throughout the rooms are beautiful, though I must agree a bit with Mariposa--why the strong Indian influence when you have such beautiful Mexican fabrics and crafts so close at hand? Just the owners' taste, I guess, and that's fine.

Next to Robinson Crusoe (and next up in price) is Christopher Columbus, with probably the best view in the place. Hmm, looks like I forgot to take the view from the Columbus deck, but imagine the Crusoe view but larger, with less overhang.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a210bb5100000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
(The neighbor in the background/left is Robinson Crusoe).

OK, this is not the best bed picture I've taken, sorry, I think I was trying to convey the space behind the bed that's the bath area:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a21ebb5f00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS

The bathroom area is very cool, all separated by half walls in addition to the half wall behind the bed. It was a bit too dark for my camera, sorry:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2113a6000000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS

This is from the beach approach, shows Christopher Columbus and the Casablanca/Marrakech unit:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a21f3a6e00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS


Casablanca is the unit that's the ground floor of the two-story building (Marrakech being the upper). We couldn't get inside because it was occupied, but peeking through the window it seemed similar to Columbus, with the bath area a bit larger and brighter--it's the unit shown on their website, with the formerly outdoor shower now incorporated into the room. Here's the deck with Rene checking it out:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2133a6200000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
Notice the screens on all the shutters? I love that!

OK, upstairs now to Marrakech, a two bed unit that divides the beds front and back into something pretty close to actual bedrooms. Amazing deck as well.

This isn't a great shot, but it's the rear bed shot from the entry door. The door across the way opens to a small but nice rear-facing deck so you can get views of the sunset over the jungle.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2f53a8400000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2f2bbb300000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
Another shot of the "rear" bed, this looking from the center of the unit:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a20cbb4d00000005108Aas2rVo2ZuS

You all know I'm a big fan of doors on bathrooms, but they way this room is laid out, I think my girlfriends and I would be happy. The two bed areas are divided by the bathroom, which is open at the front (there's a curtain), but the opening faces away from the beds. Hard to describe without a diagram, sorry.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a20d3a7c00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
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http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a20abb4b00000005108Aas2rVo2ZuS

The front bed"room", right off the main deck and facing the beach:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2f73a8600000005108Aas2rVo2ZuS
Feel the breeze moving the netting:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2f4bbb500000005108Aas2rVo2ZuS

And the deck (fully covered by the palapa):
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a20b3a7a00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2093a7800000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS

[beachreader]

I think I was running out of space there, so I'll finish in this one.

Captain Dale's Beach House is the largest unit with the most spectacular deck I've seen down there. It has a true king sized bed on the main level and a door on the bathroom, but the ladder to the second level is pretty steep and the beds up there are tucked into the eaves. No offense to my friend Rene (well, the owners), but they say it sleeps 6. I think that is definitely stretching things. Maybe a family with kids upstairs, or a group of maybe four adults, but it's still a great unit (just a bit expensive for 2):

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a228bb6900000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a216bb5700000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS

The loft beds. Don't get me wrong, they're nice-looking, full-sized mattresses, and Rene said they're working on a new netting system to give them more space and they have vertical fans, but there's no real storage space, and the ladder is something to consider.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a214bb5500000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
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I'd still totally stay in one of those loft beds, but not if I were splitting the room in equal shares with friends. That's why I think it would work best for families.

The bathroom door:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a22abb6b00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2293a5800000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS

And the awesome deck:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a22ebb6f00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a22f3a5e00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a22d3a5c00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS

And the view using 3x zoom (i.e., not much zoom):
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a22cbb6d00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS


Some of the common areas. Honestly, the common areas are what really sells me on the place, gives it a bit of character that other places lack (remember, I'm an old Kailuumie and we had all our meals communally).

This is the reception/kitchen area:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2033a7200000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS

They don't really serve Tapas, the owners just liked the sign.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a202bb4300000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2053a7400000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS
I've already shown the wedding area before, but just to keep things together:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a2ff3a8e00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS

And the lovely Luna, a kitten Rene rescued from somewhere, she'll remain when he leaves (she's got an awfully sweet life here!):

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a20ebb4f00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS

[beachreader]

Rene, you know, I'm looking at those loft beds again, and I think you could totally build a little ceiling over each bec so the netting can hang in a more square fashion, the way they do in the other rooms. And since the electricity goes up there, you can put ceiling fans inside just as you do in the others. I really think there's enough room there, and that would make those beds vastly more workable. Maybe even a light inside the netting as well, which would make the space really kind of romantic.

Just a thought, but I know you're leaving soon.

[PhyllisB]

This is great Fran! Thanks for all the info. La Luna looks wonderful!

[Lynnette]

Thanks for the separate report, Fran. We are very interested in La Luna, and you've perfectly described & pictured it's vibe. The beach/water views from the decks are amazing!!!! I LOVE this shot...La Luna should use it on their website!


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd34b3127cceb665a22ebb6f00000006108Aas2rVo2ZuS

[Armchairshrink]

GREAT info, as always, Beachreader!! I really wanted some more pictures of this place. We're still waiting on a quote for the wedding and more info as well but so far I'm really leaning heavily towards this place for our needs, and it's good to have a realistic view of the rooms and how many people they can fit.

What would you say is the best/most romantic room for just two (who don't need a ton of space)?

Capt. Dale's Beach House looks like a pretty good place to put my girls if they don't bring their SOs. If they do I'll have to rearrange. There's 3 of them, and we've all known each other since Jr. High so they don't need a lot of privacy.

