Rate the beach clubs

[John in DC]

Call me silly, but I actually like beach clubs. I like being able to lounge around and have people bring drinks and noshes, and I even like the trance and lounge music.

In Tulum, I'm basically a fool for El Paraiso, but this year I think we'll check out some of the others. I know about Ana y Jose Beach Club, but nothing about any of the others. What's your recommendation? (NOTE: We will have in tow our reasonably cosmopolitan, well-traveled -- fourth trip to the coast -- and well-behaved seven year old.)

[pepper]

Good thread, John.

Throw Ak-iin into it...down the beach near Coqui Coqui. I liked the variety of beach lounging areas set up more like an outdoor room here and there, music wasn't too abrasive. But to be fair, I didn't eat or drink there, just walked in and peeked into the kitchen which looked immaculate.

[DougSR]

Don't feel like a loaner John. I love Paraiso as well. I like the music and my date even got a really great massage right there. (since she's a massuese I'll take her word for it) I look forward to reading the responses.


Call me silly, but I actually like beach clubs. I like being able to lounge around and have people bring drinks and noshes, and I even like the trance and lounge music.

In Tulum, I'm basically a fool for El Paraiso, but this year I think we'll check out some of the others. I know about Ana y Jose Beach Club, but nothing about any of the others. What's your recommendation? (NOTE: We will have in tow our reasonably cosmopolitan, well-traveled -- fourth trip to the coast -- and well-behaved seven year old.)

[Lynnette]

This will be interesting since there are so many new clubs. Now that Nuddy Beach is Paraiso again, that will be my first choice!!! Their beautiful beach and all of the palms, good food, drinks, and hopefully good music is hard to beat!!!

[TnTWalter]

Looking forward to your responses...note many on here are not fans of Paraiso...

there's Zazil-kin that's a popular low-key option..

sidenote: mapchick's tulum map doesn't have ak-iin on there. I was pretty bummed with that map. I liked all the others from her though....she needs to spend more time here. LOL.:eat-drink:

[DougSR]

Neither does Sac-Be but Aki-in close to Tita. They have the padded chairs and a restaurant with a beachy space underneath so you can get out of the sun but still enjoy the beach.

[mayaflya]

sidenote: mapchick's tulum map doesn't have ak-iin on there. I was pretty bummed with that map. I liked all the others from her though....she needs to spend more time here. LOL.:eat-drink:

I had the same reaction....there's still nothing south of Zamas....hmmmm....maybe she has been spending time down there...

Hey, mapchick! how about erasing Soliman Bay on the next update? ;-)

[PhyllisB]

How about we keep the places off the maps so no one who gets a map discovers them!?!? ;) ;) ;) ;) :D

[beachreader]

Ak-iin is pretty much next to Esmeralda K (south side), but that might be where Pierre's little campground and Samasati are, so I guess technically it would be two small properties south of EK.

Ana y Jose's beach club is between Posada Margerita and Hemingway, and there's Paraiso, of course, which is no longer Nuddy (yay!).

La Vita e Bella has opened their chairs up as a "beach club" of sorts, though it's just their regular old hotel chairs, no music or anything. I think a waiter makes the rounds once in a while.

Oh, and Om has a beach club. Again, it's just their regular hotel chairs, but they have a beach bar and music and such.

[DougSR]

Ak-iin is pretty much next to Esmeralda K (south side), but that might be where Pierre's little campground and Samasati are, so I guess technically it would be two small properties south of EK.

So Pierre is the one with the French press coffee? And he is between EsmereldaK and Ak-iin? On the beach or the road?

[beachreader]

Oui, Doug, but I heard later in the week from Mariposa that Pierre had actually moved over to the Ak'iin club and is operating out of there now. I don't know if that was temporary or permanent move, but look in both places.

[AdGuy]

How about we keep the places off the maps so no one who gets a map discovers them!?!? ;) ;) ;) ;) :D


Capitol idea, Phyllis! Besides, there's not even a McDonald's or a Cracker Barrel in Tulum! Why would anyone even want to go there? :)

[AdGuy]

Oh...I almost forgot to vote on Tulum's beach clubs. My ratings (in typical snarky fashion) are:

El Parasio: http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gif


Ana y Jose: http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gif


Ak-iin: http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gif



http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gif

[minniemex]

Oh...I almost forgot to vote on Tulum's beach clubs. My ratings (in typical snarky fashion) are:

El Parasio: http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gif


Ana y Jose: http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gif


Ak-iin: http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_19_7.gif



http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gif (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smileycentral. com%2F%3Fpartner%3DZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gif


Really cracked me up!! LOL Too funny!!


However, not everyone shares your thoughts on the beach clubs Lee!!

