Hotel Muaré, Tulum | the trip we didn’t know we needed

Jenna and I were, once again, mulling over how to get away, for what felt like the 47th time this year. This time, we wanted to use our flight credits and find a “perfect fit” client for the content creation side of Tattooed Tourists. We approached it exactly that way, and we won.

We also knew that meant treating ourselves like a client on the travel advisory side of our business, which required slowing down and asking the right questions. How do we want to feel on this trip? Do we want the comfort of something familiar, or are we ready for something new? What does a “perfect fit” look like outside of our comfort zone? And most importantly, what will make sure Jenna feels happy, inspired, and creative? Our entire well oiled machine depends on that creative energy flowing and lubricating everything around it. That sounds way dirtier than we intended. Sorry, not sorry.

Finding Muaré.

Once we decided we were ready for something new, we had to ground ourselves in reality for a moment and consider the budget. Reimbursement is awesome, but outspending is never appreciated. Those travel credits weren’t taking us to Costa Rica or Belize, but they would absolutely take us to Mexico, which works out perfectly because we fucking love Mexico. We narrowed it down to Tulum or Holbox, knowing we wanted jungle energy with beach access nearby. We also wanted to try the Tulum airport, which, for the record, was refreshingly easy and, dare I say, pleasant. So Tulum it was.

Tulum carries a reputation: safe, beautiful, and distinctly Bohemian. We can usually adapt to any aesthetic as long as it’s clean, but Jenna had something very specific in mind, and the more antique leaning Bohemian look simply wasn’t it for her. We looked at several properties that just didn’t land. When we found Hotel Muaré, we knew immediately. Once something clicks like that for us, we move quickly. Within three days, we were on our way.

Jenna working, me writing, both of us fully committed to simply being. This was not a high pressure, content heavy trip. No rushing from room to room. No forced production. Just space to exist. When we walked into our suite, we both exhaled in a way that felt almost surprising, like wow, we really needed this. It became clear very quickly that this was the trip we didn’t know we needed until it was right in front of us. And that right there is what people book for, even if they don’t know how to say it yet.

A beautiful in between.

Muaré carries enough of that Bohemian influence to belong in Tulum, but balances it with a level of cleanliness, intention, and high touch service that elevates the entire experience. It’s an adults only property, and it’s important to note that it is not ideal for guests with mobility limitations. The jungle is fully present here, and the paths to the 26 private suites are gravel and winding. You are immersed in nature at every turn. For us, that was part of the appeal. It feels intentional, not accidental, like you’re meant to slow down whether you planned to or not.

The suites come in three tiers: Selva Haven, Luna Hideaway, and Suite Muaré at the top. Each offers privacy, along with two features that are surprisingly rare at this price point: an outdoor shower and a private plunge pool. Not shared. Not an upgrade. Simply included. That alone shifts the value conversation in a very real way, and makes this one of those places that quietly outperforms its price point without needing to say it out loud.

You’ll see it listed as both a four and a five star property, and in our opinion, it lands directly in between. Not because it falls short, but because it chooses to exist in a way that is more natural than polished. Keeping a pristine five star environment in the middle of the jungle would require a level of control that would likely strip away what makes this place special.

Service that never feels transactional.

Where Muaré truly excels is in its service, attentiveness, and overall guest experience. Communication runs through WhatsApp, as it does at many boutique properties, but the responsiveness here is exceptional. We never waited more than a few minutes. We’ve waited longer at some of the highest end brands out there, which feels mildly offensive now that we’ve experienced this. It never feels transactional. It feels intuitive and genuinely thoughtful, which is exactly what turns a great stay into something people talk about and recommend.

Yes, there are mosquitoes. It’s the jungle. But they are manageable. With a bit of preparation and common sense, they become a non issue and never take away from the overall experience. Honestly, if anything, they just keep you humble.

Where Muaré quietly overdelivers.

The amenities are where content naturally creates itself without forcing it.

The pool feels as though it was carved into the jungle rather than placed there. It’s calm, intentional, and beautifully integrated into its surroundings. Yes, you’ll notice floating leaves at first, and then you’ll quickly realize you are exactly where you chose to be. Once you accept that, it becomes part of the charm. The space never feels overcrowded, and the balance of sun and shade makes it easy to settle in for hours. And the music… the music is perfect. Subtle, curated, and somehow always matching the moment at the pool, bar, and restaurant without ever overpowering it. It’s one of those details you don’t expect to matter as much as it does, but it absolutely does. Service at the pool is seamless. You’re never left needing anything, yet you’re never interrupted unnecessarily, which is a rare and impressive balance.

The restaurant and bar are consistently strong. The menu is concise but clearly curated with intention. Everything feels fresh, balanced, and thoughtfully prepared. Breakfast is generous and grounding, lunch is light but satisfying, and dinner manages to feel both elevated and approachable. The cocktails and mocktails deserve recognition too. They are crafted, not rushed, and very easy to keep ordering. We were especially obsessed with the mezcal sin alcohol, which we fully intend to recreate at home and will absolutely fail at, but we’ll enjoy trying anyway. This is the kind of food and beverage experience that keeps people on property longer, which says everything.

The spa is where the experience deepens. It is not overly modern or perfectly polished. It leans a bit rawer and more natural, which fits the overall feel of the property. But once the treatments begin, none of that matters. These are some of the most intuitive and present massages we’ve ever had. You don’t feel like you’re being served, you feel genuinely cared for. It stays with you, in your body and in your breath, long after it ends. It is absolutely a reason to return, and honestly, we would come back just for this without hesitation, which is probably the highest compliment we can give.

And then there are the subtle details that elevate everything. The lighting at night softens the entire space. The rooms are reset so beautifully each day that returning feels like arriving all over again. The quiet, the privacy, the pace, it all works together to gently slow you down in a way that feels both intentional and necessary. This is the kind of place that translates effortlessly online because it genuinely delivers offline.

Why we stayed longer.

Muaré doesn’t try to be everything, and that is exactly why it works. It knows its audience. It’s for people who want to feel something, who want to slow down without sacrificing comfort, and who care about how a place feels just as much as how it looks. It is the kind of place that doesn’t just photograph beautifully, but converts, because the experience actually matches what people see.

And once you feel that, once you truly exhale, it stays with you. Which is exactly why, when we heard there were thunderstorms back home, we didn’t hesitate. We extended our stay. Because when a place feels like it’s actively taking care of you, you don’t rush to leave. You stay a little longer and let it keep doing its work. At the end of the day, that is usually the goal, no?