Leading Tulum’s quest for decadent desert-island chic on the tranquil martini-clear waters of Soliman Bay, it may be hard to imagine Jashita had left much room for improvement. But wander, sand underfoot, through the coconut palms of their extravagant makeover and it’s abundantly clear that this hotel’s benchmark for success is to supersede your expectations.
Let time slow right down among foliage-framed vistas of champagne sands and azure waters from the 30ft showpiece glass pool. Or gather for cocktail hour and uninterrupted seascapes on cushion-strewn sofas at the elevated terrace. With the jungle rearranged to lend postcard-perfection wherever you cast your gaze and privacy wherever you lay your towel, private nooks and hideaways abound. Easily glamorous enough to attract well-heeled posers on location, Jashita somehow still manages to inspire its guests to abandon pretence and truly let go. Perhaps thanks to the Venetian family who built it from the dunes up, whose palpable love and homespun charm pervade throughout.
Highs
- Soliman Bay, a breathtaking protected aquamarine cove, waist-deep for miles with a fish-teeming reef – there's 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
- Just 12km from Tulum and daily boat trips include Mayan temple tours, fishing and diving
- The Pandano Restaurant’s exquisite menu mixes top-notch Mexican, Italian home-cooking and freshly grilled fish
- Beautiful spa and wooden yoga platform overlooking a lagoon
Lows
- For action beyond summer music and forgetting the world, it’s a 10-minute taxi to Tulum
- Some sea views from the 2nd floor are obstructed by trees
- If you like the surf, you may prefer Tulum beach to these tranquil Caribbean sands
- Full pre-payment required on reservation
- No twin beds
- Boutique Beach Resort
- 31 bedrooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
- Boat tours
Rooms
Jashita's suites have a neutral palate, plenty of space and are perfectly appointed. Superior Deluxe and Waterfront Deluxe Suites boast high ceilings, plump sofas and four-poster beds draped in romantic curtains. These palatial proportions continue on huge private terraces, complete with plunge pools and life-affirmingly beautiful bay views. For a panoramic vista, splash out on a Honeymoon Suite or the new pièce de résistance, the Penthouse: comprised of the Allegra Deluxe Suite and Jasmine Master Suite, which can be booked separately, or combined to get the bonus of a stunning private rooftop terrace and infinity pool. Each beautiful deck is crowned with a palapa roof, lounge sofas and magnificent sunsets over jungle and ocean.
The real attention to detail hits you when you settle in and find all you need, from cable TV, Bose speakers and air-con to Italian linens, bathrobes and snorkelling equipment. All bathrooms have fantastic oversized rain showers. Sliding mosquito net doors keep rooms bug-free, and thoughtful extras include welcome chocolates and a beach bag with your room number stitched into it.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The hotel's Pandano Restaurant (open 8am-10pm) serves poolside, on the beach and on three seafront terraces, as well as boasting a zen-styled dining area inside. Radiating insouciant beach cool and cooking up some of the area’s finest Italian and Mexican cuisine, the restaurant attracts local people in-the-know and kept us from looking for alternatives. From the waiter rushing cocktails to my side on the beach to live music and sundowners on the sunset deck while staff stoked up the BBQ fire for dinner, there’s no clichéd, mañana-type resting on your laurels here; service is on point.
We couldn’t wait to wake up for breakfast, which included a full cooked plate, tropical fruit salad, warm pastries and freshly squeezed orange or green juice. For lunch, fish tacos or ceviche on the beach were unbeatable. Come dinnertime, specials alternated between grills and homemade pasta evenings. Try freshly grilled lobster and fish or let the zucchini spaghetti remind you why Italians have the culinary edge.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Take a daily swim to one of the floating pontoons exploring the underwater seascape of Soliman Bay on your way; you'll find snorkelling equipment in your room
- When the sea is calm, venture further in one of the hotel’s complimentary kayaks and paddle out beyond the reef
- The hotel runs wonderful daily boat tours (fishing, snorkelling, diving, sightseeing); to find out what's on offer, check the chalkboard mast on the beach.
- There are many land day trips on offer, too: recommended is the Mayan archaeological site Chichen Itza, it’s just 2 hours away and one of the 7 wonders of the world
- Discover Mexico’s mysterious natural cenotes (deep wells in the ground) with a guide who can divulge their legends
- Practice yoga on the beautiful beachside wooden platform overlooking the lagoon, part of the Caoba Spa, where you can also enjoy Mayan massages and traditional treatments
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Fishing
- Golf
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Private guided tours
- Scuba diving
- Scuba diving courses
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Wildlife
Best Time to go
High season runs from November to April when the weather is dry and temperatures hover around 30C. American travellers favour Christmas and New Year in Tulum so it gets busy. Travel in November or May for slightly lower rates, fewer people and lower temperatures. June to September are the hottest months and traditionally the wettest, before hurricane season reigns for a few weeks. But Caribbean weather is such that you can get lucky (or not) any time of the year.
Our Top Tips
If you can tear yourself away from Soliman Bay, sample a staple Mexican lunch at an authentic Mexican taquería watching señoras make tortillas by hand. There are plenty in Tulum, and Jashita’s staff can recommend the best.
Also popular with Tulum’s residents is the rustic lobster shack on the beach nearby. They cook over a fire and serve delicious conch and lobster ceviche, squid and fish. It's a hidden gem with virtually no tourists; Tommaso tipped us off!
Also popular with Tulum’s residents is the rustic lobster shack on the beach nearby. They cook over a fire and serve delicious conch and lobster ceviche, squid and fish. It's a hidden gem with virtually no tourists; Tommaso tipped us off!
Location
Jashita is on the beach in Soliman Bay, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It’s about 12km from the restaurants, beaches and nightlife of eco-chic resort Tulum in south-east Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, and 120km from Cancún International Airport.
By Air:
The nearest international airport is Cancún (120km away). There are direct flights from Europe (approx. 10 hours) and the US (4 hours from New York). Alternatively, take an internal flight from Mexico City.
From the Airport
Hiring a car is the usual way to drive the straight coastal route from the airport. The hotel can arrange transfers on request (1.5 hours) and there are buses including Ado’s airport transfers, and shuttle buses known as colectivos.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Mexico and getting around
Airports:
- Cancún International Airport 120.0 km CUN
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 10.0 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km