[JillyinMN]

I'd like a recommendation for a Tulum beach club. I've been to El Paraiso and want to try something different. We'll be going to the ruins first and then taking a taxi to a beach club, so I need one that the taxi driver will know, and also one that will have taxis back to Tulum Pueblo. I'd also like a place with great food. It doesn't need to be cheap, just not outrageously expensive.:o

[beachreader]

Taxi drivers should know all of them, I'm sure, and you'll find a full listing in this thread (there aren't that many beach clubs).

As for food, the Ana y Jose beach club (different from the hotel) has one menu item that I thought was really fantastic. It's a taco platter, I think one of each (shrimp, chicken, beef), but the sauce was amazing. They have nice chairs, but I think they've packed way too many of said chairs on their little piece of beach, which was suffering a bit of erosion when I was there in March. Ak'iin has a better beach area, but I don't know what their food is like. I bet Om's beach food is really good, I've never had a bad meal in their restaurant.

[kcaraco]

I would definitely recommend Om. We went there probably 4 out of the 7 days we were in Tulum. We walked from Hemingway's the 2 clicks or so down the beach and by the time we arrived, we were ready for a cold one. The beach out in front is really beautiful, there's plenty of loungers or chairs or even tables under the sails, the music is eclectic and the food is to die for. We had the ceviche one afternoon and so enjoyed it with an ice cold Sol.

Have a wonderful time!
Cheers,
Kat

[JillyinMN]

I would definitely recommend Om. We went there probably 4 out of the 7 days we were in Tulum. We walked from Hemingway's the 2 clicks or so down the beach and by the time we arrived, we were ready for a cold one. The beach out in front is really beautiful, there's plenty of loungers or chairs or even tables under the sails, the music is eclectic and the food is to die for. We had the ceviche one afternoon and so enjoyed it with an ice cold Sol.

Have a wonderful time!
Cheers,
Kat

Om sounds perfect! I think that's where we'll go. Do you know how much they charge for chairs? Do you need to let someone know you want a chair, or do you just plop down and someone will come around to collect? Sorry to sound uninformed, but this will be the first time to Tulum not on a tour or arriving in a taxi at El Paraiso. I got kicked out of the first chair I sat down in at El Paraiso. There was no one around, but they said the area was reserved. Sure enough a big group was there later. Thanks for any suggestions you can provide to a Tulum newbie:o.

We're staying in Playa, but need to explore the area more this trip!

[beachreader]

Om is pretty tiny, no need to worry about group tours showing up. I'd say just pick a comfy-looking chair and someone will check with you on what you'd like to drink, etc. The people there are all really nice (or at least have been each of times I've been there).

[minniemex]

I believe that as long as you eat & drink merry there, there isn't a charge at Om. Correct me if I am wrong.

[beachreader]

I don't know, Minnie, as when I stayed there they weren't really up and running as a beach club quite yet.

[JillyinMN]

Om is pretty tiny, no need to worry about group tours showing up. I'd say just pick a comfy-looking chair and someone will check with you on what you'd like to drink, etc. The people there are all really nice (or at least have been each of times I've been there).


I believe that as long as you eat & drink merry there, there isn't a charge at Om. Correct me if I am wrong.

Thank you!

[TheWindyCity]

Here is a photo of their beach. Honestly though, I have to say we weren't impressed with their dinner choices on the menu. The food was just OK. Don't how the lunch menu is, however.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/2Tulum2008/IMGP0813.jpg

[beachreader]

Windy, do you know if Freddy was in the kitchen when you were there? I know it's really dark so might be hard to tell, but he's a really large guy, sort of hard to miss. I've had three outstanding dinners from him and an amazing breakfast (once, the other one was just so-so, but he wasn't there).

I will say that the last time I was there, two of the other dinners at my table were good but not great, and desserts one night were really odd, so I wonder if maybe management has reined him in a bit since I was first there in December, or maybe he's just a hit-or-miss kind of chef. Still, if there's even a chance I could have a dinner like that first one, I'll go back over and over again.

[Toni]

Here is a picture from Ana Y Jose's beach club taken last year. The chairs are all on top of each other, we were next door at P. Margherita for a week and rarely saw anyone there. This was late Oct.

We thought they bused large groups in from elsewhere , but luckily (for us) the few times they did, people were only there a short while.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/espanamaya/014-1.jpg

[John in DC]

We spent an afternoon at Ana y Jose Beach Club last month. I gotta say, I wasn't overly impressed. Fun big waves to play in, but that was about it. Their barn of a restaurant is clearly designed for tour groups -- there was a busload of about 20 there when we arrived, but they left shortly after. I will say, AyJ has some swanky bathrooms!

We had a better time at the beach in front of El Paraiso the next day, even though the club itself was shut down at the time due to the Profepa nonsense.

[kcaraco]

Here is a photo of their beach. Honestly though, I have to say we weren't impressed with their dinner choices on the menu. The food was just OK. Don't how the lunch menu is, however.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/2Tulum2008/IMGP0813.jpg
We just plopped down as well. The staff was quite attentive and never said anything about anteing up for a beach bed. I 'spose it does help to order some cervezas as you occupy their spaces!