Any opinions about Zanzibar in the back? We're thinking about sticking the in-laws back there but I'm worried it might be too hot if it's too far away from the ocean.

[Armchairshrink]

Also: do you mind if I use some of these photos on my wedding website if I give you credit and a link back to this forum?

[AdGuy]

Fran...so glad you explored La Luna as many were curious. And, very glad you posted it here rather than on the Trip Report section. So few of us go there as often as the General Board.

[luvthesun]

Does the little Luna kitty come with the rental for the week? If so.. I'm sold.

[beachreader]

Lee, I figured it wasn't a trip report since I didn't stay there, just general information, which is this forum, right?

And James gave me a tip the other day, to hit the "New Posts" thing in the blue bar, and that will show all new posts in whatever forum. Pretty handy, though I wish it were more obvious. I just started using it last night and it really does help, though I think after you post to a thread it takes you back to that thread's forum. I'm not sure, I'll check it after this one.

Luvthesun, Luna is a definite cutie, small and sleek and very happy in her part of the world.

Armchair, if I were you guys, I'd take Captain Dale's for myselves (?). It's the best place and has the most privacy. The three ground level units are all great, but they're ground level, resulting in somewhat less privacy, though of course there are always curtains and such.

Rene can correct me here, but I think that Casablanca has the most privacy of the three one-bedded units. Crusoe has the least, since everyone going to the back garden area from the beach walks right by there, and someone going from one front side to the other might be tempted to use Columbus' deck, but I really don't think this is a big problem. That might just be me, though.

[graceland]

BR, How did I miss this today!
What did you think of Marrachach (sp)? For 2 people, I thought maybe a bit more space?
Did it seem private to you, I thought the balcony looked rather nice; where I will be stationed with my bottle of bubbly in the evening.
Would love your thoughts on that cabana.
Your shots were great; wish I had the $$ for the Captains Cabanna.
thx, Gracie

[beachreader]

Grace, I thought of you when I was looking at Marrakech. It's definitely lots more space than you'd have in any of the other units. Assuming you and your spouse are comfortable sleeping on a double bed, I think you'll sleep in the front and just toss all your junk in the back. And if anyone needs more space to sleep, they can go in the back too.

It's actually a bit bigger than a double bed, but I tried to imagine my queen here and it just doesn't seem quite as large one way or the other. Still, good-sized beds for sure. And the most privacy of all.

Trish, I thought of you when I was looking at the Columbus unit. Sorry I didn't take more pictures, but it was hard to get the camera to see what I was seeing. That's a very nice unit too. Not as much space as Marrakech, but I'm sure you'll be happy there.

[graceland]

:eat-drink::eat-drink:Thanks BR! I think Marrackech will be perfect for us; I just wish Rene was going to be there.
Hanne Jesca and her husband (partner?; whatever) are going to be there and I guess they take the big house on the road..
I think it will be great to meet them and find out how they went about this whole enterprise, especially from the Netherlands. I am always interested in the how and why.
DH and I shared a TWIN bed (probably l5lbs ago) when we were in a class in Fla and had no money. :)
So, a "double" is fine with us! We have a lab sleeping in our queen, (pictured above) and she is not small, so I guess that leaves us in a small double now! And we love it:chihuahua:
Thanks again for thinking of me...
I am thinking it will be great. I love the idea of a sunset too! Gracie

[beachreader]

Oh, you'll feel like you have TONS of space if that girl isn't taking up half the bed! You'll feel wicked with so much space just for two people. :)

[graceland]

I have to tell you BR; My hubbie liked that "wicked" idea...;)
Of course I am trying to figure out a way to get my 4 legged ball of fur on the plane so she can play with "Luna" and swim in those waves...and have her own bed...hahaha.
Driving might take the whole month.
I have so enjoyed your trip report and of course your pics. I hope I can keep to the standard on my advent:)ures in Tulum.
Gracie

[beachreader]

Thanks, Grace, always nice to hear.

[graceland]

BR, I noticed no hammock, but I am one of those klutzes that ends up getting all wrapped up in it , cannot get it straightened out and end up upside down and on the ground!
Perhaps Luna is saving Marakach for folks like me who should be in a chair!

Of course I just may send another email offering to pick one up on the way in.

I can't wait to hear about your experiences at Casa la Meil (?) not sure if that is correct name, but the new one Melissa opened.

Looks like there are just too many choices in Tulum; I was hoping to split my week between 2, but holiday time requires a commitment; something I just don't get, especially in a place as "laid-back" as Tulum.
One reason I added Punta Allen - just another perspective.
THX again for your great info. I owe you a big :margarita:
Gracie

[La Luna]

Well I must say you posted a great thread.... The last view days I hardly received any emails with information requests, I think they must have read your report beachraider:moped:. I am going to stay with this name.

Enjoy your stay at Cabanas la luna in November!

hasta luego!

[beachreader]

Well I must say you posted a great thread.... The last view days I hardly received any emails with information requests, I think they must have read your report beachraider:moped:. I am going to stay with this name.

Enjoy your stay at Cabanas la luna in November!

hasta luego!


I hope you don't mean I've been scaring people away, Rene! Oh wait, maybe I should reconsider. Yes, everyone, the windows are falling off the hinges, I think I saw a rat in the kitchen and there's some sort of creeping mold coming out of the bathrooms. A big scorpion under the seat cushions on the decks, too. Yup, that should do it.

Now, Rene, about my reservation? :)