Windy, love that picture! Here's a couple from our trip:

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/42764/2074869790012217002S600x600Q85.jpg (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgood-times.webshots.com%2Fphoto%2F2074869790012217002lo KLHt)

http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/42097/2326408320012217002S600x600Q85.jpg (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgood-times.webshots.com%2Fphoto%2F2326408320012217002kG XGYH)

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/27182/2235959100012217002S600x600Q85.jpg (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgood-times.webshots.com%2Fphoto%2F2235959100012217002QN wKNi)

http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/40362/2907036770012217002S600x600Q85.jpg (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgood-times.webshots.com%2Fphoto%2F2907036770012217002pY vlFi)

Cheers,
Kat

[TheWindyCity]

Windy, do you know if Freddy was in the kitchen when you were there? I know it's really dark so might be hard to tell, but he's a really large guy, sort of hard to miss. I've had three outstanding dinners from him and an amazing breakfast (once, the other one was just so-so, but he wasn't there).

I will say that the last time I was there, two of the other dinners at my table were good but not great, and desserts one night were really odd, so I wonder if maybe management has reined him in a bit since I was first there in December, or maybe he's just a hit-or-miss kind of chef. Still, if there's even a chance I could have a dinner like that first one, I'll go back over and over again.

I might have, if he was the owner. We met him and he was a great host to our party.

[DougSR]

I gotta say no beach club is my beach club. I spent the a day or two at AyJ and it was very nice. And, I also kind of cheated because I stayed at Cabanas Tulum right next door. So when I needed a "freshy" I would just visit my cooler. El Paraiso was too crowded my last time down but we loved it in September of '07. All of that said, I prefer walking the beach and stopping in a every bar on the beach. I like to mix and mingle and see everything so I vote "none of the above".

[beachreader]

I might have, if he was the owner. We met him and he was a great host to our party.


No, not the owner, just the chef. Very large Mexican guy with a sweet face. He peeks over the kitchen doors and sometimes comes out to chat with the customers and see what they want to eat. The staff called him Marshmallow, or whatever the Mexican word for marshmallow is.

[actually, I just looked it up, and the word in the dictionary isn't what they were saying, maybe there's a slang word for it, or maybe they were being polite telling me it was "marshmallow" and not something much ruder. :o]

[Linda S.]

Great question! I've been wanting to ask the same thing. So most places you don't pay a cover- as long as you are eating/drinking? How do the food prices compare at mentioned clubs? ARe they all about the same?

[beachreader]

Great question! I've been wanting to ask the same thing. So most places you don't pay a cover- as long as you are eating/drinking? How do the food prices compare at mentioned clubs? ARe they all about the same?


Most bars/restaurants don't charge you to use their chairs if you're eating/drinking. However, most "beach clubs" do charge you to use their chairs, whether you eat/drink or not. It's a fine distinction that's not always followed. I.e., Om calls itself a beach club but may or may not charge for the chairs. The Ana y Jose Beach Club will definitely charge for the chairs. Kind of depends on how they're set up. The AyJBC has no rooms on site to offset their expenses, but Om does. Maybe that's part of it. At La Vita e Bella, they'll come out and ask you to pay for the chair if you're not a hotel guest, but I've only been asked twice out of the four times I've used them as a beach club.

So I guess the rule is there is no rule. As with many things in Mexico! :)

[Lynnette]

At La Vita e Bella, they'll come out and ask you to pay for the chair if you're not a hotel guest, but I've only been asked twice out of the four times I've used them as a beach club.
So I guess the rule is there is no rule. As with many things in Mexico! :)

La Vita e Bella is hit or miss with chair charges. Both times I've been there, no charge, however we did have drinks & food from the restaurant.

[allsons]

Can someone clarify? Are Ana y Jose cabanas and Ana y Jose beach club two different places?
One post said next to cabanas Tulum and another said Hemmingways?
Cheers!

[John in DC]

Same owners, two different places. The Hotel Ana y Jose has always been next to Cabanas Tulum. The beach club is a separate property a little ways north.

[beachreader]

Si. The beach club is between Posada Margerita and Casa de Miel (which is next to Hemingway's but probably doesn't show up on maps yet).

Doug just treated the Ana y Jose hotel beach chairs as his own personal "beach club".

[angelominos@hotmail.]

Hi all
There are usually chairs availlable depending what time of the year you come.If the cabanas are full so might be the beachclub.Om does not charge for there chairs if you eat and drink.They are more than happy to service all customers( i hate when beachclubs charge you for a chair when you drink and eat).If you wish to reserve(by the way phone service is hit or miss)this is the number 984 877 2348.

Have a great time,Tulum is really a magical place.Take your time and enjoy the beach.